HDC 3-28-24 City of Beverly Historic Districts Commission
March 28,2024
Meeting Minutes
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: City of Beverly Historic Districts Commission
DATE: March 28, 2024
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3`11 Floor, Conference
Room A
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair William Finch; Suzanne LaMont; John Leahy;
Caroline Mason; Wendy Pearl
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gregory Howard
STAFF PRESENT: Associate Planner, Jared Contrada
RECORDER: Kristan Patenaude
1. Call to Order
Chair Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Larcom Theater Marquee Restoration
It was noted that this project is within the design review phase. The building width is 15' and the
marquee will remain in that area but will be a bit angled to support the LED lighting.
A Commissioner noted that she believes this should be viewed as a rehabilitation, which should
be considered as a way to modernize and make the marquee code compliant. She struggled to see
the historic elements in the current design, due to the number of changes proposed. This seems to
be an architectural element being restored with a sign on it. The architectural form of the
marquee needs to be visible.
It was noted that the Design Review Board would have to review the sign for compliance under
the regulations.
Contrada suggested having a Commissioner act as a consultant along the way while working
with the architect to get the project to meet the standards.
The Commission agreed to meet on April 24`'', or earlier, to further discuss this item.
3. Cemetery Master Plan Update (Suzie LaMont)
LaMont stated that there is $50,000 available for a Cemeteries Master Plan and the application is
being run by the Engineering Department. The Plan will help to develop an operations and
maintenance plan for the City's cemeteries. The City plans to use land at Cole Street for a future
cemetery. LaMont stated that she would keep the Commission up to date as this move forward.
4. Demolition Delay Ordinance Updates
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City of Beverly Historic Districts Commission
March 28, 2024
Meeting Minutes
Contrada explained that the original suggestion was to extend this delay period from 12 months
to 18 months,while instilling a set list of conditions for applicants during the waiting period. It
appears all the Commission can do is ask an applicant to comply with the list of conditions but
cannot go beyond that.
It was noted that the four items the Commission was previously considering in terms of
amending the ordinance were extending the delay period from 12 months to 18 months, requiring
stabilization during delay, that the delay could not be transferrable, and requiring a return to the
Commission at the end of the delay to show proof of the permit.
Contrada explained that he was told amending the ordinance would be a huge process and that
there would need to be political agreement on extending the delay period.
The Commission discussed presenting on this topic to the City Council, as this is a public
interest decision.
5. Cabot/Rantoul Street Survey Updates
The Commission heard an update on this topic.
6. Commission Member Status
The Commission discussed Commissioners statuses.
7 Review of Minutes
a. Nov. 20, 2023 approved as is
b. Dec. 13,2023 approved as amended
c. Feb. 22, 2024 approved as amended
8.New/Other Business
a. Other discussion or action items related to Commission business,if any
b. Relevant Staff updates,if any
c. Move April meeting to Wednesday 4/24 to accommodate a meeting with
Councilor Rotondo
9. Adjourn
LaMont: Motion to adjourn. Pearl seconds. Motion carries (6-0).
Meeting adjourns at 8:26 p.m.
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