Historic District Commission - 7 6 2017 - ApprovedCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Historic District Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: July 6, 2017
LOCATION: 89 West Street, Beverly
MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch - Chair, Suzanne LaMont - Vice Chair,
Martin Lian, and James Younger
ABSENT: Wendy Pearl
OTHERS PRESENT: Aaron Clausen, Joseph Coughlin
RECORDER: Travis Lovett
Finch calls the meeting to order at 8:48am.
Site Visit Review: Joseph Coughlin - 89 West Street Demolition
Finch said the core question for the Historic District Commission is to determine whether
the property at 89 West Street should be preferably preserved. He said voting for a
"preferably preserved" designation would prevent demolition on the property for one year.
Younger said he expected property to be in worse shape. The windows have been changed
out and the bathrooms have evolved, but no walls were knocked down. Younger said he
thinks the property should be preserved as the Gold Coast has lost lots of its fabric over
time.
LaMont wonders how much of the current structure was a result of the work of Henry
Bigelow (the original architect). Lian said the project looks like a hodgepodge. Finch said
the interior fittings are mostly Bigelow and are good examples of Moorish
architecture. The association with Bigelow and some property details connect back to the
1800's, Finch said. It's an eclectic mix, not atypical of summer houses of the time, he said.
Finch said there is enough intact to remodel the property to warrant being preferably
preserved through remodeling or finding someone else to remodel this. The property
shows deterioration, but no structural failure, he said. LaMont asked about
interior. Younger said the exterior of the property is important, particularly what residents
see from the waterfront. Finch said the interior had enough quality to warrant the effort
for preservation. Younger said the "preferably preserved" designation would offer an
opportunity to seek alternatives for treatment of the property. Finch said in finding a way
to renovate the property that there may be parts of the building that may not be worth
keeping. LaMont and Finch are open to removing some of the property.
Historic District Commission
June 28, 2017 Meeting Minutes
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LaMont motions to designate the property at 89 West Street as preferably preserved, due
to visibility to the public, the property's location, and historic elements related to the Gold
Coast community. Younger seconds the motion. The motion carries 4 -0.
Adjournment
Younger motions to adjourn the meeting at 9:04am. LaMontseconds the motion. The motion
carries 4 -0.
Historic District Commission
June 28, 2017 Meeting Minutes
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