Historic District Commission Minutes 11/12/2020
Historic District Commission
TOWN OF SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, November 12, 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 7:01 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 Peter Adamowicz, Marguerite Carnell, Heather Goetz, Patty Hyyppa and Dianne Mead.
1. Appointment of Alternates
Ms. Carnell appointed Mr. Adamowicz as an alternate for the meeting.
III. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Public Workshop - Handbook Update
Ms. Carnell noted that Ken Livingston, Stephanie Dyer-Carroll and Rory Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. (FHI) will be guiding those in attendance through the workshop.
Mr. Glidden gave background on the project of updating the Handbook, which began about two years ago. The services of FHI were engaged to assist with the project. He noted FHI will present and the intent is for residents of the District to participate in the discussion.
Mr. Livingston screen shared a presentation entitled, “East Weatogue Historic District Handbook Update, Public Workshop, November 12, 2020.” He introduced Stephanie Dyer-Carroll and Rory Fitzgerald and gave background on the firm. Ms. Dyer-Carroll presented a map of the District and spoke about its characteristics. She then spoke about the role of the Historic District Commission (HDC) and the benefits of the Historic District for Simsbury and for property owners.
Ms. Fitzgerald spoke about what the Handbook is and what it does. She then explained why the Handbook is being updated, noting it is nearly 30 years old. The update will include photos from the District as much as possible, will make it more user-friendly and the map will be updated for readability. Next, she provided a snapshot of the work schedule, noting tasks including background research and working session, public workshop and updating the Handbook and map. She noted key tasks and the scope of work to be done and provided questions to lead the discussion.
Chad Alfeld of 26 E. Weatogue Street asked about the intention of updating the Handbook and whether it is staying the same in essence.
Ms. Fitzgerald responded that it will stay the same but will be more clear.
Ms. Dyer-Carroll added that they are going to look more comprehensively at styles.
Ms. Carnell responded that the essence will be the same but they will be addressing technology issues which did not exist or where not as prevalent in 1987. She gave the example of solar panels.
Mr. Alfeld asked if more styles will be added.
Ms. Carnell responded that more styles will be added.
Mr. Alfeld asked what those would be.
Ms. Carnell indicated mid-20th century styles.
Mr. Alfeld asked if mid-20th century styles being included was the intent of the HDC when it was established.
Ms. Carnell noted that when the District was established in 1987 and the National Register Nomination was written, there were buildings in the District that were not considered historic at the time because they were not yet 50 years of age. She referenced the passage of time, noting the definition of a historic period building is a building that has achieved 50 years of age. Being a Local Historic District, the HDC considers any building that is of the historic period in age as a potentially contributing resource to the Local Historic District.
Mr. Alfeld asked if that was not something that could have been spelled out at inception if that was the intent.
Ms. Carnell responded it may have been but that is the intent now.
Mr. Alfeld suggested that that was not the intent at the time and asked whether the intent of the time should be followed.
Ms. Dyer-Carroll noted the Handbook includes a 1970s shingled Cape as one of the historic styles. She added that it left off Italianate.
Ms. Fitzgerald asked what people like about the current handbook and what should be maintained in the update.
Mr. Alfeld responded that preserving the history that has already been captured should be maintained.
Denise Alfeld of 26 E. Weatogue Street addressed the group. She said the current handbook is a great start to what the residents were trying to do at the time it was written. She noted she was on the HDC and suggested the drawings be updated and the Handbook be put online. She noted there are more house styles now and those could be expanded. She suggested looking at Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) requests over the past five years and noting where the Commission has come into difficulty and whether things needed to be clarified.
Mr. Livingston noted the more they can clarify guidelines and regulations the better.
Ms. Fitzgerald asked if there is anything people dislike about the current handbook.
Ms. Alfeld asked if photos of all the homes with addresses would be included.
Ms. Fitzgerald noted that they have photos of all the homes and that can be discussed.
Ms. Alfeld indicated a photo with a description would be nice to have.
Marc Lubetkin of 107 East Weatogue Street commented that the Handbook is pretty good now but could use an update. He added that making it easier to understand the expectation will be wonderful. He expressed significant concern about not adding more restrictions. He noted the book needs to provide consistent guidance and said that guidance has varied greatly depending on commissioners serving during the past 18 years.
Ms. Goetz agreed with that statement, as a resident, noting that everyone that lives in the District respects and values it, but at the same time, tries to do what’s best for their homes, and don’t want to feel so constricted.
Mr. Alfeld agreed with Mr. Lubetkin’s and Ms. Goetz’s comments, adding that he would like to make sure the bar isn’t being raised and would like to see a document that is red-lined so it’s clear what has changed, if anything.
Mr. Lubetkin advocated for making the Handbook clear and clean so that the variable of opinion is eliminated or reduced.
Ms. Mead added that when the District was created and the Handbook was written residents had to vote to approve whether to make it a district or not. Regarding the concern about adding more restrictions, she brought up the issue of legality since the residents voted to approve the Handbook.
Ms. Alfeld asked if there are by-laws about making changes to the Handbook.
Mr. Lubetkin said nothing has been changed to date.
Ms. Carnell pointed out that the idea of updating the Handbook is not to add more onerous restrictions or add any new restrictions but to clarify what the restrictions are by applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, which are time tested and used by many historic districts all over the State. She noted there may be some specific instances, such as solar panels or shingles, that may be examined. She noted they will look into the approval process if there are additional situations that need to be addressed in the Handbook.
