Historic District Commission Minutes 05/07/2015
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2015
MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING
I. ROLL CALL
Chairperson Diane Mead called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Commission members present were Betty Woollacott, Marguerite Rodney, and Julie Carmelich. Also in attendance were Rachel Blatt, Assistant Town Planner; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairperson Mead appointed Julie Carmelich to serve as alternate for the vacancy.
III. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Possible update to Historic District Handbook
The Commissioners reviewed the remaining pages of the Handbook beginning with page 17 commenting as follows:
1) On page 17 under "Maintenance", in the last sentence an apostrophe is inserted in "inhabitant's" and the comma removed.
2) On page 17 under "Repair", in the first sentence remove the word "easily". In the last sentence, delete the words "best and".
3) The Commissioners expressed general preference for using the word "house", rather than "home". The Commissioners noted commas are back in usage.
4) On page 17 under "Replacement", in the first sentence change "material" to "materials". The first sentence of the second paragraph is deleted. Also in the 2nd paragraph for the sentence, "When adding a porch to a house which..." change "which" to "that" and also in the last sentence change to "A new porch that resembles the old...". For the last paragraph, a statement is needed that "if the porch is over 50 years of age removing the porch can impact the integrity of the structure with Commission review required on a case-by-case basis", should an applicant want to remove a porch.
5) Commissioner Woollacott contacted the original handbook illustrator who has so far been unable to locate the original drawings; Town Staff indicated to date they have located a digital copy in house and text around illustrations should be easy to adjust. Town Staff noted grant funding is available to bring in expert assistance. The Commissioners noted that Anita could be a great resource, as well.
6) On page 19 under "Replacement", in the last sentence change "Alternative material" to "Alternative materials". Under "Addition", the Commissioners suggested clarifying what addition is and expanding on technology. Town Staff noted grant funding could be applied for to bring in an expert regarding specific topics, e.g. solar panels on houses.
7) An entablature was explained to be a molding piece for a column or cornice at the top.
8) On page 21 under "Addition", the Commissioners suggested calling it "Replacement of Missing/Absent Architectural Ornaments" since it is about adding specific missing ornaments.
9) Also on page 21 with the next section called "New Additions", the Commissioners noted that Town Staff previously discussed the need for clear distinction of handbook areas, such as different types of additions. Under "New Additions" in the 2nd paragraph, in the 3rd sentence, the words "attempt to" are deleted. The last sentence of the 2nd paragraph is deleted.
10) Regarding the 1987 map, Town Staff indicated work is ongoing to put an entire outline map of the Town into the GIS accessed by a button on the home page; the map would include overlays of zoning, wetlands topography, natural diversity database locations, aquifers, etc., which may be important information for home buyers. The Commissioners discussed the value of colors to differentiate items on the map could be especially valuable online.
11) On page 22 under "New Construction", in the last sentence of the 1st paragraph the words "from the 1990's and into the next" are deleted, and replaced with "into the 21st century". Regarding clarity of the last sentence of the section about a 2nd review prior to issuing a COO, Town Staff clarified for a COO there would always be an inspection by the building and zoning officials to assure setbacks and correct locations with all filed applications reviewed by those officials; Staff suggested language that "Staff shall review in advance of the COO, including any modifications that may be required for Applications to be official."; Procedures could be developed with step-by-step instructions for applicants.
12) On page 2 under "Site", add a comma in the 2nd sentence after "signs" and also after "detract from" and remove the comma following "contemporary".
13) On page 23 under "Landscaping", in the 2nd sentence delete "which" and replace it with "that" and the word "through" is corrected to "though".
14) On page 23 under "Fences and Walls", in the 2nd sentence a comma is added after "fencing".
15) The Commissioners discussed changing the word "should" to "shall" throughout the document to provide more clarity for specific requirements; a final Commission review of the handbook is anticipated.
16) On page 24 under "Utility Lines", in the first line the spelling of the word "utility" should be corrected.
17) On page 2 under "Mailboxes", Town Staff noted the need for more clarity about whether they come before the Commission; the Commissioners discussed the federal right of way regulation for mailboxes with placement of fences questionable; temporarily placed items, e.g. nonprofit signs, are not regulated by the Commission; Town Staff will do some research.
18) Regarding "Signage Guidelines", Town Staff indicated all temporary signs must come through the Planning Office for approval to prevent out-of-town entities under item (a) from placing signs on people's property; nonprofit event signs are allowed to have a sign up for 60 days on private property and 2 weeks on public property. Town Staff clarified that while contract work is ongoing on a property, they are allowed to have a sign up; a Town review regarding all signs is under way. The Commission requested input regarding what the regulations are in other historic districts; Town Staff indicated input from an expert could also be of benefit in this area. In the last sentence of the 1st paragraph, the Commissioners suggested reworking the language to read "Signs as may be allowed within the Historic District ...". Under (g) in the 2nd sentence, the word "The" is inserted before "Real" which is changed to "real".
19) Under Bibliography, "A Field Guide to American Houses" has a new expanded/updated 2013 edition that should now be referred to.
20) Under Bibliography, a new reference should be added for the National Register registration/study by David Ransom who wrote the East Weatogue Historic District NRN.
21) The Commissioners further discussed, similar to what West Hartford does, the potential of giving awards for homes beautifully maintained, even when they are outside the Historic District; Town Staff will further research such an award process.
22) Under "Bibliography", it was noted the "Connecticut Historical Commission" no longer exists and should be replaced with "at the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office in Hartford".
23) On page 27, the application will be updated.
24) From "Stop-Work Order" onward, Town Staff should address/review the necessary detail changes and any legal issues, including correction of the newspaper reference under "Legal Notices".
25) Town Staff noted the need for a section on how to update the rules.
Town Staff indicated hiring a consultant requires scheduling for the 10th of the month and will draft a grant request along with the Handbook redraft.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 5, 2015
Chairperson Mead made a motion to approve the February 5, 2015 Minutes, as written.
Commissioner Rodney seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
The Commissioners further discussed reviewing the National Register nomination to see if the period of significance from 1710-1940 should be extended; 3 dwellings representing the 1950's were found: 1) #9 East Weatogue, a 1954 ranch on the west side; 2) #52 East Weatogue, a brick cape on the east side; and 3) #92 East Weatogue, a ranch with a type of log siding on the east side. The Commissioners discussed criteria regarding contributing/non-contributing features of properties and issues regarding demolition, and Town Staff will research lot size.
V. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Mead made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Commissioner Carmelich seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.