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2014-12-03Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — December 3, 2014 Board: Date: Location: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present: Recorder: CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Historic District Commission December 3, 2014 Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street Beverly, MA. William Finch, Chair, and Wendy Pearl, Martin Lian, James Younger Suzanne LaMont Alison Crosbie, Staff Planner, City Planner Aaron Clausen Eileen Sacco Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Demolition of McKay School Gymnasium -131 McKay Street — Windover Development Finch explains the process for this evening and notes that the matter before the Commission is the request to demo the 1927 addition in the back section of the former McKay School located at 131 McKay Street. He explains that the task of the Commission this evening is to determine if the property is historically significant and if so to determine if it should be preferably preserved. He further explains that if the property is not found to be historically significant that essentially ends the process and the applicant is free to proceed. Attorney Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addresses the Commission and notes that she has Peter Gordeau of Windover Development with her this evening and the architect for the project Thad Siemasko. Gooding explains that the property has been the subject of four requests for proposals from the City of Beverly over the last few years and Windover has been chosen in the last round to develop the property. She explains the history of the property. Thad Siemasko, the architect for the project addresses the Commission and explains that they applied for a demolition permit and the city denied it because of the age of the building. He explains that the building was built in 1907/1908 and the gymnasium addition was added in 1927. He explains that the proposal includes the preservation of the main school building which will be converted to 19 residential units and a new two story structure will be added to the rear of the building for 13 residential units. Page 1 of 4 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — December 3, 2014 Siemasko notes that the building is not listed on the Massachusetts Inventory of Historical and Archeological Assets of the Commonwealth and it is not included in the City Survey. Finch states that the fact that it is not on the local inventory or the historic registry is probably because it was never done. Finch opens the hearing up for public comment at this time. Rick Marciano of 141 McKay Street addresses the Commission and reviewed the history of the area and the United Shoe. He states that the neighborhood was established to preserve the neighborhood and the school was built with a deed restriction that it remain a school. He states that he feels that the area is of historic significance to the City. Councilor Scott Houseman notes that the deed restriction expired after 50 years by state law. He also states that he feels that the property is of historical significance because it is important to Beverly. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declares the public hearing closed. Finch asks if the members of the Historic Commission have any comments regarding this proposal. Younger states that the photos presented are great and he agrees with Mr. Marciano's comments that the area is historically significant to the City of Beverly. Pearl agrees and states that she feels that the area tells us a lot about the history of Beverly. Finch agrees noting that the architecture is reasonably attractive despite the loss of the gables that it once had. Younger: motion to find that the McKay School located at 131 McKay Street is historically significant. Pearl seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0). Younger states that with regard to the matter of should the building be preferably preserved, he notes that the gymnasium is not a major contributor to the historical significance of the building architecture or its historical significance. Pearl agrees and notes that taking it down will not undermine the property. Lian agrees and notes that it looks like an appendage to a really nice building. Finch states that the addition does not share the architectural attributes of the original building. Page 2 of 4 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — December 3, 2014 Pearl: Motion to make a determination that the gymnasium section of the building shall not be preferably preserved. Younger seconds the motion. The motion carries (4- 0). Finch addresses the applicants and notes that if they decide to demolish more of the property they would have to come back to the Historic Commission for approval. Update on CPA Pearl reported that the CPA Committee has concluded round one of the funding recommendations and all projects previously discussed moved forward. Pearl explains that looking forward to round two, the Committee is looking for input from the public and they will be holding a public hearing. Finch asks if the City has a list of capital projects and suggests that it be looked at. The Commission brainstormed ideas for projects and drafted a list as follows: Finch notes that the Powder House owned by the City is in need of stabilization and the roof leaks. Pearl suggests that the Central Cemetery should be looked at noting the area closest to Lothrop Street. Houseman states that all of the cemeteries should be looked at noting Abbot Street as well as Central. Houseman also notes that they have been trying to get funding for repairs to the Central Cemetery fence. He asks if restoration of the fence would qualify for CPA. Pearl states that it would qualify for CPA funds. Clausen notes that DPS is in charge of all of the city cemeteries and the Commission could check with them regarding projects that are in need of funding. Younger states that Main Streets is looking to fund historic lighting in the city and the Cabot Cinema is considering facade improvements. He suggests that maybe a master plan should be done for projects around the city. He notes that there may be some things that are already being considered. Clausen notes that the Cabot Street, street scape needs attention and the City would like to find funds for the reconstruction of sidewalks, noting that it would be a long term project. Finch notes that he takes exception with paving over brick sidewalks that are in disrepair. Page 3 of 4 Beverly Historic Commission Minutes — December 3, 2014 Houseman notes that the cobblestones under Rantoul Street should be saved in the event that they could be used for future projects. Clausen states that he will look into that. Clausen suggests that a preservation plan needs to be done for the City. He notes that other properties that need attention may be the fire houses, libraries, noting that the Beverly Farms Library needs some work. Pearl suggests the beaches and parks noting that Independence Park, the Dane Street Bathhouse, plantings and seawalls. She suggests that she will put together a list of priorities based on this discussion that could be considered for future CPA projects. Draft Meeting Schedule for 2015 Crosbie reviews the draft meeting schedule for the Historic Commission for 2015. She notes that she has an application from the Beverly School for the Deaf, for demolition at 6 Echo Avenue, and the Commission needs to determine if a public hearing is necessary. Finch states that he would encourage a public hearing on the matter. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission meeting held on September 24, 2014 were presented for approval. Pearl moved approval of the minutes as presented. Lian seconds the motion. The motion carries (4 -0). Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening, Pearl moved to adjourn the meeting. Younger seconds the motion. The motion carries The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Page 4 of 4