Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
November 18, 2014
Members present: Chair Linda Messana, LM; Lucy Kennedy, LK; Ken Fowler, KF
Absent with notification: Elaine Steinert, ES
Informal discussion with prospective business regarding application of HDC Bylaws. (Moved from Oct. 7, 2014. On Oct. 14th, rescheduled again to Nov. 4tt until it was realized that Nov. 4th is Election Day, and we cannot have meetings on Election Days. Confirmed with Jeromy Richardson to move to Nov. 18th.)
Presenting the potential project were: Jeromy Richardson and Tim Eagles of EDM, Pittsfield, MA; Tony Chojnowski and Evelyn Pascal.
Also present was Kate McNulty-Vaughan.
Mr. Richardson, representing Mr. Chojnowski, stated that Mr. Chojnowski wishes to relocate his business, Casablanca, from Housatonic St., to a property he owns at 50 Church St., Map 43 Parcel 120 which is presently a three family residential building.
Mr. Eagles described the potential project and provided visuals. At this point, he said, the initial project would involve the main building, and not the garage. The structure does not lend itself to a commercial use, due to the age and 7.5 foot ceiling heights. They would like to expand to accommodate some accessibility items, in particular an elevator, and increase footprint. The plan is to recreate with new materials while maintaining the look and feel of the existing structure but adapted to a business. The proposed structure would have 9 to 10 foot ceilings. The height would be at or within the 35 foot building height which would be 4-5 feet higher than the existing. The exterior materials would be low maintenance material which could be wood, fiber cement or
something in between, but in the end would have the appearance of wood. The existing windows are not original and are vinyl. Mr. Eagles said that they have done some research of the building circa 1888, and believes the windows would be one over one. They will continue to do research and their goal is to recreate, keeping the individuality of the building.
LK read from the Form B and said this building is important historically and architecturally. The home is known as the Mahanna House and is one of the few shingle style two story buildings in Lenox and a reproduction would maintain the integrity that style which has different surfaces and colors. Though the garage is not a part of this phase, she said that it reflects the original use of the property. Mr. Chojnowski was interested in the historical aspects shared by LK. She offered to share what she has. LK also said that before this project can proceed, the owner will need to come before the HDC for demolition and bring in detailed plans. The proponents plan to put together a formal application and return to the HDC.
PVI Lenox Village, LLC Nejaime’s Wine Cellar, 60-68 Main St., Map 43 Parcel 196, repairs to building damaged by an automobile. There will be a change in the appearance of the area being repaired.
Presenting his application was Joe Nejaime. Originally the area that was damaged was glass, but now he would like to fill that area in with the same siding which exists on the front of the building. Not part of the application, but Mr. Nejaime wants to place a sconce to match an existing sconce at this location. The Commission agreed to the matching sconce.
LK made a motion to approve the damage remediation as visually presented and described. KF seconded the motion and the Commission approved 3-0.
Steve Oakes/27 Housatonic St. LLC, 27 Housatonic St., Map 43 Parcel 176 -Review of a small modification plans which were approved by the Historic District Commission July 5, 2014.
Present was Anthony Allegrone and Steve Oakes. Plans were presented and reviewed by Mr. Allegrone. They wish to make the store front, not a part of the original building, flush with the exterior wall. The foyer areas were additions after the building was moved to this location. This will be a better use of space and provide a cleaner look. Additionally it will provide accessibility for wheelchairs.
LK stated that she has no problem with the reconfiguration as proposed, but that she is concerned about the aluminum doors which appear to her to be too modern, as she feels that material is contrary to the historical integrity use. It was noted that the doors were discussed at the time the original project was approved and therefore not a part of this discussion. Mr. Allegrone felt that this material was best for this application, but agreed that he would look into the possibility of different material.
LK made a motion to approve the change in entrances as presented KF seconded the motion.
LM asked Mr. Oakes about his plans regarding the cupola restoration. He said that he has put together a package for the Community Preservation Committee for financial assistance. He said that this may not be appropriate for public funds, but in reading the criteria, he feels that the restoration of this historic feature would be a public service for the visual profile of the community.
Approve Minutes-
September 16, 2014: LK made a motion to approve the minutes. KF seconded the motion. The Commission agreed 3-0.
October 28, 2014: Tabled as ES was not present and LK had not been at that meeting.
Note: The meeting of November 4th was canceled as it was Election Day.
Other Business-
LK said that there are problems with Realtors® not properly disclosing the privileges and obligations of owning property in the Historic District, therefore she submitted the following draft and asked that this topic be placed on the next agenda.
Reminder about Lenox Historic District (to list of realtors – registered letter)
Please be sure to inform prospective purchasers within the Lenox Historic District (see map attached) that properties within the District cannot be demolished or substantially altered without approval of the Lenox Historic District.
The District was formed in 1975 (?) to preserve the scale and historic integrity of the area described by the map. This preservation adds substantially to the value of properties within it. However, that value is maintained only by assuring that construction and renovation follow Historic District Guidelines.
Specifically, owners of Historic District properties cannot construct or substantially alter the exterior of a property within the District without review by the Historic District Commission and issuance of a certificate of appropriateness. The Commission uses Historic District Guidelines and the local and state Historic District Bylaws (see Town of Lenox website) to guide issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
The Bylaws and Guidelines include prohibitions including those on
-demolishing structures
-substantially changing the exterior appearance or removing architectural details
-altering setback, landscaping or fencing
-adding permanent signs larger than one square foot.
No ruling by the Commission is needed on interior renovations, paint color, or temporary signs (although these need to be approved by the Board of Selectmen).
This is not a complete list and any prospective or current owner contemplating renovation of a property within the Historic District should review the information noted above on the Town website and then pursue a hearing with the Historic District Commission through the Town’s Land Use Office at Town Hall.
LK made a motion to adjourn. KF seconded the motion. The Commission voted to adjourn 3-0 at 6:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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