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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_ Page 1 of 4 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_ Page 2 of 4 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_ Page 3 of 4 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_ Page 4 of 4