Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 12, 2016
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), Jim Bechtel, Barbara Traskos, Dini Mallory ALTERNATE: Cynthia Taylor |
Absent |
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Jeff Cooley |
Guests |
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Daniel Mackay, Greg Stroud, Robin Breeding, Mary Seidner, Jenn Datum, Ava Gilbert. Cloe Datum, Janet Lage, Ellis Jewett, Tim Griswold& Buttons |
Agenda |
9:00 |
Call to order, Quorum call, Approval of minutes, Communications |
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9:05 |
Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Plaque Program Update: 206 Mile Creek Road, 209 Mile Creek Road, 6 Ferry Road, 10 Ferry Road, 110 Lyme Street, Village Shops |
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9:30 |
Public Hearing: 59 Lyme Street, LYSB: Little Free Library |
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10:00 |
Railroad Plan Update: CT Trust, SECoast |
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10:30 |
55 Lyme Street: screening fence for propane tank, etc. |
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11:00 |
Secretary’s Report |
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11:15 |
Historic Buildings Windshield Survey Update |
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11:30 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (Sound View Nomination to National Register of Historic Places, HD handbook reprint) |
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11:45 |
Adjournment |
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer. Dini Mallory asked for an amendment to the July minutes stating that the CT Trust recommends that the windshield survey be done by a professional. Approval of the amended minutes will be postponed until the October meeting
1.The HDC received a request for a letter of support for the nomination of Sound View to the Nation Register of Historic Places. The Board of Selectmen are in favor of the project. John Pfeiffer would like to have a presentation on the issue before writing a letter of support. Daniel Mackay, director of the CT Trust for Historic Preservation, stated that the Sound View application is one of several seeking National Register status for historic shoreline neighborhoods in Connecticut, and that it will help to expand funding options and make property owners eligible for rehabilitation tax breaks. Mr. Mackay also said that the designation is largely honorific and that a National Register listing does not require oversight from a town commission. The listing would not make Sound View an Old Lyme Historic District, or
put it under the jurisdiction of the Historic District Commission. The area would have some protection from Federal and State development, however. Dr. Pfeiffer stated that he was disturbed that preserving the district was not the driving force behind the application.
The Harvest Fair Banner in front of the Christ The King Church is very large and has been in place for a long time. Martha Hansen will mail a letter reminding the church of the regulations for temporary signs, and will send them a Historic District Handbook. Ditto for Congo church Teepee and sign.
John Forbis asked Ms. Hansen to check on the CofA for the newly installed signs and lights at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and to forward the information to the HDC.
Chairman John Pfeiffer left the meeting at 9:30, leaving Vice-chairman John Forbis in charge.
2. Public Open Forum: no participation
3. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
206 Mile Creek Road: Research has been started on the neighboring property to help clarify thehistory of #206. Check with Gary Holland (Martha Hansen).
209 Mile Creek Road: Research is continuing.
6 Ferry Road: Julie Quinn is working on the research.
10 Lyme Street Village Shops: Lee and Michele Mergy are interested in a plaque for the building, which was built as an IGA Grocery Store in 1929 by Woodward Griswold. Martha Hansen will order the plaque.
10 Ferry Road: David and Susan Rahr are working on the research.
110 Lyme Street: John Noyes is working on the research.
32 Lyme Street: Cindy Taylor is interested in a plaque. The HDC has some information about when the house was built.
4. Public Hearing: 59 Lyme Street, LYSB Little Free Library, Mary Seidner
Mary Seidner of The Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau submitted a CofA application for a Little Free Library to be installed near the front porch. The project was explained by fourth grade Girl Scouts Cloe Datum and Ava Gilbert. The library will consist of a wooden box with a shingled roof on a post set into the ground. The books, which will be donated, will be accessed behind plexiglass doors. The library will be paid for using money the troop raised selling Girl Scout Cookies. Books for all ages will be stocked in the library and will be available to anyone who wants one. There are about 40,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide.
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Jim Bechtel, to approve the CofA application, all present voted in favor, motion passed.
5. Railroad Plan update – CT Trust, SECoast – Daniel Mackay, Greg Stroud, Robin Breeding
Daniel Mackay contacted Bonnie Reemsnyder in February to discuss what Old Lyme could do to regarding the FRA’s plan to put a high-speed rail line through the center of Old Lyme. Alternative 1 would put the new rail line through the Historic District, destroying or compromising many historic properties, including the Florence Griswold Museum, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been identified as a national treasure.
Daniel MacKay recommended that identifying other National Register-eligible properties along the proposed route could help to change the proposed plan on Old Lyme. Greg Stroud stated that there are several infrastructure/utility projects planned to go through Old Lyme: The expansion of I-95 and the possible re-routing of the train along its present route. Connecticut environmental groups have been presented with three plans, from lesser to greater evils. The original FRA maps of the project show exactly what the impact will be for each plan/alternative. The map of April 6 has been signed by all of the State Historic Preservation Offices along the route, and is currently the preferred plan. These maps have now been removed from the FRA website, but SECoast has released them. Greg stated that the earlier we start the better
chance we have of affecting the outcome in a positive way.
Greg stated that as of now, most environmental groups have not weighed in as being against the project. The Nature Conservancy has remained neutral so far (TNC policy is not to be an advocate). The Connecticut Audubon Society and its Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, have weighed in against the plan, including the CAS president who wrote a letter opposing the plan.
John Forbis stated his concern that the impact of a bridge or tunnel on the Connecticut River was not mentioned at the recent public meeting. John Forbis stressed that he wants to make sure that the FRA understands how a bridge would impact the Connecticut River estuary, and how important it is for sediment from the river to get to the surrounding wetlands.
Greg Stroud remarked that since the close of the public comment period on February 16, there is no longer a formal process to include any research, opinion, etc. Mr. Mackay stated that a decision will be made by end of the calendar year.
6. 55 Lyme Street, Old Lyme Historical Society - propane tank screening, AC unit screening
Ellis Jewett presented sketches of the white vertical lattice screening which will be used to screen two 150 gallon propane gas tanks and one AC unit to be installed in the rear of the building, and one AC unit which has been installed on the north side of the building. The screening will be high enough to screen the objects from view, while providing access and ventilation.
Jim Bechtel made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to approve the CofA application. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
7. Secretary’s Report:
Martha Hansen reported that she is working on getting a grant to pay for reprinting the HD Handbook.
8. Historic Buildings “Windshield Survey” Update:
Daniel Mackay recommended that the HDC first prepare a list of properties eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, before pursuing the nominations. This would identify the scope of the project and could be just as effective as listing the properties, but at a lower cost. The process of listing properties on the National Register is to survey them first. Then the research is done, the nominations are prepared, and, if approved, the properties are listed.
John Forbis stated that he believes there are about 400 eligible properties in an eight to ten-mile square area along the proposed route of Alternative 1 in Old Lyme. Daniel Mackay stated that it could cost $20,000 to $30,000 to do an eligibility survey of that scope, and that SHPO may have funding available for a survey.
9. Any Other New or Old Business:
a) Sound View Nomination – see above
10. Adjournment:
Jim Bechtel made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 am. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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