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2002-11-26Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – November 26, 2002 Page 1 CITY OF BEVERLY Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: Historic District Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: November 26, 2002 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Matt Lewis, James Younger, John Condon, John Frates BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Leah Zambernardi RECORDER: Diane Presutti The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. 1. Public Hearing - 2 Boyles Street - Henry Bertolon/Demolition of Dwellings Attorney Tom Alexander approaches the Board on behalf of Henry Bertolon, owner of the dwellings at 2 Boyles Street. He begins by explaining how the Board members walked the property on Saturday, November 23, and took photographs of the buildings in question. He continues by stating that his client understands the procedure the HDC must follow and states his client will respect the HDC’s decision. Mr. Finch takes a moment to explain the Demolition Delay Bylaw to the Board as well as the public present. He states that the Board is responsible for: a) To determine if there is evidence to declare the building(s) historically significant; and b) If the evidence does determine the building(s) historically significant, then the Board must determine if the building(s) is preferably preserved. If these two factors prove to be positive, then a six-month delay is placed on the issuance of the demolition permit. Mr. Finch opens the meeting for public comments and states that the Board can only address questions regarding the historical significance of the building(s) under the demolition delay ordinance and has no jurisdiction regarding zoning issues. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – November 26, 2002 Page 2 Rene Mary, 274 Hale Street, states that the neighborhood in question, Chapman’s Corner, consists of 18th century architecture. She continues by urging the HDC to consider preserving the landscape. She also urges the HDC not to turn Beverly into a drive thru city by allowing developers to take over. She feels Beverly is losing its historical identity. She also questions the Board on whether the preservation restriction on the art gallery building is a private matter or a City matter. Joanne Avalon, 17 Boyles Street, states that she agrees with Rene Mary and urges the HDC to put a delay on the buildings. Harry Lodge, 239 Hale Street, states that he has seen many proposals in the area and it seems that until a final project is in hand and approved, it would be wise of the applicant to keep his options for the property open. He also states that the Bartlett House could be reused as the core of some of the units being established. He urges that the HDC not make a mistake or lose their opportunity in saving the buildings. Susan Oleksiw, 122 Hale Street, urges the HDC and the owner to take six months to view other possibilities and to be creative. She states that there are long-term consequences to demolishing historic buildings. She also urges the applicant and the HDC not to let the negative factors of the buildings convince them to demolish. Mike Oleksiw, 122 Hale Street asks how many buildings the demolition permit will be approved for and which ones they are? The Board looks at the plans submitted to the Planning Department for the preliminary subdivision. The plan identifies the following buildings for demolition: 1. Bartlett house; 2. Stable associated with the Bartlett house; 3. Dresel house at 28 Boyles Street; 4. Caretakers house on Hale Street associated with the Bartlett house; and 5. Carriage house associated with the Dresel house at 30 Boyles Street. Mr. Bertolon, owner, states that he welcomes public input. He explains that the Bartlett home is very old and run down and the cost to renovate it would far exceed the cost to demolish and rebuild. There is no question that the main building cannot be moved and that it is unserviceable. The other buildings are smaller and possibly can be moved. He states that he is open to offers to purchase the other buildings. He also states that he proposes to demolish the art gallery building and two additional outbuildings on the property of the Bartlett Estate. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – November 26, 2002 Page 3 Mr. Finch states to Mr. Bertolon and Attorney Alexander that the HDC has received plans for buildings to be demolished on only five buildings and questions their statements regarding eight buildings. He also states that plans that have been submitted are not complete at this time relative to the requirements of the demolition delay ordinance. He also states that the regulations for submission of a Demolition Plan are written in the ordinance. Attorney Alexander states that they will submit complete plans with photos to the HDC. He also asks the Board for a continuance and states he is willing to execute a waiver of the statutory time constraints. Mr. Finch asks the Board for a motion to continue public hearing to December. Mr. Lewis motions to continue the public hearing until December 18, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. contingent upon the applicant signing a waiver of the time requirements, seconded by Mr. Condon. Motion carries 5-0. Mr. Finch directs Attorney Alexander that the proper application documents must be received by the Board five days prior to the meeting. The HDC sets another site visit for December 14, 2002, at 9 a.m. for members to view the additional buildings on the site. Mr. Finch states that the public present still has questions concerning procedure and asks the Board if they wish to open the meeting again relative to clarifying procedural issues. Mr. Younger motions to open the meeting to the public regarding the issue at hand, seconded by Mr. Condon. Motion carries 5-0. Marie Alves, 5 Morrison Avenue, questions Mr. Bertolon’s ownership of 28 and 30 Boyles Street. Mr. Bertolon states that he is under purchase and sale agreement and he will be passing papers on those two properties on December 5, 2002. Mr. Oleksiw asks if the Board can provide the public with historical information on the buildings. Ms. Zambernardi states that the information is in a public file. Mrs. Oleksiw asks if the site walk on December 14, 2002, will be open to the public. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – November 26, 2002 Page 4 Mr. Finch states that all meetings are open to the public and this site visit is for the Board to obtain information only. He directs the question to Mr. Bertolon stating that the property is privately owned. Mr. Bertolon states that he would allow a few representatives of the neighborhood to attend the site visit. He also reminds the Board and the public the run down condition of the buildings and asks them to use caution when on his property. Mr. Finch asks the public for any further questions. Mr. Finch asks for motion to close the period of public comment and to enter regular meeting. Mr. Lewis motions to close the period of public comment and to enter regular meeting, seconded by Mr. Younger. Motion carries 5-0. 2. Approval of Minutes Mr. Finch makes revisions to the executive session minutes of October 21, 2002. Mr. Condon motions to accept the minutes of the October 2, 2002 and the October 21, 2002 regular meetings of the HDC and of the October 21, 2002 executive session meeting minutes with revisions, seconded by Younger. Motion carries 5-0. 3. Other Business Update on the Beverly Historic Districts Ordinance Amendments Mr. Finch states that he addressed the Legal Accounts and Affairs Committee of the City Council regarding amendments to the Historic Districts Ordinance on Monday evening. The Council continued that discussion until their next meeting because of concern raised by Councilor Ron Costa over deleting the paint color requirements. Mr. Finch states that he discussed the amendment changing the demolition delay from six months to one year with Planning Director Deb Hurlburt. They determined that this would be a good time to submit the proposal seeing that there is currently public discontent over the demolition of historic estate buildings for subdivisions. Ms. Hurlburt stated to Mr. Finch that she would discuss the idea with City Council members. Mr. Finch asks the Board if they are comfortable with this approach. And the Board affirmed. Request for Letter of Support – MHC MPPF Grant Application – Hale Farm – Beverly Historical Society Mr. Finch recuses himself from this discussion. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – November 26, 2002 Page 5 Ms. Zambernardi addresses the Board regarding a request by the Beverly Historical Society for a letter of support from the HDC of the grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for improvements to the Hale Farm. Ms. Zambernardi states that the grant is for a $100,000 match for new wood shingles on the roof, paint, carpentry and sill repair and possibly a handicap bathroom. Mr. Younger motions to write a letter of support seconded by Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 4-0. Mr. Finch returns and states business is complete and asks for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Condon motions to adjourn seconded by Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.