Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 2, 2008
Place: |
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LACFA, 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
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Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
62 Lyme Street – proposed addition – Denise & Jonathan Collins |
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9:45 |
HDC – Church Corner – Ken Levin, Joanne DiCamillo |
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10:00 |
Sign Policy – John Forbis |
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10:30 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin, Martha Hansen |
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10:45 |
I-95 Corridor update – Ken Levin |
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11:15 |
HDC – Town Hall Expansion update– John Forbis |
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11:30 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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11:45 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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12:00 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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12:15 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Cochairman Ken Levin. A motion was made by Barbara Traskos, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2008 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum
No public participation
2. 62 Lyme Street proposed addition – Denise & Jonathan Collins
Denise Collins expressed her appreciation for the advice given by Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin and Nina Peck regarding the proposed garage and bedroom addition. Locating the addition at the rear or on the north side of the house would preserve the south lawn with its mature copper beech and horse chestnut trees and view to the Lieutenant River. The Collins have discussed these options with their architect who is working on a new plan. The possibility of obtaining an easement from the Spratts to allow access from Elizabeth Lane on the south side of the property was also discussed. Ms. Collins agreed to ask the Spratts about the possibility of an easement. It was recommended that the architect e-mail the eventual plans to the HDC cochairs to speed the
approval process. A public hearing will be required before a CofA is approved.
Action: Contact the Spratts about a possible easement and ask the architect to e-mail new plans to the HDC (Denise Collins).
3. HDC – Church Corner –Ken Levin, Joanne DiCamillo
The most recent meeting concerned the STEAP Grant of $425,000. A new 15 mph speed limit sign has been proposed for McCurdy Road. The 25 mph sign on Ferry Road might be changed to 15 mph. The project is currently planned for the summer of 2009.
4. Sign Policy – John Forbis
The sign issues that concern the HDC include: commercial sandwich-board signs, contractor signs, real estate signs, large banners, informational historic signs and ‘open’ signs.
Nina Peck suggested establishing a ‘code of aesthetics’ for signs in the HD. Perhaps “open” signs could be standardized.
The HDC agreed that informational historic signs should be limited to nonprofit institutions.
The nonprofit organizations (Art Association, Florence Griswold Museum, and LACFA) will be invited to attend the August meeting to discuss their special event/promotional signage needs (followed at a later date by the commercial organizations including real estate brokers).
Action: Prepare a sign policy draft incorporating members’ suggestions along with existing signage regulations in the OLHD Handbook and Handbook addendum (John Forbis).
5. HDC – Plaque Program update - Ken Levin, Martha Hansen
a) The plaque for 8 Lyme Street (Nathaniel R. Sheffield - ca 1930 - A Sears Roebuck Home) has been delivered to Barbara O’Connell.
b) The present Masonic Hall was originally part of the old Town Hall (built in 1877) and was moved and rebuilt at 20 Lyme Street in 1919.
c) There is still some confusion regarding the original construction date for 59 Lyme Street (LYSB).
Action: Order plaque proofs from Computer Signs for 20 Lyme Street (Ken Levin). Check 59 Lyme Street land records at Lyme Town Hall (Martha Hansen).
6. I-95 Corridor – Ken Levin
Ken Levin read an e-mail from Robert S. Cless, Transportation Planner, Office of Environmental Planning (CT), concerning the planned expansion of I-95 from Branford to Rhode Island. The expansion would have a severe impact on the Old Lyme Historic District. The HDC discussed the need for a task force or committee (similar to the Church Corner Committee) comprised of members of pertinent town boards and commissions as well as abutting neighbors to study the impact and make recommendations.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Ken Levin). Speak to Tim Griswold about forming a committee or task force (Jim Bechtel).
7. HDC - Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis
Staff has moved back into Town Hall. Work is now being completed in the lobby and the Assessor’s and Tax Collector’s offices. Phase 1 will be done as soon as the exterior painting is finished. The contractor has targeted the end of July to finish Phase 2. The parking curbs and asphalt paving will be finished shortly and then the landscaping (except for tree & shrub planting) will be installed.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (John Forbis).
8. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain distributed copies of the CT Preservation News that she received after Martha Hansen requested that additional copies be made available for HDC members.
Historic New England is sponsoring a seminar on “Barns: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” on Saturday, June 7 at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock (also known as the Pink House).
9. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
No news to report.
10. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
a) John Forbis suggested that an article be published in the Lyme Times and/or on LymeLine.com about the differences between the Old Lyme Historic District Commission, the Lyme Historical Society and the Old Lyme Historical Society. The Historic District Commission is a regulatory commission under the United States Department of the Interior – National Park Service. The Lyme and Old Lyme Historical Societies are private, nonprofit organizations.
Action: Ask Susanne Thompson to write an article about the different historic organizations in Old Lyme (Joanne DiCamillo).
b) The LYSB Kids Care Club and Youth Programs Coordinator, Missy Colburn, did a wonderful job painting the metal railing on Lyme Street (in front of the OLPGN Library). It was reported on Lymeline.com. John Forbis suggested a yearly spring project for LYSB in association with HDC to spruce up the town.
c) The CofA has expired on the fence and driveway project at 105 Lyme Street.
Action: Contact the Todds for a projected completion date (Martha Hansen).
d) Nina Peck will present working drawings for Paul Sagristano’s addition at the July meeting.
11. Adjournment
John Forbis moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 A.M. The motion was seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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