Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 6, 2007
Place: |
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LACFA, 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Absent: |
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Barbara Traskos, Nina Peck |
Guests: |
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Wendy Brainerd |
Agenda: |
1. 9:15 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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2. 9:30 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin |
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3. 9:40 |
HDC- Demolition Delay Ordinance – Tom Keogh |
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4. 10:00 |
HDC – CLG Grants (2) update- Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, John Forbis
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5. 10:10 |
Old Lyme Conservation Commission Questionnaire - Ken Levin & Jim Bechtel |
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6. 10:15 |
105 Lyme Street – Brick Walkway – Jill Todd |
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7. 10:30 |
25 Lyme Street- Cooley Gallery Driveway – Jeff Cooley |
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8. 11:00 |
Sculpture Policy Discussion – Invited guests: Jeff Andersen, Wendy Brainerd, Jennifer Hillhouse, Tom Schellens, Alva Way |
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9. 11:30 |
Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis |
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10. 11:45 |
HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain |
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11. 12:00 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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12. 12:10 |
HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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13. 12:30 |
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 John Forbis and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2007 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
Ray Steinbach and Maryanne Bianco submitted a CofA application for a sign for their new shop “Gourmet Today” at 68 Lyme Street. The design presented was their logo type in silver on a burgundy background. The sign size was not an issue as they would be painting over the previous sign for the Dianne Birdsall Gallery. The HDC voted to approve the design with the stipulation that the sign colors be reversed for readability.
2. HDC – Plaque Program update- Ken Levin
As the HDC has received plaque requests for houses outside the Historic District (and would like to ensure consistency), the HDC plans to inform the Lyme and Old Lyme Historical Societies of the plaque program. The HDC prefers that property owners do their own research and has prepared a form with instructions. If the CLG Grant is approved, the HDC will be offering plaques free of charge to nonprofit organizations in the District.
Action: Prepare a letter about the plaque program and send to the Lyme and Old Lyme Historical Societies (Ken Levin).
3. HDC – Demolition Delay Ordinance – Tom Keogh
Tom Keogh discussed the notification/permit process of demolition with Ron Rose, Old Lyme’s head building official. The building department has a process requiring public and neighbor notices before a building is demolished. The HDC would like to be included in this notification.
Action: Request that the HDC be notified of building demolitions in Old Lyme (Tom Keogh).
4. HDC - CLG Grants update – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, John Forbis
The HDC is waiting to hear of the status of their application for a $2,800 Historic Preservation Enhancement Grant.
John Forbis is still in the process of applying for the second grant (up to $30,000 with a matching requirement).
Action: Contact Mary Donohue concerning the HPE Grant (Ken Levin).
5. Old Lyme Conservation Commission Questionnaire
Jim Bechtel informed Taffy Holland that the HDC would like: 1) an expansion of the Historic District and 2) an Old Lyme Demolition Delay Ordinance.
6. 105 Lyme Street – Brick Walkway – Jill Todd
Jill Todd submitted a CofA application for the expansion of a brick walkway. The proposed walkway will extend from the new guest parking area and across the entire front of the house. She presented two options: 1) employ all used brick to match the existing walkway and 2) employ a combination of used brick and crushed oyster shell. The all-brick option depends on the availability of matching used brick. The HDC approved both options; the CofA application was approved for 3 months.
7. 25 Lyme Street – Cooley Gallery Driveway – Jeff Cooley
Jeff Cooley did not attend the meeting, but submitted a CofA application for resurfacing the driveway with pavers. Jim Bechtel and Ken Levin viewed a sample of the pavers which was displayed in front of the gallery. Concern was expressed about the mixing of materials and textures (existing blue stone and brick pavers in a herringbone pattern). Jim Bechtel will contact Jeff Cooley to discuss the Commission’s issues. The CofA application was tabled until next month.
Action: Contact Jeff Cooley (Jim Bechtel).
8. HDC – Sculpture Policy Discussion Invited guests: Jeff Andersen, Wendy Brainerd, Jennifer Hillhouse, Tom Schellens, Alva Way
Jeff Andersen sent a letter expressing his views about sculpture in the Historic District, and Wendy Brainerd attended the meeting. The other invitees were unable to attend. Following discussion, a majority of members felt that a specific policy is needed. John Forbis agreed to prepare a draft. The discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
Action: Prepare sculpture policy draft (John Forbis).
9. HDC – Town Hall Expansion update – John Forbis
Construction is proceeding on schedule: the framing of the north wing has been completed, and the foundation has been completed on the south side (framing will begin in about one week).
10. HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain handed out literature on Historic New England, formerly known as the SPNEA (Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities).
11. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
The deacons and historians of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme have invited the members of the HDC to attend the dedication of the new headstone for the Reverend Moses Noyes, the first minister of the congregation. The dedication will be in the Duck River Cemetery on August 19 after the 10:00 A.M. worship service.
12. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
Joanne DiCamillo stated that John Caltabiano came before the Tree Commission to discuss replacing the bricks around the tree next to his driveway with pavers. He was advised instead to remove the bricks and only use mulch (better for the tree).
13. Adjournment
Betty Chamberlain made a motion to adjourn the meeting at12:10 P.M. The motion was seconded by John Forbis and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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