Historic District Commission - 5 23 2018 - ApprovedCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Historic District Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: May 23, 2018
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch - Chair, Suzanne LaMont - Vice Chair,
Caroline Mason
ABSENT: Wendy Pearl
OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hutching - City of Beverly; Judith Cronin, Greater
Beverly YMCA
RECORDER: Travis Lovett
Finch calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Determination of Historic Significance - YMCA Signage, 245 Cabot Street
Cronin said the YMCA is part of a nation -wide dues - paying organization with a local board
of directors. There is a very strong push by the YMCA of the USA for the 2,700 YMCAs in
the country to conform to a uniform branding campaign. The national program has an
issue with the local YMCA exterior signage, as it does not comply with the current YMCA
brand. The Beverly YMCA has taken exception to YMCA of the USA policy, as the sign is
part of the history of the building. There is a picture from 1940 showing the sign. The sign
is cobalt blue and made of porcelain with a patent from 1903. YMCA of the USA has said if
the local historic commission is in support of the historic significance of the sign and
emphasizes that the sign should not be removed due to historic significance, then the local
YMCA will not be required to remove the sign. LaMont said the sign is a landmark
downtown. Pearl could not attend the meeting, but she wrote that the YMCA sign is
historic. Finch said the building is cited as a contributing building in the National historic
district, the Center Business District. Finch said the sign is a contributing architectural
feature of the building. Finch said the state should amend the listing to include signage as a
historic feature and the HDC findings should be communicated to the state.
Mason motions for the HDC to define the YMCA exterior sign as being a historically
significant and contributing feature of the YMCA building. The sign has institutional and
cultural significance to the people of Beverly as a character - defining symbol for the YMCA.
The sign also is a representative example of electric signage from the first quarter of the
20 century. LaMont seconds the motion. The motion carries 3 -0.
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Finch motions to submit an amendment request to the Massachusetts Historical
Commission to adapt historic preservation language highlighting the YMCA exterior
signage as a contributing significant feature of the Central Business District. LaMont
seconds the motion. The motion carries 3 -0.
North Shore Community Baptist Church
North Shore Community Baptist Church has proposed to remove and replace the antennas
behind the louvers inside the steeple. There is no mention of siding replacement in the
application. Fiberglass louvers were initially proposed. LaMont said what is changing is
invisible to the public and exterior of the building.
LaMont motions to support the plan as presented on May 11, 2018 as it has no adverse
effect to the exterior of the building. Mason seconds the motion. The motion carries 3 -0.
Historic Resources Survey Update
Hutchings said the deadline for bids is May 31St. Hutchings said if they receive more than
one bid, they will need to have a selection committee. Hutchings said Denise Deschamps
(representing economic development) and Stephanie Bilotti (representing constituent
services) would serve on the committee. Hutchings is seeking two HDC members to sit on
the committee. Mason and Finch are willing to serve if needed. Hutchings said she does
not anticipate more than one meeting if the selection committee has to meet.
Design Guidelines
There are sample design guidelines from Salem and Swampscott to review. Finch said the
guidelines include background history, recommended building treatments, and the
secretary standards for a local historic district. Hutchings said several communities have a
list of areas that local historic districts do not have jurisdiction over. Finch said the HDC
does not have jurisdiction over paint colors and roofing materials.
Finch motions to continue the discussion at the meeting on May 24, 2018. LaMont seconds
the motion. The motion carries 3 -0.
LaMont motions to table agenda items 5 -9 until the meeting on May 24, 2018. Mason
seconds the motion. The motion carries 3 -0.
Adjournment
Finch motions to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm. LaMont seconds the motion. The motion
carries 3 -0. The next Historic District Commission meeting will be held in Beverly City Hall
on May 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm.
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