Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 2, 2007
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Absent: |
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Tom Keogh |
Guests: |
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Julie Edmonson |
Agenda: |
1. 9:15 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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2. 9:25 |
45 Lyme Street –CofA to continue renovations- Julie Edmonson |
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3. 9:30 |
HDC - Demolition Delay Ordinance – Jim Bechtel |
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4. 9:45 |
HDC – Plaque program - Ken Levin |
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5. 10:00 |
57 Lyme Street – Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center – Alison Skonieczy |
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6. 10:15 |
HDC – CLG grants applications - Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin |
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7. 10:30 |
69 Lyme Street – High School Renovation Project update - Nina Peck |
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8. 10:45 |
52 Lyme Street - Town Hall Expansion update – John Forbis |
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9. 11:00 |
HDC – CT Historic Preservation Award - Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin |
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10. 11:15 |
HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain |
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11. 11:30 |
HDC - Secretary’s report – Martha Hansen |
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12. 11:40 |
HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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13. 12:00 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9.15 A.M. by cochairman Ken Levin. A motion was made by Jim Bechtel, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2007 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. 45 Lyme Street –CofA to continue renovations- Julie Edmonson
Julie & Peter Edmonson applied for a renewal of their January 3, 2006 CofA to continue cedar shingle siding replacements (like for like) and window replacements (6 over 6 panes) on the north and south façades. The HDC approved the renewed CofA.
Action: Mail copy of renewed CofA to Julie and Peter Edmonson (Martha Hansen).
3. HDC - Demolition Delay Ordinance – Jim Bechtel
The HDC is considering drafting a Demolition Delay Ordinance for the Historic District. This ordinance would prevent pre-1939 dwellings and outbuildings in the Historic District from being demolished without public notification. Sample Demolition Delay Ordinances from Essex and Darien were reviewed and discussed. John Forbis stated that the issue would need to be discussed at a Town Meeting because it is an ordinance.
Action: Ask Tom Keogh to review the ordinances from Essex and Darien and draft a Demolition Delay Ordinance for the Historic District (Jim Bechtel).
4. HDC – Plaque program – Ken Levin
The HDC plans to send the owners of eligible properties in the Historic District a form letter with photos of the plaque and an application form. For structures with clapboard siding, John Forbis suggested mounting the plaques on wooden 2x4 wedges attached to the buildings.
Action: Research purchase of wedges (with screws), draft form letter, finalize application form and select photo for mailing (Ken Levin and Jim Bechtel).
5. 57 Lyme Street – Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center – Alison Skonieczy
Alison Skonieczy presented a new 2-sided OLCLC sign with black text on a cream background including a small “20th Anniversary” panel hanging below the main sign. The HDC suggested that the sign be hung off a post and arm mount similar to many signs on Lyme Street (e.g., Christ the King Church, Florence Griswold Museum, Village Stores, etc.). She was asked to return to the HDC with a site plan, the dimensions of the sign and a sketch of the post and arm. The CofA fee will be waived (OLCLC is a non- profit organization). Joanne DiCamillo stated that a permit would be required from the Tree Commission if the sign is installed within 10 feet of a tree.
Action: Attend HDC meeting on May 7 with above visuals (Alison Skonieczy).
6. HDC – CLG grants applications - Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin
The HDC has not received any information packets on the CLG grants.
Action: Contact Mary Donohue (Martha Hansen).
7. 69 Lyme Street – High School Renovation Project update - Nina Peck
Nina Peck gave a brief narrative and answered questions. The HDC is concerned about the visibility
of the school parking areas and playing fields from Lyme Street. The HDC approved the formation of a High School Access Road (from Lyme Street) Committee, similar to the Church Corner Committee, comprised of a member from the HDC, the Tree Commission, the Fire House, Town Hall, the High School Building Committee and the adjacent neighborhood. Tim Griswold recommended that Robert Pierson be the Fire House representative.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (Nina Peck). Ask for a HDC volunteer to serve on the HS Access Road Committee (Jim Bechtel and Ken Levin).
8. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall -Town Hall Expansion update – John Forbis
All bids for the construction contract are due to be opened at Town Hall on April 5 with construction slated to begin May 3. Betty Chamberlain stated that the paintings in the Town Hall will be stored at the Florence Griswold Museum. Some of the trees and shrubs in the construction area will be removed and placed in a holding nursery. They will be replanted after construction is completed. The building at 50 Lyme Street will be demolished on April 5.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (John Forbis).
9. HDC – CT Historic Preservation Award - Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin
The Florence Griswold Museum has won a merit award (for their extensive renovations) from the CT Trust. The Award Ceremony will be held on April 4 at the Old State House in Hartford and all HDC members are invited. Jeff Andersen will be accepting the award.
10. HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain
Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants (HPTAG) are available from the CT Trust to help communities plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings.
Action: Contact Mary Donohue at the CT Trust about the particulars (Martha Hansen).
11. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
A copy of the approved CofA for 22 Lyme Street was sent to Mr. DuPont.
12. HDC - Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
68 Lyme Street - The Diane Birdsall Gallery has moved to 10 Lyme Street. The “OPEN” flag at 68 Lyme Street should be removed.
10 Lyme Street - Ken Levin requested Christy Laurence to use an American flag instead of an “OPEN” flag to indicate that her office is open.
Action: Ask Diane Birdsall to remove the “OPEN” flag at 68 Lyme Street (Ken Levin).
13. Adjournment
Barbara Traskos made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 A.M. The motion was seconded by Jim Bechtel and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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