BHDC Minutes April 13 2016 - ApprovedBeverly Historic District Commission
Minutes — April 13, 2016
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Historic District Commission
Date: April 13, 2016
Location: Beverly City Hall, City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA_
Members Present William Finch, Chair, Suzanne LaMont, Wendy Pearl and Martin
Lian
Members Absent: James Younger
Others Present: Allison Crosbie, Staff Planner
Recorder: Eileen Sacco
Finch called the meeting to order at 7 =00 p_m_
Public Hearing — Request for Demolition of House at 15 Sunnycrest Avenue
Finch explains the process for this evening and notes that the matter before the Commission is the
request for the demolition of the house located at 15 Sunnycrest Avenue_ 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_
Finch explains that if the Commission issues a demolition delay, it would be for a period of one
year, and during that time the applicant may choose to work with the Commission or others to find
preservation recommendations_
Finch explains that most of the members of the Commission have looked at the site and calls on the
applicant or his representative to address the Commission to explain their request_
Bob Griffin addresses the Commission on behalf of his client Mr_ Patch and explains that they have
submitted plans to the Planning Board for approval of an OSRD subdivision at 15 -17 Sunnycrest
Avenue_ He explains that the house that they are proposing to demolish is in the way of the
proposed road for the site_ He explains the history of the house noting that it was converted to a two
family house at some point_ He also states that the house is of no architectural significance_
Pearl asks if they have considered moving the house to another location_ Griffin explains that they
talked to a contractor but it was deemed not to be feasible_
Finch reported that a former Mayor of Beverly built that house to live in after he retired_
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Beverly Historic District Commission
Minutes — April 13, 2016
Pearl notes that there are several mature trees on the site and notes a long stone wall that appears to
indicate that there could have been some agricultural activity on the site_
Griffin states that the sugar maple will remain and notes that they have shifted the location of the
road to accommodate that_
Lian suggests that they could keep the house as is and turn it into a professional building of some
other use_ Griffin states that zoning would not allow that_
LaMont questioned why it didn't seem practical to move the house and asks if they have any
estimates on that_ Griffin reported that the cost would exceed the potential value of what the house
would sell for_ He explains that substantial work would need to be done to move the house_
Finch opens the hearing up for public comment at this time_
David Hart of 5 Sunnycrest Avenue addresses the Commission and questions if there is any
asbestos in the house_ Griffin states that they have not done any testing_
Matt Pujo of 11 Longview Drive addresses the Commission and states that he has a feeling that this
house is historic and would like to what it looked like initially, noting it looks as if it is a Victorian_
He notes that the City of Peabody recently used CPA funds to purchase a landmark house in
downtown Peabody and urged the owner or the City to find a creative reuse for this site_
Griffin explains that there are challenges to moving this house noting the steep hills on Sunnycrest
and Netherton Streets_
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declared the public
hearing closed at this time_
Finch explains that the task before the Commission is to determine if the property is historically
significant and if so, should it be preferably preserved_
Finch states that the house almost looks as if it is an older house that was gutted and remodeled with
the addition of the Queen Anne style_
LaMont states that she was surprised to see such an early house off of Bridge Street_
Pearl agrees that it seems unusual for that neighborhood, noting that the setting is unusual_ She
states that the property has character and she thinks that the house is historically significantly_
Lian states that based on the information provided he feels that the house is historically significant_
Finch states that the house is a cut above the average small scale house of that period with
reasonable integrity_
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Beverly Historic District Commission
Minutes — April 13, 2016
LaMont: Motion to find that the house at 15 Sunnycrest Avenue is historically significant
based on the style and its uniqueness to the neighborhood_ Pearl seconds the motion_ The motion
carries (4 -0)_
Finch states that now that the Commission has determined that the house is historically significant
they must now determine if it should be preferably preserved_
Finch states that normally he would not like to see a house moved from a site due to the qualities of
the site_ He notes however in this case he would suggest that perhaps they can move the house over
one lot and notes a location on the plan_ He also notes that the issue of interior renovations being
costly is not a matter of concern to the Commission_
Griffin states that the heating and electricity systems would be fairly costly to move and a complete
renovation would be needed to move the house_
Finch states that he recognizes that this is not a house such as the caliber of the Loring House but it
is a good representation of the vernacular of the building period_
Griffin states that they are under some time constraints noting that Mr_ Patch been permitting for
this project and they were told a year ago not to worry because the house is not in a historic district_
Pearl states that there are elements on the property indicative of an agricultural use, noting the stone
wall, and an old maple, noting it is a part of Beverly's history_ She feels the house would appeal to
some home buyers_
LaMont states that she feels that the site should be preferably preserved noting that it belongs in that
location_ She notes that it is one of the earlier houses in the neighborhood and appears it was
Victorian_ She states that she would hate to see it moved but would agree to that as an alternative to
tearing it down_
Lian states that the house represents a period of time in that location and he would like to see the
house stay in the area and it should be preferably preserved_
Finch states that he is on the fence as the house is generally not the caliber of a house that the
Commission would impose a demolition delay on_ He states that he does not find it to be rare or
unique_ He also notes that the house has a strong setting, but not in a grouping of other houses of a
similar period_ He also states that he is not hearing a strong opinion from the neighbors that the
house remain_
A woman present at the meeting asked to address the Commission at this time_ Finch asks the
members of the Commission if there is any opposition to reopening the public hearing to allow for
additional comment_ Members agreed to reopen the public hearing at this time_
Kim Haley of Western Avenue addresses the Commission and states that demolition of this house is
unfortunate noting that she is looking for a house in Beverly_ She states that there are few
opportunities for young people to stay in Beverly and tearing down a house is one less house that
could be on the market_
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Beverly Historic District Commission
Minutes — April 13, 2016
Finch asks if there is any other location for the road on the site_
Griffin explains that because of the topography of the land on Hayes Avenue it would be difficult to
put the road on that side of the site because of the steep drop off_ He also notes that the developer is
donating 50% of the land to the city to be used as open space_
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Finch declared the public
hearing closed at this time_
Finch states that it appears that the proposed location for the road is the only logical place on the
site_
Finch recalls other cases that have been before the Commission noting a house on Route IA near
the Shaw's Plaza where the developer reconsidered the demolition and the house ended up being
saved_
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter=
Pearl: Motion to find that the house although historically significant, should not be
preferably preserved_ Lian seconds the motion_ The motion carries (3 -1) with LaMont opposed_
Request for Letter of Support for Powder House
LaMont states that there was an email from Lance Daly requesting that the Commission send a
letter of support for CPA funds for the restoration of the Powder House_
Finch states that he has not seen the plans of what they intend to do, but notes that the Commission
has deemed the site Historically Significant_
Pearl states that she feels that there is a general level of support for the project without seeing the
plan_
Finch states that an engineer will be looking at it next week_ He explains that a general description
of what needs to be done and a budget should be included in the proposal_ He also states that the
HDC should be advised on this throughout the process_
Pearl: Motion to send a letter of support for the restoration of the Powder House for CPC
funding_ LaMont seconds the motion_ The motion carries (4 -0)_
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Beverly Historic Commission this evening,
LaMont moved to adjourn the meeting_ Pearl seconds the motion_ The motion carries (4 -0)_
The meeting was adjourned at 8.30 p_m_
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