Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 3, 2005
Place: |
Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
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Present:
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Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Paul Sagristano (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), Tom Keogh (Alternate)
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Absent: |
None
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Agenda: |
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum 2. Lyme Street – Tom Keogh: Propane tanks 3. 2 Library Lane – Ken Levin: Fund drive sign 4. Opposite 40 Lyme Street – Ken Levin: No parking signs 5. Church Corner – Ken Levin: Report on the meetings of Church Corner Committee 6. Lyme Street – Jim Bechtel: Vinyl siding 7. 15 Lyme Street/Boxwood – Jim Bechtel: CofA application for vinyl siding of garage 8. Business news – Paul Sagristano, Betty Chamberlain 9. Historic District PR events – Jim Bechtel 10. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg 11. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission 12. Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9.15 A.M. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel.
A motion was made by Ken Levin, seconded by Tom Keogh and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of September 12, 2005.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. Lyme Street – Tom Keogh: Propane tanks
Tom Keogh prepared an inventory of propane tanks and other items including stored garbage containers and dumpsters that are visible from Lyme Street. The Commission agreed to send a letter to all property owners in the HD asking them to shield propane tanks and/or dumpsters and garbage containers with landscaping, fencing or lattice work (see the Historic District Handbook - page 15).
Action: Write letter (Tom Keogh) and mail (Anna) to all property owners in the HD.
3. 2 Library Lane / OLPGN Library – Ken Levin: Fund drive sign
The Library has not yet submitted plans for the Annual Fund Drive sign. The Commission prefers that the “thermometer” sign be placed at the entrance to the Library (not visible from Lyme Street).
Action: Inform the Library of the Commission’s preference (Ken Levin).
4. Opposite 40 Lyme Street – Ken Levin: No parking signs
A Lyme Street resident has complained that there are too many (four) “no parking” signs on the stone wall in front of the library. Commission members have inspected the site and agree that it would be preferable if fewer signs were used.
Action: Ask the Town (Tim Griswold) if four signs are necessary (Ken Levin).
5. Church Corner – Ken Levin: Report on the meetings of Church Corner Committee
The new Christ the King Church sign has been installed at the McCurdy Road entrance.
The South Green is being “enlarged” owing to the church’s incorporating a portion of their property with the town’s to provide the illusion of an extended open space.
The “bump-outs” at the corner of Ferry Road and Lyme Street need to be reviewed as well as 90° parking in front of the Congregational Church. The Town is presently seeking input from a traffic engineer and applying for state funding for the project (planned for 2007).
Action: Present final plans to the Historic District Commission for review (Ken Levin)
6. Lyme Street – Jim Bechtel: Vinyl siding
The Commission decided the following:
· No vinyl siding on buildings in the Historic District if visible from Lyme Street
· No vinyl fencing in the Historic District along the sidewalk or if visible from Lyme Street. It may be allowed, on a case-by-case basis, if it is so far back from the Street as to not be noticeable.
· If vinyl siding is already in place and changes are planned, property owners will be encouraged to revert to wood or a wood equivalent.
This policy is based on the following:
· The Ridgefield, CT 1999 court decision in which the Judge decided in favor of the HDC and against a church (not an historic building-constructed in 1965- in the District)
that wanted to apply vinyl siding. The decision was based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
There are also practical reasons not to use vinyl siding: existing leaks or mildew will be aggravated by being enclosed in vinyl and vinyl coloring fades over time and often cannot successfully be matched if replacement is necessary.
7. 15 Lyme Street/Boxwood – Jim Bechtel: CofA application for vinyl siding of garage
The Commission did not approve the submitted CofA application for vinyl siding of the garage. The garage currently has architectural details (coins) that would be lost.
Action: Discuss with Zoning Enforcement Officer, Ann Brown, and notify applicants (Jim Bechtel, Anna Silberberg).
8. Business News – Paul Sagristano & Betty Chamberlain
Paul Sagristano received back-dated newsletters but not the latest newsletter from the CT Trust. Betty Chamberlain has received only one newsletter from the National Trust.
Action: Call the CT Trust and National Trust.
9. Historic District PR events – Jim Bechtel
No updates.
10. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg
The Historic District Commission’s contribution to the Town Report is currently being prepared by Ken Levin and Jim Bechtel.
Action: Submit HDC contribution to the Town Report including pictures, if possible (Anna Silberberg).
11. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
a. 54 Lyme Street– Brad Sweet: CofA application for building addition
Mr. Sweet submitted a CofA application including plans (elevations) for a proposed building rehabilitation (in the rear) that includes: altering 6 and installing 4 new dormers and installing 1 new and altering 2 existing chimneys. The foot print of the house will increase slightly on the south side of the house (kitchen area). A second story will be created over the existing garage.
A motion was made by Paul Sagristano, seconded by Tom Keogh and voted unanimously to approve the application with the condition that a site plan must be submitted.
Action: Send copy of the approved application to Brad Sweet (Anna Silberberg).
12. Adjournment
Paul Sagristano made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11.30 A.M. The motion was seconded by Nina Peck and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Silberberg
Recording Secretary
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