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HDC Minutes 10-22-20CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE/COMMISSION Historic District Commission DATE: October 22, 2020 LOCATION: Google Meet MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, Wendy Pearl MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hutchings (Planning Department, City of Beverly); Robert Tolan; David Perinch of Beverly); Ken McKay; Catherine Barrett (Grants Department, City of Beverly); Sue Goganian (Historic Beverly) RECORDER: Jodi Byrne Call to Order Chair William Finch calls the October 22, 2020 meeting of the HDC to order at 7:10 pm. Assistant Planning Director Emily Hutchings reads a prepared statement introducing the meeting, the authority to hold a remote meeting, public access and public participation, and meeting ground rules. She takes roll call attendance. Members, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Suzie LaMont William Finch Caroline Mason Wendy Pearl Staff, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Emily Hutchings Anticipated Speakers from the Public: Robert Tolan David Perinchief Ken McKay Catherine Barrett Supporting materials that have been provided to members of this body are available from the Planning Department. Recess for Public Hearing - 7:10 p.m. Certificate of Appropriateness - 35 Front Street - RJ Tolan - Window Repairs Chair William Finch reviews this request for replacing the existing windows at 35 Front Street with Anderson 400 series windows. Finch says that he found drawings from the 1985 proposal ϭ  for changes to this house including its windows, and notes that at that time the window replacements were the subject of some controversy. Suzie Lamont motions to recess for the public hearing. Wendy Pearl seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0). Mr. Tolan reports that because some of the windows have rotted, he wants to replace them within the correct processes of the HDC. Tolan confirms with Chair Finch that the new replacements are double-glazed windows. Chair Finch asks if any members from the public would like to speak. 1.John Kennedy - 43 Front Street Mr. Kennedy states that he is in support of these window replacements, and thinks they are appropriate. Mr. Kennedy notes that similar windows he had previously proposed for his property had not been approved by the HDC. Finch notes the differences in the contexts of the proposals, specifically the differences in the existing windows in each respective case. Suzie LaMont notes that the proposal only shows the replacement of two windows and asks if this proposal will include more than this. Tolan says that the proposal is to replace the two windows now and then all of the remaining windows on the three street-facing façades of the house over an extended time frame. Chair Finch confirms that this proposal is for the approval of the window replacements for the entire house, as they require HDC approval. Caroline Mason asks for clarification on the window grids. Tolan reports that they are fixed grids, and Chair Finch adds that the 400 series have both an exterior and interior grid with a spacer bar in between. Finch says that based on the 1985 photos, a 2-over-2 grid is what was previously existing, and he adds that the windows are a replacement of the existing double glazed windows that were installed in 1985. Finch says that in some of the windows the grids appear to have been damaged or removed over time, so that it is not possible to determine the original grids. Mr. Tolan comments that his wife would prefer the 2-over-2 grids. Mason says that the 2-over-2 grids make more sense as they are historically accurate and also that she agrees, and that improving the quality with the most authentic replacement is best. The Commission agrees that the 2-over-2 grid pattern windows are the most appropriate. Members asks about the use of a black trim and Hutchings confirms that the HDC does not regulate paint color. Wendy Pearl motions to close the public hearing and return to the regular meeting. Caroline Mason seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0). Reconvene Regular Meeting 1.Determination for Certificate of Appropriateness - 35 Front Street - RJ Tolan - Window Repairs Ϯ LaMont confirms with the HDC that this proposal is for approval to replace all windows at 35 Front Street on the three street-facing façades using the Anderson 400 series, 2-over-2 windows with the grids on the inside and outside and with spacer bars for full divided lite windows. LaMont: Motions to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness - 35 Front Street - RJ Tolan - Window Repairs as Anderson 400 series, 2-over-2 with inside and outside grids and with spacer bars. Mason seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0). Assistant Planning Director Hutchings informs Tolan that she will send him the Certificate of Appropriateness. 2.Discussion - Chair Finch introduces an informal discussion on this project. Assistant Planning Director Emily Hutchings refers to the notes described in the staff reports, adding that there have been a few site visits, including one on Tuesday by the following city departments: Veterans, Planning, Grants, and Engineering. Hutchings says that the purpose was to review the site in order to determine what is needed in terms of staff and board/commission review of historic resources and landscapes, wetlands protection, and general cemetery regulations. She states that later the same day, historic preservation specialists Martha Lyon and Jim and Minxie Fannin reviewed the site with the purpose of responding to the City with recommendations for a preservation master plan which, including funding needs. Hutchings reports that the first step in this process is for all of these groups to work together in submitting an application to the CPC for this master plan. David Perinchief says that their first action is to work with the Conservation Commission in tagging each tree that may need to come down. He says that this may increase costs as the true amount of trees to come down is unknown. Perinchief states that other actions directed through the Conservation Commission include the clearing of brush from around the outer 6 feet around the stone wall. He says that they must wait for the master plan to be produced in order to know costs. Pearl notes that in the report there is reference to a bottle dump discovery and asks if there will be an archaeological investigation. Asst. City Planner Hutchings answers that as a part of the preservation plan, there will be an assessment of the bottle dump to determine the need for further review. Perinchief states that he will not be involved with the bottle dump assessment. LaMont confirms with Hutchings that the bottle dump is located on the outside of the stone wall along a slope on the west side. Mason says the clearing of vegetation should operate within careful parameters, and Perinchief confirms that they are working with the Conservation Commission in marking individual items for removal, and that no large equipment will be used. Pearl confirms with Hutchings that the City will be applying for the CPA grant. Pearl also confirms with Perinchief and Hutchings that the removal of vegetation will include only brush and smaller trees (invasive species), and will be