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2012-11--15Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — November 15, 2012 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Historic District Commission Date: November 15, 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, Associate Planner Recorder: Eileen Sacco Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Certificate of Appropriateness - 52 Water Street — Karen Tompkins — Construction of a 2- Foot Retaining Wall Topped With a Wrought Iron Fence Finch asks the owner or her representative to present their case. Ms. Tompkins addresses the Commission and explains that she is proposing to construct a 2 -foot tall granite block type retaining wall with pillars, topped by a 3 -foot tall wrought iron fence. She explains that the wall /fence will be visible from Water Street. Ms. Tompkins explains that she started construction of a rock wall to retain her garden and she is now proposing to construct the wall and top it with the fence. Newhall notes that there are photos of the property in the members' packets for this meeting. Younger states that the fence is in keeping with the standards for the district, noting that the Commission does not allow vinyl fencing. Tompkins noted that she had a chain link fence on the site before she started this project. Pearl stated that she has no issue with this proposal, noting that it's not an inventoried property. Lian states that he drove by the property today and he feels that the addition of the wall and the fence will be a nice touch. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter: Younger: moved to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 52 Water Street Lian seconded, the motion carried (4 -0). Recess for Public Hearing Younger moved to recess for public hearings; Lian seconded, the motion carried (4 -0) Demolition ADUlicatlon #154, Partial Demolition of 441 Hale Street- Helen Greiner Finch addresses those present and explains the role of the Commission in this matter. He explains that a demolition delay order applies to all buildings over 50 years old when an Page 1 of 5 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — November 15, 2012 application is presented to the Building Department. It is then referred to the 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 historically significant to Beverly and if so, should it 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 be directed to the Commission Chair and that comments pertain to the historic significance of the building only. Finch asks the owner or her representative to present their case. John Margolis, the architect for the project addressed the Commission and explained that the property has been derelict (empty ? ?) for several years noting that the Loring family did its best to try and maintain the site. He noted that Ms. Greiner plans to live in the home once all of the demolition and remodeling is completed. Margolis explained that the existing house was constructed in 1881 by William Ralph Emerson and much of the proposed demolition is for the later additions to the home that are believed to have been constructed in 1906. He also noted that it is the intent of the owner to keep and maintain much of the original design of the house and to restore a third floor porch. Margolis reviewed the proposed plans and pointed out the areas that they are proposing for demolition that were delineated on the building plans. He noted that access is a challenge and they are not recommending any changes to the third floor. He further noted that their intent is to reduce the large scale of the property. Lian noted shingle style architecture and asked if the "shingling" could be replaced. Margolis stated that all of it would have to be replaced. Finch opened the hearing up for public comment at this time. During the course of the public comment period, Mr. Finch addressed and clarified several questions related to the procedural aspects of the demolition delay process throughout the hearing. Finch noted that there are several letters regarding this matter that have been submitted to the Commission. Finch read the letters into the record from the following residents: Kathy Haller, (email identifying herself as an abutter) Steve Rosenthal, 6 Crooked Lane, Manchester, MA Pamela Fox, (no address given) Jack Glassman, Historical Architect, 15 Oak Street, Charlestown, MA. William R. Cross, 31 Smith's Point, Manchester -by- the -Sea, MA Rebecca Harris, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA Hyacinthe Burnham, 31 Mechanic Street, North Bennington, VT. Tony Baldwin of 435 Hale Street addressed the Commission and expressed his support for the project noting that the property needs to be fixed up. Page 2 of 5 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — November 15, 2012 Kate Morgan of New York addressed the Commission and stated that she is opposed delaying the renovations of this house on the romantic notion of what it was in its hay day. Finch noted that the demolition delay would not prevent the owner from continuing to make repairs to the house during the delay period. Ms. Morgan questioned why the house has not been listed on the National Historic Register. Finch read a letter dated May 18, 2006 from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which explained their evaluation of the site and concluded that the property at 441 and 447 Hale Street are eligible for listing in the National Register on local, state, and national levels under Criteria A and C. He stated that the formal listing was not perused because the owner of 447 Hale Street objected to listing the property. hale Michael Sulmistras from Alberta, Canada addressed the Commission and noted that he met the applicant through the