2014-12-03Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — December 3, 2014
Board:
Date:
Location:
Members Present
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Recorder:
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Historic District Commission
December 3, 2014
Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA.
William Finch, Chair, and Wendy Pearl, Martin Lian, James
Younger
Suzanne LaMont
Alison Crosbie, Staff Planner, City Planner Aaron Clausen
Eileen Sacco
Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Demolition of McKay School Gymnasium -131 McKay Street — Windover Development
Finch explains the process for this evening and notes that the matter before the Commission is
the request to demo the 1927 addition in the back section of the former McKay School located at
131 McKay Street. He explains that the task of the Commission this evening is to determine if
the property is historically significant and if so to determine if it should be preferably preserved.
He further explains that if the property is not found to be historically significant that essentially
ends the process and the applicant is free to proceed.
Attorney Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addresses the Commission and notes that
she has Peter Gordeau of Windover Development with her this evening and the architect for the
project Thad Siemasko.
Gooding explains that the property has been the subject of four requests for proposals from the
City of Beverly over the last few years and Windover has been chosen in the last round to
develop the property. She explains the history of the property.
Thad Siemasko, the architect for the project addresses the Commission and explains that they
applied for a demolition permit and the city denied it because of the age of the building. He
explains that the building was built in 1907/1908 and the gymnasium addition was added in
1927. He explains that the proposal includes the preservation of the main school building which
will be converted to 19 residential units and a new two story structure will be added to the rear of
the building for 13 residential units.
Page 1 of 4
Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — December 3, 2014
Siemasko notes that the building is not listed on the Massachusetts Inventory of Historical and
Archeological Assets of the Commonwealth and it is not included in the City Survey.
Finch states that the fact that it is not on the local inventory or the historic registry is probably
because it was never done.
Finch opens the hearing up for public comment at this time.
Rick Marciano of 141 McKay Street addresses the Commission and reviewed the history of the
area and the United Shoe. He states that the neighborhood was established to preserve the
neighborhood and the school was built with a deed restriction that it remain a school. He states
that he feels that the area is of historic significance to the City.
Councilor Scott Houseman notes that the deed restriction expired after 50 years by state law. He
also states that he feels that the property is of historical significance because it is important to
Beverly.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declares the public
hearing closed.
Finch asks if the members of the Historic Commission have any comments regarding this
proposal.
Younger states that the photos presented are great and he agrees with Mr. Marciano's comments
that the area is historically significant to the City of Beverly.
Pearl agrees and states that she feels that the area tells us a lot about the history of Beverly.
Finch agrees noting that the architecture is reasonably attractive despite the loss of the gables
that it once had.
Younger: motion to find that the McKay School located at 131 McKay Street is historically
significant. Pearl seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Younger states that with regard to the matter of should the building be preferably preserved, he
notes that the gymnasium is not a major contributor to the historical significance of the building
architecture or its historical significance.
Pearl agrees and notes that taking it down will not undermine the property.
Lian agrees and notes that it looks like an appendage to a really nice building.
Finch states that the addition does not share the architectural attributes of the original building.
Page 2 of 4
Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — December 3, 2014
Pearl: Motion to make a determination that the gymnasium section of the building shall
not be preferably preserved. Younger seconds the motion. The motion carries (4-
0).
Finch addresses the applicants and notes that if they decide to demolish more of
the property they would have to come back to the Historic Commission for
approval.
Update on CPA
Pearl reported that the CPA Committee has concluded round one of the funding
recommendations and all projects previously discussed moved forward.
Pearl explains that looking forward to round two, the Committee is looking for input from the
public and they will be holding a public hearing.
Finch asks if the City has a list of capital projects and suggests that it be looked at.
The Commission brainstormed ideas for projects and drafted a list as follows:
Finch notes that the Powder House owned by the City is in need of stabilization and the roof
leaks.
Pearl suggests that the Central Cemetery should be looked at noting the area closest to Lothrop
Street.
Houseman states that all of the cemeteries should be looked at noting Abbot Street as well as
Central. Houseman also notes that they have been trying to get funding for repairs to the Central
Cemetery fence. He asks if restoration of the fence would qualify for CPA. Pearl states that it
would qualify for CPA funds.
Clausen notes that DPS is in charge of all of the city cemeteries and the Commission could check
with them regarding projects that are in need of funding.
Younger states that Main Streets is looking to fund historic lighting in the city and the Cabot
Cinema is considering facade improvements. He suggests that maybe a master plan should be
done for projects around the city. He notes that there may be some things that are already being
considered.
Clausen notes that the Cabot Street, street scape needs attention and the City would like to find
funds for the reconstruction of sidewalks, noting that it would be a long term project.
Finch notes that he takes exception with paving over brick sidewalks that are in disrepair.
Page 3 of 4
Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — December 3, 2014
Houseman notes that the cobblestones under Rantoul Street should be saved in the event that
they could be used for future projects. Clausen states that he will look into that.
Clausen suggests that a preservation plan needs to be done for the City. He notes that other
properties that need attention may be the fire houses, libraries, noting that the Beverly Farms
Library needs some work.
Pearl suggests the beaches and parks noting that Independence Park, the Dane Street Bathhouse,
plantings and seawalls. She suggests that she will put together a list of priorities based on this
discussion that could be considered for future CPA projects.
Draft Meeting Schedule for 2015
Crosbie reviews the draft meeting schedule for the Historic Commission for 2015. She notes that
she has an application from the Beverly School for the Deaf, for demolition at 6 Echo Avenue,
and the Commission needs to determine if a public hearing is necessary.
Finch states that he would encourage a public hearing on the matter.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission meeting held on September 24, 2014 were
presented for approval.
Pearl moved approval of the minutes as presented. Lian seconds the motion. The motion carries
(4 -0).
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening,
Pearl moved to adjourn the meeting. Younger seconds the motion. The motion carries
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Page 4 of 4