Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 13, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Board Members: Ruth Wales, HDC Chair, LHC/HDC; Lucretia Giese, LHC Chair, LHC/HDC; James Craig, HDC; Colin Smith, HDC/LHC;
Alternate: Jack MacLean, HDC; Andrew Glass, HDC/LHC; Henry Hoover, LHC; Larry Zuelke, LHC
Secretary: Elaine Carroll
NEXT ANTICIPATED MEETING: Monday, August 10, 2009, 7:30 p.m., Town Offices
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The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. A motion was made by Lucretia Giese to accept the minutes of June 9, 2009 as written. The motion was seconded by Colin Smith and unanimously approved.
Historic District Commission Hearing:
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing:
5 Sandy Pond Road – Jamie Atkins came before the members to request the approval of the replacement of one approved window to a French door on the rear of the new addition. Before the applicant made her presentation, Ruth Wales gave a statement on the background of proposed change. She stated that a Certificate of Appropriateness for the 3 French doors was denied on November 18, 2008 because construction had begun on what was a radical change in the previously approved design of 3 windows in that location without any review and approval by the HDC. Mrs. Wales also said that while no fine for not following the rules is assessed under the HDC by-law, an eight-month delay in construction could be seen as a penalty. Mrs. Wales stated that since the last meeting dissolved into a
somewhat disorderly discussion, she would begin by summarizing the procedure, which will be followed at this hearing. First the applicant will present the design proposed for a Certificate of Appropriateness, focusing on the architectural details with respect to the scale and style of the building as well as its relationship to the neighborhood landscape and other nearby structures. The Commission members will then ask questions and make comments. After that the floor will be open to any members of the public present who wish to speak. The public is to wait to be recognized, identify themselves and make their statement or comment, which should be addressed to the Commission and confined to the proposal being presented for approval since this is a legal hearing on a specific proposal and not an open discussion. When all who wish to have spoken, the Commission members will continue consideration of the application and either take a vote to issue or deny a
Certificate or ask for modification of the design or further information before making a decision. At this point, Mrs. Atkins addressed the members by stating that she wanted approval to change the middle approved window to a French door on the rear elevation of the new addition. The French door will match the 2 installed windows which are 2 over one style. Ruth Wales asked her if she didn’t have the French door how would they get out back. Mrs. Atkins said that there are two doors on the east elevation of the house with one entering the mud room. Lucretia said that the French doors appear to be above the ground and Mrs. Atkins said that 2 stone steps would go the length of the addition, which would not increase the building constrictions imposed by the Conservation Restriction. Mrs. Atkins wants to have a 12 inch wide step, with each riser being 8 inches. She said that the bluestone terrace would be at grade. This would be
simply an egress and there would be no tables or chairs on it. The steps would be natural stone. She showed the members the style of door to be used and it would be an Anderson door. Mrs. Atkins did not have the landscape plan with her which shows the steps and an arbor, and she will need to come back to the Commission for that approval. Mrs. Lattimore of 2 Bedford Road asked if Mrs. Atkins could have the French door if the terrace is not allowed by ConCom. She said that Mrs. Atkins was raising the grade to the back yard. Mrs. Atkins said that this was not the case and the back yard is at a higher grade than the front yard, which she confirms every time it rains and runs down the driveway. Ruth reminded Mrs. Lattimore that the HDC has no say regarding the terrace because it is at grade. Ruth said that the decision of the Commission is whether to vote on the door now or wait until August and vote on the door and steps at the same time. Carla Flint of 8 Bedford Road said
that there seems to be some misconceptions between different boards as to what is being approved or denied. Lucretia said that this decision comes with a Certificate of Appropriateness with whatever conditions are determined attached, which can be taken to other boards for confirmation. Colin Smith felt that the door could be voted on now with condition of the approval of the 2 steps. After a brief discussion, James Craig made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the center window to a French door with the condition that the door conform to the model and style presented to the HDC tonight and subject to the approval of a plan detailing the actual natural stone steps to specific width and depth. The motion was seconded by Lucretia Giese and approved by a 5-1 decision with Jack MacLean feeling that the decision should be held off until the August meeting. Mrs. Atkins will be coming back in August with a drawing of the steps and a
proposed arbor.
