Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
September 7, 2010
Members present: Chair Jason Berger, JB; Steve Sample, SS; Elaine Steinert, ES; Jim Harwood, JH, Ken Fowler, KF
Staff present: Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA; Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA
Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, Main Street at the intersections of Franklin St (Map 43 Parcel 69) and Cliffwood St. (Map 43 Parcel 80) erect two covered seating areas in two locations. Continued from August 17, 2010.
KF did not participate in this hearing as he was not present at the initial hearing.
Prior to this continued hearing, there was a site visit at Aspinwell at Pittsfield Rd., for the purpose of seeing an existing shelter that is the same as the proposed shelters. Following that site visit the Commissioners went to the proposed locations on Main Street.
Making the presentation was Scott Laugenour who represents BRTA. He said that the Lenox employers he has spoken to are in favor of the shelters for their employees who use public transportation. He also feels that the use of the shelters sends a message that Lenox is friendly to public transportation.
SS made a motion to approve the free of cost shelters without accepting the bench that comes with them and use the Town appropriate benches that currently exist. ES seconded. The Commission voted to approve 3-1 with JH opposing.
Lenox Housing Authority (The Curtis), 6 Main St., Map 43 Parcel 166. Certificate of Appropriateness for the repair of the northwest corner of the first floor with the replacement of deck, structure and four columns.
Present was Jack Barbara of Bradley Architects, Roy Goldsmith who is the contractor and Meb Joyner, the Housing Director of the Housing Authority.
Mr. Barbara made the presentation and stated that they wish to keep the repairs as maintenance free as possible, by using either painted aluminum or fiberglass at the base.
Ms. Joyner said that been given $50,000.00 in CPA funds. She feels that a composite base should be used instead of wood because of rotting. There is a ten year warranty for the bases that they propose for this project.
Mr. Goldsmith stated that the bases proposed look just like wood and have a small cutout to allow for ventilation which helps to prevent rot. He told the Commission that the columns and bases will be exact.
Mr. Barbara asked that once the HDC approves, and as they progress, they would like permission to replace other bases with the same composite bases.
Paula Almgren of 1 West St. on August 30, 2010 wrote a letter of support.
JH made a motion to accept the proposal to repair the northwest corner of the first floor porch in matching materials and profiles with the exception that the column bases will match in profile in polystone. KF seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 5-0.
Liliana Arteaga-Tucker Shots Café, 27 Housatonic Street, Suite D Map 43 Parcel 176, additional sign.
Present was Bill Thornton, Building Inspector.
Matthew Tucker made the presentation. He is requesting an additional sign so that traffic on Church Street will know of the restaurant’s existence.
Mr. Thornton stated that the Zoning Bylaw permits a second sign for a business that is on a corner lot which has parking in the year, but the second sign has to be on the back of the building.
It was agreed that the applicant will provide the Commission with information on where and how the second sign will be attached as well as a photo of the back of the building. SS made a motion to continue the hearing to September 21, 2010 at 5:30. KF seconded the motion and the Commission voted to agree 5-0.
Carmela and Serge Paccaud, 71 Church Street (Map 43, Parcel 82), replacement of railings along the perimeter of the porch.
Serge Paccaud made the presentation. He provided a sample of the post and rail, top and bottom. The top and bottom would be cedar and PVC would be used for the posts and balusters.
There was also discussion regarding pipe hand rail for the stairways.
The Commission requested that the applicant return with a larger sample of the rail with more than one post so that they could see the spacing. KF made a motion to continue the hearing to September 21, 2010 at 5:30 pm. JH seconded the motion and the Commission voted to continue the hearing 5-0.
Trinity Church, 11 Walker Street, Map 40 Parcel 39, remove a deteriorated existing wooden structure that leads to a hatchway, repair the foundation of the building and replace that existing wooden structure with a steel custom size bulkhead.
Paul Horton, contractor for the work being done, made the presentation. He provided photos of existing structure.
JH made a motion to accept the application as presented and KF seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 6-0.
Minutes: August 17, 2010-JH made a motion to approve the minutes as amended and ES seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 4-0. KF abstained as he was not at the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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