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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-17 Historical Commission MinutesMinutes Reading Historical Commission December 17, 1996 The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. Regular Members present: Virginia Adams, John McCauley, Ed Palmer, David O'Sullivan, Roberta Sullivan Associate members present: Colonel Wilbur Hoxie, Gladys Montgomery Jones, Louise Sandburg, Alan Ulrich Property Owners and Guests present: • Phyllis Winkler, 167 Green Street (for 32 John Street) • Muriel MacLean, 167 Green Street (for 32 John Street) • Sandra Herlihy, 237 Ash Street (for 32 John Street) • Jerry and Marka O'Connell, 25 School Street • Nancy Twomey, 23 California Road (designer for 25 School) • Robert M. Keegan, 64 Baystate Road • Edmond Kennedy, 65 Wakefield Street • Marion Gaw, 337 Pearl Street • Mary Howard, 529 Franklin Street • Mary Lou Rand Horn, 320 West Street The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and vote upon eight properties nominated for inclusion in the Town's Inventory of Historically and Architecturally Significant properties. Owners of seven of the properties were present at the meeting. Commission Chairman David O'Sullivan introduced the Commission members and explained what listing in the inventory means, including the fact that this places properties under Reading's Demolition Review Bylaw. He noted that this was the first occasion since passage of the bylaw for properties to be added to the Inventory and described what procedures are under the bylaw. He cited 89 Main Street as an example where a property was listed in the Inventory, but the Commission declined to vote the barn `preferably preserved' which would have delayed its demolition. He said that inclusion in the Inventory was often a first step toward listing in the Massachusetts and National Registers of Historic Places. Properties were then considered and voted in turn. 25 SCHOOL STREET: Virginia Adams reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owners Jerry and Marka O'Connell discussed plans to replace the rear ell, which they thought was not part of the original structure. They did not object to having the building on the Inventory, but were happy to proceed through the bylaw process as necessary. Virginia moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 25 School Street be added to the Inventory. 337 PEARL STREET: Virginia reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owner Marion Gaw objected to the building being added to the Inventory on the grounds that it would make it difficult to sell the property, which, she said, is on its way to falling down and requires sill work and other structural repairs. Members of the Commission pointed out that someone interested in 2 restoration would not be put off by the need for sill and other structural work, and that the demolition delay bylaw is not the only Town restriction affecting the property. The building is on an undersize lot, so that replacement would involve zoning variances; the demolition delay - process and the zoning review would occur in parallel. Virginia moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 3-2-0 ainst placing 337 Pearl Street on the Inventory. 64 BAYSTATE ROAD: Virginia reviewed the historical significance of the building. Roberta Sullivan noted the pristine nature of the building's interior, as it now stands. Owner Robert Keegan described plans to place a PRD development on the property, which include moving the antique house to the rear of the property and converting it into a barn. Virginia Adams recalled that one of the criteria for approval of the PRD was that the house be preserved. The owner indicated willingness to cooperate with the Commission. David O'Sullivan moved, Roberta seconded, and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 64 Baystate Road be added to the Inventory. 32 JOHN STREET: Virginia reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owners Phyllis Winkler, Muriel MacLean and Sandra Herlihy said they are in the process of selling the property, currently a four unit building which they described as falling down, to developer David Barrett. David O'Sullivan explained that he had gone through the property with Barrett, who had expressed a willingness to work with the Commission. David noted that current zoning will only, allow one single family residence on the property if the current building is torn down, and that to maintain a four-unit capacity, the antique building would have to be restored and renovated; the ells date from the early 1900s and could be replaced. David moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 32 John Street be added to the Inventory. 65 WAKEFIELD STREET: Virginia Adams reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owner Edmond Kennedy reviewed what he had done in the past 50 years to restore and upgrade the building and shared photographs with Commission members. He said he would be pleased to have his home included in the Inventory. David moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 65 Wakefield Street be added to the Inventory. 529 FRANKLIN STREET: Virginia Adams reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owner Mary Howard described restoration work on the house since their purchasing it in 1982; this included a consultancy with SPNEA. She said she would be pleased to have her home included in the Inventory. David moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 529 Franklin Street be added to the Inventory. 320 WEST STREET: Virginia Adams reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owner Mary Lou Horn described their restoration work in the house. She said she would be pleased to have her home included in the Inventory. David moved, Ed Palmer seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 320 West Street be added to the Inventory. 165 SOUTH STREET: Virginia Adams reviewed the historical significance of the building. Owners were not present at the meeting and no word had been received from them. David moved, Roberta seconded and the Commission voted 5-0-0 that 165 South Street be added to the Inventory. The next meeting was scheduled for January 17, 1997. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.