Design Review Board Minutes 11/16/2015
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
NOVEMBER 16, 2015
MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Jennifer Murnane, Chairperson, opened the Regular Meeting of the Design Review Board at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices. Other members and alternates in attendance were Jonathan Laschever, Anca Dragulski, Anthony Drapelick, Paul Lanza, and Ron Perry. Also present were Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairperson Murnane announced the resignation of John Carroll, Board Secretary, and appointed Commissioner Laschever to serve as the alternate.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Informal review of façade changes on the property owned by Timothy P. and Thomas E. Vincent, located at 776-782 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G10, Block 205, Lot 005). Zone SC-1.
The informal property review for 776-782 Hopmeadow Street was read into the record.
The representative indicated they are requesting permission for a temporary doorway covering for the property front to bring the building front up to code, provide a lighted entry to the business, prevent further ice and rain damage, and because of the step up/down at the entrance to create a safer pedestrian entry. The representative indicated their goal to complete this work before the First Night Celebration, and this differs from material provided in the Board packet. The representative clarified this would be the temporary solution pending grant approval for full porch restoration. Town Staff confirmed the $68K grant request has not yet been submitted; and components discussed with the property owner have not been completed to date, including a caveat under the proposed historic structure grant requiring affordable apartments on the 2nd floor.
The Board commented that it appeared permission was being requested for work already done, as shown in photos provided. The representative indicated the 2nd floor door was approved by the Fire Marshall for replacement by a window to be used for the residents’ egress. The Board discussed work to be done included finishing trim work with column enclosures. Regarding a guarantee that this temporary work would not become permanent, Town Staff noted there is some difficulty in doing that. The Board suggested the temporary solution may not be economic; however, the representative indicated the 1st-floor tenant is currently in arrears and property taxes are due in January; and the owner confirmed that rent payments will not resume until the property front is at an acceptable safe standard to the tenant. The representative confirmed that currently there are 2nd floor tenants who exit to the building rear. The Board discussed whether to allow the temporary work to move forward, preventing it from becoming permanent, and longer term that the property owner needs funding from the grant application. Town Staff confirmed the property owner is looking for Board input regarding acceptability of their proposal; copies of the May meeting when this proposal was originally presented were included in the Board’s packet.
The Board asked about the ½ columns, trim material, siding above in relation to the vinyl siding below given that the front will be torn out. The representative could not confirm whether the entire front would be renovated prior to First Night. The representative confirmed his family was trying to find an agreeable solution for all parties involved. The Board discussed what materials would be acceptable for a couple of years, including finished painted historically-appropriate white wood or PVC trim board; emergency ingress/egress via the 2nd floor window; integrated bumped out bays surrounded with flush wood/material; replacing yellow siding with white historically-appropriate clapboard siding; true finished painted wood or polycast material columns; the front entry would be removed and replaced with one of a scale and dimension where the columns provide a more dynamic center; and the existing building coin-style corners should remain and also be carried down. The representative confirmed their concern that the work be completed before bad weather. Town Staff indicated in concert with the Zoning Enforcement Officer work on the property was recently stopped so they are now requesting permission, and believed the Board has now provided a significant amount of direction. The Board agreed that the Chair could authorize Staff to issue a building permit; to date, they have worked without a permit. The representative clarified that a final detailed plan would be provided by the property owner to Town Staff clarifying the materials and illustrating they are historically appropriate, including the cut of the LED light fixture in the awning which should not be visible; and Town Staff would expedite the plan to the Board Chair.
IV. CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Board Member Lanza made a motion that the Chairperson send a letter to John Carroll thanking him for his service and many years on the Board.
Board Member Drapelick seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from October 19, 2015
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to approve the October 19, 2015 minutes, as written.
Board Member Perry seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Drapelick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
Board Member Lanza seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.