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HDC - 1.23.2019 - ApprovedCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: DATE: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Historic District Commission January 23, 2019 Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street Bill Finch - Chair; Suzanne LaMont - Vice Chair; Caroline Mason; Wendy Pearl Emily Hutchings - City of Beverly; Travis Lovett Emily Hutchings Finch calls the meeting to order at 7:OOpm. Historic Resources Survey Update Finch asked for comments on the draft historic surveys submitted by consultants Wendy Frontiero and Martha Lyon. LaMont stated that she had some grammatical and spelling - related edits. Regarding the landscape form on the Swiftmoor Estate (73 Paine Avenue), LaMont provided some corrections in reference to names of owners and relations. LaMont noted that Pamela Fox's book "North Shore Boston: Country Houses of Essex County, 1865- 1930" refers to a rose garden on the property which is not mentioned in the survey. Pearl stated that the Swiftmoor Estate was subdivided into multiple lots, and that the 73 Paine Avenue lot is the only parcel being surveyed. However, Pearl and LaMont reviewed a graphic developed that mapped the full estate, and noted that the rose garden could be included. Finch stated that a historic photograph of the estate would be useful. LaMont described photos of the Swiftmoor and adjacent Rockmarge estates in Pamela Fox's book. Hutchings confirmed with the Commission that at least one historic photo of the landscape should be included in the survey, and that the Italianate (rose) garden should be included as well. Pearl noted that in area forms, specific significant features are underlined, and asked if the features should be underlined in the landscape form. Regarding the area form on the Off Lots (Augustus P. Loring) Estate at 110 Common Lane, Pearl noted that the area is similar to Maudslay State Park in Newburyport and other gentleman farms. Pearl noted that more could be stated about the layout of the farm and how it pertains to landscape architecture in the United States in its status of a gentleman's farm. Pearl asked about why the property was not recommended for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and Finch noted that the property had lost some of its historic integrity. The Commission discussed the property and its outbuildings and whether it could be considered to have sufficient historic integrity to qualify for listing on the National Register. Hutchings clarified that comments pertaining to the Off Lots survey include (1) providing additional information about the layout and how it relates to the historic of landscape architecture in the United States, and (2) asking for reasoning for why the property is not recommended for listing on the National Register. Mason stated that there is one place where an owner's name is misspelled. Finch commented that under the list of the buildings on the property, styles should be specified, and that the buildings do have certain styles. There are overtones of Arts and Crafts style for the main house, and the stable and other outbuildings can be considered "shingle - style." The Commission discussed the varying styles Historic District Commission January 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 of the buildings, and how the main building appears like an amalgamation of styles. Pearl noted that the survey was done very well, and the Commission expressed concern about the future of the property. Hutchings noted that in Wendy Frontiero's conversation with Jonathan Loring, cousin of the property owner, Mr. Loring stated that other relatives owned properties in the area and may be amenable to additional survey work being completed on their respective properties. Ms. Frontiero provided contact information for Mr. Loring, who could communicate and coordinate with other family members. Returning to the Off Lots survey, Pearl noted that there are landscape features of the area that are not in the data sheet, and noted that the Historic Context should include the context of the historic landscape. The Commission asked that the historic context of the landscape and the landscape features be included and the type of feature be specified. Regarding the survey of 12 Park View Avenue, LaMont asked why Aunt Betty's Cove was not included in the locus map. Regarding the area form for the Prospect Hill area, the Commission provided notes clarifying information and correcting typos regarding the addresses of properties within the area, property owners, and captions on photos. LaMont asked why photos of certain properties were included while some properties do not appear in any photos. The Commission asked that photos of the two oldest houses, at 23 Columbus Avenue and 44 Baker Avenue, be included in the survey. Finch agreed that photos of all the properties should, if possible, be included. Regarding the recommendations for National Register listing, Hutchings specified that the Prospect Hill Area, the Indoor Tennis Club at 595 Essex Street, and the Guy Norman Garden at 44 Prince Street have been recommended for listing. Hutchings stated that she would also ask for clarification on why the Off Lots property at 110 Common Lane is not recommended for listing. Mason asked if the property owners were aware of the recommendations, and the Commission confirmed that the recommendation does not precipitate actual listing and does not place restrictions on the properties. The Commission commented that property owners may be enthusiastic about these recommendations. Hutchings noted that there is additional funding to enable the survey of one additional property due to the removal of certain surveys from the scope. Based on the consultants' recommendations of either Pompey's Garden or the Burnside Estate, the Commission established that the Burnside Estate would be the most appropriate choice at this time. Hutchings stated that she would contact Jonathan Loring and ask him to reach out to his relatives who own the Burnside Estate. Beverly Powder House: Letter of Approval for National Register Nomination Regarding the draft letter from Hutchings, Finch stated that the structure should not simply be described as in poor condition, as the structure has rare historical integrity. Mason noted that the letter could emphasize that the structure is in compromised condition, but, more importantly, has rare integrity. Finch emphasized that the letter should stress that the property has unusual integrity and is unusually intact for a powder house. Hutchings specified