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HDC minutes_ 07.28 DRAFT CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION: Historic District Commission DATE: July 28, 2022 LOCATION: Google Meet(Virtual) MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch (Chair), Suzanne LaMont (Vice Chair), Caroline Baird Mason,John Leahy MEMBERS ABSENT: Wendy Pearl; Gregory Howard STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Healey,Associate Planner OTHERS PRESENT: Miranda Siemasko; Sam Cole;Thad Siemasko; Stefano Basso RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Call to Order Chair Finch calls the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Recess for Public Hearing 1. Public Hearing: Demolition Delay Reviews#279—Vincent Orlando a. Demolition Delay Review#279—Demolition of a building located at 478 Rantoul Street(Assessor's Map 20—Lot 106) Finch informs the Commission the applicant requested an additional continuance. Finch suggests meeting with the applicant to determine if they are ready for the public hearing in order to avoid a permanent state of continuance from meeting to meeting. Motion: Leahy moves to grant a continuance of the hearing. LaMont seconds. Motion carries 4-0. Recess for Public Hearing 2. Demolition Delay Reviews#280—Leggat McCall c/o Glovsky&Glovsky LLC Sam Cole, Stefano Basso, Miranda Siemasko, and Thad Siemasko represent the applicant. M. Siemasko presents to the Commission.This request is for demolition to the one-story portion of the building in the rear. Basso reviews the area where the existing building fronts the streets of Chapman, Bow, and Federal Streets.The one-story portion with a basement comprises the rear of the current Family Dollar. T. Siemasko informs the Commission the portion known as The Roger's Building will be preserved and saved.The demolition is supposed to only be the rear building. Finch inquires if there are any members of the public to speak on the historic preservation of the site review. With no further comments from the public, Finch closes the public hearing. Reconvene Regular Meeting Members of the board offer comments. Mason does not consdier the rear of the building to be historically significant. LaMont would like to know how the historic portion of the west entrance connects from the old building to the footprint of the new building. And whether the windows are to be preserved. Basso describes the new lobby and entrance where the existing mason wall will be preserved Historic District Commission July 28,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 in order to tie into the new building. Finch inquires if the window sashes will remain, Basso, confirms they will be replaced with new windows. There were no further comments or questions on the matter. Finch reminds members their responsibilities are to 1) determine if the property is significant to the history of Beverly and 2) if the Commission determines the building is historically significant,to then determine of the building is preferably preserved. a. Demolition Delay Review#280—Demolition of a section of a building located at 218- 224 Cabot Street(Assessor's Map 11—Lot 247) Motion: LaMont moves to determine the building is historically significant. Leahy seconds. Motion fails 0-4. Determination: The building is not determined to be historically significant. 3. Appoint Suzanne LaMont to represent the HDC in the Cemetery Commission Finch informs the Commission there is a request by Councilor Houseman to appoint a representative to the Cemetery Commission. Motion: Mason moves to nominate LaMont to represent the HDC on the Cemetery Commission. Leahy seconds. Motion carries 4-0. 4. Approval of minutes Finch has a request of the minutes be available in Word in order to edit the documents. LaMont does not have Word, she has different software. Healey confirms the open meeting law rules. a. May 26, 2022 Motion: LaMont moves to continue the review of minutes to next month's meeting. Mason seconds. Motion carries 4-0. b. June 23, 2022 Minutes will be provided at the next meeting. c. July 13, 2022 Special Meeting Motion: LaMont moves to continue the review of minutes to next month's meeting. Mason seconds. Motion carries 4-0. 5. New/Other Business a. Other discussion or action items related to Commission business, if any Historic District Commission July 28,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Healey provides the updates on the request for qualifications applications sent to the state. Applications were for the national register and Cabot/Rantoul survey.The review date is set for August 31, 2022. Request for qualifications is to determine who wants the job and can complete the proposed scope. CLG Update: Healey provides the updates that the CLG application is being circulated and signed. Not able to send out until the Mayor signs the document. Mason notes in the future to think about Cabot Street and the 55' height limit. Mason urges the members to note the recent developments that are by right. Discussion on the recent Planning Board meetings ensue. Mason is extremely concerned about Cabot Street looking like Rantoul Street.The projects should be reviewed by variance as opposed to by right for appropriateness to the character and history of the neighborhood. As long as future developments are by right under current zoning,the historic properties on Cabot Street are in jeopardy. Mason would like the commission to be more proactive and bolder in their actions. Members continue discussion regarding the poposed "Design Standards". Mason discusses the tiers under consideration to change the Design Standards. Healey states there is still going to be large public participation. Healey suggests completing the Cabot Street survey. Mason understands this is a zoning change to be determined by the City Council. Mason suggests being more active and robust. Why should every developer come in and max out height by right. Finch notes these guidelines are improved "standards" and not a zoning ordinance. LaMont notes these are standards for the entire city. "Standards" are not enforced,they are suggestions.There must be a zoning ordinace making it legally applicable. LaMont recaps discussions during the Bass River Overlay review.The Commission requested a representative to maintain information regarding guidelines. LaMont suggests also obtaining a copy of the most current draft for the Design Standards. Mason is concerned the new guidelines will be voted in with the interests of the developers first before historical preservation. Finch would like to know if there is a document that can supersede the zoning requirements. Where do the legalities come in when there is a difference between the guidelines and the zoning ordinance. Does it have the force of law and does it take precedent. Mason would like this on the agenda for next month. LaMont suggests extending an invite to the Planning Director in order to answer these nuanced questions. Healey asks the commission about the meeting schedule and any opportunity to change meeting days. LaMont recalls the prior planning associate requested Thursdays and Pearl also had schedule constraints. Healey will put on the agenda in order to review with the absent commissioners. Leahy seeks clarification on a procedural question. In the event of a tied vote, how does the vote carry. LaMont replies,the vote carries by default with the phrasing of the motion,whether it is negative or positive. Regarding an application for the demolition of 140 Hart st., Finch suggests a site visit before meeting about it and having the application complete for the next agenda. Members will determine a site visit at a later date. 6. Adiournment Motion: LaMont moves to adjourn. Leahy seconds.The motion carries 4-0. Historic District Commission July 28,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Meeting adjourned 8:16 p.m. Next meeting scheduled 8/25/22.