2013-01-31CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board:
Historic District Commission
Date:
January 31, 2013
Location:
Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA
Members Present
William Finch, Chair, James Younger, Vice Chair, Martin Lian,
and Wendy Pearl
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Tina Cassidy, City Planner, Lee Dellicker, President of Windover
Construction
Recorder:
This meeting was recorded and transcribed by Eileen Sacco
Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Younger moved that the Historic Commission recess at this time for public hearings. Pearl
seconded the motion. The motion carried (4 -0).
Public Hearing — Demolition of Commercial/Residential Structure at 142 Rantoul Street/
Windover Properties
Finch addresses those present and explains the role of the Historic Commission in this matter.
He explains that a demolition delay order applies to all buildings over 50 years old when an
application is presented to the Building Department and it is referred to the Historic Commission
for review if necessary. He further explains that if the Commission finds that the building is
historically significant, a public hearing is held to determine if the building is historically
significant to Beverly and if so, should it be preferably 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.
Lee Dellicker, President of Windover Development addressed the Commission and explained
that he has six months' worth of permitting to do for the project and he is willing to live with the
demolition delay order for the year. He stated that the building will be demolished and explained
that his original thought for early demolition would be for temporary parking during
construction, however he has found that it is not necessary.
Finch opened the hearing up for public comment at this time. He asked that those wishing to
comment limit their comments to the property at 142 Rantoul Street, as the Park Street property
will be taken up in a public hearing following this discussion. He also asked that participants
limit their comments to those that are pertinent to the jurisdiction of the Historic Commission.
John Mullady addressed the Commission and reviewed the history of the site and noted that it
was the site of the Cushing Carriage Company and is historically significant to Beverly's
transportation history.
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Peter Doust of 677 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that he is confused by the
applicant's statement that he is willing to wait out the demolition delay order for a year, noting
that he thought that the purpose of the demolition delay order was to give time to look for ways
to possibly save the property. He read a prepared statement referring to a documentary on the
area that was done by Bev Cam on the history of the area.
Finch agreed that the purpose of the demolition delay order is to provide time to explore other
options for the preservation and or rehabilitation of the site.
A resident of 15 '/z Railroad Avenue addressed the Commission and stated that she is concerned
about the redevelopment of the area noting that the Odell Park area is like a scene out of Norman
Rockwell. She urged the Commission to preserve the area of Odell Park and the depot.
Rosemary Maglio of 30 Pleasant Street addressed the Commission and stated that the Cushing
Carriage House is historically significant to the City of Beverly and shows the uniqueness of
Beverly. She urged that the building be rehab'd, noting that the applicant is seeking federal tax
credits for the project and they have the financial wherewithal to fund the rehabilitation of the
project.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declared the public
hearing closed.
Public Hearing — Demolition of Four Story Structure at 9 Park Street (formerly the Press
Box Bar — Windover Properties
Finch noted that the historical significance of this property as already been determined since it
was deemed eligible for the National Register by the Massachusetts Historic Commission.
Lee Dellicker addressed the Commission and explained that as with the property at 142 Rantoul
Street, he is willing to live with the demolition delay order for the year. He explained that he
traded this building for 45 Broadway which was scheduled to be demolished and was under a
demolition delay order. He explained that they saved that property from demolition and it is
currently being used for veteran's housing.
Finch opened the hearing up for public comment at this time. He asked that those wishing to
comment limit their comments to the property at 9 Park Street. He also asked that participants
limit their comments to those that are pertinent to the jurisdiction of the Historic Commission.
John Mullady addressed the Commission and reviewed the history of the site, noting that the
former hotel was a destination host for tourists. He noted that in 2008 the Massachusetts
Historic Commission determined that the property is historically significant by deeming it
eligible for the National Register and urged the Commission to deny the demolition request.
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A resident of 31 School Street addressed the Commission and stated that she grew up in Beverly
and she appreciates the old buildings and there are things that should be preserved as part of
Beverly's history.
Rene Mary of 274 Hale Street addressed the Commission and read a prepared statement
outlining the history of the site and other buildings in the area. She urged the Commission to
preserve the area.
John Wall of 43 Colon Street addressed the Commission and urged them to issue a demolition
delay order for the site. He noted that the demolition delay would allow for the further
exploration of options for the site. He noted that there have been instances where older buildings
have been rehab'd and blended into the neighborhood, noting that the dorms at the Montserrat
College of Art located in downtown Beverly are a good example of that. He also stated that he
is concerned about how the new construction proposed for the area will blend with the historic
presence in the area.
Matt Pujo addressed the Commission and recalled his involvement with researching the historic
properties in Beverly and stated that the historic buildings in Beverly add character to the
neighborhoods. He noted that 9 Park Street is one of the last examples of a hotel across from a
train depot in the country. He noted that the history of the train depot is significant as well
noting that soldiers left for war from that site and the area is a potential historic district in the
making. He questioned how the area could be viewed as a historic district with this piece of the
puzzle gone. He encouraged the developer to pursue thoughtful development of the property
rather than demolition of it.
A resident of 15 '/z Railroad Avenue addressed the Commission and stated that she does not want
to see 9 Park Street destroyed for the construction of 74 apartments. She stated that there are
some craftsman that would love to get their hands on that and restore it to its original beauty and
urged that other alternatives be looked into.
Dick Simms addressed the Commission and handed out historical photos of the hotel and noted
that once the hotel is gone, it's gone and cannot be replaced. He noted that several historic sites
in Salem have been lost noting the Paramount Theater and the Salem Train Station at Riley
Plaza. He also recalled that there was a school that burned down to the ground in Beverly that
was fully restored back then and urged Mr. Dellicker to reconsider the demolition of this
landmark, noting that it could be a wonderful center piece for the project.
