Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 7, 2009
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
Absent |
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Tom Keogh (Regular) |
Guest |
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Stanford Brainerd |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
54 Lyme Street Greenhouse – Brad Sweet |
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9:30 |
Plaque Program update – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen |
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9:45 |
HDC Handbook reprint & Grant Application update |
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10:15 |
L-OL High School Access Road Tree Removal – Joanne DiCamillo |
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10:45 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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11:00 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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11:15 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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11:30 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel.
Martha Hansen noted a correction to the November minutes. In item 7, the correct spelling of the architect’s name is John Scheib (not Shy). A motion was made by Ken Levin and seconded by Barbara Traskos to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2009 meeting as corrected.
Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin, Barbara Traskos, John Forbis, Nina Peck and Betty Chamberlain voted in favor. Joanne DiCamillo abstained as she had not attended the November meeting.
1. Public Open Forum – Stanford Brainerd
Some details of the Church Corner signage plan may have been changed since the plans were approved. There is now a 4 foot crosswalk sign planned next to the Brainerd’s driveway that was not on the approved plan. Street signage is controlled by the First Selectman. The HDC made recommendations regarding the signage and crosswalk markings which were incorporated into the original plans.
Action: Obtain a copy of the most recent Church Corner plan from Tim Griswold (Jim Bechtel).
2. 54 Lyme Street Greenhouse – Brad Sweet
The Burnham greenhouse that Brad Sweet purchased from the Philip Johnson estate is too large for the property, and Mr. Sweet has decided to sell it. The greenhouse has been assembled temporarily to show to prospective buyers.
Action: Check on removal of the greenhouse (All members).
Mr. Sweet eventually may renovate the existing shed on his property (Matilda Brown’s studio) and also add a small greenhouse. Before starting this project, formalized plans will be presented to the HDC.
3. HDC – Plaque Program Update –Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
The plaque for 70 Lyme Street (William Dempsey ca 1873) has been delivered.
The research on 27 Lyme Street has run into a problem. The house was once owned by David and Marjorie Key but there is no mention in the land records pertaining to the Keys. The house has been attributed to Henry Matson Waite (ca. 1820).
The research for 135 Mile Creek Road is almost completed. The house is referred to as the “Morgan Lewis place” in an 1885 land record.
Action: Continue plaque research on 27 Lyme Street and 135 Mile Creek Road (Martha Hansen).
4. Handbook Reprint and Grant Application – Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
Jim Bechtel has not received any comments from members concerning handbook revisions. The HDC has been awarded a $3,500 grant to pay for the handbook update. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3,300. The goal is to have the handbook printed by March, 2010. According to the grant, The HDC has until August 30, 2010 to finish the project.
Action: Contact Jennifer Hillhouse and the Florence Griswold Museum about possible pictures of the historic district to use in the revised handbook (Ken Levin).
5. L-OL High School Access Road Tree Removal – Joanne DiCamillo
Joanne DiCamillo met with John Rhodes, Jeff Flower, and the tree warden to view the trees on the north side of the access road. The Tree Commission does not want the trees removed until the start of construction in 2011 and recommended that the area be replanted with native species. As the access road is on Old Lyme Town property, the tree warden must approve all tree removals.
John Rhodes, architect John Schieb, landscape architect David Sousa, Jeff Flower, and representatives of the Duck River Garden Club attended a Tree Commission meeting on November 19 to discuss the tree removal and the access road plan and landscaping. The Lyme Street access to the road will be widened to increase the turning radius requiring that the utility pole be moved about 12 feet south of its current location. The Duck River Garden Club members were concerned that the pole will block the view of the Memorial and garden on the Fire Department’s property. John Rhodes suggested removing a section of the chain link fence and installing pavers in front of the Memorial to improve visibility.
Action: Meet with the fire chief and representatives of the Duck River Garden Club to remove chain link fence (John Rhodes).
The final landscape plan needs to be presented to the State of CT by February 1 in order to meet the funding deadline. The Tree Commission meeting on January 21 will be attended by John Rhodes, John Scheib and Jeff Flower. The neighbors will also be invited.
As the granite curbing on Lyme Street has been extended to the south side of the Fire House entrance, it was recommended that the granite curbing be installed also on the corner of the High School’s access road.
Action: Mention the granite curbing, pavers, neighbor notification, and chain link fence replacement at the High School Building Project Design meeting (Nina Peck).
6. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
All members are now receiving the CT Trust’s Preservation News.
7. Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen
No comment from Tim Griswold on the scenic road application.
Action: Prepare the application and keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen).
8. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
a) As the Grange is planning to install a handicapped access ramp, plans will be presented to the HDC before starting construction.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (Martha Hansen).
b) Currently $2,200 is budgeted for advertising HDC public hearings. This figure is based on advertising in The Day. Other town commissions advertise in the less expensive Shoreline Times.
Action: Check Shoreline Times ad rates (Martha Hansen).
c) Mr. Riesom at 95 Lyme Street is installing a propane tank out of sight from Lyme Street. No CofA is required.
d) The patio fences at Wyckford Lane need to be replaced. Vinyl fencing is acceptable if not visible from Lyme Street.
Action: Make certain that the fences will not be visible from Lyme Street (Betty Chamberlain).
e) There is a car with a “For Sale” sign on the Bikerman’s property.
Action: Ask the zoning enforcement officer to contact the Bikermans (Jim Bechtel).
9. Adjournment
John Forbis moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 a.m. The motion was seconded by Nina Peck and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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