2013-06-12CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTE "roved ............ _ _ _ _ _ - - - Deleted: ¶
(DRAF I)
BOARD COMMISSION:
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
1. Call to Order:
Historic District Commission
June 12, 2013
Council Chambers, 3'd floor Beverly City Hall
Bill Finch, Jim Younger, Wendy Sue Pearl, Martin Lian,
Suzanne LaMont
N/A
Tina Cassidy, Planning Director
Kirk Baker, Staff Planner
Kirk Baker
Chairman Finch called the meeting to order, then each Commissioner and the Planning staff
introduced themselves to new Commissioner Suzanne LaMont. Finch stated that the purpose of
the meeting was to provide the newest members of the Commission (Commissioners Lian and, Deleted:
,
LaMont) with information that would assist them in their capacity as Commissioners. Planning
Director Tina Cassidy gave all the members an information packet that contained additional
supplemental information that the Commissioners could use for reference material in future
decision - making.
2. Orientation Agenda:
Chairman Finch then turned the meeting over to Pearl who began to discuss the legal framework
for the Historic Commission within Massachusetts State Law. She discussed the fundamental
elements of the Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 40C (Historic Districts Act), and,
Chapter 40, Section 8D (the enabling legislation for local Historic Commissions). Pearl then
discussed differences between a Historic Commission that oversees the preservation of specific
cultural heritage assets versus the concept of a Historic District Commission, which is charged
with protection of historic resources contained within a specified geographic area. She also
covered the history behind historic preservation efforts in the United States, citing specific places
such as the General George Washington, Newberg Headquarters in the 1850's, the Antiquities
Act and the preservation of the House of Seven Gables which both occurred in 1906, and, the
more recent National Preservation Act of 1966. Afterwards, she discussed the differences
between local and national register districts and then described the two national register districts
located in Beverly. Pearl then introduced the Fish Flake Hill local Historic District, explaining
that it consists of a Local Historic District component and a National Register District
component with an expanded geographic area.
Pearl then discussed the process of preparing a National Register nomination which included
technical Forms A (Area), B (Buildings), F (Landscaping) and form Z. She also suggested that it
would be a worthy future project for the Commission to begin the process of getting the Cabot
Cinema Theater in downtown Beverly on the National Historic Register and declared as a
national landmark.
Pearl then turned the meeting over to Finch so that he could cover the Commission's use of
Demolition Delay ordinance as a tool for historic preservation. Finch describes, in detail, the
background and mechanics of the 2004 Demolition Delay ordinance which allows the HDC to
review and to provide input in regards to any structure that is older than 50 years old and is of
potential historical significance relative to historic persons or events, or the use of historical
materials and architectural elements. Finch emphasized that the Commission's decision that a
structure is historically significance is based on the National Register criteria. Moreover, if the
structure is designated as Historically Significant, the Commission must then decide if a structure
is to be "Preferably Preserved ". LaMont asked if there could be a situation wherein a structure
is "Historically Significant' but not "Preferably Preserved ". Finch answered that it is possible
and cited the example of Sandy's Music which was once an 18 century house that even though
determined to be historically significant was too far gone to be saved. Finch also said that some
historically significant structures may have been modified to such a degree, or so many historical
elements eliminated, that there was nothing left to preserve.
Finch mentioned other municipalities that have used the Demolition Delay Ordinance as a
historic preservation tool, citing the City of Newton as a particularly aggressive proponent of
their version of the Ordinance.
The members discussed reasons for which an HDC meeting can be called including meetings for
auxiliary projects such as a sign program, Historic Register nominations, and the designation of a
,
site as a local landmark. Cassidy added that all meetings are considered to be public meetings Deleted: ,
and, therefore, public notification must be posted 48 hours prior to the time of a meeting.
Finch then explained the history of the Fish Flake Hill (FFH) Local Historic District One
Commissioner asked if it wouldn't be ideal if the District's property owners had a way to know
of their obligations long before they applied for a building permit. Planning staff responded that
all new property owners in the FFH District are annually sent notification that they are in a
historic district. Planning staff pointed out that the last such mailing had just occurred in April
2013.
Cassidy then presented information pertaining to operating procedures and policies. She
discussed a document given in the information packet at the beginning of the meeting that was
called the "Riggin's Rules ". This document gave a list of helpful tips for runnin a fair and
effective public meeting. She also covered the laws pertaining to Conflicts of Interest, the Open
Meeting law, the City ordinance regarding multiple member bodies, and rules of procedure (i.e.
jurisdiction, duties, attendance, quorums, and the use of closed or executive sessions).
3. Other Business:
Cassidy informed the Commissioners that the agenda packet contains a memo from Amy
Maxner, the City's Environmental Planner, in regards to the appointment of a representative of
the Historic District Commission to the newly- formed Community Preservation Committee
(CPC) which is intended to meet for the first time in early July. Finch asked if anyone wanted to
volunteer. LaMont indicated an interest but felt that it would be best if she focused on her new
duties as a member of the Commission. Pearl then expressed her interest in serving on the
Committee, and no other members did likewise.
Younger: motions to nominate Wendy Pearl as the Historic District Commission's
representative to the CPC, seconded by Finch. All members voted in favor, none voted in
opposition. The motion carried 5 — 0.
4. Approval of Minutes:
Finch stated that the next item of business was acceptance of the draft minutes of the
Commission's April 29, 2013 meeting. Pearl requests that the date of the State -wide Historic Deleted:
Preservation Conference be corrected. The conference will be held on Friday, October 18 2013
instead of October 11
No further corrections or issues with the minutes were proposed.
Pearl: motion to approve the draft minutes of the Commission's April 29 meeting minutes
with the proposed correction, seconded by Lian. All members voted in favor, no members voted
in opposition. The motion carried 5 — 0.
Finch requested that when planning staff sends him Adobe pdf format pictures via email they use
the "optimize" function for data compression in order to minimize computer memory
,
requirements. Staff agreed to look into the issue but stated that while Adobe Acrobat offers the Deleted: ,
optimization function, Adobe Reader (which is a free software) does not.
Finch asked if there was any other business for the Commission to discuss. There was none.
Formatted
Adjournment .
Pearl: motion to adjourn, seconded by LaMont. All members voted in favor, none voted in
opposition. The motion carried 5 — 0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.