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2011-01-20CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Historic District Commission Date: January 20, 2011 Location: Beverly City Hall, Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street Members Present James Younger Vice Chair, Matt Lewis, Ralph Turcotte Members Absent: William Finch Chair, John Condon Others Present: Kate Newhall Recorder: Eileen Sacco Younger called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Finch recused himself from discussion of this matter. Public Hearing — 43 Front Street, Certificate of Appropriateness, Justin Sullivan Justin Sullivan addressed the Commission and explains that he replaced three windows on the south side of the structure at the basement level of the building. He notes that the windows are double hung wood Marvin Integrity windows with true divided light. Sullivan explains that he pulled a building permit and the Building Inspector asked for drawings which he provided. He further notes that the permit was issued. He explains that the day he installed the windows he was informed that he needed to apply to the Commission for approval but not to stop work. He stated that he acted promptly and filed with the Commission. Kate Newhall stated that she emailed the Building Inspector regarding the matter, and he admitted that he should not have issued the permit until they received approval from the Commission. Mr. Sullivan showed the Commission photos of the site. Sullivan notes that he is a plumber and knows that permits are required but was not aware that he needed HDC approval if they are not visible from the front of the house. He apologized for the confusion. Younger explains the role of the Commission and notes that if the windows are clearly in public view they are in the jurisdiction of the Commission. He further explains that the Commission is concerned with preserving the quality and character of the neighborhood. Younger noted that the windows installed are not true divided light thermal windows, however, the Commission could rule that they accept this work that was done because the portion of the house where the windows are is less than 50 years old. He notes that if the addition were older than 50 years the Commission would make him take out these windows and replace them with historically appropriate windows. Mr. Sullivan stated that he understood and noted that in the future he will file with the Commission before commencing work visible from any public way. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Younger: moves to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the installation of the windows because they were installed in a newer portion of the building, and that the applicant provide plans showing the elevation to show that the windows were installed in the new portion of the building by February 3, 2011. Lewis seconded the motion. The motion carried. The Commission discussed measures to be taken to alleviate this kind of mistake from happening in the future. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Historic Commission held on October 20, 2010 were presented for approval. Younger moved to table the minutes of the meeting to the next meeting of the Historic Commission. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening, Lewis moved to adjourn the meeting. Turcotte seconds the motion. The motion carries (3 -0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.