Mr. Lubetkin noted his understanding, based on his eight years on the Commission, is that the Commission has no authority whatsoever to comment on energy savings such as solar or wind. He added that the Commission does not have the authority to tell residents what color they can paint their house.
Ms. Carnell noted those issues will be clarified.
Ms. Fitzgerald asked if there is anything that people think would make the Handbook a success.
Mr. Alfeld asked that it be made clear what processes there are and how the Commission can help facilitate them, including considerations that should be taken into account and how to think about things. He noted that answering the questions before the questions (are asked) would be of value to residents. He added that the Handbook is fairly clear, but the steps to bring something forward, or expectations, need to be understood.
Ms. Fitzgerald referenced the slide indicating a sample application process diagram.
Mr. Alfeld suggested a frequently asked questions section could be of value.
Ms. Fitzgerald noted the general timeline schedule, adding that the hope is to get the Handbook wrapped up early 2021.
Mr. Alfeld reiterated that if there is a change in the material, it should be red-lined so that residents know if something of substance is changing. He also asked that resources available to residents be included, such as examples of engineers, consultants, design and general contractors.
Ms. Carnell noted there will be an appendix with a bibliography and a PDF with links to websites with useful information.
Mr. Lubetkin inquired if the Handbook will be online.
Ms. Carnell indicated that is the plan.
Ms. Alfeld asked if the history section will be updated.
Ms. Fitzgerald said it will be updated a little bit.
Ms. Goetz noted there is a need to fill resident positions on the Commission.
Ms. Carnell noted they are working with the Town attorney on clarifying that.
Mr. Glidden noted Bob DeCresenzo has been asked about the Statute versus the By-laws.
Ms. Hyyppa asked what the present Handbook states.
Mr. Glidden noted it is three regular members in the District and two alternates that live in the District.
Ms. Goetz asked why there is a discrepancy, adding that she thinks there is a need to have residents on this board.
Ms. Carnell noted the Handbook has conflicting information on pages 30 and 33. The Commission has been following the guidance in the Ordinance, at least two regular members and one alternate member. She said the By-laws note at least three regular members and two alternate members. She added that she has been trying for years to find other people in the District who would be willing to serve and it’s been a challenge. She noted there is one vacancy and it has been a challenge to get a quorum each month.
Ms. Alfeld asked how a vacancy is being announced, whether it’s a postcard or phone calls.
Ms. Carnell said there has not been a mailing; it has been word-of-mouth, or recommendations from people living in the District. She has sent a letter to several people who had served in the past and received no reply. She has also reached out to the nominating committees in the Town and further noted it has been a challenge.
Ms. Goetz noted the idea of a postcard is a good one.
Mr. Alfeld agreed that a communication to the residents would be a good idea.
Ms. Hyyppa agreed that a postcard is a great idea.
Ms. Goetz suggested that if there was a communication to each resident, that might help to decide whether three versus five residents are needed.
Mr. Alfeld indicated he did not see the discrepancy in the document.
Ms. Mead asked if party affiliation needs to be considered, as well.
Ms. Alfeld agreed.
Mr. Glidden noted the party affiliation question is mandated by State Statute.
Ms. Mead noted the first hurdle is to get people interested.
Ms. Alfeld asked what the Commission’s view on that is.
Mr. Glidden noted it is State Statute, Title VII, requiring minority representation.
Ms. Goetz inquired if there was someone looking to change that requirement town-wide.
Mr. Glidden noted this was part of the appointment process for independents on how to get on boards and indicated vacancies are posted on the Town Clerk’s website. Further, he noted people can apply online by submitting a letter of interest to serve on a board or commission. He added that this vacancy is posted on the Town Clerk’s website.
Ms. Goetz asked why there are not two vacancies.
Mr. Glidden responded that the Town Clerk’s website notes there is one vacancy with a term expiring in January 2021.
Mr. Alfeld asked if there is agreement that a communication sent to the residents makes sense.
Ms. Carnell noted agreement with that.
Ms. Goetz asked who the resident alternate is.
Mr. Glidden noted the alternates are Peter Adamowicz and Mark Nyquist, neither of whom live in the District.
Ms. Goetz asked how there are not two vacancies.
Mr. Glidden noted he has asked Bob DeCresenzo about this matter and recommended discussing this at the next meeting. Further, he noted agreement with Ms. Goetz, adding that it is something that needs to be addressed.
Ms. Carnell asked for any further questions or comments.
Mr. Alfeld asked if there was agreement that red-lining will take place.
Ms. Carnell noted there is not a digital form of the existing handbook and some of the content will be new prose.
Ms. Fitzgerald noted they have a Word file of the Handbook and changes can be tracked. Discussion followed.
Ms. Goetz asked if residents can review the updated Handbook before it is finalized.
Mr. Glidden noted it will be voted on by the Commission. The document will be uploaded and there will be a public meeting to go over the document prior to any adoption by the Commission.
Ms. Carnell thanked FHI for their time.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the November 5, 2020 Regular Meeting
MOTION: Ms. Carnell made a motion to postpone approval of the November 5, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes to the December 3, 2020 meeting. Ms. Mead seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Ms. Carnell moved to adjourn the meeting at7:58 P.M. Ms. Mead seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Haberlin
Commission Clerk