2013-03-12CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board:
Historic District Commission
Date:
March 12, 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, Atty. Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky
Recorder:
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).
Beverly Depot — Odell Park Historic District National Register of Historic Places
Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addressed the Commission and stated that she requested
this meeting to be sure that as they work with the Massachusetts Historic Commission to move the
application for the National Register designation forward; they address all of the concerns raised by the
Commission at the last meeting. She explained that Mr. Dellicker had hoped to be here this evening,
but was unable to attend.
Gooding reported that in response to the concerns of the Beverly Historic Commission and the
Massachusetts Historic Commission they are pursuing options to preserve 142 Rantoul Street and 9
Park Street and other sites requested by the Commission and the MHC.
Gooding introduced Doug Kelleher of Epsilon Associates to address questions of the Commission.
Kelleher addressed the Commission and stated that they took the comments made by the Commission
at the last meeting and those of the Massachusetts Historic Commission into consideration and have
revised the district data sheets to include the properties at 45 and 50 Broadway and have looked at
others. He noted that the granite block retaining wall and the iron fence in front of 45 Broadway have
been included as well noting that the Massachusetts Historic Commission requested that special
consideration be given to the granite block retaining wall and the iron fence at 45 Broadway.
Kelleher also reported that the Massachusetts Historic Commission requested special consideration be
given to the granite walls at Bridge and Pleasant Street.
Kelleher explained that due to the demolition of the National Grid site the boundaries have been
redefined to exclude the National Grid property and River House.
Kelleher reported that the district has been expanded up to Broadway to include the market on the
corner of Rantoul Street and 45 and 50 Broadway.
Pagel of 3
Kelleher stated that in addition they have identified the Trafton Hotel as a contributing resource and
there are now 14 contributing resources for the district.
Kelleher referred to a March 5, 2013 letter from MHC with their comments regarding the application
and noted that they are currently revising the nomination to address each and every comment.
Finch clarified that they eliminated the buildings that National Grid tore down but not the remaining
buildings on the site. Kelleher stated that there is one building that will remain.
Finch suggested that the brick building across from that site should be included as it has Atlantic Wood
work on the east side of Rantoul.
Finch clarified that River House has been eliminated from the boundary of the district. Kelleher stated
that MHC was pretty specific about that and also that the fire station should be excluded as it has no
significance. He noted that he thinks that MHC's main concern was having contributing properties
than a straight boundary line.
Finch agreed noting that Broadway has Victorian architecture and should be included in the district.
Finch stated that the boundaries need to be reviewed with MHC. Gooding stated that as a practical
matter, once we start adding properties, MHC would review them.
Younger stated that we need to go back to the criteria on the level of significance that makes it a
historic district. He noted that MHC found the Trafton Hotel to be significant, noting that without it
there is no level of significance.
Pearl agreed that the district boundary does not have to be a straight line unless the site relates to the
district.
Lian noted that the owners of the noncontributing properties may demand that the yacht yard does not
belong in the district. Younger noted that the Desmond Yacht Yard was mentioned at the last meeting
by Tina Cassidy. Finch noted that it is a nice old building but questioned if it will fit in the district.
Kelleher stated that they will continue to respond to the comments and revise the draft of the
nomination. He also stated that they will keep the Historic Commission informed and share the draft
of the revised nomination with them.
Younger stated that he feels that the argument for the district is stronger if you have a strong theme.
Pearl asked what the anticipated time line for approval of this is. Gooding stated that they would like
to get this turned around as soon as possible in a timely and thorough manner.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch thanked Gooding and
Kelleher for attending the meeting.
New Membership
Page 2 of 3
Finch updated that Commission on the status of new members. He explained that there are two
interested candidates and their names have been submitted to the Mayor for consideration. He
explained that the Commission membership has to be at least five members and no more than seven.
He suggested that members could make recommendations for candidates and should refer them to the
Mayor's office.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission meeting held on January 23, 2013 were presented for
approval.
Younger: moved to approve the minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission held on
January 23, 2013. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried.
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 8:00 p.m.
Page 3 of 3