Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
May 1, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Board Members: Ruth Wales, HDC Chair, LHC/HDC; Ephraim Flint, HDC; Kerry Glass, LHC/HDC; Andrew Ory, LHC/HDC; Colin Smith, LHC/HDC
Alternate: Jack MacLean, HDC
Secretary: Elaine Carroll
NEXT ANTICIPATED MEETINGS: Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 7:30 p.m., Town Offices
The minutes of the April 3 meeting were approved as amended by Ruth Wales and Jack MacLean.
Discussions:
FoMA – FoMA made a presentation before the Board of Selectmen with 4 historic districts of modern houses – Beaver Pond Road, Browns Woods, Woodcock Lane and Old Concord Road. John MacLean spoke to Dana Robbat after the meeting to discuss the possibility of putting Browns Woods and Old Concord Road into a Neighborhood Conservation District. A Historic District takes a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting. For a Neighborhood Conservation District you have to have a majority of owners in agreement to come before Town Meeting. It was felt that a Historic District of modern houses may be more controversial and who would prepare the material is another issue. Woodcock Lane had tried but there was not enough interest in the neighborhood. FoMA will be coming in to the June 5 meeting to give a presentation.
New Application – The members reviewed a new application for the Demolition Delay By-Law drafted initially by Elaine Carroll and further amended by Ruth Wales and Jack MacLean, along with an information sheet drafted by Jack MacLean. The new application uses corrected language and additional information, which the members wanted applicants to include. After a brief discussion, the new application and information sheet was unanimously accepted. They will not take effect until after the Attorney General has approved the new Demolition Delay By-Law, which should be some time in July. Kerry Glass said the Boston Globe reported that the Town of Lexington has gone from a six-month delay to a twelve-month delay but that it barely passed at their town meeting. Ruth Wales said that Abington did not pass the
extension.
5 Sandy Pond Road – Jamie Atkins of 8 Upland Field Road came before the members to inform them that she was interested in purchasing 5 Sandy Pond Road (former Chapin house) and wanted to get some informal feedback from the HDC regarding possible changes. She showed some pictures of the existing house. What she would like to do is expand the kitchen into the existing garage and add another story, which would include a bedroom and bathroom. This addition would be in keeping with the character of the house. She would then like to add a one story two car garage. Ephraim Flint said that any outbuildings on the property must be kept to a 500 sq. ft. footprint. Mrs. Atkins said that the neighbors, the Lattimores, enjoy their view of the fields so she needs to pick the location of the garage carefully. Mr.
Flint said that the house does not presently sit on a 2 acre lot, but they are currently changing the lot size. There are view and agricultural easements on the property. The church currently uses a trail easement on the property for its winter solstice. Mrs. Atkins said that they would have no problem with the church using the property for that. Mrs. Atkins feels that if she takes down a large tree, which is in the way, she can move the garage so that it won’t interfere with the Lattimore’s view of the field. Mr. Flint said that they are presently making the lot conforming and will go before the ZBA because of the front yard setback. Mrs. Atkins was told that after she has a purchase and sale agreement she can come before the HDC members with plans of what she wants to do.
Historically Significant Properties – Ruth Wales brought in three lists of historically significant properties. The lists included: l) Non-District Historic Buildings; 2) Overlay Historic District; and
3) Lincoln Houses Dating before 1800. The last list has been modified and is shorter than before because some houses, which the State said are before 1800 were not and 2 were added to the Historic District this year. The other houses on this list are not protected in any way. The new owners of 15 Conant Road did not want to be added to the Historic District at this time. LHC members discussed doing some research, visiting the sites and prioritizing which ones are most important to get into a Historic District. The members discussed the best way to approach individuals to see if they are interested in being included in a Historic District, on the National Register or have a Preservation Restriction Agreement put on their house. A PRA also gives interior controls and provides the best protection. One
area to focus on would be Baker Farm Road. Jane Langton at 9 Baker Farm Road is eligible to be put in the Historic District and National Register and could be part of a larger district or would be individually eligible. 37-39 Baker Farm Road is part of Thoreau Institute. Peter Adams did not want to be on the National Register. Higginson House was put on the National Register about 3 years ago. Mrs. Hewitt felt that her house was more valuable as a teardown. Kerry Glass said that she will contact some of the owners on Baker Farm Road to see if there is any interest. She will get back to the members at a future meeting. Another area to focus on is Red Rail Farm. Kim Johnson has interest in putting up a cell tower. The property is not in an overlay district. Nadie Rice is interested in a Neighborhood Conservation District. It is a private way and this would have more of an impact. There is also some interest
in Old Sudbury Road and Ken Hurd met with some of the neighbors last summer. Colin Smith will go around and take some pictures of the houses of interest. The members will need to inventory houses that have been identified as historically significant, which could be made available for the special Town Meeting.
Freedom’s Way Report – Elaine Carroll made additional copies of the Freedom’s Way Report so that all members could have one to review. Ruth Wales asked that the members take it home and read it and it will be put on a future agenda for discussion.
Bill Paid – There was one bill paid to Jack MacLean from the Codman Trust Account for $402.50 for final work on the Cory-Brown-Hunt District and historic properties data base updates and expansions. Paul Marsh, 61 Bedford Road – The LHC received notification from Mass. Historical that they had approved the final version of Paul Marsh’s Preservation Restriction Agreement. Mr. Marsh’s attorney will send a copy to the Town after it has been recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
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