Historic District Commission Minutes 10/01/2020
Historic District Commission
TOWN OF SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 5:00 P.M.
Zoom Meeting/Simsbury Community Television Live Stream
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order at 7:03 P.M. via Zoom Meeting/Simsbury Community Television Live Stream. Also in attendance was Laura Barkowski, Land Use Specialist; Michael Glidden, Director of Planning & Community Development; Karen Haberlin, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.
II. ROLL CALL
Commission members present were Julie Carmelich, Marguerite Carnell, Heather Goetz and Patty Hyyppa.
1. Appointment of Alternates
Ms. Carnell appointed Ms. Hyyppa as an alternate for the meeting.
III. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
1. 52 East Weatogue Street
Ms. Carnell began the discussion by noting this is a brick, cape-type house built in 1955. She invited the proposed applicant to speak.
Ron Mairano noted he is looking for guidance from the Commission on what he is thinking about building on that piece of property. He referenced submitted pictures of a proposed house and noted he has not purchased the property at this time.
Ms. Carnell noted this is a historic district and any work done on the property, including removal of buildings, would need a certificate of appropriateness.
Mr. Mairano noted his plan is to take down the existing structures on the property and to build a new structure.
Ms. Carnell noted the structures are in a local historic district and are protected as historic properties.
Mr. Mairano noted he spoke with several builders about building around the 1955 house. However, what he wants to build is not conducive to keeping that structure. He would like to build a more modern farmhouse-type structure and the two buildings on the property don’t allow him to do that.
Mr. Glidden screen shared the submitted pictures for the group to view. It was noted the proposed house is similar to the 10 East Weatogue application.
Ms. Carnell noted that this would be the first “tear down” that has come before the District.
Mr. Glidden confirmed that.
Ms. Carnell went on to explain that the local historic district is based on a National Historic District designation. This district was registered in 1990 and the cut-off date for eligible properties was 1940. The period of significance for this nomination ends in 1940. She added that if the nomination was done today, the period of significance would be later and would likely include this house as a contributing resource. She added that the Commission considers all properties in the District to be contributing features. It was noted the new structure on this property was completed in 2003. Ms. Carnell referenced the different types of houses in the District. Further, she noted concern about a proposal to demolish the 1955 cape house.
Ms. Hyyppa noted that she demolished buildings on her property ten years ago in order to build a horse barn. She added that she is a neighbor to this property and noted her approval of the proposal.
Ms. Goetz noted that the proposed home is additive to the area, adding she is also a neighbor.
Ms. Carmelich commented that the cape style is an example of the evolution of the District, noting that has value and should be considered. She asked Mr. Mairano where he would site the house and if it could be moved.
Mr. Mairano responded he didn’t think that would add value. He further spoke about the property size, its two years on the market and his discussions with builders about keeping the existing house.
Ms. Goetz spoke about the possibility of the existing house becoming “run down.”
Ms. Carnell noted there are other modest houses in the District. She added she is fine with the design of the proposed house if it was on an open lot.
Ms. Goetz noted that the Commission should look at every single property in and of itself.
Ms. Hyyppa suggested that some of the brick from the 1955 house could be salvaged.
Mr. Mairano noted he has not purchased the property yet and further spoke about how his proposal would add to the area.
Ms. Carnell asked about the square footage of the proposed house.
Mr. Mairano responded it would be about 4,000 square feet including the garages.
Ms. Carnell noted that the Commission is split on its response to Mr. Mairano’s proposal and if he decides to pursue the project, he is invited to bring the design to the Commission as a formal application.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Update Handbook
Ms. Carnell introduced Stephanie Dyer-Carroll and Rory Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. (FHI). There was discussion about what has been prepared to date. Ms. Carnell referenced her suggestions made to the Table of Contents and asked commissioners to submit their comments to her for collating.
Ms. Carmelich agreed with Ms. Carnell’s suggestion to remove the section on signage guidelines and to make the site guidelines much larger. She added that the signage guidelines can be rolled into the general information. It was noted the Commission does not regulate landscaping.
Ms. Goetz made comments on the Savanah example, Step 2, Certificate of Appropriateness, noting the boxed list of materials was very useful, as well as Step 4 of that example. She thought Nashville’s permit process chart and dates to remember were good as well. She thought the “Top Ten Reasons to Save Historic Windows” and the “Top Ten Infill Considerations” were also good to include.
Ms. Carnell added that the Commission will need to think about which house styles to include, noting that colonial revival, capes and ranches should be included. She also suggested adding street numbers to the map.
Ms. Fitzgerald noted that can be done and the map can be split up into three segments to increase the size. It was noted the current handbook has a centerfold map. There was discussion about boundaries of the District and it was noted that some houses on the map are not actually in the District.
Mr. Glidden recommended that a note be added indicating, “This is not a survey.”
Ms. Dyer-Carroll noted they will check on those buildings that may not be in the District.
Ms. Carnell noted there has been great progress on the Handbook and discussed next steps, including when to have a public workshop. She suggested doing mailers and noted she would like to get as many people as possible in the District interested.
Mr. Glidden recommended the public workshop be held in early December in order to get the word out in multiple outlets. He noted it will be broadcast on Zoom. It was agreed that a special meeting will be held on November 12 at 7:00 P.M. for the public workshop.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the September 8, 2020 Special Meeting
The following changes were made to the September 8, 2020 Special Meeting minutes:
• Under Section III, Item 6, the last sentence in paragraph 3 should read: “He noted the application has been seen before and has some changes, including colors and a change in window style from six-over-six to two-over-two.”
• Under Section III, Item 6, paragraph 8 should read: “Ms. Carnell noted that style is typically seen on vernacular outbuildings, not on houses.”
• Under Section III, Item 6, paragraph 16 should read, “Ms. Carnell clarified that the application for the Battiston’s house only had the standing seam copper…”
• Under Section III, Item 6, paragraph 25 should read, “Ms. Carnell closed the public hearing and made observations on the application, noting no problems except significant concerns with the proposed change to board-and-batten siding in the gables, and noting that the proposed metal roof does not meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for new construction in this historic district.”
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to approve the Minutes from the September 8, 2020 Special Meeting as amended. Ms. Carmelich seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Carmelich requested that General Commission Business be added to future agendas.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Carnell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 P.M. Ms. Hyyppa seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Haberlin
Commission Clerk