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1999-25-08 CITY OF BEVERLYt MASSACHUSETTS HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION CITY HALL, 191 CABOT STREET, BEVERLy, MA 01915 Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 25, 1998 7:30 p.m. Members present: Chairman Bill Finch, John Frates, Jake Condon. Also present: City Planner Tina Cassidy. Chairman Finch calls the meeting to order and opens the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Finch explains the process that will be followed for this meeting. He explains to those present that Suncor Development, Inc. has filed for a demolition permit to allow the razing of an existing structure at 401 Rantoul Street. Under the provisions of the City of Beverly Ordinance entitled "Procedures for Allowing the Demolition of Historically Significant Structures", the Historic District Commission is charged with researching the history and architectural features of any building more than fifty years old and with making a series of findings relative to the request for permission to demolish. Specifically, the Commission must decide whether the structure is historically significant, and if it is found to be so is required to conduct a public hearing to further consider whether the structure is historically significant and whether it is "preferably preserved". In the event that a structure is deemed "preferably preserved", the Commission must then decide the amount of time for which issuance of a demolition permit must be delayed. The maximum delay period is six (6) months. If the Commission decides that the building or structure is not "preferably preserved", then the City' s building inspector is allowed to issue the demolition permit immediately. Finch provides the following history of the building to those in attendance. The structure was built in 1871 on Railroad Avenue as a fire station. In 1885, it was moved to its present location at the comer of Rantoul and Roundy Streets and was used as a fire station by the City until the 1930's. In the mid-1940's, the building was sold to the eleclrical union at the USM plant for use as a union hall. It continued to serve as a union hall until this year. Significant renovations of the building occurred when it fell under union ownership, including replacement of windows, the application of aluminum siding, and the destruction of the original bell tower and eave overhangs. Finch then asks Attorney Bernard Shadrawy, Jr., representing Suncor Development, to address the commission. Shadrawy introduces himself and explains that the company has received all permits necessary to allow the construction of a Walgreen's store on this site, and has signed a purchase and sales agreement with the union to acquire the building in question. They intend to demolish the building and incorporate the lot area into the Walgreen's site development plan. Historic Dislrict Commission August 25, 1998 meeting minutes page two He distributes copies of a map showing the lot in question (see file). He explains the letter of request that has been filed with the demolition permit application. Shadrawy informs members that he reviewed permit records in the building inspector' s department and found records of two permits for work on this structure. In 1993 a permit to install the aluminum siding was issued, and in 1976 a permit was issued to replace the roof. He distributes a photo of the building prior to the roof work which shows that the original, relatively decorative eave design was lost during this work. He notes the changes in the windows that have been made by previous owners, and shows members recent photographs of the building which illustrate these changes (see file). Shadrawy offers his opinion that the building is not historically significant from an architectural point of view. The building's interior has not been maintained as a fire station, and has no architectural significant on the exterior. He explains that the company is anxious to proceed with construction on the site, and has already incurred significant delays during negotiations with the union to purchase this property. He adds that the concept behind the demolition delay ordinance is a noble one, in that it seeks to avoid ruination of the City's history to the greatest extent possible. In this case, the structure that now exists bears no resemblance to the original structure either on the interior or the exterior, and submits that it has no historical significance to the City. Finch then invites members of the public to comment on the petition, and asks to hear first from those who are in favor of imposition of a delay. Rosemary Maglio, Pleasant Street, asks how many people are on the commission. Finch answers five. She asks how many members are needed for a quorum. Finch answers three. Maglio asks if the members who are absent can vote on the matter. Finch states that they will be ineligible to vote, and adds that he expects the commission will decide to vote on the matter this evening once the hearing is closed. Mr. Jim Bursey, 8 Summer Street, states that he is secretary to the Postal Union which presently rents space in this building from the Electrical Union. His union has expressed an interest to Walgreen's representatives in purchasing the building and moving it to another location so it can continue to be used as a union hall. He wants to work with the company to preserve the building, but is not in favor of delaying the Walgreen's project in any way. He states that the building has an important history of being both a fire house and a union hall, and is important to many families in the City since it has ties to the former USM facility where so many residents made their living. He would like the commission to fred that the building is in fact historically significant, but not to rule that it should be preserved by delaying its demolition. He adds that his union has expressed an interest in restoring the building to its former, original design. Mr. Robert Battis, 10 Standley Street, states that he is working on a history of the Beverly Fire Department. His research shows that the building was built by Daniel Wallis and occupied in February of 1871 as a hose house. When steam technology became available in the late 1800's, the doors to the structure were modified to accommodate the new vehicles. In 1885 the City Historic District Commission August 25, 1998 meeting minutes page ,three built the Central Fire Station, and it was at this point that the building was moved to its present location. When motorized fire tracks were employed circa 1917-1919, the