Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2009
Board Members: Ruth Wales, HDC Chair, LHC/HDC; Lucretia Giese, LHC Chair, LHC/HDC; Kerry Glass, LHC/HDC; James Craig, HDC; Colin Smith, LHC/HDC
Secretary: Elaine Carroll
NEXT ANTICIPATED MEETING: June 9, 2009, 7:30 p.m., Town Offices
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. A motion was made by Kerry Glass to accept the minutes of the April 7, 2009 meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Collin Smith and unanimously approved.
Historic District Commission Hearing:
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing:
36 Lincoln Road – Casey Jennings came before the members because he wants to get back to using his shed for woodworking but it is too cold in the winter. He has received two different bids for a wood stove. The metal stovepipe would be visible from Lincoln Road and Upland Field Road and would either come out the back of the shed or through the roof. It would need to clear the roof by 18 inches. Virginia Hamilton of 4 Tower Road asked if this would be used to heat the entire house or just for the shed because of pollution and noise. Mr. Jennings said that he has natural gas for his house and the stove would be just for the shed. Rainer Frost of 38 Lincoln Road said that he has an outdoor hot tub and was concerned that the smoke from the stove would blow directly across
to the hot tub. Mr. Jennings said that he uses only hand tools because of sparks from a table saw and also said that this would not be a full time business. The members felt that they needed more information as to what the pipe would look like and whether it would be on the roof or out the back side of the shed. Mr. Jennings said that he has 2 stove contractors who do not provide sketches. Ruth Wales said that they need a better sense of what it will look like. Colin Smith asked Mr. Jennings to come back at the June 9 meeting with more of a sketch.
Lincoln Historical Commission Hearing:
Demolition Delay Review:
5 Hawk Hill Road – Turid Horgen came before the members to request the demolition of more than 25% of the dwelling. Ms. Horgen said that she is tearing down one third of the house and rebuilding it exactly the same on the same footprint. She said that the house flooded 5 years ago and is contaminated by mold and the family has been sick. She said that the house is a Deck house and she cares very much for that style of house, which is why she would be replacing it exactly as it was. They will remove the wood, clean off the mold and use the recycled wood to build a shop on the garage so that her husband can build ships. They bought the house 15 years ago and moved out 4 ½ years ago. The house has been completely gutted. The members looked over the plan of the
house and what is being taken down and rebuilt. Steve Brown of 12 Hawk Hill Road voiced concerns about the project and didn’t want the house expanded. Other neighbors voiced concerns with the new shop and whether it could be used as an accessory apartment. Ms. Horgen said that this would not be used as living space but would have a shower and toilet in it. Lucretia Giese made a motion that the house is significant because it represents an historic style associated with the neighborhood but that portion of the house could be demolished with the special condition that the new construction would be as existing based on the original Deck house plan on file and the plans presented at the meeting. The motion was seconded by Kerry Glass and passed unanimously.
9 Tabor Hill Road – Mark Wilkinson and his architect, David O’Neil, came before the members for permission to demolish the dwelling at 9 Tabor Hill Road. Mr. Wilkinson said that he has owned the house for 7 years. The house is sort of a ranch like house and is in really bad shape. The house was left empty from 1986 to 1997 after which the former owner’s grandson lived there for 3 or 4 years. There is no insulation and he would like to build something more efficient. Lucretia Giese said that the house was built in 1955 and the neighborhood has changed but there is history attached to the Tabor Hill property. The house is on the FoMA secondary list but not yet listed with the MHC. The house was designed by architect Ruth Burke. There was an 1976 addition
which changed the house significantly. Mr. O’Neil brought in a model of the proposed house for the members to see. The house would be on nearly the exact same footprint as the existing house. Edmund Lang of 5 Tabor Hill Road said that the owners are wonderful neighbors and have tried to do as much as they can with the house. Lucretia Giese made a motion that the house had significance architecturally and as part of an historic neighborhood. The motion was seconded by Ruth Wales and the vote was 3-1 with Colin Smith being the opposing vote. Lucretia asked Mr. Wilkinson to come back at the June meeting with a set of plans since a model cannot be put in the LHC files. Any demolition permission would be contingent on the receipt of a set of plans.
Other Business:
Demolition Plan Review Form – The members reviewed the new form to be used for approvals after the demolition plan review. Ruth Wales made a motion to approve the revised demolition plan review approval form. The motion was seconded by Lucretia Giese and unanimously approved. Lucretia said that MHC deems any house over 50 years old to be significant stating that if it is that old you should take a second look at demolition.
First Parish Church – Ruth Wales said that she was surprised that the Historic Commission was not notified when the Planning Board scheduled a public hearing with the First Parish Church for May 6, 2009. The HDC has not officially seen a new design. Lucretia and Ruth presented a draft of the Commission’s general philosophy on any changes to the White Church and Stearns Room. The Dover Amendment does not exempt the church from the need for a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission. Kerry Glass said that it is the Commission’s role to be protectors of the district to save as much as possible for the Town. She said that the White Church belongs to the people and history of the Town. The members reviewed the draft statement. Kerry Glass made a motion that the
members approve the draft statement for the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by James Craig and unanimously approved
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There being no further business, James Craig made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Kerry Glass and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
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