Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk’s office, the Town of Concord Historic Districts Commission held a public meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in the First Floor Meeting Room, 141 Keyes Road, Concord, Massachusetts.
Present:
Full Members
Marta Brooks, Chair Pro Tem
Jack Clymer, Secretary Pro Tem
Associate Members
Betsy Roosa
Stephen Newbold
Karen Silver
Terry Gregory
Lara Kritzer, Senior Planner
Adjournment to Executive Session
Ms. Brooks called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Mr. Clymer moved to close the Open Session and enter into Executive Session for the purposes of discussion of ligation with respect to the Balulescu case. Mr. Newbold seconded the motion and all members present VOTED IN FAVOR by roll call voice vote. The Commission entered into Executive Session at that time.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., the Commission returned to Open Session. Voting Members were determined to be Marta Brooks, Jack Clymer, Stephen Newbold, Betsy Roosa, and Karen Silver.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Anne Marie McGarry, 410 Lowell Road, Barrett Farm Historic District, Amend design of addition, install gutters, and reconfigure paving
Architect Holly Cratsley presented the application to amend the previous approval for a new addition and alterations to the paving at 410 Lowell Road. Beginning with the proposed changes to the approved paving, the Architect noted that the original application had assumed that the new garage would use the existing driveway. They had now studied the site and realized that additional paving would be needed in front of the garage to provide an adequate turning radius. Next the Architect explained that the grade change between the driveway and the new main entrance was more pronounced than originally anticipated. Instead of a walkway, the plans now called for a set of stairs which would be bluestone with brick risers to match the base of the house. She added that the proposed landscaping in the
originally submitted drawings had been recently revised to save a dogwood in that area and reviewed the location of the stairs and landscaping with Commission members.
It was noted that the stairs would have a black wrought iron handrail. Two low stem, 20W path lights were also requested to be located adjacent to the landings. A Commission member asked if the landscaping would be designed to be level with the rising walkway and the Architect answered yes. It was noted that the walkway and landings would have a concrete foundation with brick facing. Members requested more information about the railing and the Architect explained that it would only be a simple handrail with minimal supports. Lastly, new gutters were proposed to be installed across the front of the garage with a downspout in the far left corner.
The Architect was asked whether cobblestones were still proposed for the paving design. The Architect answered that they were no longer considering cobblestones because they were difficult to shovel and maintain in the winter. Instead, they were considering using a concrete brick landscaping material in front of the garage to create the appearance of a path and breakup the asphalt. The brick material would have the same dimensions as the walkway and would be a machine made brick. The band in front of the garage would be four feet wide. Commission members agreed that this feature would be invisible from the road. Members also agreed that the specific pavers did not need to be reviewed so long as they were laid flush with the surface to avoid visibility. The Architect was asked if
the railing would be painted and answered that it would be painted black.
Mr. Clymer moved to amend the previously approved design for the addition and paving at 410 Lowell Road to allow the change in the paving configuration, access to the garage, and the installation of pavers in the drive to match with those in the walkway; new aluminum gutters across the front façade of the garage and side entry with one downspout in the far left corner of the garage; new wrought iron railings and stairs leading to the main entry with verticals as needed for support; and two landscape lighting fixtures as submitted. Mr. Newbold seconded the motion and ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
Paul Denisevich, 17 Main Street, Main Street Historic District, Install a sidewalk bench, two ceramic planters, and two hanging planters outside of Helen’s Restaurant
Owner Paul Denisevich was present for the review of the application for approval of the existing bench, flower pots and hanging baskets located along the sidewalk in front of Helen’s Restaurant. The Owner stated that both the bench and the flower pots had been in place since 1988. A Commission member asked if the items were in place year round. The Owner answered that the bench was in place all year but that the flower pots varied depending on the weather. Commission members reviewed the photos, materials, and existing locations. It was noted that there was still plenty of space on the sidewalk for people to walk around these items. It was also noted that the use of the bench was not restricted to Helen’s customers.
Commission Members reviewed the style and material of the bench. It was noted that it is currently a stained wood bench and Members asked that it be replaced in kind if necessary in the future with a wood bench of a similar design. Members noted that if another style or material was under consideration, that a new application should be submitted. Concerning the planters, Members were not as concerned with potential future changes in material or color, but noted that new planters of similar (in-kind) size and shape should be used if replacement is necessary in the future. A Commission member asked how these materials are handled when the sidewalks need to be cleared of snow. The Owner stated that he typically monitors the weather and will bring them inside before any significant
storms.
Mr. Newbold moved to approve the existing wooden sidewalk bench, two planters, and two hanging plant baskets as currently installed in front of the main window at 17 Main Street with the understanding that if any of these items need to be replaced, they will be replaced in kind with the planters to remain the same size and shape. Mr. Clymer seconded the motion and ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
Jane Scerra, 51 Lang Street, Monument Square/North Bridge Historic District, Exterior renovation including new additions, windows, doors, garage, paving and lighting
The Chair Pro Tem noted that this application had been postponed to the February 2 meeting as the required documentation was not yet complete. Members discussed next steps for this project and how to proceed if further postponements were necessary.
Other Business
Application Process and Deadlines – Several Members agreed that the difference between the deadline for applications and for documentation makes it difficult for the Commission to insure that an application is complete before it is publicly noticed and scheduled for review. Members reviewed the deadlines with Staff and discussed how the timetable could be updated to better meet the Commission’s need for adequate review materials. Members agreed that the deadline for the application and all materials should be the same, and that applicants should be made aware that everything must be in at that time or the hearing will not be scheduled. Members discussed alternative schedules and what would be considered a complete application. Members also noted that applicants could be
encouraged to meet with Staff to have their materials reviewed at any time before submission. Staff was asked to revise the application and schedule for further consideration at the February 2 meeting.
Members also discussed the recent trend of applicants bringing previously unseen plans to the meeting for review. It was suggested that Applicants be made aware that materials submitted at the meeting might require a continuance of the discussion to the next meeting to allow Members and the public adequate time for review.
Open Law Training Session – Staff noted that all Commission Members appeared to be free on March 5. She stated that she would confirm the date with Town Counsel and schedule the meeting as soon as possible.
Verizon Building, 111 Walden Street – Staff stated that she had received an email from the applicant that Verizon had indefinitely postponed the proposed work. Commission members discussed how best to handle the currently open application and agreed to schedule the application for a vote at the March meeting if the Commission had not heard back from the applicant beforehand. Staff was asked to contact the Verizon representative in February to explain the process if necessary.
586 Main Street Violation – Staff updated Members on the response from the Owners of 586 Main Street to the violation letter issued following the last meeting. She stated that the Owners had explained that they were not aware that changes to the plans needed further review and that they were considering their options at this time. Commission Members discussed the situation and the Chair Pro Tem suggested that in the future, once the Members have approved an applicant’s proposal, the applicant should be reminded at the end of the hearing that any changes to the approved plan will require submittal of a new application. In addition it was suggested that in the future the Certificates of Appropriateness should include a statement reminding applicants that any changes from the approved
plans must be reviewed and approved before the changes are made. Staff was asked to draft a revised Certificate of Appropriateness for the Commission’s review.
Mr. Newbold moved to adjourn. Mr. Clymer seconded the motion and ALL VOTED IN FAVOR.
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Kritzer
Senior Planner
Minutes Approved on: February 1, 2012
John H. Clymer, Secretary Pro Tem
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