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2013-04-29Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — April 29, 2013 Board: Date: Location: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present: Recorder: CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Historic District Commission April 29, 2013 Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street Beverly, MA. William Finch, Chair, James Younger, Vice Chair, and Wendy Pearl Martin Lian Tina Cassidy, City Planner 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 (3 -0). Demolition of Existing Structure Located at 441 Hale Street / Helen Grenier 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 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. Finch also cautioned those present to keep their comments to those pertaining to the existing structure on the site and not on what could potentially be built on the site. Atty. Thomas Alexander with offices at 1 School Street, Beverly, MA., explained that the applicant is requesting approval for complete demolition of the property located at 441 Hale Street as the site has become to too dilapidated over a period of years. Atty. Alexander stated that they are not here to argue the historic significance of the site or that it be preferably preserved. Page 1 of 6 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — April 29, 2013 Atty. Alexander addressed explained that the Board is familiar with this site and explained that the applicant applied for a partial demolition approval in November of 2012 to remove potions of the structure that has been added to the residence in 1906. He reported that upon review of that request the Historic Commission determined that the house should be designated as historically significant and should be preferably preserved. Alexander reviews the demolition plan with the Commission. Finch noted that Ms. Grenier also has the opportunity to present a plan to the Historic Commission that preserves the historic significance of the house and that is still an option for her. Younger agreed noting that it was discussed at the November meeting. Atty. Alexander agreed noting that the ordinance provides that if the Commission finds it necessary to issue a 12 month demolition delay the applicant can still come to the Commission for further dialogue. He stated that Ms. Grenier feels that the Historic Commission is forcing her to tare the house down. He explained that Ms. Grenier came to the Commission with a plan to spend millions of dollars and was told she could not do what she wanted. Alexander stated that the issue is the preservation of the essential architectural character of the house not a total renovation of portions of the house. He also noted that Ms. Grenier had a plan that would have maintained the character of the original house. Finch reviewed the changes that Grenier proposed in November to demolish portions of the house and noted that was unacceptable. Finch read letter from the following into the record that have been submitted to the Commission regarding this application: Carl Knowlton, past Chair of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Knowlton wrote in opposition to the demolition as the Loring House is a piece of our national heritage, the best of the shingle style, a characteristic American architectural movement. He also stated that it is a work of art much like a painting by Homer and there is no justification for a vote to demolish this treasure. Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission — dated 2006 reporting on the review by the MHC for including the property at 441 Hale Street in the National Historic Register. The letter details the description of the property and concludes that together 441 and 447 Hale Streeet fulfill National Register criteria A and C and are significant on the local, state and national levels. The letter indicated that it was for informational purposes only. Daniel M Lohnes, President of the Beverly Historical Society and Museum- dated November 14, 2012 wrote in opposition to the demolition of this property citing the historical importance of this structure which is eminently qualified to be on the National Register of Historic Places and in all likelihood Landmark status. Page 2 of 6 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — April 29, 2013 Joanne Puritan and abutter of the property wrote that she supports the demolition of the 1906 additions to the property. Richard Smith, Architect of 55 Compton Street, Swampscott wrote that his is opposed to the demolition of the property. The Society of Architectural Historians wrote in support of the demolition noting that the applicant has taken every measure possible to preserve the Loring House. Jack Glassman from the Boston Society of Architectural Historic Resources Committee wrote in opposition to the demolition. Finch opened the hearing up for public comment at this time. Merry Lynn Myers of 176 Colon Street addressed the Commission and stated that she is representing the of Victorian Society and they are opposed to the demolition. Johnathan Loring of 502 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that he was one of the prior owners of the house. He explained that the house was on the market for four plus years and there were no offers made. He stated that if the Commission had granted the demolition permit for the additions there was a chance that the house could be saved. He noted that if Ms. Grenier has to wait a year to do the work the house will fall down noting that there are rotted beams in the new addition. Tony Boland and abutter addressed the Commission and stated that the letters that have been read this evening are well meaning and suggested that if all of those in opposition to the demolition formed a club and financed it they could save the house. He stated that he feels that Ms. Greniers first proposal was reasonable and what has resulted was very predictable. He stated that the process and the timing is flawed. He also stated that he feels that the Historic Commission has failed to protect the house and he is in full support of Ms. Grenier. Nancy Coffey of 97 Haskell Street, Beverly, Ma addressed the Commission and stated that attempts have been made to save the house noting that they tried to get a non profit group to purchase it. She stated that Ms. Grenier purchased a house not a museum and she hopes that some kind of compromise can be reached on this. She also stated that she feels that the Historic Commission has lost its mission. Alan Levasseur addressed the Commission and stated that he has been watching that house fall apart. Babette Loring of 573 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that he family put