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HDC minutes_ 06.23 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION: Historic District Commission DATE: June 23, 2022 LOCATION: Google Meet(Virtual) MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch (Chair), Suzanne LaMont (Vice Chair),Wendy Pearl,John Leahy, Caroline Baird Mason, Gregory Howard MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Healy,Associate Planner OTHERS PRESENT: Avery Hayes RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Call to Order Chair Finch calls the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Finch recesses for Public Hearing. Recess for Public Hearing 1. Demolition Delay Review#279—Vincent Orlando a. Demolition delay review#279—Demolition of a building located at 478 Rantoul Street (Assessor's Map 20—Lot 106) Applicant requested continuation of public hearing until the July 28, 2022 meeting. Healey reads an email submitted by the applicant for the record stating his inability to be present for the public hearing. Finch prefers a signed letter by the applicant in order to maintain compliance with the ordinance. Pearl seeks clarification from the ordinance regarding expectations by the committee. Finch clarifies the timeline required by ordinance, as defined below. 1. Once received in the Planning Department(the demolition of building application), staff contacts members of the Historic District Commission,which has ten (10) business days in which to make a determination of whether or not the building or structure may be historically significant. 2. If the commission determines that the building may be significant,then they will schedule a public hearing within twenty(20) business days of this initial determination of potential historical significance. Motion: Howard moves to continue demolition delay review#279—Demolition of a building located at 478 Rantoul Street(Assessor's Map 20— Lot 106) to the July 28, 2022 meeting. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 5-0. Finch keeps the public hearing open for Demolition Delay Review#279—Vincent Orlando. Finch reconvenes regular meeting. Historic District Commission June 23,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 2. Neighborhood Conservation Districts Ordinance: Subcommittee report and discussion Mason makes the subcommittee report. Mason collaborated with fellow member, Leahy; Estelle Rand, Ward Councilor 2; and with former assistant planning director Emily Hutchings. A variety of documents were researched and reviewed from municipalities throughout the Commonwealth; historic Lexington as an example. Mason discusses the draft with the members. LaMont questions the study committee and the quota for requirement of people with experience.The definition language does not match between the person of experience on the study committee and the person on the NDC. Finch agrees with LaMont,finding the language confusing and ambiguous. Leahy responds and members further review the language. Members also discuss the composition and number of members for the subcommittee and NDC. LaMont would like language clear that specifies "there will be two members who shall have preservation experience". Mason clarifies the group numbers should be reflective to the area size under review. Pearl suggests to defining the term "resident"; are they owners, or residents renting, etc. Pearl asks for language clarification under the definition of construction, and if the language should include "in whole or in part" as a clarification to define new building constructions or additions to existing buildings. Members discuss. Pearl concedes construction is for new building and alterations are for existing structures. Members discuss the phrase "25% property owners" in relation to each building or structure. Overall members agree the documents created are well written, needing a few edits. Motion: Pearl moves to approve the NCD Ordinance proposal if it is revised as discussed,with planning staff comparing edits against the meeting recording to ensure the amendments are reflected in the revised version which may go before the city solicitor. LaMont seconds. No vote needed to be taken. Discussion on the motion Finch suggests holding a special meeting to discuss the document edits and revised draft.The members agree to have a special meeting on July 13, 2022. 3. Bass River Rezoning: Discussion and consideration of letter to mayor LaMont asks Healey for updates on the Bass River rezoning. Healey says since the Bridge Street bridge is currently under MassDOT project for rework, the overlay is on hold per Mayor Cahill. Motion: Leahy moves to submit the letter to the mayor. Pearl seconds. Motion carries 5-0. 4. Approval of minutes Mason recuses herself from the sets of minutes with the exception of approving the April 27, 2022 NCD subcommittee meeting minutes. Historic District Commission June 23,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 a. March 30,2022 Regular Meeting Motion: Howard moves to approve the minutes as amended. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 4-0- 1. Mason abstains. b. April 7,2022(Bass River Rezoning Subcommittee Meeting) Motion: Pearl moves to approve the minutes as presented. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 2-0. c. April 14,2022 Regular Meeting Motion: LaMont moves to approve the minutes as amended. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 4-0-1. Mason abstains. d. April 27,2022(Bass River Rezoning Subcommittee Meeting) Motion: Pearl moves to approve the minutes as presented. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 2-0. e. April 27,2022(Neighborhood Conservation Districts Ordinance Subcommittee) Motion: Mason moves to approve the minutes as presented. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 2-0. f. May 26,2022 Regular Meeting To be reviewed at the July 28, 2022 meeting. 5. New/Other Business a. Project Update: Restoration of the staircase between Gillis Park and Pleasant View Beach LaMont asks if Bruce Doig submitted updates on the masonry work for the Gillis Park staircase. Per Healey there are no updates on this either. Pearl recaps that Doig is set to return to HDC before proceeding with the project work. Pearl asks Healey to follow up with Doig since members have unresolved questions from Doig. LaMont noted minutes from that meeting were not complete, and a copy of the recording was provided. LaMont listened to the recording and informs members Doig is supposed to return to HDC with details on the project; however, Doig reported to the Parks and Recreation Committee that HDC put the project on hold. HDC did not put the project on hold. Healey will reach out to clarify with Doig HDC expectations for project follow up and details. b. CLG status LaMont asks for follow up for applying for certified local government status.There are no updates per Healey. Healey asks members their preference for in person meetings if the moratorium is not extended for remote meetings. Members prefer Council Chambers. 6. Adiournment Motion: Pearl moves to adjourn. Leahy seconds.The motion carries 5-0. Historic District Commission June 23,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Meeting adjourned 8:34 pm. Next meeting scheduled 7/28/22.