2015-01-06Beverly Historic Commission
Minutes — January 6, 2015
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CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Historic District Commission (HDC)
January 6, 2015
Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA.
William Finch, Chair, and Wendy Pearl, Martin Lian, Suzanne
LaMont, James Younger
None
Allison Crosbie, Staff Planner
Eileen Sacco
Finch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Public Hearing — Request for Demolition of Vaughan Dorm -6 Echo Avenue — Beverly
School for the Deaf
Finch explains the process for this evening and notes that the matter before the Commission is
the request to demolish the Vaughan Dormitory located at 6 Echo Avenue. He explains that the
task of the Commission 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 and get a permit from the Building Inspector.
Mark Carlson, Executive Director of the Beverly School for the Deaf, the owner of the property
addresses the Commission and explains the history of the site. He explains that the building
ceased being used by the school in 2001 and from April of 2001 and May of 2014 the building
was rented to Northeast Behavioral as a residential space. He notes that during this period the
building was severely abused and is now in significant disrepair.
Carlson explains that the current building status is that the building is boarded on the ground
level including all generally accessible entrances, exits and windows. He notes that the building
fire protection and sprinklers are functional until the sprinkler heads freeze. He also notes that
all asbestos has been removed from the site and there are no other environmental issues on the
site. He explains that they are requesting to demolish the site because of safety concerns and the
pipes in the building are deteriorating.
Carlson explains that they have no plans at the present to develop the site and they would like to
demolish the site as soon as possible due to safety concerns regarding the condition of the
property. He explains that they will use the area for additional parking for the school.
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Minutes — January 6, 2015
He also notes that the neighbors are concerned about having an empty building in need of
extensive repairs on the site.
Younger states that they could have avoided this process if they had come to the HDC when they
began this process in May. He explains that the Commission could have advised them on
possible avenues to explore before deciding to demolish the building.
Finch notes that the building was built as a residence and asks if they have looked at an adaptive
reuse of the building. Carlson explains that they had a contractor give them an estimate on the
cost of repairs that are needed for the building and the estimated cost was more than they could
afford. He explained that they would have to install an elevator in the building. He notes that
the demolition is going to cost $72,000 and that is about all they can afford at this time.
Younger notes that the photos presented indicate that the building has a lot of moisture problems.
He notes that they have removed asbestos from the first floor of the building and the tiles have
been removed. He notes that the proposed demolition is the result of neglect of the building.
Pearl notes that Health and Education Services replaced the carpeting in the building in 2001 and
asks if they did any work to the outside of the building. Carlson reports that they did no work to
the outside of the building. Pearl notes that the building retains the feel of it in the neighborhood
and notes that when she drives by there that is the feel she gets for the school.
Finch opens the hearing up for public comment at this time.
David Fila of 3 Echo Avenue addresses the Commission and states that he is supportive of the
demolition of the building.
Matt Pujo addresses the Commission and states that he understands the concerns regarding the
property and notes that the dormitory is one of the last of its kind and encouraged them to think
outside the box.
Carlson explains that the school was ready to close in 2004 and they worked hard to keep the
main portion of the school open. He notes that it's a vibrant part of 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 he feels that the building is definitely historically significant as defined by its
association with the City of Beverly and its own history of use, its age and association.
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Lian: motion to find that the Vaughan Dorm located at 6 Echo Avenue — Beverly School
for the Deaf, be found to be historically significant. LaMont seconds the motion.
The motion carries (5 -0)
Finch notes that the Commission must now determine if the site should be preferably preserved.
Finch agrees that the building has a great deal of presence in the neighborhood. Younger also
notes that the definitive structural report really talks about the work that needs to be done on the
building and nothing positive about the building.
Pearl states that she feels that it would be a loss to the neighborhood and she wishes that they
presented better justification for the demolition other than safety reasons. She notes that $72,000
could go a long way to stabilizing the building in some way. She also notes that they could be
eligible for CPA funds. She also notes that she feels that with a vacant gravel lot, we would feel
the loss of the historic School for the Deaf.
Pearl asks if they have a cost estimate to make the building safe. Carlson states that $20,000
would replace the windows, repair the heating system and the sprinkler system. He also notes
that they looked at a renovation project for the building and the cost is non - negotiable. He
explains that the renovation cost was $4 million dollars four years ago.
Younger states that there could be other uses for the building that are unrelated to the Beverly
School for the Deaf. He suggests a facility such as assisted living, and notes the Harbor Light.
Younger states that he would like more information to support the demolition of the building.
He suggests that the Commission request more information for the Commission to review. He
also suggests an RFP could be issued for reuse of the site. He also notes that they should have a
viable master plan for the site.
Younger explains that he would like to see some effort to keep the building open and notes that if
there is no other option, the HDC can lift the demolition delay.
Pearl states that the Commission could help with preservation projects and they could easily
request that the property be listed on the National Register.
Pearl notes that the condition of the building is not an issue for her and there does not seem to be
an urgent need to demo it. She states that she is opposed to demolition just to do it. She also
notes that she agrees that there is a need to make it safe.
Younger: Motion to find that the Vaughan Dorm at 6 Echo Avenue should be preferably
preserved and that a demolition delay order be issued for the site and that the applicant submit
further information to the Commission for them to get a better understanding of the need for the
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Minutes — January 6, 2015
demolition and that all options for reuse have been considered. Pearl seconds the motion. The
motion carries (4 -1).
Pearl notes that the Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month and the next
meeting is January 28, 2015.
Community Preservation Act Historic Preservation Project Funds: Review Application for
Determination of Historic Significance
134 McKay Street — Preservation of Clubhouse — Beverly Golf and Tennis Club
Pearl notes that the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club is on the inventory and this matter does not
require any action by the Commission.
Discussion of Mass Historical Commission Planning Survey Grant
Crosbie reports that the Massachusetts Historical Commission has accepted the letter of intent
submitted by the City and has invited them to submit a full application for the Beverly Historic
Resources Survey. She explains that the amount of the grant is $12,500 and the submission
deadline is February 9, 2015.
The Commission discussed areas to include in the survey. Pearl suggests that the Summary of
the Inventory that was recommended for the 1993 study be reviewed.
The following is a list of areas discussed:
Cabot Street — various areas
All properties 50 years or older should be inventories
Cabot Street Business District — Kitty O' Sheas and the block back
Municipal Buildings over 50 years old or older
Beverly Golf and Tennis
McKay Street
Shoe Pond
Cemeteries and Parks
Temple B'Nai Abraham
The Powder House
Beverly Farms
Coastal Properties
Philips Reserve
Members agreed to send additional suggestions to Crosbie. Crosbie notes that the application is
due February 8, 2015.
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Younger suggests that letters of support from the community would be appropriate and suggests
that Beverly Main Streets, Beverly Historical Society, Monserrat School of Art should be
approached.
Pearl notes that the Mass Preservation Project funds are proceeding with Round 21 and the
applications are due in March. She notes that the Cabot Cinema is applying for grants and they
need a Determination of Eligibility for Mass Historic. Crosbie will request that from MHC.
Update on CPA
Pearl reports that the CPA Committee will hold a public hearing on the CPA process on January
22, 2015 with a snow date of January 29, 2015. She notes that she will review the list of
priorities suggested by the Historic Commission at that meeting.
LaMont notes that the public needs to be aware that someone has to take a lead on the proposed
projects to apply for the funds and see the projects through.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Beverly Historic Commission meeting held on December 3, 2014 were
presented for approval.
Younger moved approval of the minutes as amended. Pearl seconds the motion. The motion
carries (5 -0).
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 9:15 p.m.
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