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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-29 Old Center Historic District Commission Minutes DRAFT OCHDC Meeting Minutes for September 29, 2022 Motion to open the meeting at 6:40 Motion made by Kathy syzka Second by Leslie Frazier In attendance Mike Linihan Roger Lawson Leslie Frazier Laurie Craney Harry Azarion Kathy Szyska Ryan Schruender Mark spenson speaking on behalf of the historical commission Presenting for 800 mass ave and 153 Academy road n campus 800 mass ave (Stevens center) Install 18x24 history Panel in former marquee location replacing the NAHS si in front of building 153 Academy road (Johnson Cottage Complex) Install 15x28 History panel byentry door in existing marquees install 2x5 wayfinding sign on fence gate this is exemptfrom the by law (under 1 foot by 1 foot area) Install `10x16 way finding sign at rear entry Harry opened up to the commission to go over the sign one at a time Roger asked about the material for the signs James warden stated Material is a plastic type material similar to PVC Harry asked about placement of the sign with parallel vs 90 degrees to the road James stated it makes more sense to keep it parallel. Should be roughly 10 -12 from the road Leslie asked about the size compared to what is there James stated sign is twice is wide and 60% bigger Leslie asked about the logo James says it is TBD Harry asked if they could stake out where the sign would be Laurie stated she thought this sign was a great compromise. She would like to see something that blends in Mike asked about the material of the two posts,. James stated they should be square granite posts Mike asked about the hanging sign at the bottom. James stated he thought it would only be one hanging sign at the bottom Roget asked if this would be similar to the sign at the corner of Elmand Main Street Leslie asked about what exactly will be on the sign James said he thought it would be more classical looking to last the test of time.It is TBD at the moment though Leslie asked about the shape of the sign. James said it is TBD Harry asked about lighting the sign Mark stated it could be light but it will be not something super bright Harry has we have specified that level of lumens so we will work on getting that information to them Kathy stated she liked the sign.For the finished product she likes the more classical look.She state the machine shop village sign would be lower than what this would look like.She thought they should just have the one sign Harryasked James for the graphic design people to come up with some renderings so we can see what it would looklike James agreed to do this Harry moved on to the sign on the front by the door of the brick building. He talked about this is a replacement sign to what is there. Mike stated he would be for something that is traditional and simple Roger stated heechoesMikes comments stated again he wants to see renderings Leslie stated she does not have a problem with it Marked asked if we would like to sign to be more classical or have pictures on it, Harry stated we are outside of the by law.The original by law says the sign has to be a wood painted sign.He says the commission understands times have changed and we are willing to work as long as the sign meets the commissionsguidelines for today Mike stated he would want consistency in the signs on the property as well Laurie asked about other signs on the common that might have the same material. Laurie asked about the sheen is it shiny or matte. James says it a little sheeny but matte as well. Like a satin finish Kathy says she does not have an issue with it.She likes that it connects across the campus ng the red background would look good and to maybe bring some other ideas Kathy stated she likes the sign on the Johnson cottage. She likes that it identify the buildings and says what it is, Laurie stated that the white background would work with and this sign makes sense Leslie asked about if there will be pictures on the this sing as well Mark says yes to show some historical photos Leslie asked if there has been a signs in front the current hanging sign by academy Mark says that sign would stay Harry says they may want to review the hanging sign.He says they may want to put that sign on the package as well Roger stated he is in favor of the sign Mike was fine with it as well thought it might be good to be complimentaryto the sign above the door Harry moved on to the sign on the back of the Johnson cottage Ryan stated he was fine with it as long as it fits with everything else Kathy stated she liked the sign would explain what the building is Laurie says she doesn Leslieasked about lighting James says there is a light there that lights up the area but is open to lighting for the sign. Ryan asked about if they have to go to the ZBA for this Harry suggested they talk with the building inspector as well just to be sure Rogerand mike said they are fine with the sign James asked about hanging the sign from the arch Commission stated they liked it on the wall. Harry told James they need a written request for a continuance until the next meeting,. James and mark signed for the continuance. graphic design, Motion made for the continuance for the cert of