Rosemary Maglio addressed the Commission and suggested that the program `This Old House'
be contacted to possibly rehab the property. She also noted that the box factory was rehab'd into
apartments.
Bill Squibb addressed the Commission and stated that he was involved in the CPA initiative that
was passed in November by the voters. He noted that eventually there will be CPA funds
available for historic renovations etc. and suggested that the demolition of the site be denied. He
also recalled that the sites in Salem mentioned earlier in the meeting were lost during Urban
Renewal in the 1970's. He noted that Beverly is historically unique and historically tied to the
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railroad. He urged the Commission to issue a one year delay and that Mr. Dellicker reconsider
his decision.
A resident of Lothrop Street addressed the Commission and stated that the building has a lot of
character. He noted that there was a lot of passion for the historic properties but not resources.
He also noted that people are the core of the community and change is difficult but necessary
sometimes and he is in favor of moving forward with the demolition and project.
Finch read letters of comment from the following individuals into the record:
Mildred Herbert of 3 Fowler's Lane, Ipswich, Massachusetts. The letter was written on behalf of
Margaret Tracton, who is the granddaughter of the former owner of the Trafton Hotel, now a
resident of Florida.
Susan Lamont of 20 Porter Street, Beverly, Massachusetts.
City Councilor Wes Slate addressed the Commission and stated that there has been a lot of
intense discussion over the last few months about the potential growth of the downtown and the
preservation of historical properties. He noted that he would be remiss if he did not note that he
has been supportive of some Windover Projects in the past, noting that the Montserrat dorms are
a great example of a project fitting into a neighborhood. He noted that they show that they are
capable of doing good work when they are urged to do so.
Councilor Slate referred to the Bev Cam video and noted that a lot of time was spent during the
TIF discussions ensuring that the depot area will remain historically significant. He suggested
that there are many groups in the city, including the Beverly Historic Society and the Beverly
Archives Committee that are small and never well funded that have and are willing to work on
the preservation of the property. He also noted that the recently passed CPA initiative will
generate more interest in preserving historic properties as funds become available. He urged the
Commission to take positive action towards the preservation of the site.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declared the public
hearing closed.
Younger moved to reconvene the regular meeting of the Beverly Historic Commission at this
time. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried (4 -0).
Determination as to Whether the Structure at 142 Rantoul Street is Historically Significant
Younger stated that there have been a lot of comments this evening centered around the quality
history of transportation in Beverly.
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Pearl stated that the structure meets the test of historical significance and the building remains an
example of the architecture and the economy of that period.
Lian agreed that the building is historically significant.
Motion: Younger moved that the Beverly Historic Commission declare that the property
located at 142 Rantoul Street to be historically significant. Pearl seconded the motion. The
motion carried (4 -0).
Determination as to Whether the Structure at 142 Rantoul Street Should be Preferably
Preserved
Younger stated that he feels that the structure should be preferably preserved as it contributes to
the street scape of depot square.
Pearl stated that she agrees.
Lian stated that he does not agree that the property should be preferably preserved unless it could
be brought back to its original state to reflect the history of the area.
Motion: Younger moved that the Beverly Historic Commission find that the property
located at 142 Rantoul Street to be preferably preserved. Pearl seconded the motion. The
motion carried (3 -1 with Lian opposed).
Determination as to Whether the Structure at 9 Park Street is Historically Significant
Finch noted that the historic significance of the building at 9 Park Street has been determined by
the Massachusetts Historic Commission and that meets the ordinance criteria.
Motion: Younger moved that the Beverly Historic Commission declare that the property
located at 9 Park Street to be historically significant. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion
carried (4 -0).
Determination as to Whether the Structure at 9 Park Street Should be Preferably
Preserved
Younger reviewed the ordinance regarding the findings for a property to be preferably preserved.
He noted that based on that he recommended that the property at 9 Park Street should be
preferably preserved as it is a major contributor to the street scape and is historically significant.
Pearl noted the Victorian architecture of the structure and it would be nice to get it preserved.
Younger explained the role of the Commission is to provide opportunity for preservation to
occur and there have been a few instances where preservation has happened, noting a building in
North Beverly that was proposed to be demolished for the Walgreens project and the developer
changed his mind.
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Pearl noted that a preferably preserved decision relates to the public interest and it is the duty of
the Historic Commission to protect the public interest. She noted that the property has many of
the amenities that some planners build developments around and a demolition delay is an
opportunity to take a look and see if something could be accomplished.
Motion: Younger moved that the Beverly Historic Commission find that the property
located at 9 Park Street to be preferably preserved. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion
carried (4 -0).
Election of Officers
Election of Chair of Beverly Historic Commission
Younger nominated William Finch to serve as Chair of the Beverly Historic Commission for the
year 2013. Pearl seconded the nomination. The motion carried (3 -0 -1 with Finch abstaining).
Election of Vice Chair of Beverly Historic Commission
Pearl nominated Younger to serve as Vice Chair of the Beverly Historic Commission for the year
2013. Lian seconded the nomination. The motion carried (4 -0).
Correspondence
Finch explained that the Commission has received a request for comments from the
Massachusetts Department of Transportation on the construction of a public walkway along the
waterfront near the Salem Beverly Bridge. Cassidy explained that this is the last remaining
condition to be done on the Bridge project. She explained that the design is finished and the
state is ready to go out to bid on the project.
Finch noted that the area is not in the historic district and it was the consensus of the
Commission that there are no comments on the project.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening,
Younger moved to adjourn the meeting. Lian seconds the motion. The motion carries
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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