Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 5, 2005
Place: |
Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
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Present: |
Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), Tom Keogh (Alternate)
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Absent: |
Paul Sagristano (Regular)
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Agenda: |
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum 2. 44 Lyme Street – Hammond: CofA application for propane tank 3. 7 Lyme Street / Boxwood – Jim Bechtel: CofA application for roof (under deck) replacement 4. 45 Lyme Street – Edmondson: CofA application for propane tank and central air units 5. Opposite 40 Lyme Street – Ken Levin: No parking signs 6. 22 Lyme Street / Christ the King Church: Large window 7. Church Corner – Ken Levin: Report on the meetings of Church Corner Committee 8. The Historic District – Ken Levin: Possible expansion of the District 9. Business news – Paul Sagristano, Betty Chamberlain 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 Barbara Traskos, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 7, 2005.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. 44 Lyme Street – Hammond: CofA application for propane tank
The CofA application has not yet been submitted.
3. 7 Lyme Street / Boxwood – Jim Bechtel: CofA application for roof (under deck) replacement
The Boxwood Condo Association has applied to replace the roofs over the two garages at 7 Lyme Street. The roofs are covered by a deck and are not visible. (The building itself is not visible from Lyme Street.) The application was approved. The application is valid for 90 days.
Action: Send copy of the approved application to the Boxwood Condo Association (Anna Silberberg).
A site visit of the Boxwood complex by Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin and Anna Silberberg took place on November 11. The plans to put vinyl siding on 7 and 15 Lyme Streets were discussed (CofAs have already been approved - see minutes of November 7 meeting). The Boxwood Condo Association was represented by: Craig Silver, condo-owner Susan Begien and the site manager Joyce Tipping.
Jim Bechtel explained that the whole Boxwood complex is considered part of the Historic District; and, therefore, the Historic District Commission must be consulted before any restoration and/or alterations are started.
4. 45 Lyme Street – Edmondson: CofA application for propane tank and central air units
The Edmondsons have applied to install an in-the-ground propane tank and two central air units that will not be visible from Lyme Street. The application was approved with a request from the Commission that the central air units be screened. The application is valid for 90 days.
Action: Send copy of the approved application to Edmondson (Anna Silberberg).
5. Opposite 40 Lyme Street – Ken Levin: No parking signs
Ken Levin has sent a letter to Tim Griswold recommending that two signs be used instead of four.
Action: Follow up with Tim Griswold (Ken Levin).
6. 22 Lyme Street / Christ the King Church – Large window
The large window on the front façade has been repaired and reinstalled.
7. Church Corner – Ken Levin: Report on the meetings of the Church Corner Committee
The town is waiting for engineering and traffic studies to be completed before sending the plans to the Connecticut DOT for approval. (2007 is the proposed date for construction.)
Tom Keogh noted that some church visitors park on the Town Green. Jim Bechtel replied that eventually the Town Green will be protected by curbing and granite bollards that will prevent parking on the Green.
Action: Present final plans to the Historic District Commission for review (Ken Levin).
8. The Historic District – Ken Levin: Possible expansion of the District
Ken Levin and Jim Bechtel asked the Commission if a possible expansion of the Historic District should be investigated. Possible expansion areas are Ferry Road, McCurdy Road (to the cemetery), Academy Lane, Lieutenant River Lane, Beckwith Lane and sections of Library Lane and Sill Lane.
Jim Bechtel explained that an expansion is quite involved and requires among other things: inventory of all new properties, a public hearing, balloting of all property owners, petition the Historic Commission in Hartford, etc.
Barbara Traskos asked if there are enough historic houses in the proposed expansion. Ken Levin felt that Ferry Road has a group of historic houses. Joanne DiCamillo asked what was considered an historic house. Nina Peck suggested that houses from early 1900 and before should qualify; and, in addition, an extension of the Historic District would be another measure to protect and preserve the quality of Old Lyme. Jim Bechtel summarized that the goal would be to protect the character of Old Lyme rather than the history. All Commission members were in favor of going ahead with a study. The first steps are as follows:
· Inventory the properties to be added.
· Present a preliminary report to the Planning & Zoning Boards.
· Hold a public hearing.
· Create a final report.
· Contact all affected property owners.
Tom Keogh suggested talking to the zoning enforcement officer about a possible extended Historic District.
Action: Talk to zoning enforcement officer Ann Brown (Jim Bechtel).
9. Business News – Paul Sagristano & Betty Chamberlain
No news at this meeting.
10. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg
A letter regarding propane tanks has been written by Tom Keogh. Anna Silberberg is in the process of mailing it to all property owners in the District.
A “Mylar” will be created of the Historic District Map and filed with the town clerk.
The Historic District Commission meeting schedule for 2006 was presented to the Commission and approved. The 2006 schedule will be filed with the town clerk.
11. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
a. 100 Lyme Street / Bee & Thistle Inn
The Bee & Thistle Inn is still for sale and is currently listed as a residential property. Betty Chamberlain asked which zoning rules apply to this property.
Action: Find out zoning regulations for 100 Lyme Street (Jim Bechtel).
12. Adjournment
Tom Keogh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10.20 A.M. The motion was seconded by Ken Levin and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Silberberg
Recording Secretary
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