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2012-8-30Beverly Historic District Commission Draft Minutes — August 30, 2012 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Historic District Commission Date: August 30, 2012 Location: Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street Members Present William Finch, Chair, James Younger, Vice Chair, Martin Lian, and Wendy Pearl Members Absent: None Others Present: Kate Newhall Recorder: Eileen Sacco Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Younger moved to recess for public hearings. Lian seconded the motion. The motion carries. Demolition Permit Application # 148: Relocation of a Portion of 40 Neptune Street to the lot at 46 Pickman Road / Thomas Wilburn Finch addresses those present and explains the role of the Historic District Commission in this matter. He explains that a demolition delay order applies to all buildings over 50 years old when an application is presented to the Building Department. The application is referred to the Historic District Commission for review. He further explains that if the Commission finds that the building may be historically significant a public hearing is held to determine if the building is definitely historically significant to Beverly and if so, if it should be preferably preserved. He also explains that if a building is not found to be historically significant then no determination as to the building being preferably preserved will be necessary and the Building Inspector will be free to issue a demolition permit. Finch also requests that public comment pertain solely to the historic significance of the building noting that we are not here to discuss any other matters regarding this property. Finch asks the owner or his representative to present their case. Steve Holt, a preservation architect from Manchester, addresses the Commission and explains that the applicant is proposing to remove a portion of the residence, which constitutes the main house, and move it two lots over to 46 Pickman Road. The applicant will be retaining the portion of the residence, known as the servants' quarters, that remains on the lot at 40 Neptune Street. He explained that the only thing they are adding is a garage, which is in accordance with the design of the house. Holt also noted that Mr. Wilburn, who currently lives in the house, plans to remain living in it once it is moved to the neighboring lot. His reasons for moving the home vary, but he believes that by moving it to the other lot, he will be restoring the house to its original intent, which is an oceanfront estate. Finch opened the hearing up for public comment at this time noting that this hearing is to determine whether the house is historically significant and if so should it be preferably preserved and asked members of the public to keep their comments to those topics. Page 1 of 4 Beverly Historic District Commission Draft Minutes — August 30, 2012 Finch also noted that there are several letters of support that have been submitted to the Commission. Finch read the letters into the record from the following residents: Mary Nealon of 52 Pickman Road, Beverly, Massachusetts Connie and Stephan Schmidt of 45 Pickman Road, Beverly, Massachusetts Dr. Harold Kaplan of 44 Pickman Road, Beverly, Massachusetts Joan Stein - Strelein of 44 Neptune Street, Beverly, Massachusetts Albert Cloyd of 31 Neptune Street, Beverly, Massachusetts There were no additional comments offered at the public hearing. Finch declared the public hearing closed. Finch asked for questions and comments from the Commissioners at this time. Younger addressed the Commission and commended the owner of the property on the fine example of historic preservation that they are undergoing. He noted that the letters of support offered from the neighbors indicate that they are in favor of the project and it will be a great improvement to the neighborhood. Younger noted that the building is historically significant and he appreciates the wonderful job that they have done in preserving the house. Pearl agreed noting that the house is very historically significant and is being preserved. Finch stated that the house is historically significant and is a good example of the architecture from that period. He noted that it is one of the few remaining housing from the Gold Coast of Beverly and not all houses were as grand as this one. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter: Younger moved to determine that the house at 40 Neptune Street is historically significant. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried. Finch noted that the Commission must now determine whether the property should be preferably preserved based on the merits and not what will come after. He also noted that the Commission needs to look at whether the removal of the house from the site would constitute a demolition. Finch noted that at some point in time a "pork chop" lot that was created, which compromised the site. Younger agrees that the site has been altered, affecting the original siting of the home, but that it is substantially intact, both on the interior and exterior. Pearl states that the subdivision resulted in the disappearance of the home's original ocean front setting, but removing the home from the parcel will diminish its historical significance. Page 2 of 4 Beverly Historic District Commission Draft Minutes — August 30, 2012 Finch states that it is a good example of Italianate -style architecture. Younger moved to determine the house at 40 Neptune Street as preferably preserved. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried. The Commission then reviewed plans submitted by the applicant and his architect that detailed the removal of the home and its transfer to a new waterfront parcel on Pickman Street. Younger states that the plans preserve almost the entirety of the home and restore it on a lot with significant ocean frontage, which was the original type of setting of the home. Finch states that the home is retaining its architectural integrity and the "servants' quarters" portion of the home will also be preserved on its original lot. Pearl comments that the home will still be visible from a public way. Younger moved to remove the delay period subject to the following condition: the removal and relocation of the house at 40 Neptune Street must conform to the plans and specifications submitted by the applicant, which will be attached the final decision. Pearl seconds. The motion carried. Discussion on Proposed Rantoul Street Urban Center Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Zone Kate Newhall addressed the Commission and explained that the TIF Ordinance has been tweaked a little from the original version and explained the changes. She explained that the state requires shovel ready projects in order for this to move forward and the project that was originally thought to be ready to proceed is not and there is no shovel ready project at this time. She noted that this may not be passed until such time as there is a shovel ready project. She explained that the City Council can accept the boundaries of the TIF zone but cannot go to the state until there is a project. Lian questioned what this has to do with the Historic District. Finch explained that the Commission has a role to advise the city on historic preservation. He noted that there is no mandate that the HDC get involved but there may be some issues that may arise in the zone that are under the jurisdiction of the Commission. Pearl stated that she is concerned that the TIF would encourage the demolition and suggested that the Commission look at ways to advise the city to encourage rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings within the TIF zone. Finch explained that when a developer comes to the city with a project and they want a TIF as an incentive to do the project the city has to review it and negotiate the terms, if any. Councilor Wes Slate addressed the Commission and explained that this is designed to encourage development of residential condos etc. in that section of the downtown. He also explained that the Mayor wanted one standard for the conditions of the TIF so that any Mayor will have Page 3 of 4 Beverly Historic District Commission Draft Minutes — August 30, 2012 guidance as he /she negotiates with the developer. He also noted that Mayor Scanlon may want the City Council to approve the final negotiated terms. Councilor Slate noted that the Council opened the public hearing and will take the matter up again in September and it is his hope that the as we consider this and make the decision whether or not to accept this the city will get some guidance from the Commission. Finch asked if the once the TIF is approved if any developer would automatically qualify for it. Newhall responds that any parcel within the designated zone would be able to request a TIF from the Mayor. Slate suggested that rather than wait for a building to be going through the process it would be better to predetermine if certain buildings are historically significant within the TIF zone. He noted that the Commission is in a unique position to look at what is out there now. He suggested that the Commission could look at the properties that are out there now and determine if they are historically significant so that the city could have that information going forward. Pearl stated that the discussion should be about what should be preserved rather than what should be built. Slate noted that the process started in June with the opening of the Public Hearing by the City Council and it was continued to Tuesday September 4, 2012. He explained that the Council could close the Public Hearing and refer the matter to the Finance and Property Committee. Slate explained that when the Committee reviews it they will make a recommendation favorably or unfavorably to the City Council and they will either vote on it or send it back to Committee for more information. He noted that there is a lot of interest in moving this along but he would like to take as much time as is needed to draft and review this because it is not a simple thing. Pearl asked if any other communities have implemented this. Slate noted that there are two cities and towns, Quincy and Easton that are using this TIF. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Historic Commission held on July 30, 2012 were presented for approval. Younger moved to approve the minutes of the meeting as presented. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic District Commission this evening, Younger moved to adjourn the meeting. Lian seconds the motion. The motion carries The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Page 4 of 4