2003-10-07Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2003
Page 1
CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Historic District Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: October 7, 2003
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Matt Lewis, James Younger
John Condon
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: John Frates
OTHERS PRESENT: Leah Zambernardi
RECORDER: Diane Presutti
Mr. Finch calls the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
1. Certificate of Appropriateness - Harold & Heather Pike/16 Front Street
Mr. Pike approaches the Board and shows pictures of his front porch he wishes to update.
He states that he has removed the existing aluminum siding surrounding the porch and he
has replaced it with wooden lattice. Upon removal of the aluminum siding, they found
remnants of wooden lattice, which indicates this material was used there previously. He
also shows the Board samples of light fixtures he wishes to use on his front porch. Mr.
Pike states that they received a Certificate of Non-Applicability to remove the existing
front deck and replace it with fir-stained wood with tongue-and-groove jointery.
Ms. Zambernardi states that the Board can regulate lighting unless it is temporary
lighting.
Mr. Finch asks for public comments. Mr. Brian Austerman and Ms. Kristina Egan of 45
Bartlett Street state they are in support of this proposal.
Mr. Finch closes the Public Hearing and discusses the application with the Board
members.
Mr. Finch states that the range of fixtures presented tonight appear acceptable.
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Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2003
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Mr. Younger motions to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness to Mr. Pike for lattice
siding on the front porch and for the range of porch lights presented to the Board tonight.
Mr. Lewis seconds. Motion carries 3-0.
2. Certificate of Appropriateness - Brian Austerman/Kristina Egan/45 Bartlett St.
Mr. Finch addresses the Board and states that he is an indirect abutter to the property at
45 Bartlett Street. He states that rather than recuse himself he wishes to remain on the
Board for this discussion due to lack of Board member attendance. He states that his
status as an indirect abutter will not effect his ability to act impartially on this matter.
Mr. Younger opens the meeting and states that Mr. Austerman & Ms. Egan wish to
remove the picket fence and chain link poles surrounding the property and replace them
with plantings. Mr. Austerman shows the Board pictures of the property and fence. He
states that he received a Certificate of Non-Applicability to replace the existing roof with
black, 30-year shingles, to repoint the chimney and to remove the existing porch and to
replace it in-kind.
Mr. Younger asks the Public for comments. There being none, Mr. Younger closes the
Public Hearing.
Mr. Lewis motions to accept the Certificate of Appropriateness to remove the fence and
to replace it with plantings, seconded by Mr. Younger. Motion carries 3-0.
3. Certificate of Appropriateness - Montserrat College of Art/23 Essex Street
Mr. Robert Beauvais, Buildings Manager, and Mr. Stan Trecker, President of Montserrat
College approach the Board with drawings of a new entrance on the Essex Street side of
the building. They also propose to attach 5 banners to the building.
Mr. Trecker states that this is part of a beautification project they are implementing to
make the school more attractive to parents and students. The design consists of a new
park like area with benches, greenery, glass brick pillar illuminated archway, and a bi-
color patterned brick walkway. They also wish to install brackets around the building to
display banners.
Mr. Finch asks the Public for comments. There being none, Mr. Finch closes the Public
Hearing and asks the Board for comments.
Mr. Finch asks the applicants to be sure that the brackets cause minimal damage to the
exterior of the building. He suggests that the brackets be drilled into the mortar jointery,
and not the bricks. He also suggests using small bolts.
Mr. Finch also states that the Design Review Board will need to review the signage and
the Building Inspector will determine if a variance is necessary.
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Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2003
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Mr. Beauvais states he will submit the banner designs as soon as they are developed.
Mr. Finch suggests the removal of all parking from the Essex Street side of the building.
Mr. Trecker states that parking is limited. Mr. Finch asks if they might consider
removing the first parking space on either side of the walkway for additional landscaping.
Mr. Younger states he is more concerned that the applicant not make irreversible changes
to the building.
Mr. Condon arrives.
Mr. Younger motions to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness with the condition that the
banner brackets are installed in a manner that causes only minimal damage, if any, to the
brickwork and the mortar. Brackets shall be installed with small, 1/4” or 3/8” bolts and holes
shall be drilled into the mortar rather than the brick. Regarding landscaping changes, Mr.
Younger made a finding to grant the applicant substantial latitude in developing the final
design for the proposed landscape changes without returning to the Commission as long as the
general scale of the new features remained as submitted and the modifications to the landscape
of the property do not cause irreversible changes to the historic structure. Motion seconded by
Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 4-0.
4. Approval of Minutes for July 29, 2003
Mr. Younger motions to accept minutes of July 29, 2003 with edits. Seconded by Mr.
Condon. Motion carries 4-0.
5. Other Business
a. Demolition Delay Ordinance Amendments - Ms. Zambernardi states that Ms.
Hurlburt is moving ahead to amend the Demolition Delay Ordinance. She states that the
proposed revisions were included in the packets sent out members. She summarizes the
proposed changes for the Board. The Board makes comments including the addition of
narratives on the significance of buildings determined to be preferably preserved and the
deletion of proposed section 10.43.i.
Mr. Younger makes a motion that the Commission support this amendment with the
suggested changes for submission to the City Council. Seconded by Lewis. Motion
carries 4-0.
b. Update on Court Appeals - Mr. Finch states the Papagelis at 61-63 Front Street
have appealed the Superior Court Decision to the Mass. Appeals Court and the Kaddaras
at 61-63 Front Street have appealed their Certificate of Appropriateness to the Superior
Court.
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Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2003
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c. Demolition hearing for 62-64 Dodge Street – Zambernardi states that the ZBA has
in front of them a proposal to demolish the existing buildings at 58-64 Dodge Street. The
developer proposes to construct a residential development of 16 townhouses and one
commercial space in its place. The buildings to be demolished include two dilapidated
structures, which currently serve the used car dealership, and the structure of concern at
62-64 Dodge Street. The house at 62-64 Dodge Street is identified in the Massachusetts
Historical Commission survey forms as being constructed in 1654. The Commission will
have its hearing on November 5, 2003 to determine whether the building is preferably
preserved. A site visit is scheduled for October 18, 2003. Zambernardi states that it may
be useful if the Commission make a motion to authorize a letter to be sent to the ZBA
after the site visit is conducted, notifying them that the building may be found a
preferably preserved building by the Commission so that they may take this into
consideration when making their decision on the variance/special permit application.
Mr. Younger motions to authorize drafting a letter to the ZBA after their 10/18 site visit
to 62-64 Dodge Street. Seconded by Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 4-0.
Mr. Condon motions to adjourn at 8:35 p.m., seconded by Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 4-0.