purchase of the house. He noted that Ms. Greiner is trying to preserve the house as much as she can and if she waits another year it may deteriorate too far to be rehabbed. Peter Loring addressed the Commission and stated that he originally wanted to save the house and held discussions with The Friends of the General Charles G. Loring House regarding the purchase of the property, bringing it up to code and modernizing the kitchen. This plan would have required a 10 million dollar endowment to maintain the property, but the Friends were unable to come up with the money. Jonathan Loring of 552 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that he strongly supports this proposal and putting it off for a year would be a detriment. He noted that the rehab can't be done piecemeal, noting that the applicant is focusing on the original house. Lynne Warren of 433 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that there was concerted effort by the Friends of Loring House to work with Historic New England to save the house. Steve Holt, a Manchester architect, addressed the Commission and stated that this house needs a lot of TLC. He noted that it needs to be adapted to modern codes and he would hate to lose a tremendous opportunity for updating and using the additions to accomodate the modern needs. He noted that the library could be a Great Room noting that the space could be adapted. Dan Lohnes, President of the Beverly Historical Society, addressed the Commission and read a letter on behalf of the Beverly Historical Society in opposition of the demolition. Babette Loring of 573 Hale Street addressed the Commission and expressed her support for Ms. Greiner's plans. She stated that she cares about the house and its historic significance. Joan Johnson of 667 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that this is a wonderful home that is in need of some TLC. She stated that she supports the demolition and hopes that the essence and the lovely shingles will be preserved. She stated that it is her hope that the house will be brought back to the grace and dignity that it deserves. Page 3 of 5 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — November 15, 2012 Ms. Greiner addressed the Commission and stated that she loves this house and a lot of what she is proposing is historic restoration. She noted that she would like to start the work on the house as soon as possible noting that it is not weather tight and there were coyotes living in basement. Finch declared the public hearing closed. Finch again noted that if a delay is imposed it won't apply to the rest of the structure and work on the other sections of the home may occur. Finch stated that he has some genuine concerns about the demolition proposed and he thinks that a delay would accomplish a great deal by providing more time to more carefully plan the project. He also noted that he is not trying to fight the renovation, but wants to insure that everything is done with a sense of sensitivity. Finch noted that the Commission needs to determine that the house is historically significant, which he believes is obvious due to the 2006 letter from the MHC. Younger: moved that the Commission find that the house located at 441 Hale Street is historically significant. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried (4 -0). Finch asked for questions and comments from the Commission regarding the demolition. Younger stated that this is hard noting that it is clear that the applicant wants to demolish the Bigelow addition to move forward with her project, however he feels that there are opportunities not to destroy the integrity of the house. He stated that he feels that they could be more sensitive to preserving the historical character of the house. He stated that he would like to work with the applicant to illustrate what is important. Finch noted that there are photos of the solarium in the Historic New England library and suggested that a possible solution may involve a partial demolition and he thinks there is an opportunity there to provide for modern needs and avoid some of the proposed changes to the rest of the house. He stated that in the end he hopes the Commission and the applicant can find a solution. Lian stated that the additions proposed for demolition didn't seem to conform to the main house's design. He also stated that the proposed addition needed further design improvement so that it would be more representative of the period and Shingle style. He also stated that in the architectural rending, the main house looked to be in confirmation of the period style. Finch noted that if the Commission imposes a delay, the Commission can lift the delay if an agreement is reached revising the proposed plans to better preserve the house. Pearl stated that the proposed elevations do not seem sensitive and she feels that this house should be preferably preserved. She noted that the Commission would like to work with Ms. Greiner to be sure that the historic integrity of the house is preserved. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter: Page 4 of 5 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — November 15, 2012 Younger: moved that the house at 441 Hale Street be preferably preserved and that proposed demolition of the additions be delayed for a period of one year. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion passes (3 -1, Lian dissenting). Approval of Minutes The minutes of the August 30, 2012 meeting were presented for approval. Younger moved to approve the minutes of the meeting as presented. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried (4 -0). Adiournment 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 carried (4 -0). The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Page 5 of 5