Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 28, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Board members: Ruth Wales, HCD, Chair, LHC/HDC; Lucretia Giese, LHC Chair, LHC/HDC; Kerry Glass, LHC/HDC; James Craig, HDC; Ken Hurd, HDC; Jack MacLean.
Recorder: Lucretia Giese
Next meeting November 18, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Historic District Commission
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
Stephen Dyer, 8 Sandy Pond Road, came before the HDC to request to change the existing cedar roofing on his garage to asphalt architectural shingles. Sample materials were shown. Mr. Dyer considered “weathered wood” to coordinate best with the color of his house and garage. A motion made by Lucretia Giese that Mr. Dyer be allowed to change the roofing material of his garage from cedar to asphalt architectural shingles in the color of his preference was seconded and approved.
Traffic Committee Recommendations
Chris Bibo, Superintendent of Public Works in Lincoln, and Jason Felsch, Chair of the Traffic Committee, discussed recommended changes to roadways in the Historic District area. Sara Mattes, Chair of the Selectmen, was also present. Four areas of proposed changes were discussed:
1. Additional sloped granite curbing on Trapelo Road from Bedford Road to Lexington Road on the south side and from Library Lane to Lexington Road on the north side, with a raised painted crosswalk on Trapelo Road slightly to the west of the intersection of Lexington and Trapelo Roads. It was mentioned that markings on crosswalk and cautionary signage would be necessary.
There was much discussion about the effect of a crosswalk, both on pedestrians and traffic. Although the crosswalk was to slow traffic and facilitate crossing from the trail on the south side of Trapelo Road, the Commissions felt the location would not achieve either purpose. They considered the crosswalk inappropriate for safety and aesthetic reasons.
The Commissions unanimously voted against a raised crosswalk at that location.
The Commissions did vote unanimously to recommend extension of the granite sloped curbing on both north and south sides of Trapelo Road from the intersection of Lexington Road to the intersection of Old Lexington Road. It was thought that such an extension would help identify the boundary of the Lincoln Historic District for the public.
2. The closing of Old Lexington Road between its intersections with Lexington and Trapelo Roads. Safety, as well as historical and aesthetic considerations were given in support of the closing. The historic character of the road would be restored. Discussion revolved around how such an area could be used to disseminate historical information and signal the approach to an historic district. Proponents felt it would do both; opponents expressed concern that the possibility of experiencing a small scenic road would be lost and had traffic concerns as well. By a vote of three to two, the Commissions voted to approve the closing of the lower
portion of Old Lexington Road, subject to traffic analysis and notice given to abutters.
Besides closing that roadway altogether, the Commissions considered making it and the upper portion of Old Lexington Road one-way. The Commissions voted unanimously in favor of making that recommendation to the Selectmen and the Traffic Committee. The direction of traffic was not settled.
A third option was proposed, that the upper portion of Old Lexington Road be open to one-way traffic only with the lower portion of the road closed. The Commissions voted three yes, two against.
3. Historic signage. The Public Safety Department recommended metal signs at the beginning of the Lincoln Center Historic District at the intersection of Old Lexington and Trapelo Roads and on Sandy Pond Road. The Commissions examined some examples and agreed with the practicality of metal over wood in a shape associated with historic districts. The signs would contain the following information: “Lincoln Center Historic District” with “established 1754” at the top in black letters on white background. The Traffic Committee recommended that five signs be ordered for eventual placement at the outer boundaries of
the Lincoln Center Historic District on Weston, Bedford, Sandy Pond, Trapelo, and Lincoln Roads. The exact format and location the signs would be determined later after the Commissions had the opportunity to examine mock-ups
Kerry Glass suggested that in the future additional signs be considered placed above existing road signs indicating original historic road names.
The Commissions were also reminded of the Traffic Committee’s recommended placement of a speed bump on Sandy Pond Road just outside the Historic District boundary.
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