Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, July 10, 2006
Place: |
Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
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Present: |
Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate)
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Absent: |
Nina Peck (Regular)
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Agenda: |
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum 2. 100 Lyme Street/Bee and Thistle Inn– Linnea Rufo: New sign, updated patio, entrance and exit signage 3. 78 Lyme Street – Jim Bechtel: Status (with Town) of studio application 4. 93 Lyme Street – Ken Levin: Garage door repair or replacement 5. 10 Lyme Street – Jim Bechtel: Sign in window 6. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall – John Forbis: Town Hall expansion update 7. 49-53 Lyme Street – Nina Peck: School storage units: screening or moving 8. The Historic District – Ken Levin: Plaque program & HDC tour of Lyme Street with John Pfeiffer 9. The Historic District – Ken Levin, Tom Keogh, John Forbis:
Possible expansion of the District 10. Church Corner – Joanne DiCamillo, Ken Levin: Report on the meetings of Church Corner Committee 11. The Historic District – Jim Bechtel: Certificate of Appropriateness Status Report 12. Business news – Betty Chamberlain 13. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg 14. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission 15. Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9.20 A.M. by Cochairman Ken Levin.
A motion was made by Jim Bechtel, seconded by Barbara Traskos and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 5, 2006.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. 100 Lyme Street / Bee and Thistle Inn – Linnea Rufo: New sign, updated patio, entrance and exit signage
Linnea Rufo, the owner of the Bee and Thistle Inn, submitted a CofA application for a smaller, two-sided sign with black text on a white background and a full color logo in the same location as the existing sign (lighting in place).Ms. Rufo plans to hang a “Lodging and Dining” shingle underneath. Jim Bechtel suggested using a post and arm support rather than the existing two posts.
The Commission approved the application pending receipt of the final drawing of the sign. The CofA is valid for 90 days.
Action: Submit sign drawing to the Historic District Commission (Linnea Rufo).
Action: Send copy of the approved application to Linnea Rufo (Anna Silberberg).
Linnea Rufo also raised the issue of exiting from the property: there is a visibility problem at the south exit due to forsythia bushes on Lyme Street (Route 1). Joanne DiCamillo suggested cutting back the forsythia bushes heavily as they have not been cared for in many years and will tolerate extensive pruning. Joanne DiCamillo also said that the bushes might be on the state right-of-way; the DEP should be contacted before any major work is done.
Ms. Rufo informed the Commission that she is considering a renovation of the patio on the south side of the inn. The existing enclosed garden area needs to be cleaned up and leveled in order to place five to six café dining tables in the space. The present fence and garden format will remain. Jim Bechtel noted that a CofA application must be submitted including a site plan.
Action: Submit site plan for patio (Linnea Rufo).
3. 78 Lyme Street – Jim Bechtel: Status (with Town) of studio application
The Denisons of 78 Lyme Street received HDC approval on June 5, 2206 to connect their garage to an existing outbuilding (studio). The Zoning Board of Appeals turned down their application. However, the denial was based on incorrect grounds (wrong zoning category). The Denisons will have to reappear before the ZBA. Mr. Osborne, the president of the neighboring Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, requested that the window on the north side of the outbuilding (facing the Art Academy) be replaced with a similar artist’s studio window. Note: the original window was shortened in height when the Denisons removed the shed dormer and re-roofed the studio with cedar shingles. Ken Levin and Jim Bechtel have researched the property and learned that it was owned by Margaret Bogert, wife of the artist George
Henry Bogert (1864-1944). George Henry Bogert was not part of the Lyme American Impressionist School, but he has several paintings at the Met and he did paint in Old Lyme. The Commission therefore concluded that the outbuilding (studio) has historic significance and agreed that the window replacement should resemble an artist’s studio window (possibly two double-hung windows centered on the north façade).
Action: Speak with Richard Moll of ZBA regarding the historic significance of the outbuilding at 78 Lyme Street (Ken Levin).
4. 93 Lyme Street – Ken Levin: Garage door repair or replacement
Ms. Berggren of 93 Lyme Street contacted Ken Levin: her garage doors need to be repaired or replaced. Ken Levin informed her that a CofA is not required when replacing “like for like.” Ms. Berggren will keep the Commission informed.
5. 10 Lyme Street – Jim Bechtel: Sign in window
Jim Bechtel asked Ann Brown, the zoning enforcement officer, to inform the tenant, Webb & Santiago of 10 Lyme Street, that they are in violation of the existing signage regulation with their present signage on the window.
Action: Await response from Ann Brown (Jim Bechtel).
6. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall – John Forbis: Town Hall expansion update
John Forbis presented an update on the Town Hall expansion: selection of an architect as well as a discussion of a possible co-occupancy of the enlarged and renovated Town Hall with the central office of Regional School District 18. There will be town meetings to review the preliminary plans.
The Commission felt that the principle concerns for the HDC are to keep the design, massing and materials of the renovated structure sympathetic to the scale and look of the surrounding neighborhood. It also agreed that the dignified main façade of the existing structure must be maintained and that any additions/wings should be subordinate.
Action: Keep the HDC informed on progress (John Forbis).
7. 49-53 Lyme Street – Nina Peck: School storage units: screening or moving
No update at this meeting.
8. The Historic District – Ken Levin: Plaque program & HDC tour of Lyme Street with John Pfeiffer
Ken Levin has scheduled a walk on Lyme Street with John Pfeiffer, the town historian, for Saturday, September 23.
During discussion of the plaque program, Joanne DiCamillo suggested forming a committee with representatives from the HDC, Lyme Historical Society and Old Lyme Historical Society to assist in research on the history of properties. Jim Bechtel suggested that a representative from the Lyme Historical Society/Florence Griswold Museum attend a HDC meeting to discuss how the Lyme Historical Society might be able to make available property records in their archives.
It was discussed whether property owners might perform their own research. Anna Silberberg commented that it would be helpful to create a standard format for all properties which could be stored electronically.
Action: Talk to the Florence Griswold Museum/Lyme Historical Society (Ken Levin).
Ken Levin showed some examples of plaque designs (several members favored the design of the Lyme plaque – an oval with a raised edge molding). Joanne DiCamillo suggested using dark navy blue for the text (Old Lyme has a maritime history).
Tom Keogh proposed several test cases before a full plaque program is implemented (receive feedback on the use and design of the plaques).
Action: Investigate another local source for sign production (Jim Bechtel).
9. The Historic District – Ken Levin, Tom Keogh, John Forbis: Possible expansion of the District
No update at this meeting.
Action: Continue inventory (Tom Keogh, Ken Levin, John Forbis).
10. Church Corner – Joanne DiCamillo, Ken Levin: Report on the meetings of Church Corner Committee
Ken Levin suggested at the last Church Corner Committee meeting that improvements to Ferry Road be delayed. No decision was taken.
Action: Keep the Commission informed (Ken Levin).
11. The Historic District – Jim Bechtel: Certificate of Appropriateness Status Report
No action.
12. Business News – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain brought an article from “Preservation” (the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation) about the newly restored and reopened Florence Griswold House.
13. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg
The Town’s application to become a Certified Local Government is currently being processed in Hartford.
14. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
None
15. Adjournment
John Forbis made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11.50 A.M. The motion was seconded by Jim Bechtel and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Silberberg
Recording Secretary
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