Historic District Commission - 12 7 2018 - ApprovedCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: Historic District Commission
Special Meeting - Site Visit
DATE: December 7, 2018
LOCATION: 2 Hickory Hill Way (20 Webster Avenue)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Suzanne LaMont - Vice Chair, Caroline Mason
ABSENT: William Finch - Chair, Wendy Pearl
OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hutching - City of Beverly; Gary Patch
RECORDER: Emily Hutchings
Special Meeting /Site Visit begins at 9:15 AM.
Special Meeting /Site Visit to 2 Hickory Hill Way (20 Webster Avenue)
The property owner is Gary Patch. The property owner has applied for a permit to
demolish the structure at 2 Hickory Hill Way (previously part of 20 Webster Avenue).
Because the structure was built more than fifty (50) years prior to the date of the
application for a demolition permit and may be historically significant, the BHDC must
review the structure in accordance with the Demolition of Historic Buildings ordinance,
Chapter 168, Article II of the Beverly Code of Ordinances.
To better understand the property, the BHDC held a site visit to inspect the property and
the structure to be demolished. LaMont and Mason attended the site visit as BHDC
members. No members of the public were present. As Staff, Hutchings photographed the
building to provide documentation. The BHDC examined both the interior and exterior of
the building, including the loft portion of the building and the bracing of the structure on
rock (as the structure was built on a ledge). The BHDC noted the structure's likely original
use as a stable, as stalls, tack rooms, and feed troughs were still visible and intact.
Additional note was made that windows appear to be original, and gutters were
constructed of wood.
LaMont asked about the ownership of the property, and Hutchings stated that Arthur Little
is believed to have owned the property from 1900 until 1917, when the property was sold
to Dr. Marshal Fabyan. The barn is believed to have been constructed or moved to the
property after 1917.
BHDC members examined the bracing of the structure, and noted water damage to a
portion of the east facade. Patch asked what the BHDC considers when reviewing such
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December 7, 2018 Meeting Minutes
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cases. Hutchings and LaMont noted that the BHDC considers a variety of factors, including
(but not limited to) whether the property is associated with significant events or persons,
whether the building /structure is visible from the street, the public benefit of retaining the
building /structure, and the current condition of the building.
Adjournment
The site visit was adjourned at 10:05 AM.
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December 7, 2018 Meeting Minutes
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