cut to grade with no pulling of roots. ϯ Chair Finch asks if this plan will preserve the stones themselves. Perinchief says that no bid has been submitted but that the plan will provide a thorough assessment for each stone and the recommendations for the cleaning and protection of each stone. He adds that ground penetrating radar will not be addressed until after the initial assessment is completed; it will be a part of next step recommendations if needed. LaMont asks if the clearing of the vegetation is part of the CPC application. Asst. City Planner Hutchings says that because it is part of the process to create the preservation master plan, it will be part of the application. She adds that an RDA from the Conservation Commission is required due to the close proximity to wetlands, and that both applications can be submitted at the same time as a way to expedite progress. Sue Goganian from Historic Beverly conveys her favor of this project and says that she hopes to be done by historical professionals and that she would like all physical work to wait until the master plan is completed. Chair Finch says that if there is a problem clearing the brush, it will impede the survey of the area. Asst. City Planner Hutchings says Martha Lyon has recommended the clear cutting to be done carefully so that the preservationists can come in and do a thorough assessment. She adds that the Fannins did not comment on this. Mason notes that brush removal is very different from tree removal and asks if it should be done carefully by professionals under a specified plan. Chair Finch says that if brush exists over stones in the grass there could be accidental damage during the process. Perinchief says that Ken McKay will be on the site to monitor any crew who is hired to clear the brush. He says that they will build platforms over stones so that there will be no traffic over them. Chair Finch confirms that clearing will be done entirely by hand, and Perinchief says that the only power equipment will be at the entry point of the cemetery to carry out debris. LaMont asks for the purpose of the brush clearing, and Asst. Planner Hutchings says that Martha Lyon recommended that the city remove the vegetation so that the site could be properly evaluated. Hutchings says that no concerns of brush clearing were brought up during the site visit, but that she can review this and ask for recommendations. McKay says that there are some stones in the brush area and that he will cover them so that no one goes near or steps on them and that the crews will work around the boxes that cover headstones. Chair Finch says that this should only be done by certified vegetation removal professionals, and Perinchief says they can look into landscaping companies such as Epic Preservation. Pearl says that a good landscaping company could do this, and that the scope of what a contractor is going to do should be thought out and planned with small hand tools, just to allow survey access. Perinchief invites the HDC for a walk-through in order to better visualize the process. Asst. Planner Hutchings confirms the Commission is comfortable with the clearing to be done if it is stated in the scope of the project that they will work with a preservationist to monitor all work. Hutchings says that any contractor they use should have experience with historic sites and . Finch and Sue ϰ Goganian recommend that Hutchings ask Minxie Fannin for ideas and references. LaMont notes that Ipswich has already done a similar project, so they could be someone to ask. McKay says Lyon and Minxie Fannin for recommendations. Chair Finch also suggests asking The Trustees of Reservations. Asst. Planner Hutchings states that the next steps include action to address the delicate nature of the brush clearing. She says that the pre-application is due to the CPC on October 29, 2020, and that this will need to include a description of the project plan and cost estimates. She notes that after that, there will be a few months to look at the specifics of the project and then she can return to the HDC to see if there are any concerns and questions. Hutchings says that she wants to make sure the project is developed in a way that enables the HDC to endorse it as a preservation project. HDC members LaMont and Pearl say that they will walk through the project area to review. 3.Approval of Minutes a.September 24, 2020 The minutes are discussed and amended as needed. Pearl motions to accept the September 24, 2020 minutes as amended. Mason seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0). 4.New/Other Business Robert Gruppe mural that was once displayed at the McDonald's at 1 Water Street. Referencing a Salem News article, she reports that the mural was moved to a gallery in western Massachusetts. ide an image of the Beverly waterfront for the public. It is noted that in 1999, a $25k grant was set for the purpose of relocating this mural, and Hutchings says she confirmed with City Finance Director Bryant Ayles that the funds are still with the City in their own account. Hutchings states that recent assessments show a restoration cost increase of $46k, not including framing and hanging, creating a $21k gap. She says that the question being posed before the Commission is if this mural qualifies as historically significant to the city and if it would be appropriate to go to the CPC for funding purposes to be placed in a public place. Pearl asks if the HDC can take action in designating this as historically significant if it is not special meeting prior to October 29th in order to determine if a pre-application is relevant. There is a continued discussion on the historical significance of the project. Asst. City Planner Hutchings asks if this is something that is deemed urgent or if it could be addressed in an out of cycle CPC application to allow more time to determine the historical significance. Chair Finch says that one problem in waiting is that there may be unknown issues in the current storage methods. Mason said the first step is to find out where it is, and LaMont includes the importance of knowing how it got to this point and the next steps in its protection. ϱ Hutchings says that Mike Collins has many of these answers, and Chair Finch asks if Collins can provide a written document with answers. Pearl notes that for an out of cycle application, an applicant must demonstrate that there were attention, noting that full applications won't be deliberated until February or March 2021. Finch says that the first step is to determine if this mural is historically significant to the city. A special October 28, 2020 at 6:30 pm. The November meeting is rescheduled to Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 7 pm. Pearl says that she recommended to Economic Development Planner Denise Deschamps that the HDC provide a copy of the Small Projects Preservation Program to see how grants can be awarded for privately owned historic properties. Hutchings says that she and Deschamps will this round, the informational sharing may make sense and can be formally included in the next grant round. Hutchings says that she will share the draft with the CPC for informational purposes. 5.Adjournment Wendy Pearl motions to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm. Suzie LaMont seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0). ϲ