HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-27 ad Hoc West Street Historic District Study Committee MinutesOctober 27, 2005
Approved 1103105, 3-0
WEST STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867
Michael T. Gray, AIA, C'kaimon, Susan Pattersm, Vice-C'haimm, Kathryn Greenfield, Secretory, Ikywthy Casolazv, David K uh
Members present: Members absent:
Dorothy Casolaro
Michael Gray
Kathryn Greenfield
David Kruh _
Susan Patterson
Others in attendance: r
Clay Jones
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m.
Election of C?cers
The following members volunteered to hold the following officer positions and were elected
by the Commission members, 5-0:
Michael Gray, Chairman
Susan Patterson, Vice Chairman
Kathryn Greenfield, Secretary
General Discussion
Members discussed:
Y the need to establish a monthly meeting schedule until the Commission is better
organized in terms of forms, applications, etc.
Y how to best deal with an application in the interim
➢ which sample forms, from the examples, might best suit the needs of the District
[Mike liked T/Newton for its ease of use - i.e. circling items rather than filling in]
Background Information
The Commission was joined by Clay Jones, former Chairman of the Reading Historical
Commission and of the ad hoc West Street Local Historic District Study Committee. He
informed the Commission that the bylaw establishing the district was written as much to
educate as to regulate. It results from 25 years of historical education and a growing
October 27, 2005
Approved 1113105, 3-0
appreciation for preservation. West Street is under pressure at both ends, including:
industrial parks, interstates, and developments. Establishment of the District is a signal to
people that the Town has an interest in what they- do to their-properties.
Clay told the Commission that its greatest achievement would be that other streets want to
become local historic districts because the WSHDC causes people to appreciate the district,
its architecture and sense of community.
He also cautions that the restoration movement has a new appreciation for evolution of
houses - away from a sense of purity in restoration. That it lets houses evolve.
He advised that the Commission be proactive and build-up good will within the District.
The design guidelines that have been turned over to the Commission, as a result of the bylaw
being passed, are intended as a draft to be accepted or revised by the Commission-
Actions taken and decisions made by the WSHDC will set its own legal precedents.
TO DO
Building Inspector - contact, establish good relationship & application procedure
➢ Town Planner - contact and discuss interaction with Town & ZBA
Develop application procedures
)i~, Maintain contact with Town Manager, RHC, and Selectman liaison (identify who
this is)
Discuss signage (if it's wanted at all, where, what's the goal, plaques, Dragon
Corner, etc.)
S Think about what to hand to homeowners in the District
Z Get on listserv (as individuals)
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the WSHDC is expected to be posted for November 14, 2005 at 7:00
p.m. (Agenda: Guidelines, Procedures, Forms)
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.