Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Board: Colin Smith, Chair, Lucretia Giese, Ken Hurd, Davie Ries, Ruth Wales
Town: Elaine Carroll
Guests: Jack MacLean, Historian
Gus Browne and Tom Black of Old Town Hall Corporation
Joel Freedman, Neighborhood Conservation District Committee
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 7:30 p.m., Town Offices
The minutes from the January 3, 2006 meeting were approved with one correction.
Colin Smith welcomed new alternate member Ruth Wales to the HDC.
Edward Nardi, 37 Bedford Road Mr. Nardi bought some of the Lammert s property next door and extended his existing fence to include the purchased land. After a brief discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the fence. The motion passed unanimously.
Certificates of Appropriateness:
Old Town Hall Corporation, 25 Lincoln Road alterations to parking area, farmer s wall addition at island:
The members reviewed new plan showing proposed changes to the parking area, granite steps, brick and granite pavers and an island at the front of the parking area with a farmer s wall to match the existing walls on either side of the parking lot. There was a discussion about the safety of the flow of traffic and whether arrows should be posted at the entrance and exits. Mr. Browne said that the island had the approval of the Fire Department and the DPW. Parking spaces would be diagonal and marked with blue paint, which is less jarring than white and there would be plenty of parking spaces. Ken Hurd was unsettled about all the various materials in front of the building. Colin Smith would prefer to see the brick walkway extended instead of using granite pavers. After a brief discussion, a
motion was made and seconded to approve the island with farmer s wall. The motion passed unanimously. The members tabled the discussion of whether to use a granite or brick apron for the front steps of the building until a later time.
Discussions:
Neighborhood Conservation District Bylaw Joel Freedman came before the members to discuss the NCD bylaw, which is going before Town Meeting this Saturday and to get the support of the HDC for this general bylaw. The focus will be on a few designated areas with Brown s Woods possibly being the first area. It would not be as dense and complex as a Historic District and each district would have its own guidelines, which could cover demolition, additions or landscaping. Joel Freedman said that any area proposed to be designated a NCD would first be sent to the HDC, which would hold a public hearing. Following the public hearing, the HDC may, by majority vote, recommend the area for designation as an NCD. If approved, the designation of the NCD would then be brought to Town
Meeting for approval. If 33% of the neighbors oppose this designation, the proposal would die. Guido Perera of 121 Old Concord Road, felt that participation should be on a voluntary basis because it would reduce market value of the property. Joel Freedman said that if the area could be designated a NCD even if a few neighbors were not on board. John Robinson said that in a neighborhood of non-conforming lots, neighbors would have something to say about changes. Joel said that the bylaw just creates a process. He said that the Town is involved because it has to be a benefit to the Town. He said that they don t want to make it harder to set up a NCD than it is to create a Historic District. Ruth Wales said that without unanimous support, the neighbors would have to go against people they have to live near. Joel said that you don t want one or two to kill the deal. Eleanor Fitzgerald said that she had heard
from some people living in the Brown s Wood area who are not in favor of a NCD. Joel said that the NCD Committee would review any addition or demolition. The review is non-binding but the discussion would hopefully bring everyone together. A motion was made and seconded to support the Neighborhood Conservation District Bylaw, which will be before Town Meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Joel asked that someone from the HDC get up at Town Meeting to say that the bylaw has HDC support.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
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