Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 14, 2015
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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REGULAR: John Pfeiffer (Chairman), John Forbis (Vice Chairman), Barbara Traskos, Joanne DiCamillo arrived at 11:00 ALTERNATE: Carol Winters, Dini Mallory |
Absent: |
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Jim Bechtel, Jeff Cooley |
Guests: |
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Barbara Crowley, Tammy Hinckley, Beth Kelly, Muffy Whitley, Louisa Ketron |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Call to order, Quorum call, Approval of minutes, Communications |
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9:05 |
75 Lyme Street, Driveway update |
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9:10 |
Zoning update |
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9:20 |
Historic District neighborhood walk update |
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9:30 |
Public Hearing: 57 Lyme Street, OLCLC landscape screening |
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10:00 |
Public Hearing: 59 Lyme Street, LYSB well house |
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10:30 |
Public Hearing: 10 Lyme Street, Village Shops landscaping and sculpture |
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11:15 |
31 Lyme Street update |
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11:30 |
Plaque Program Update: 4 Johnnycake Hill Road, 206 Mile Creek Road, 209 Mile Creek Road, 6 Ferry Road |
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11:40 |
Secretary’s Report |
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11:50 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (32 Lyme Street Propane tank & AC unit screening) |
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12:00 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer. Carol Winters was authorized to vote in place of Jim Bechtel. John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to approve the July minutes. John Pfeiffer, John Forbis, Barbara Traskos, and Carol Winters voted in favor, motion passed.
1. Communications: A letter was received from Lee and Michele Mergy regarding the HDC’s request that they submit a CofA application for the sculpture installed recently at the Village Shops. Mr. and Mrs. Mergy disagree with the need to submit a CofA.
2. Public Hearing: 75 Lyme Street Driveway: Dr. Awwa presented a drawing of the driveway and information on the pavers. The driveway has been completed.
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Carol Winters, to approve the CofA application. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
3. Zoning Update: Keith Rosenfeld – Keith was unable to attend the meeting.
4. Public Hearing: 57 Lyme Street, OLCLC landscape screening: Alison Zanardi was unable to attend the meeting, but submitted a CofA application describing the seagrass used to screen the AC unit. The HDC is concerned that the seagrass will not hide the unit during the winter and would like it screened with lattice fencing, similar to the screening used at 110 Lyme Street. No objections from neighbors.
Action: Contact Alison Zanardi and ask that lattice screening be used to screen the AC unit (Martha Hansen).
5. Historic District neighborhood walk update
HDC members walked from the Town Hall to the north (Sill) green in July. The following items of concern were noted: 56 Lyme Street – vinyl trim used on fascia when the new roof was installed, 57 Lyme Street – unscreened AC unit in front of building, a pile of utility poles on the town right-of-way in front of 72 Lyme Street, fence in disrepair at 71 Lyme Street, overgrown trees and shrubs at 76 Lyme Street, unscreened AC unit at 78 Lyme Street, sandwich board signs in front of 84 Lyme Street (LACFA), an unscreened electrical transformer visible next to the Lyme Art Academy Apartments driveway, fence and porch columns in disrepair at 81 Lyme Street, permanent “temporary” signs in front of 85 Lyme Street (Old Lyme Inn), large dog/lion sculptures on lawn at 100 Lyme Street (Bee & Thistle Inn).
6. Public Hearing: 59 Lyme Street, LYSB, remove well house: Mary Seidner submitted a CofA application to remove a well house at LYSB. The organization was ordered by the State to abandon the well. They are now getting water from District 18. The well has been filled with Hole Plug (made of bentonite clay) so that it cannot be used. The well house will be removed, the well hole filled in and the porch behind it will be repaired. No objections from neighbors.
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to approve the CofA application. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
7. Public Hearing: 10 Lyme Street, Village Shops landscape and sculpture
Michele Mergy was unable to attend the meeting. Beth Kelly of Old Lyme Landscape represented the Mergy’s and stated that the Mergy’s intent was to beautify the area in front of the Village Shops. Two perennial gardens were installed, along with two benches and a garden sculpture (peacock). They did not feel they needed to come before the HDC because approval was not needed before they installed gardens and garden sculptures at their home at 22 Lyme Street.