doors were again modified, but horses were housed in a stable in the back of the structure. In 1944 the station was closed, presumably due to a shortage of manpower resulting from the war. He suggests that the building is historically significant for several reasons, including the fact that the building saw the three different generations of fire fighting equipment. While not much of the original building or details are left, he would hope the building could be spared from demolition if at all possible. Finch then asks if any one would like to speak in favor of delaying the issuance of a demolition permit. There are none, so he then asks if anyone wants to speak against finding the building to be historically significant. Frates interjects for the audience's benefit that the Commission has conducted a site visit to the property, and has looked at both the exterior and the interior of the building. Finch asks Battis if this is the oldest surviving hose house. Battis says he doesn't believe so, and notes several additional hose houses still exist across the City, including two on Bow Street which have been converted to apartments, two or three on Rantoul and School Streets that are now private homes, and one at the comer of Hale and Lothrop Streets. Finch asks if any of these other buildings have retained their architectural integrity as a fire house. Battis answers that only the one at the corner of Hale and Lothrop would fall into that category. Condon asks Bursey if the postal union has a piece of property on which to relocate the building. Bursey answers no, but that several parcels are being investigated. He lists the properties they are looking at, but states that no agreements have been reached at this point with any property owners. Finch asks Bursey whether the union really intends to restore the building to its original architecture if it is able to purchase the building. Bursey answers yes. Finch asks ShadraW if he has any comments at this point in the hearing. Shadrawy states his understanding that ramoval of the building from this site would effectively equate to a "demolition" in the eyes of the commission, so respectfully requests that a decision be reached on the demolition permit independent of the issue of whether an arrangement can be made with some organization or individual to move it. He indicates that Walgreen's has no preference on the question of whether the building is demolished or moved, except as it might impact the time line for conshmction of the store. He stresses that the company is willing to consider any option to move the building, but that the issue simply cannot delay the construction time line. Finch asks whether the building could be cribbed on site and other aspects of the construction project started, which would provide additional time to investigate the possibility of moving the building. Shadrawy responds that the company now has all permits it needs for construction, but that the financial arrangements are intricate and the project budget would not allow for this temporary cribbing. It would mean that all economies of scale would be lost on the project if all contractors (i.e. pavers, graders, landscapers) would need to be employed on the site twice. Historic District Commission August 25, 1998 meeting minutes page four Frates asks for an explanation of how this additional parcel will be incorporated into the site plan. Shadrawy explains that it will be used to create additional parking and landscaping, and that the original driveway location will be modified slightly. He informs members that the Planning Board approved the modified site plan at its meeting the previous week. Condon asks Charles Piper, representative of the present owners, how much taxes the electrical union currently pays to the City. Piper answers approximately $3,200 per year. Condon notes that the new development will generate much more tax revenue than that in the future. Bursey reiterates that Shadrawy and other Walgreen' s representatives have been very helpful, and realizes that the union is running out of time to strike a deal for this building. He notes that other people are also interested in acquiring and moving the building. Shadrawy indicates that rehabilitation of the structure will be very expensive. Bursey indicates that he understands that. Piper states that the union's decision to sell the building was not an easy one, and that while he would like to see it saved, he does not want to stall the project. Carl Vallari, 14 Crestline Circle, adds that the union voted to recommend to Walgreen's that the building be donated to the City or to some one else who can use it. Condon asks Piper how many union members are on the building association. Piper answers seven people. Maglio states that she has reviewed the site plan and believes Walgreen's should be required to get a variance for one of the curb cuts on Chase Street. She intends to pose the question to the Building Inspector. She also states that she is happy that this building is being reviewed by the commission, and expresses disappointment that the Washington Beadle school was not reviewed as well. Finch asks if any other members of the audience wish to address the commission. Hearing none, he closes the public hearing at 8:26 p.m. and calls for a five minute recess. Finch reconvenes the commission meeting at 8:31 p.m. and opens the regular session. He explains again what findings the commission must make on this petition. Condon states that he is prepared to vote on the matter this evening. Condon: motion to determine that the building at 401 Rantoul Street be declared significant to the City of Beverly's history, seconded by Frates. All members in favor, motion carries. Condon: motion to determine that the structure is not "preferably preserved" as that term is defined in the City's ordinances, seconded by Frates. All members in favor, motion carries. Finch summarizes the Board's votes in this manner; the building has been deemed to be Historic District Commission August 25, 1998 meeting minutes page five historically significant to the City for cultural reasons, but thal there is not sufficient public benefit that would accrue in delaying the demolition. He expresses the collective hope of the Commission that the present owners of the building will work with interested parties in an attempt to preserve the building if possible. Finch asks the members if there is any other business for the commission to discuss. There is none. Condon: motion to adjourn, seconded by Frates. All members in favor, motion carries. The meeting is adjourned at 8:39 p.m.