Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, July 7, 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), John Forbis (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
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Absent: |
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Tom Keogh (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate) |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
62 Lyme Street – proposed addition – Denise Collins, Stephen Lloyd |
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9:45 |
21 Lyme Street – House addition plans – Nina Peck |
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10:00 |
10 Lyme Street – Hamilton Investments sign – Warren Hannas, David Kelsey |
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10:15 |
55 Lyme Street – Grange vinyl siding – Jim Bechtel |
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10:30 |
Sign Policy – John Forbis |
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10:45 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin, Martha Hansen |
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11:00 |
HDC - I-95 Corridor update – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel |
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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 9:05 A.M. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel. A motion was made by Ken Levin, seconded by Barbara Traskos and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2008 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum
No public participation.
2. 62 Lyme Street proposed addition – Denise Collins, Stephen Lloyd
Architect Stephen Lloyd presented plans for a proposed two-car garage and bedroom addition to the Collins’ house. The addition will be on the north side of the property (preserving the trees and view on the south lawn). The driveway will remain in its present location as a single lane access onto Lyme Street and will widen to accommodate two cars in front of the garage. The workshop in back of the house will be removed, and the small shed on the north side will be renovated. Ms. Collins said she would try to include plans for the shed renovation with the final addition plans. The HDC was pleased with the new building configuration and thanked Ms. Collins and Mr. Lloyd for being open to suggestions. A public hearing will be held at the August 4th meeting.
Action: Submit CofA application with list of adjacent neighbors for public hearing (Denise Collins).
Advertise the public hearing in the New London Day and Lymeline (Martha Hansen).
3. 21 Lyme Street – House addition plans – Nina Peck
Nina Peck presented working drawings for the Sagristano’s house addition. Paul Sagristano is presently pricing the plans. (He will be using Marvin windows per Nina’s specs.) The landscaping will include grass with simple foundation plantings and the existing picket fence. The trees on the north boundary (next to the Cooley Gallery) will be retained for screening. As the existing CofA expires this September, Nina will check to determine Paul Sagristano’s timing.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Nina Peck, Paul Sagristano).
4. 10 Lyme Street – Hamilton Investments sign – David Kelsey
David Kelsey submitted a CofA application for an 80” x 10” mahogany sign (above the window) with gold lettering and gold lettering on the door at his new office in the Village Shops complex. The HDC reiterated its long held desire that all signs in the Village Shops be white with dark green or black lettering. Mr. Kelsey stated that his sign was designed to represent the quality and conservative nature of his investment business. He also pointed out that most signs in the Village Shops complex and the Historic District are not white with dark lettering. The HDC discussed the importance of consistent signage in the Historic District with regards to size and quality. John Forbis moved to approve the CofA as submitted. The motion was seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and passed unanimously by voice
vote.
Action: Pursue the possibility of developing a consistent sign format (size not color) for 10 Lyme Street (Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin).
5. 55 Lyme Street – Grange vinyl siding – Jim Bechtel
Doris Johnson asked Jim Bechtel about the HDC’s position on vinyl siding in the Historic District. The Grange needs to be either painted or re-sided. The Grange members would prefer to install vinyl siding because of its low cost and ease of maintenance. The HDC recently presented the Grange with a historic plaque as the building is over 100 years old and represents one of the historic buildings on Lyme Street. Due to the possibility of rot and also the obscuring of trim details, the use of vinyl siding is not allowed on the HD’s significant historic buildings. The HDC recommends using either cedar clapboards or Hardiplank when siding needs to be replaced.
Action: Contact Doris Johnson (Jim Bechtel).
6. Sign Policy – John Forbis
John Forbis distributed a sign inventory and a write-up of signage issues discussed at the June meeting. There are over 100 signs in the Historic District (traffic signs, business signs, public building and school signs, etc.) and there is almost no consistency. The Historic District Handbook has some regulations covering signs and requires a CofA approval for the installation of any new sign. The HDC may be able to receive a grant to improve (and coordinate) signage in the HD. There will be further signage discussion at the September meeting.
Action: Review existing signs in the Historic District in Old Lyme and other towns (all members).
7. 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 installed.
b) The proof for the plaque for 20 Lyme Street (Masonic Lodge – ca 1919) has been prepared and is awaiting approval.
c) The plaque for the Memorial Town Hall has been designed and is awaiting date confirmation by Cathy Frank.
d) The construction date for 59 Lyme Street (LYSB) is still in question. Martha did more research at the Lyme Town Hall. There are records of a dwelling house in that location as far back as 1808. (The existing building does not appear to be that old.) Vision Appraisal lists the construction date as ca.1900. If it was built around 1900, John A. DeWolf was the owner. As Mr. DeWolf bought and sold real estate in Old Lyme at that time, it seems unlikely that he was the owner when it was constructed.
e) The research for 57 Lyme Street (OLCLC) is almost finished.
Action: Continue research for 59 Lyme Street and make a decision (Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen, Ken Levin). Finish 57 Lyme Street (OLCLC) research (Martha Hansen).
8. I-95 Corridor – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel
Jim Bechtel will speak to Tim Griswold about forming a committee or task force to monitor and hopefully influence the I-95 expansion plans.
Action: Speak to Tim Griswold about forming a committee or task force (Jim Bechtel).
9. HDC - Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis
The funds to finish the Town Hall Expansion were approved at a Town Meeting on July 1. The goal is to finish construction by August 8th - a month ahead of schedule. The landscaping is about to be installed.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (John Forbis).
10. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
No report.
11. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
Jill Todd (105 Lyme Street) expects the fence to be completed by the end of July. The driveway and walkway are finished. The Todds will present designs for a new door knocker and outside lights to the HDC. They are also planning to install a balustrade on the porch roof in spring 2009 and will submit plans to the HDC.
Martha Hansen will contact Ruth Roach regarding scanning the HDC’s files into the Laserfiche system. Martha will also speak to Cathy Frank about desk and file space for the HDC in Town Hall.
Action: Contact Ruth Roach and Cathy Frank (Martha Hansen).
12. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
The HDC discussed the advantages of having someone act as a liaison between HDC and the Old Lyme Historical Society. Martha Hansen agreed to be the liaison as she records minutes for both groups and attends all the meetings.
Ken Levin received a report of the May 16, 2008 Church Corner Committee from the State DOT. A $425,000 STEAP Grant has been approved to fund the project which is scheduled to start in spring 2009.
13. Adjournment
Ken Levin moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 A.M. The motion was seconded by Barbara Traskos and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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