2014-09-24Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — September 24, 2014
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Historic District Commission
Date: September 24, 2014
Location: Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA.
Members Present William Finch, Chair, and Wendy Pearl, Martin Lian, Suzanne
LaMont
Members Absent: James Younger
Others Present: Allison Crosbie, Staff Planner
Recorder: Eileen Sacco
Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Certificate of Appropriateness —9 Davis Street — Frank LoNona
Mr. LoNona addressed the Commission and explained that he is seeking a Certificate of
Appropriateness for the replacement of clapboard to the side and front of his house and replace
the front door with a 36 x 80 fir wood door, and install a new window on the side of the house.
Lallona explained that he was going to leave the clapboards as is but upon further investigation
he found that they need to be replaced.
Lallona explained that he is proposing a wood double pane window in place of the vinyl window
he proposed. He also noted that he is going to install a wood door as shown on the specs
provided with his application.
Finch asked if they are planning on putting the canopy back on the house. Lallona stated that he
has not thought about that but he would do so if it is required. Finch explained that any change
to the exterior of the building that are visible from the street are under the purview of the
Commission and if they decide to put a different canopy on the house it would have to come
before the Commission.
Lallona reported that he is leaving the existing windows as is. Finch noted that he suspects that
they were changed to vinyl prior to the Historic Preservation Act.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
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Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — September 24, 2014
Pearl: Motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 9 Davis Street. Lian seconds
the motion. The motion carries (4 -0).
Certificate of Appropriateness — 42 Water Street — John Churchill
Dan Finn with offices at 16 Front Street addresses the Commission on behalf of his client, Mr.
John Churchill.
Mr. Finn explains that they are present this evening seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for
the installation of new anodized aluminum framed windows outfitted with clear insulated glass.
Mr. Finn explained that the windows have been a topic of conversation with prospective tenants
with regards to energy efficiency and the age of the windows. He noted that Weaver Glass has
done a thorough review of the site and has submitted a report. He reviews the report and photos
with the Commission.
Finch asks if all of the windows are being replaced in their existing openings. Finn states that
they are all custom awning windows. He explains that Weaver has recommended the awning
windows because the present windows catch the wind.
Finch explains that for buildings older than 50 years old the Commission requires the same
replacement but for buildings less than 50 years old there are less restrictions on window
replacement.
Pearl noted that there is not much definition of the building and keeping the openings the same
will keep the character of the building. She also asked if the use of the building would remain
commercial. Finn explained that they are going in the direction of office space.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter at this time:
Lian: Motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. LaMont
seconds the motion. The motion carries (4 -0).
Request to Demolish Garage — 17 Corning Street
Finch explains that the Commission has received a request from the owner at 17 Corning Street
for the demolition of a small garage. He estimated that it was built in the 20's or the 30's and
they are becoming fewer and fewer.
Lian notes that it is not very big and does not look like it could hold a car.
Finch notes that the roof and the siding is in really good shape.
Crosbie reports that she visited the site and reported on her findings.
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Minutes — September 24, 2014
Pearl states that the presence of the house takes precedence and she does not feel strongly about
the garage one way or the other.
Lian asks if they are planning to do any landscaping in the area where the garage will be
demolished. Finch states that it is not specified on the application.
Finch explains that the task of the Commission is to determine if the garage is historic or not and
schedule a hearing if necessary.
Pearl notes that the Commission could determine it to be historic but asked if they would be
inclined to deem it to be preferably preserved. He noted that while more and more of these types
of structures are disappearing he would rather not put the owner through that.
Finch states that the building clearly has structural problems and in this case he would not be
inclined to find that it should be preferably preserved. He also notes that the garage is set back
and is not visible from the street.
Lian and LaMont agreed.
Members concurred that Finch as Chair can sign off on the application and not being historic so
that the demolition can move forward.
New or Other Business
Section 106 Review — Proposed Telecommunications Facility Installation at 181 Elliot
Street (Cummings Center) EBI Project #61147561— Verizon Communications
Finch reported that this is an opportunity for the Historic Commission to comment on the work
proposed if they so choose and no vote by the Commission is needed. Finch notes that there
would be no effect on historic properties and suggested that a motion would be in order to send a
letter to the consultant indicating that.
Pearl: motion to send a letter to the consultant regarding the Proposed
Telecommunications Facility Installation at 181 Elliot Street (Cummings Center)
EBI Project #61147561 — Verizon Communications — will have no effect on
historic properties. Lian seconds the motion. The motion carries (4 -0).
Massachusetts Historic Commission Grants
Finch reported that the Massachusetts Historic Commission has grants available and suggested
that the Commission could apply for a grant to extent the historic district down to Cabot Street to
include the Cabot Cinema. He also suggested that two projects could be combined for the grant
and include the inventory of the City wide Historic Register. Crosbie noted that the grant would
require matching funds from the city if awarded.
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Minutes — September 24, 2014
Pearl noted that CPA funds could be used for the matching funds noting that the Commission
could submit an application and substituted with city funds if the grant is awarded.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes to the Beverly Historic Commission Meetings held on August 27, 2014 were
presented for approval.
LaMont moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Pearl seconds the motion. The motion
carries (4 -0).
Update on CPA
Pearl reported that the CPA Committee will be meeting on September 27, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. to
make final decisions on applications. She noted that they will be reconsidering pavilion to be
constructed adjacent to the bathhouse at Obear Park.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening,
Pearl moved to adjourn the meeting. LaMont seconds the motion. The motion carries
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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