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2014-01-07Beverly Historic Commission Minutes -- January 7, 2014 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Historic District Commission Bate: January 7, 2014 Location: Beverly City Hail, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street Beverly, MA. Members Present William. Finch,- Chair, vice Chair, and Wendy Pearl Martin Lian; Suzanne LaMont. - Members Absent: James Younger Others Present: Assistant City Planner, Leah Zambernardi Recorder: Eileen Sacco Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Review of Draft Application for Determination of Historic Sistnificance -for Communi Preservation Act The Commission reviewed the draft application for the Determination of Historic Significance for applicants for the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Pearl explains that this application is for the use of the Commission in making a determination of historic significance for funding requirements. Pearl explained that applicants should submit a copy of the - State Register of Historic Places or N ACRIS database showin g property the name, address and listing status if it is listed. She p further explained that if a property is not listed in the register all 'of the following should be submitted and suggested that "all of the following" be inserted after the word ".or" preceding the requirement for a brief statement describing how the property is significaiit_in the history,. archeology, architecture or culture of Beverly (no more than 5 words) and photographs of the project property (no more than 5). Finch requested that an additional section be added to the application "For Department Use Only ", following the requirement for photographs. Pearl suggests that all historic reservation project applications should have a narrative regarding gg p p the- historic significance and photos should show all sides of the building as well as the interior if It is to be impacted. Pearl notes that the CPC will be reviewing applications but they can consult with other city boards and commissions as needed. Page I of 4 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — January 7, 2014 Finch agrees noting that the CPC needs to know enough about the project to make a decision. He is concerned that the criteria promote an adaptive reuse of properties noting that a possible zoning ordinance providing for a zoning overlay district could be disruptive. Pearl noted that this application is not a CPA funding application and for the use of the Historic Commission in' determining historic significance. She further explained that there is a pre- - application that has a box to -check for historic significance and if that is checked on the application it will trigger this application.. Finch states that he is concerned that the first line reads awkwardly as if it is a hanging phrase. Pearl suggests that preference would be given to applications with multiple criteria. .Zambernardi asked if these applications would trigger a Historic District Commission meeting. Finch noted that if they are listed in the historic register they automatically have historic significance and a meeting may not be necessary. Pearl questions if there should be a cycle where applications have to be in by a certain date and then a Commission meeting could be scheduled for the review of the applications. She also notes that the pre -- applications are meant to be as simple as possible. Finch also noted that at anytime up to the pre -- application the application for historic significance can be submitted so the applicant could get 'a reading on where they stand. Pearl states that an informational meeting will be held in January and the pre - applications must be in by February 14, 2014 and full applications in by May 1, 2014. It was suggested that the Historic Commission should meet before the CPA.. Pearl suggests that the Historic Commission may want to think about establishing a regular meeting date. Finch agreed. He notes that the reason for the Determination. of Historic Significance should be articulated in writing and in the minutes of the meeting and a letter should be sent from the Planning, staff to the CPA and copied to the applicant. Finch notes that an application could be deDied because - an applicant has not proven their case and questions if that means that they cannot come back to the HDC with additional information. He suggests that the letter indicate to the applicant that if additional information becomes available the HDC will entertain it. Pearl agreed and notes that she is not sure that people know what the register is. She also noted that there are very few properties in Beverly listed on it. She noted that there is a guide for the registry and she will distribute copies to the members of the HDC. She explains that there are 300 properties on the registry and 900 are inventoried. She states that we need to make sure that people understand that and suggests that a list of the properties registered on the state registry in Beverly be made available in the Planning Department. Pearl also noted that MHC has a mapping viewer online but Beverly is not on there yet. She explained that she was told that it could be done soon but noted that MHC is having server Page 2 of 4 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — January 7, 2014 problems. Zambernardi suggests that maybe MHC can get that done with the City GIS department. Pearl agrees and Zambernardi states that she will put them in touch with each other to see if this is possible. Pearl will make the suggested revisions to the application and finalize the content for the scheduled January 23, 2014 workshop. New or other Business Correspondence from MHC Regarding Tax Credit Application for the Friend Box . Com an Box Facto 60 Pleasant Street, Beverl Ma —Mindover Develo meat Finch reported that Lee Dellicker of Windover Development sent a lever to the Massachusetts Historic Commission (MHC) regarding the Massachusetts Histofic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Application for the Friend Box Company Box Factory, 60 Pleasant Street, Beverly, Ma. He explained that it was apparently in reply to a letter they received from MHC dated December 31, 2013 regarding their pending application. He read the letter and noted that the letter indicates that the MHC will not certify the pending application because they are exploring the possibility of demolishing 9 Parr Street and 142 Rantoul Street, two buildings in the proposed Beverly Depot - -Odell Park National Register Historic District as part of a larger redevelopment project and they have concluded that the buildings must remain in order to get the tax credits. Zambernardi reported that the City did not receive a copy of the original letter sent to Windover in December and she will follow up on that. L nch Parr Carriage House Zambernardi reported that she received an email from Denis Deschamps requesting a meeting with the HDC on the proposed renovations to the Carriage House at Lynch Park. Finch recalled that the HDC reached out to them to help prevent them from impacting the historic significance of the building. He noted that he would like to see more cooperation between the HDC and the City on what they are doing to their historic properties. He states that he would like to have a meeting about what they are proposing to do to the building. He also motes that Lynch Park has been nominated for the historic' registry. It was suggested that they hold a meeting in late January with a daytime site visit to the Carriage g House and include an informal discussion. Zambernardi will schedule the meeting. 37 Woodbu' n Street Finch reported that Mr. Whittaker of 37 Woodbury has informed the Commission that he intends to demolish the property. He explained that it is on the right hand side of the street and it is a Page 3 of 4 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — January 7, 2014 large colonial revival. He notes that it is clear that the property has not been cared for based on the' level of deterioration going on. Approval of Minutes Zannbernardi informed the Commission that the minutes of the Historic District Commission meeting held on November 20, 2013 are forthcoming and can be approved at the next meeting Adjournment There being no ftuther 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 4 of 4