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2012-03-28CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Historic District Commission Date: March 28, 2012 Location: Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA. Members Present William Finch, Chair, James Younger, Vice Chair, Matt Lewis, and John Condon Members Absent: None Others Present: Kate Newhall Recorder: Eileen Sacco Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Condon moved to recess for public hearings. Younger seconded the motion. The motion carries. Demolition of Residence at 45 Broadway — Donald Kowalski, DDS Dr. Donald Kowalski is present at the meeting. Finch addresses those present and explains the role of the Historic District Commission (HDC) in this matter. He explains that the demolition delay ordinance applies to all buildings over 50 years old when an application is presented to the Building Department. He further explains that if the HDC finds that the building may be historically significant a public hearing is held to determine that significance and if it should be preferable preserved. He also explains that if a building is not found to be historically significant then no determination as to the building being preferably preserved will be necessary and the Building Inspector will be free to issue a demolition permit. Finch also requests that public comment be directed to the HDC Chair and that comments pertain to the historic significance of the building noting that other matters regarding the property are not significant to this hearing. Finch asks the owner or his representative to present his case. Dr. Kowalski addresses the HDC and explained that he purchased the property in 1978. He noted that the property has been used successfully for 18 years as a rooming house in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health until the subsidy funding ceased due to state cut backs. He further explained that when the funding ceased he worked with the Beverly Housing Authority but eventually they no longer needed the property. He noted that he has been maintaining the property over the years and has been trying to sell it for the last couple of years. He stated that the property is assessed at $800,000 and the highest offer he has had for it was $350,000. Dr. Kowalski stated that he would use the site for employee parking once the building came down. He also noted that there is nothing inside the building that is of value. Page 1 of 3 Dr. Kowalski expressed his concern that the property has been broken into twice and is often the target of vandalism. He noted that he understands the process and he does not want to be a villain in this matter but he cannot afford to keep the empty building; it is a liability. Finch opened the hearing up for public comment at this time. Edward Brown of the Beverly Historical Society addressed the Commission and stated that they sympathize with Dr. Kowalski. He noted that the house was the home of William Endicott and was the first building on Broadway. He urged the Commission not to allow the demolition in the hopes that a "White Knight" will come along and save the property. Richard Southgate of the Beverly Historical Society addressed the Commission and stated that he is representing the BHS this evening in the absence of President Dan Lohnes who is unable to be here. He reviewed the history of the site and noted that the Society is deeply concerned that the loss of such a prominent building would say something negative about Beverly itself. He stated that they feel that the City should strive to protect its treasures and that the house at 45 Broadway is one of them. He further noted that the house is a fine example of Second Empire Architecture in Beverly. He explained that it was constructed in 1859 on land inherited by Joanna Endicott following the death of her father and reviewed the histories of the Rantoul and Endicott families in the City of Beverly. Mr. Southgate urged the Commission to determine that the house at 45 Broadway is historically significant and as such should be preferably preserved. Finch read a letter into the record from Ben Nutter, an architect with offices in Topsfield, Massachusetts stating that the structure is one of the finer examples of Second Empire Architecture in Beverly and it is an important piece of a cohesive historic neighborhood. He noted that the loss of this home to a parking lot would be an unfortunate result and might encourage the demise of adjacent homes. Wendy Crown of 15 Windover Road addressed the Commission and stated that she sympathizes with Dr. Koslowski but urged the Commission to determine that the house is historically significant, so that other options can be considered. Wendy Pearl of 15 Andover Street addressed the Commission and stated that the building is historically significant and stated that she would like to see an effort to restore the building. Matthew Pujo of 11 Longwood Road addressed the Commission and noted that changes to the interior of the building do not take away form the historical significance of the building. Suzie LaMont addressed the Commission and stated that she is active in Beverly Main Streets, although she is not speaking for them this evening. She stated that she supports saving the house and she would like to see other options explored. Rosemary Maglio of 30 Pleasant Street addressed the Commission and showed the Commission old photographs of the property. She stated that she agrees that the property is historically significant. Page 2 of 3 Linda McClain of Marblehead addressed the Commission and relayed her experience with the Town of Marblehead and her apartment which is located in a building constructed in 1763 and her unit is grandfathered. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declared the public hearing closed. Finch opened the meeting up to questions and comments from members of the Commission. Younger stated that he appreciates all of the public participation at the meeting this evening and thanked people for coming out for this. He stated that he thinks that the building should be deemed historically significant based on its placement in the neighborhood and its part of the streetscape. He suggested that perhaps the city could energize some additional assistance in this matter. Mr. Condon had no comments on the matter. Finch addressed those present and stated although the interior of the house has been destroyed, the exterior has substantially more integrity and it makes it easier to convert the use. He also noted that the house is at the entrance to Broadway and he would like to see the Victorian Mansion retained, noting that he is concerned that if we chip away at the bottom of the street it will affect the rest of the street. He also noted that there is active development in the area, noting that the City has changed the zoning to foster responsible commercial partnerships in that area of the city. Finch stated that he feels strongly that the building is historically significant and the lack of interior integrity is not a major issue. He also stated that he hopes that the spirit and cooperation will occur to try and find a solution to keep this building. Motion: Younger moved to find that the property at 45 Broadway is historically significant. Condon seconded the motion. The motion carried. Motion: Younger moved that the property at 45 Broadway be preferably preserved and that the property demonstrates and defines the fabric of that neighborhood within the City of Beverly. Condon seconded the motion. The motion carried. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Historic Commission held on August 31, 2011/ September 8, 2011 were presented for approval. Younger moved to approve the minutes of the meeting as presented. Lewis seconded the motion. The motion carried. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the HDC this evening, Lewis moved to adjourn the meeting. Condon seconds the motion. The motion carries The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Page 3 of 3