HDC Minutes 11-18-20 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION Historic District Commission
DATE: November 18, 2020
LOCATION: Google Meet
MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair;
Caroline Mason, Wendy Pearl
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hutchings (Planning Department, City of Beverly);
Patricia Pellegrino; Henry Bertolon; Bob Griffin; Ralph
Cerundolo; Shelly (Green) Cerundolo; Fay Salt; Dawn
RECORDER: Jodi Byrne
Call to Order
Vice Chair Suzie LaMont calls the November 18, 2020 meeting of the HDC to order at 7:09 pm.
She reads a prepared statement introducing the meeting, the authority to hold a remote meeting,
public access and public participation, and meeting ground rules. She takes roll call attendance.
Members, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative.
Suzie LaMont
William Finch
Caroline Mason
Wendy Pearl
Staff, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative.
Emily Hutchings
Jodi Byrne
Supporting materials that have been provided to members of this body are available from the
Planning Department.
1.7:12 p.m.: Public Hearing Demolition Delay Review #252 Demolition of a
building located at 29 Ober Street Patricia Pellegrino
Vice Chair Suzie LaMont provides a brief review of the project. Caroline Mason motions to
recess to a public hearing. Wendy Pearl seconds the motion.
Owner/applicant Patti Pellegrino reports that she bought this property at 29 Ober Street four
years ago with the intention to renovate. She states that she found the property so badly damaged
that it was unfit for anyone to live there. Pellegrino adds that architectural plans showed multiple
problems, and removed walls revealed an unsafe structure. Pellegrino says the renovation cost
estimates were so excessive that she decided to take down the old structure and build a new
house. Pellegrino says that she initially had asbestos and mold removed, and because the
structure has been vacant for four years, the conditions have declined with additional black mold
and collapsed ceilings. She says the cost to renovate this 11,000 sq. ft. house is 5 million dollars
(est. by Silva Brothers).
Caroline Mason confirms with Asst. Planner Emily Hutchings that through the demolition delay
requirements, all property abutters were notified of this request. Hutchings says that she received
one phone call from the public, but that the concern was in the potential new use, not the
demolition of the historic building.
Suzie LaMont asks what could be placed on this property. Asst. Planner Emily Hutchings
answers that it is in an R10 residential district, indicating a single family residential is the
primary permitted use. Hutchings reads the Beverly Zoning Ordinance pertaining to uses
permitted in the R10 zone by right and by Special Permit. Pellegrino confirms that the intent for
the property is to replace it with another single family home. LaMont asks if they have
information on when the property was owned by the Landmark school, and Pellegrino answers
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building is dilapidated. Pellegrino says the house did not host fine design details.
LaMont asks if any members of the public are present who would like to speak.
Speakers from the public:
1.Fay Salt - 66 Haskell Street
with Mrs. Pellegrino that the home is void of historical architectural detail.
2.- 26 Ober Street
from a life threatening health condition and that he may not survive the two years it would take
for the new build. Pellegrino says even though they have already put a significant amount of
money into the house, including $250k for architectural plans for a new single family home, they
will accept a sales offer. If there is no offer, Pellegrino says that they will continue with the
build.
Wendy Pearl asks if there are any landscape features that have been retained. Pellegrino says she
hired landscape architects and engineers, who worked with the Conservation Commission to
have all plans approved. Pearl clarifies, asking if there are distinctive historic landscape elements
that might be saved, and Pellegrino says there are none. Asst. Planner Hutchings says that an
aerial photo from 1946 shows no significant landscape changes or gardens. LaMont says that the
circular driveway was probably part of the original design.
Chair William Finch formally takes back the chairmanship of the meeting.
3.Katie Umile - 34 Woodbury Street
Umile notes she came in to the meeting late, asks why the property is for sale and asks if there
are plans established for anything more than one residential property for the unit. Asst. Planner
Hutchings answers that the property owner is proposing to demolish the existing building and
rebuild a single-property dwelling. The property is currently up for sale due to a family medical
issue, yet if it does not sell, the family plans to build and live there. Hutchings repeats the R10
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zoning allowances and notes that there is no plan for anything other than the single family home.
Pellegrino says the sale is just a result of medical condition.
With no additional public comment, Chair Finch closes the public hearing.
Chair Finch states that it is not the role of the HDC to judge what is built there, but instead to
judge if the existing property is significantly historic to the people of Beverly. Chair Finch says
that the HDC has not been able to see the property nor to review photos to verify the claims of
the owner. He says that from the outside, the property has historical value and significance, and
would suggest a continuance to the next meeting so that the owner can make arrangements for
the HDC to see the interior or to view photographs of the inside in order to make a
determination.
Caroline Mason agrees a site visit is appropriate. Chair Finch says that the point of a demolition
delay is to provide time for the owner to seek other options such as a sale to someone who could
preserve the property. Wendy Pearl acknowledges that the owner outlined a lengthy process of
how they tried to preserve the building. Chair Finch notes that from a historic preservation
perspective, a new buyer could do whatever they to the building want short of demolition.
Chair Finch motions to continue the deliberations as to whether this property is historically
significant based upon a site visit or adequate documentation provided by the owner. This
subject will continue at the next meeting of the HDC scheduled for December 10, 2020.
Pellegrino agrees to a site visit and the continuation, but warns against people with respiratory
issues entering the building due to the extensive black mold. LaMont seconds the motion. There
is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont,
Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
2.7:30 p.m.: Public Hearing Demolition Delay Review #253 Demolition of a
building located at 251 Dodge Street Henry J. Bertolon
Chair Finch reviews the determination as to whether the building is or is not historically
significant to the city of Beverly. If deemed historically significant and preferably preserved, the
demolition will be delayed for one year, if not, a demolition permit may proceed. Asst. Planner
Hutchings reports that there was an HDC site visit to the property last Monday.