appropriateness for 800 mass ave and 153 Academy road.Motion made by Mike Linihan and seconded by Leslie Frazier Harry opened the discussion for the second burial ground Laura biblerthe architect for the property opened the presentation with a quick review of what has been discussed in the past. Laura stated she wanted to focus tonight on the entry way. When we met on site there was a lot of questions about the old building that were on site.Laura showed the rough outlines of where the buildings were.The blue outlines show the possible buildings foundations. Laura said the stone wall will mirror the one that is existing. Laura talked about the serpentine wall. The material will be a single wide brick. She says this wall will define the space Kathy stated she did not like the serpentine wall at all. Laura askedif the commission would be open to something besides the serpentine wall. Harry stated he understands what they are trying to do but he is not sure he wants to give up the site line of seeing the cemetery from the street Laura stated there could be analternative to the brick wall that she could come back with another option. Roger mentioned something Like a rod iron fence proposed Mike says he was struggling with the wall.He likes the idea of the welcome center.His thought was to put granite posts with some iron rods something that would be more see through.Mike is fine with a delineation but just not what is there Roger stated he is fine with something to delineate and fine with the welcome center Leslie said she always thought the open space never made sense to her.She always thought something should be there.She does not like the serpentine wall. She likes mikes idea Laurie said she would repeat what other people said.She said the site visit helped a lot.The She liked that Laura explained the reason for the welcome center. Harry opened to the public One of the neighbors stated on behalf of the neighbors they like the idea of a delineation and did not like the serpentine wall.They would like to see something that similar to the material that is already there,. Mark Spenson would like to see something related to the Franklin Academy to talk about the history there. Harry stated he agreed that it is a country setting and to get the essence of what this could represent a simple setting James warden states she likes what Laura is trying to do but it need work to balance with what is there on the street now. Mike asked if the patio can be where the old foundation for the franklin academy was. A member of the public stated she thought this project violated the secretary of the interior standards.She thought this should maintain the country cemetery feeling Harry stated where he struggled with the idea just having it be a country cemetery.The front part was not just a cemetery it was where the franklin academy was.The front should be something since it was not a cemetery. Harry stated Ridgewood has done some nice things with the rehabs of the property with cleaning up the site and doing a mapping of the grave sites and cleaning up some of the head stones.He also mentioned this proposalmeeting some additional needs to make the property more accessible and they do add some form of education through the use of a signage board. Laura talked about a wood maybe split rail fence going along the boundary of the burial ground Harry stated he liked the idea of.a fence but was afraid a wooden fence might not las the test of time.What happens down the line when the fence is falling apart. Harry asking about some type of shrubbery Laura stated they talked about some Shrubbery but mainly to block some sites lines of items outside the cemetery. Harry said he would send some photos he has of fences on academy lane Leslie stated she thought the fence would weather to the point where it would disappear. Harry asked if Laura has talked with the Direct abutters Laura stated she has but will reach out to clarify the materials. Laurie asked how tall the fence was Laura said the fence would be 4 feet and the rock wall 3 feet Harry asked about along the back line there is a stone wall what was the point of it. Laura does not know when it arrived only knows it goes beyond the boundaries of this property. Harry asked the board if anyone is against the idea of a fence on either side Mike said he was fine with the fence The rest of the board agreed they are fine with it. Laura asked if there are strong feeling about putting gates in the front of the property Kathystated what about a gate with a arch entrance, The board all agreed no gate but said maybe something there as a place holder to show the potential of the gate but have it open all the time, Members were not opposed to a gate at the second part of the entrance. Laura touched briefly on the signage mainly about location of where it would go Mike stated he would like the sign to disappear and not be seen front the road. Leslie asked about with the gate would it be an issue for mowing Laura said they would account for that,. Laura brought up somepictures from mount auburn in Cambridge just to consider some of the items they have put there since it is around the same time as SBG. Motion to adjourn was made by Leslie Frazier Seconded by Kathy Szyska Meeting adjourned at 9:45