that the Planning Department will be pursuing a grant through the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) in order to fully restore the Beverly Powder House. Pearl stated that the letter should note that the City is pursuing the upcoming MPPF grant and clarify that there is an intention to restore the Powder House quickly. Pearl also noted that the Powder House is a rare survival statewide, and the Historic District Commission January 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 letter should specify this fact. Mason asked if the letter suggests that the restoration would not occur without the MPPF grant, and Hutchings stated that Community Preservation Act funds have been designated for the high priority preservation work. Hutchings clarified the process in terms of submitting the National Register Nomination and the application for the MPPF grant Hutchings stated that she would submit a revised letter to the Commission for their final approval. Change in Regular Meeting Schedule The Commission confirmed that there were no concerns or conflicts in changing the meeting schedule from the fourth Wednesday of each month to the fourth Thursday. The Commission agreed that regular meetings would now be held on the fourth Thursday of each month. Approval of Minutes Hutchings had provided revised minutes for the regular meeting held on July 25, 2018. Finch asked if his proposed revisions, which were added by Hutchings, made sense to the Commission. The Commission confirmed the revisions were appropriate. Mason motions to approve the July 25, 2018 minutes as amended. Pearl seconds the motion. The motion carries 4 -0. City -Wide Historic Preservation Plan: Letter to Approval to the Massachusetts Historical Commission; Scope of Plan The Community Preservation Committee has allocated $15,000 in administrative funds to partially fund a city -wide historic preservation plan. Pearl clarified the need for a city -wide plan, and why administrative funds were allocated. The City intends to apply for the Massachusetts Historical Commission's Survey and Planning Grant to fund the remainder of the plan. The grant application is due on February 11, 2019. Hutchings has drafted a letter from the Commission that endorses the grant application. Pearl provided recommended revisions to the draft letter, and the Commission commented on their enthusiasm about the historic preservation plan. Hutchings confirmed that she would present the revised letter to the Commission before submitting it to MHC. Hutchings stated that she has discussed the scope with Amy Maxner, who staffs the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), on how the plan can address CPC goals and needs. Hutchings asked for input from the Commission on further development of the scope. The Commission agreed that recommended survey priorities and National Register Historic Districts should be priorities. Pearl noted that a historic preservation "toolbox" should be developed to provide strategies to protect and preserve Beverly's historic resources. The Commission agreed that tools should be included to identify at -risk properties and methods of assisting and improving these properties, including ordinance development The Commission discussed specific buildings within buildings that are perceived as at -risk, and Finch noted that the plan should have some focus on the downtown. Hutchings stated that she will be starting the application next week, and will provide the draft application to the Commission prior to submitting it to MHC. New /Other Business New membership Finch stated that he had spoken with David Kaiser, who had expressed frustration that his application to sit on the Historic District Commission had not yet been reviewed by the Mayor. Hutchings stated that if she received Mr. Kaiser's resume and cover letter, she could personally resubmit them to the Mayor and follow up. Hutchings stated that she would be Historic District Commission January 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 following up about a representative from Historic Beverly to sit on the Historic District Commission. Update on Briscoe Middle School Request for Proposals (RFPI Pearl has met with Mayor Cahill and Planning Director Aaron Clausen, and expressed her concerns about protection of the historic building. Mayor Cahill and Clausen had described their research on how to ensure the preservation of the building while enabling negotiations with the selected developer, and confirmed that preservation is extremely important to the City. Pearl noted that she found the process to be appropriate and that language will be added to the RFP to emphasize preservation. The Commission asked about the comfort level instilled by Pearl's meeting with the Mayor and Clausen, and Pearl confirmed that she conveyed the Commission's concern and that the meeting clarified the City's level of effort to ensure the protection of the building. There has been a significant level of interest in the property from a variety of prospective developers. The Commission asked about when the RFP would be posted, and Hutchings stated that the City would like the RFP out as soon as possible. GAR Hall Paint Colors Finch provided the Commission with information about the historic paint colors of the GAR Hall, and described which colors were applied during specific time periods. Finch noted that the historic 1905 colors were similar to the Saugus City Hall, with the main color being a yellow ochre and the trim being a brown. There are also combinations of white and gray, as well as combinations of different browns. The Commission considered the colors and discussed which colors would be appropriate. Pearl commented that two different options may be selected and the public could then be polled on which color scheme is preferred. LaMont noted that she had provided an update to the Ward 2 Civic Association, and no significant concerns were expressed. The Commission discussed how the public may be informed about the color scheme in advance of the final painting of the building. The Commission agreed that no public vote on the color scheme should occur. The Commission discussed the colors in reference to other buildings of similar periods. Adjournment LaMont motions to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm. Mason seconds the motion. The motion carries 4 -0. The next Historic District Commission meeting will be held in Beverly City Hall on February 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm. Historic District Commission January 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4