Bob Griffin presents on behalf of the client. Griffin says this is a small single-family house that
had several additions since its original build in 1900. Griffin states that the additions have
removed the historic qualities of building and that it is currently in terrible condition. He reports
that the family does not want to live in this building. He says that the family is offering the city
or any historical group access to historical pieces, but that the building has no purpose for them.
Griffin shows a photo of the many additions that are not original to the house, and adds that the
property is not listed in the inventory of historic houses. Chair Finch
intention for the property, and Griffin says there are no specific plans for the property at this
time. The owner, Henry Bertolon, says that when this lot became available, he purchased it as he
owns the pork chop lot adjacent to 251 Dodges Street. Chair Finch says that the property is
included in a 1993 area form that reviews a variety of older properties
neighborhood (some with historic value and some without), although the properties do not
necessarily form a cohesive neighborhood.
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Suzie LaMont confirms with Griffin that the 2019 report of historic sites in Beverly did not
include this property. Asst. Hutchings clarifies and says that the 2016 and 2019 surveys were not
comprehensive and instead were pieces of survey work that the city chose to work on at that
point as a focus. She says that this property was not a focus of these two surveys, but that does
not necessarily mean the property is not historic in nature.
Chair Finch opens the public hearing.
1.Fay Salt - 66 Haskell Street
Salt asks if the site visit warranted any significant historical artifacts. Chair Finch answers that
while there is some molding work and columns in the front room, once an item is removed it
loses historical significance, and its value to the city becomes irrelevant. LaMont says that she
noted some architectural features that could be used such as windows, porcelain sinks, and pine
flooring, yet there did not appear to be historic pieces of significant value.
With no additional public comment, Chair Finch closes the public hearing.
Suzie LaMont says that while this structure is a Victorian home, without being a part of a group
of other historical homes that form a cohesive area, it does not provide much historical value.
LaMont reports that this was a summer estate for a wealthy family, and that it once probably
individual historical value. Finch refers to the many additions that took away from its Victorian
integrity. Pearl confirms that there are no neighbors or abutters on the call.
Wendy Pearl motions to find 251 Dodge Street as not historically significant due to the changes
in the building and its loss of integrity. Mason seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call
vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline
Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
3.Application for a Determination of Historic Significance 672 Hale Street, Saint
Margaret Roman Catholic Church Complex Beverly Farms Consortium
Shelly Green Cerundolo and Ralph Cerundolo are present to speak on behalf of the application.
Asst. Planner Hutchings posts an aerial image and provides a brief review of the property. She
states that the request is due to a pending application for CPC funds to help with the restoration
of the 1929 school building. The HDC confirms that the property includes three separate
buildings, all included in the 672 Hale Street address.
Chair Finch reports that the church was designed by William Ralph Emerson. Green says that
this building has been vacant for 14 years and is in disrepair. She reports that they would like to
do something for the community with this building such as restoring it and establishing a school
and a center for community service intended to reach and foster the growth for students in old
world trades and arts. Chair Finch says that the significance of this property is important to the
city. LaMont asks Green for her relationship to this building and she answers that they will lease
the property. It is noted that the CPC cannot consider this pr-application eligibility
without the Determination of Historic Significance.
The HDC reviews the specifics of determining the 672 Hale Street property significant to the
history and culture of Beverly and finding it historically significant. LaMont asks for
clarification of the specific building for determination. Hutchings says the HDC can determine
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the whole property or just the school building as historically significant. Finch suggests the
whole complex be determined historically significant, as voting only one building one the
property to be historically significant would be considered piecemeal, and may imply that the
other buildings on the property (church and rectory) are not historically significant.
Pearl motions to find the property of 672 Hale Street as historically significant for its association
with the history and culture of the city of Beverly. Caroline Mason seconds the motion. There is
a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont,
Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
Pearl encourages the applicant to propose work that is compliant with the Secretary of Interior's
Standards in order to be considered by the CPC for funding.
4.Approval of minutes
a. October 22, 2020
The minutes for October 22, 2020 are discussed and amended as needed. Suzie LaMont motions
to accept the amended minutes for October 22, 2020. Wendy Pearl seconds. There is a formal
roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair;
Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
b. October 28, 2020
The minutes for October 28, 2020 are discussed and amended as needed. Suzie LaMont motions
to accept the amended minutes for October 22, 2020. Wendy Pearl seconds. There is a formal
roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair;
Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
5. New/Other Business
Other discussion or action items related to Commission business, if any
Pearl provides an update on the Gruppe mural project, stating that the CPC determined that it be
funded as an out-of-cycle project due to the cost of storage and subsequent immediate need for
funding. She reports that last Thursday, the CPC reviewed the out-of-cycle pre-application and
full application. In one meeting it was determined eligible for funding, that it met the criteria for
out-of-cycle funding, and that the CPC recommend funding be awarded.
Pearl states that there were 13 pre-applications submitted and that they will be reviewed at
include: Beverly Farms Consortium, Cabot
rose garden, and the
set to expire
in December. Chair Finch motions to recommend that Mason continue on the DRB and the HDC
representative for the next term. Suzie LaMont seconds the motion. There is a formal roll call
vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline
Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
Asst. Planner. Hutchings says they can discuss the 2021 meeting schedule at the next HDC
meeting scheduled for December.
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6. Adjournment
Suzie LaMont motions to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm. Caroline Mason seconds the motion.
There is a formal roll call vote with all members voting yes:William Finch, Chair; Suzanne
LaMont, Vice Chair; Caroline Mason, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (4-0).
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