Town of Lenox
Historic District Commission
Minutes
November 21, 2006
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Ken Fowler (KF), Jason Berger(JB), Elaine Steinert(ES), Kate McNulty Vaughan(KM-V)
5:30 p.m. Minutes
5:45 p.m. Amy Zuckerman, 4 Kemble St., Map 7 Parcel 22-4, Add dormer on North and South elevation of house.
Presenting the application was William Caligari, Designer and the owners of the property, Amy Zuckerman and Morey Brown. Mr. Caligari said that the dormers would make the master bath and closet functional. The Commission reviewed the detailed drawings presented. JB made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness and KF seconded the motion. The Commission approved 4-0.
6:00 p.m. St. Ann Church, 134 Main Street, Map 46 Parcel 54, lights. Making the presentation was Joe Cacciola and Rob Hoogs. Mr. Hoogs is with Foresight Land Services. Mr. Cacciola said that the original application requested approval for nine pole lights, but they have decided there is only a need for six lights. A drawing showing the locations of the lights was presented. Three of the lights will be replacing existing lights; the other three are placed in the vicinity of the new hall and new walkways. One lights the handicapped parking. Incandescent bulbs will be used in a carriage light style light posts that are 7.5 feet tall. The lighting is for lighting the walkways, (a safety measure) and landscaping will shield the neighbor’s property. JB made a
motion to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness and ES seconded the motion. The Commission approved 4-0.
6:15 p.m. Paula Almgren, One West Street, Map 43 Parcel 14, sign. Mr. and Mrs. Almgren were present. Mrs. Almgren is an attorney and she wishes to place a 2’ by 2’, double sided sign on an existing sign post that is perpendicular to the building on West Street. It will be black with gold lettering with the look of carved wood. JB made a motion to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness and ES seconded the motion. The Commissioned approved 4-0.
Other business:
· Lenox Library Reading Park: Letter from Deborah Winslow regarding the proposed sale by the Lenox Library of the Reading Park was discussed. The letter was addressed to the Select Board, but was sent to the HDC as a matter of information. No action was required.
· George Jordan/Verizon Building at 48 Walker Street: Letter written by Mr. Jordan dated September 14, 2006 requesting to meet with the HDC to discuss improvements to this building. PA will write a letter to Mr. Jordan advising to submit an application. (Letter sent November 22, 2006.)
· Minutes-The following were reviewed and approved:
a.) June 6, 2006
b.) September 5, 2006
c.) October 3, 2006
ES made a motion to approve the three sets of minutes and JB seconded. The Commission approved 4-0 the minutes of June 6 and October 3. The Commission approved 3-0 the minutes of September 5. (KM-V abstained on the minutes of September 5 as she was not present at that meeting.)
· Signs: At the September 5, 2006 meeting, the Commission discussed the responsibility of the HDC with regard to applications with potential zoning violations, as the HDC is responsible for the appropriateness and not the zoning. It was decided to discuss this further at a later meeting. At tonight’s meeting the Commission reviewed Section 7.10 of the Lenox Zoning Bylaw, which relates to signs in the Historic District. This section states the Building Inspector determines that the sign complies with the Zoning Bylaw before the applicant comes before the HDC.
· Sign violations: Two letters received from Tony Schwartz, owner of Homer’s and SoCo, in which he responded to letters (June 2006) from the Building Inspector citing sign violations at his two businesses. Mr. Schwartz wrote that he felt the HDC action was “selective in nature and a detriment to the business environment within the Historic District”.
The Commission discussed the need for follow-up on the violations once a letter has been sent out by the Building Inspector. JB felt that the HDC should advise the Building Inspector of continued violations in addition to new violations, and on continued violations, have the Building Inspector impose a fine. KF suggested the HDC investigate another process. JB suggested the Select Board be advised of violations so that when the time comes for renewal of licenses, they could possibly require the business owner to remedy violations.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola (PA)
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