Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 1, 2013
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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REGULAR: Jim Bechtel (Co-chairman), Ken Levin (Co-chairman), Barbara Traskos, Joanne DiCamillo ALTERNATE: Janet Sturges, John Pfeiffer, John Forbis |
Absent |
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Nina Peck (Regular) |
Guest |
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Wendy Brainerd |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Handbook Cover Note |
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9:30 |
Business News & Secretary’s Report |
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9:45 |
Sculpture Policy review |
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10:00 |
Plaque Program update: 12, 20 & 23 Ferry Road; 173 Mile Creek Road; 209 Boston Post Road, 4 Johnnycake Hill Road - Martha Hansen |
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10:15 |
Any other new or old business (Lyme Street doggie bags, 75 Lyme Street violation, Sill House restoration) |
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10:30 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Co-chairman Ken Levin.
Jim Bechtel made a motion, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo, to approve the March minutes. Jim Bechtel, Joanne DiCamillo, Janet Sturges and John Pfeiffer voted in favor. Ken Levin, Barbara Traskos and John Forbis abstained as they had not attended the March meeting. Motion carried.
1. Public Open Forum: Wendy Brainerd
Concern was expressed about the following on Lyme Street: the proliferation of signs (permanent and temporary); the enforcement of the state statute regarding signs in Historic Districts; exterior sculptures; tables, chairs, and benches (especially those on town property).
The HDC referred to the Historic District Handbook (approved and paid for by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism) stating that the HDC has jurisdiction over permanent signs. Temporary signs and banners are the charge of Old Lyme Planning & Zoning. The Historic District was the original business center of Old Lyme, and the HDC wants to support business on Lyme Street. The HDC may invite representatives from the Lyme Street retailers to a future meeting to get their thoughts on signage. The HDC’s sculpture policy was reviewed later in the meeting.
Action: Contact Mary Dunne at the CCC&T and ask if she could attend an upcoming meeting to review again the signage issue (Martha Hansen).
2. Handbook Cover Note: Jim Bechtel
The HDC will mail HD handbooks to property owners and renters in the Historic District as well as local real estate brokerages. The handbooks will include a cover note and the revised sculpture policy.
3. Business News & Secretary’s Report: Martha Hansen
The HDC’s memberships have been renewed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Connecticut Trust, and the Old Lyme Historical Society.
4. Sculpture Policy Review
Joanne DiCamillo made a motion, seconded by Jim Bechtel, to approve the revised sculpture policy as presented, with the addition of “A limited number of small garden sculptures are permitted.” (under the Residents and Businesses section). All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
Barbara Traskos made a motion, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo, to add the revised sculpture policy to the Historic District handbook. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
5. Plaque Program update: Martha Hansen
12 Ferry Road: Continue research (Martha Hansen).
20 Ferry Road: Continue research (Martha Hansen and Pamela Hamilton).
23 Ferry Road: Robin Sedgwick will contact us when she is ready to proceed.
173 Mile Creek: Continue research (Martha Hansen).
209 Boston Post Road: Determine an approximate date of construction. Contact George James to set up a meeting (John Pfeiffer).
4 Johnnycake Hill Road: Dyanne Rafal will contact us.
6. Any other new or old business
a) Lyme Street doggie bags:
The First Selectwoman received a letter from a resident regarding dog litter along Lyme Street. The resident suggested posting small signs (including bags) to encourage people to pick up after their dogs.
Action: Ask Selectwoman Reemsnyder to include in the monthly newsletter a request that residents pick up after their dogs (Jim Bechtel).
b) 75 Lyme Street violation:
Ann Brown, ZEO, has offered to write Dr. Awwa a second letter reminding him that he is in violation (balcony and AC condenser) and asking him to appear before the HDC for a CofA and then apply for a building permit.
Action: Follow up with Ann Brown (Jim Bechtel).
c) Sill House Restoration:
While a drawing or picture of the original single front stair on the Sill House has not been found, the State’s Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO) has agreed to allow brownstone facing on the staircase to match the foundation.
d) Colonial Dames project:
The 1920s Colonial Dames project published extensive historical information on ten houses in Old Lyme. The project has additional information on twenty-five other houses in Old Lyme.
e) Halls Road "Gateway to the Arts" renovation plan:
The plan to improve the streetscape includes landscaping, lighting, walkways and bike paths. Selectwoman Reemsndyer is forming a group to organize the project which may be funded by a grant.
f) Walking Tour:
Copies of the Old Lyme Historical Society’s walking tour were provided.
7. Adjournment
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 a.m. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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