Other Business:
Protection of Stone Walls – Ruth mentioned to the members that on July 14 there will be a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the State House regarding a proposed bill to protect stone walls throughout the State. The new law will replace the old section, which was written about 90+ years ago by strengthening enforcement and penalties against those who steal stones from walls on private or public land.
Telephone Poles on Trapelo Road – Colin Smith said that he is distressed that nothing has been done on Trapelo Road to remove one of the double poles that line the road. He would like to find the people responsible for this and find out why the old poles have not been removed. Jack MacLean said that he didn’t think that there was anything in the HDC by-law that says that telephone poles are exempt. There was a discussion years ago about having all the wires put underground in the HD but it would have been expensive to accomplish this. Colin said that he would take it as far as he can and may get the State Representative on it.
Historic District Map – James Craig reported to the members that the HD map has finally been recorded at the Registry of Deeds after a couple of attempts because the man needed to record the map wasn’t there. He will forward the book and page numbers to Ruth Wales and Ruth will forward it to Chris Skelly at Mass. Historical
Introduction of New Alternates – Lucretia and Ruth welcomed two of the three new alternates Andrew Glass and Henry Hoover. The third new alternate, Larry Zuelke, joined the group later after attending a Selectmen’s meeting and was welcomed at that time. The new alternates had a few questions regarding the difference between lighting and light fixtures and why approval of the color used is not a part of the by-law. Jack MacLean explained that when the by-laws were established the committee chose a more lenient approach. There were some additional questions about how often the alternates attend meetings and when are they asked to vote. They were informed that they may attend all the meetings but especially if there will be a question of whether a quorum will be present. The
need for advance notification of anticipated absence by regular members was stressed. The alternates would be informed if their attendance is definitely needed for a vote.
61 Bedford Road – Lucretia told the members that she made an official visit on June 30, 2009 to Paul Marsh’s house along with Jack MacLean and Ruth Wales. A note to that effect will be attached to the Preservation Agreement. It was felt that there is a need for someone professional to keep track of the PRA. It was also felt that the members would need to make a visit to Henry Flint’s house at 27 Lexington Road and Colin Smith said that he would see about setting up a date.
Small and Affordable Housing Stock – Lucretia said that there would be a meeting on July 14 at 8 to 10 a.m. with the Housing Commission and the LHC to set up a discussion group to go over the Town’s small housing stock to preserve and for possible use as some affordable housing. The discussion group could include RLF, a member of the Assessor’s Office, Finance Committee and a realtor along with the LHC and Housing Commission.
Additional Inventory Reports – Lucretia thanked Jack MacLean for preparing 3 additional inventory reports for Mass. Historical. These reports were on the Wheeler Farm, 61 Bedford Road, Thompson-Page Cottage, 29 Page Road, and the Foster-Storey House, 80 Trapelo Road. Ruth Wales made a motion to accept the bill from Jack MacLean for inventory work in the amount of $659.20. The motion was seconded by Lucretia Giese and unanimously approved. Ruth asked Jack what the next project would be and was told that it would be the Peirce Hill Road area of houses and wasn’t sure of the project after that. The 3 inventory forms will be sent to Mass. Historical after review by Ruth and Lucretia. A copy will be put in the library’s reference room, another original put in the
archive vault at the library and a copy kept with the HDC files.
23 Bedford Road – Mr. Hoover asked about the status of the Heck house as far as being a contributing house in the HD. Jack MacLean said that the contributing issue is on the National Register side and the HDC has always considered the house to be contributing even though it was not 50 years old when the Historic District was created. Jack also said that it would be an extensive project to have the house considered contributing on the National Register. Lucretia said that she and Henry Hoover were invited to view the house after the extensive renovations and addition. The house is oriented the same way and the footprint largely retained. The original staircases have also been reused.
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There being no further business, Lucretia Giese made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Colin Smith and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
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