their blood, sweat and tears and a lot of money into that house. She also noted that they are preservationists but they are also realists and she supports Ms. Grenier. She also stated that she thought that the Historic Commission only has jurisdiction on the outside of the house. Finch stated that the Historic Commission is not a 40C Commission. Page 3 of 6 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — April 29, 2013 Peter Loring of 573 Hale Street addressed the Commission and stated that he invested in the house and the goal was to preserve it. He noted that unlike most of the letter read he was in favor of the demolition permit for the additions but he is against the total demolition of the house and he is hopeful that the Commission and Ms. Grenier will reach a compromise. Bill Cross of Manchester, MA addressed the Commission and stated that the house cannot be claimed as an important structure because of who once lived in it. He stated that there is a road map in his letter of January 2013 that may be useful to try and save this building. He urged Ms. Grenier to find a way to save the house and urged the Commission to issue a demolition delay order. Steve Rosenthal an Architectural Photographer addressed the Commission and stated that he spent five days photographing the house. He stated that he agrees with Mr. Cross that the house should be preserved but noted that one has to want to do it and has to believe in it. He stated that this house is a treasure and a significant historic structure and should not be torn down. Rick Marciano of 141 McKay Street addressed the Commission and stated that he supports the demolition of the additions that were built in 1906. Finch noted to those present that the proposal before the Commission this evening if for the total demolition of the house and advised them to keep their comments relevant to that matter. Peter Loring of 573 Hale Street addressed the Commission again and stated that Ms. Grenier has offered to sell the property back to them. Craig Thomas of 565 Hale Street addressed the Commission stated that he hopes that a compromise can be reached on this matter. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declared the public hearing closed at this time. Finch explained that the matter before the Commission for consideration at this time is the full demolition of the property at 441 Hale Street. Atty. Alexander stated that the ordinance provides for post issuance negotiations with the applicant and he would like a sense as to whether the Commission would be willing to do that. Younger stated that at the November meeting the Commission the proposal presented was not very clear and the Commission asked to work with the applicant for clarity and at that time they made it clear that the Commission's action was not a rejection of a compromise. He noted that he cannot speak to what happened after that. Younger also noted that we are here to look at a compromise and noted that the Commission would like to continue discussions on the matter. Page 4 of 6 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — April 29, 2013 Pearl stated that the Commission is not here to be the taste police and noted that there is certainly room for discussion. She stated that the demolition delay would allow the opportunity for discussion in hopes of a compromise. Finch addressed Atty. Alexander and noted that he Commission has worked with other applicants that have proposed demolition of property and compromises have been reached. Finch also explained that the proposed demolition to the additions of the house included the demolition of the fan light and fire place which was added in 1906 and added significant character and is a defining element of the hall stairs. Younger noted that the Commission can only address the demolition in the application before the Commission. Ms. Grenier addressed the Commission and stated that she does not want to waste any more time and money on this. Pearl suggested that a meeting be held to discuss the preservation of the house and talk about the building as a follow up to this matter. Finch noted that the Commission does not have to vote on the matter as to whether or not the house is historically significant since there is documentation in the file from the Massachusetts Historic Commission that it is historically significant. Younger: moved to find that the property located at 441 Hale Street be preferably preserved. Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried (3 -0). Younger explained that imposing the demolition delay order is the only ability that the Commission has to insure that the house will stand while the parties try to work out a compromise. Pearl agreed noting that a meeting should be scheduled with the applicant to further work on this. Finch stated that he hopes that they can find a way to save significant portions of the building. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission meetings held on January 31, 2013 and March 12, 2013 were presented for approval. Younger: moved to approve the minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission held on January 31, 2013 and March 12, 2013 . Pearl seconded the motion. The motion carried. Page 5 of 6 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — April 29, 2013 Depot Square National Register Nomination Finch reported that the Commission sent a letter of support for the Depot Square nomination for the National Register Nomination. He stated that he is not sure if the Commission needs to do anything else regarding the matter. He noted that the State Board has a meeting scheduled in June. He noted that the letter had conditions that the Commission recommended and those conditions have been met by the developer and suggested that the Commission send a letter to MHC notifying them of that. Finch suggested that the letter indicate that the basic concerns of the Commission have been met but there is still concern that two of the buildings could be torn down. Cassidy suggested that Planning Staff could attend the June meeting of the MHC to relay the concerns of the Commission. Pearl requested that the City request a notice of the June meeting from the MHC and that the notice be put on the city website. State Wide Preservation Conference Pearl reported that a state wide Preservation Conference will be held in Lexington on October 18, 2013 and suggested that member of the Commission may want to attend. Cassidy reported that the City would pay any costs associated with the conference. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening, Younger moved to adjourn the meeting. Pearl seconds the motion. The motion carries The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Page 6 of 6