John Pfeiffer responded that there is no problem with the gardens or the benches (which are easily moved) but the peacock sculpture is large and requires a CofA application, according to HDC regulations.
Ms. Kelly stated her opinion that the policy is inconsistent because they were not asked to submit a CofA application for the garden sculptures at their home.
Dr. Pfeiffer replied that the Village Shops is a different property and needs a CofA. Ms. Kelly pointed out that there are other properties on Lyme Street that are in violation of HD policies. John Forbis remarked that the HDC walked up and down Lyme Street (from McCurdy Road to the north (Sill) green) in June and July to check out the neighborhood and that the problem is being addressed.
John Pfeiffer expressed his concern about things that appear suddenly in the Historic District without prior notice or discussion. The HDC tries to maintain the integrity of the district and members walked the entire Historic District in June and July to ensure that they are aware of what is happening. He asked Ms. Kelly to inform the Mergy’s that a CofA is required for the sculpture.
Barbara Crowley, owner of the Chocolate Shell (in the Village Shops), stated that she feels the Village Shops has been under attack. Mrs. Crowley is happy with the new landscaping, benches and sculpture and stated that it benefits the Village Shops businesses by drawing attention to the area.
8. 31 Lyme street update: Tammy Hinckley reported that all of the outstanding CofAs have been completed except for the house addition. The foundation has been poured and the framing will be started in November. A stone veneer will be applied to the concrete foundation to match the existing foundation. Stone from the basement floor will be used.
The landscape architect, Chris Lowry, did not apply to the HDC or the Tree Commission for permits for the walkway and landscaping before starting the work. Mrs. DiCamillo stated that Mr. Lowry has now applied for a permit from the Tree Commission for the plantings and the walkway near and around the maple tree (a town tree). The tree warden will make the decision. John Pfeiffer stated that a CofA is required for the walkway because the original one had sunk below grade and was not visible.
Action: submit CofA for the walkway (Tammy Hinckley).
9. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
4 Johnnycake Hill Road: Dyanne Rafal plans to do research with help from Martha Hansen
206 Mile Creek Road: Research has been started on the neighboring property to help clarify the history of #206.
209 Mile Creek Road: Patricia Shippee is researching her house. Martha Hansen emailed her some census information that may help.
6 Ferry Road: Martha Hansen met with Julie Quinn at the Town Hall. Mrs. Quinn has been researching her house and will continue the research at the Lyme Town Hall.
There are an additional 35 properties in the Historic District that qualify for plaques. It takes about 4 hours to get started with the research for each property, so it would take at least 140 hours to research 35 properties. Additional time may be needed depending on how clear the land records are. Grants may be available to help pay for the research.
Action: Check into grants, and post existing research on town website (Martha Hansen).
10. Secretary’s Report:
a) A letter was mailed to the owner of 32 Lyme Street, regarding the screening needed for a propane tank and an AC condenser. No response has been received and the property is now for sale.
Action: Contact real estate agent regarding the issue (Martha Hansen).
b) A letter was sent to the owners of 38 Lyme Street regarding the deteriorating condition of the building, no response has been received.
Action: check with Tax Collector to find out if taxes are being paid on the property (Martha Hansen).
c) Historic District Handbooks were mailed to residents of the Historic District in August. There are about 50 copies of the handbook left; it needs to be updated and reprinted.
d) Jenny Scofield, from SHIPO, contacted us regarding doing an architectural (windshield) survey of historic properties in Old Lyme, most likely in the beach area. SHIPO has FEMA funds to pay for the survey.
Action: Keep the HDC informed and contact Charlotte Hitchcock of the CT Trust regarding status of ancillary buildings survey (Martha Hansen).
11. Any Other New or Old Business:
John Forbis complimented Joanne DiCamillo for working with EverSource to ensure that the large maple in front of his house at 43 Lyme Street was carefully pruned.
Louisa Ketron of Berkshire Hathaway in Essex stopped by to ask if a house in the Historic District can be used for offices. She was advised to check with the Zoning department regarding signs and parking.
John Pfeiffer will contact Bob McCracken regarding the fence and screening which has not yet been installed at the Parsonage.
12. Adjournment:
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo, to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 am. All present voted in favor. Motion passed
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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