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2003-07-01Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – July 1, 2003 Page 1 CITY OF BEVERLY Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: Historic District Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: July 1, 2003 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, John Condon & Matt Lewis MEMBERS ABSENT: James Younger and John Frates OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Leah Zambernardi Mr. Finch calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Monserrat College of Art - 23 Essex Street/Certificate of Appropriateness Mr. Finch explains that this is a special meeting and is essentially a continuation of a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Hardy School relative to the preservation restriction that the City and Montserrat College entered into when Montserrat College purchased the building. The Commission had a previous meeting that was a public hearing. The public hearing was closed at the last meeting and the Commission is essentially in regular session. The Commission may only hear from the public if the members vote to re-open the public hearing in order to hear public comments. The Commission is here to discuss revisions and refinements made to the proposal by Montserrat. At that point he asks Mr. Robert Beauvais to come forward. Mr. Beauvais states that he responded to some of the concerns of the Commission regarding the aluminum windows and that Montserrat has engaged EFCO window company. The Commission made a site visit to the Ipswich Public Library this past Saturday to view a building with aluminum windows that have a two-muntin system (one exterior muntin and an internal spacer). The Commission requested to see a system with three muntins and tonight he has brought in a sample with a three-muntin system. He has also looked at matching the brick molding which is something that can be done with the EFCO window. He passed out a data sheet that notes the differences in the site lines from the existing sash. He thinks this is the best option for aluminum windows. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – July 1, 2003 Page 2 Mr. Finch addresses the site line issue and notes that with the replacement aluminum windows already installed in the building, the width of each glass pane was reduced from about 14 inches (existing window) to about 12 inches. The window balance package had an effect on the width of the window sash. Mr. Finch asks Mr. Beauvais if this happens with the EFCO glass. Mr. Beauvais states that from side to side is 13/16-inch difference. From top to bottom is ¼-inch difference. This is based on information he received over the telephone with an EFCO representative. Mr. Finch asks for the width of the actual muntin on the EFCO window as opposed to the existing window. Mr. Beauvais states that it is ¾-inch. He believes that EFCO has the capacity to make the muntin thicker. Mr. Finch states that the tradeoff is to tamper with the window pane size. Mr. Finch states that the Oceanview’s windows nearby have wood replacement windows with individual double glazed panes as opposed to aluminum. Interestingly, the muntin on those windows is very wide, almost 1 ½-inches, which is much wider than the muntins on Montserrat’s windows, but when you perceive it from a distance, it has a certain heaviness. This is closer to the heaviness of the windows on the Montserrat building. The window muntins on the existing windows are about an inch or 7/8-inch and the real difference is that the replacement windows will appear somewhat lighter. The thickness of the muntin is also determined by the glazer. If there is a heavy glazer than the muntin will appear thicker. Mr. Finch notes that as windows are painted over the years, the layers make it look quite different. Mr. Finch notes that himself, Leah. Zambernardi, Jim Younger and John Condon visited the Ipswich Public Library to view their EFCO windows with an exterior muntin and an additional spacer sandwiched in between the panes of glass, which is what one of the two samples submitted tonight is. The Commission hoped to see a sample which also included an interior muntin for a full “sandwich,” simulating a wood window and unfortunately we did not have a chance to view one. Ms. Zambernardi visited an address in Newburyport with such a window and took photographs, which are available for public view. Mr. Finch stated that this type of muntin does add more visual weight to the window and the sample brought to the meeting also backs that up. Mr. Finch feels that the single spacer between the glass does not add anything significantly to the three- dimensional quality of the window. Mr. Finch states that the Commission is probably at a place where it can move forward. He is still concerned about the issue of making the pane size proportions match what is there. The Commission can toy with this with Montserrat and EFCO to develop a solution. For the record, Mr. Finch states that the building is within the Central Business District National Register Historic District. Lewis states that it is worthwhile to get a shop drawing for the replacement window from EFCO to help the Commission understand what the ratio of the glass will be. If there are adjustments to the panning that are necessary, the Commission can take it from there. Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes – July 1, 2003 Page 3 Mr. Finch states that the Commission could make this decision contingent on the submission of a shop drawing so that it will have the opportunity to tweak the dimensions. This is so the Commission will have a record of what it is receiving rather than a phone conversation. Lewis motions to accept the aluminum replacement windows with interior and exterior muntins and an internal spacer set in a single, double-glazed large pane, per the approval of a shop drawings. The Commission finds that the scale of the building and the distance that the building is viewed from the street in general is as such that it will not detract significantly from the historic appearance of the building. The Commission finds that as the building is an institutional building with many windows and is substantially setback from the street, the substitution of the original windows with aluminum windows with a specified muntin structure is acceptable. Seconded by Condon. Discussion on the motion: Mr. Condon asks Mr. Beauvais if he is comfortable with the motion. Mr. Beauvais requests further clarification on the nature of ratios they are requesting. Mr. Finch states that he prefers the new windows to be as close to the existing proportions as possible. Mr. Lewis states that the Commission and Montserrat need to be careful that the sill does not become too thick. Mr. Finch suggests that Mr. Beauvais speak to EFCO about a slight increase of the muntin width from ¾” to 7/8” but he worries that may disrupt the delicate balance. He suggests that this be explored further. Motion carries 3-0 (Finch, Lewis and Condon in favor). 2. Adjournment Mr. Condon motions to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.