Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 5, 2018
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), Dini Mallory, Barbara Traskos ALTERNATE: Cynthia Taylor |
Absent |
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Jeff Cooley |
Guests |
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Rosemary Padovano |
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 |
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9:30 |
Public Hearing: 23 Lyme Street, Artemisia Inc. business signage |
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10:00 |
Secretary’s Report - Budget, Active CofAs |
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10:15 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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10:30 |
Adjournment |
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer who authorized Cynthia Taylor to vote. Cynthia Taylor moved, seconded by John Pfeiffer, to approve the January minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
1. Communications: The Selectman’s Office received an email about the lighting on the Village Shops sign from Bob Potter. The email was forwarded to the HDC.
From: Bob Potter
Subject: Complaint: Light is too bright on Village Shops Sign!
To: Old Lyme Selectman’s Office
Dear Old Lyme Selectman’s Office:
As a nearby neighbor on Lyme Street, I really must complain about the current light that illuminates the Village Shops sign.
It is way too bright for our historic street and community. No other shop or residence lights on Lyme Street are this bright.
Please notify the current owner of the village shops with this request to change this lighting to something less bright.
I recall that there have been discussions and complaints at Town Hall meetings about “appropriate ambient light” in Old Lyme.
Thank you,
Bob Potter
The commission members noted that the lights on the sign are in compliance with Historic District sign lighting guidelines which state that [Light “color” should be non-commercial “white”] (i.e. not neon). It was noted that the street lights have been changed to a softer light after similar complaints. They agreed to ask the Village Shops owners if the lights on the sign could be changed to something softer.
Action: Write letter to Village Shops owners (Martha Hansen).
2. Public Open Forum: no participation
3. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
209 Mile Creek Road: Research is continuing. Martha did some research on taverns in colonial times and found that they took many forms and it was very common for rural families to open their homes as taverns.
32 Lyme Street: Cynthia Taylor has been working on the research. Her house was moved to its location after it was built. She has the name of the original builder, but is having problems filling in the ownership in the 1800s because there are many Waits in the property records. Martha will help with the research.
5 Bailey Road: Alexandra Escher is interested in a historic plaque for her home, believed to have been built by Captain Cunningham ca 1820. Martha Hansen will work with her on the project.
26 Sill Lane: Caroline Ronchini has requested historical information about her home. Martha Hansen will contact her.
4. Public Hearing: 23 Lyme Street, Artemisia, Inc. Rosemary Padovano
Rosemary Padovano submitted a CofA application for signage for her business, Artemisia Inc., which is moving onto Lyme Street. She would like to replace the existing post and arm sign and locate it 13 feet back from the street. This location will not interfere with sight lines from the Cooley Gallery or the neighboring driveway. The new post and arm sign will be white, with a 2x2 foot business sign with a small wooden banner. She would also like to put a separate sign on the building to identify her business, since the building has other tenants.
Motion: John Forbis moved, seconded by Cynthia Taylor, to approve the CofA for one year. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
5. Secretary’s Report:
Handbook grant: The HPEG grant request will be submitted this month. Martha Hansen has been in touch with Mary Dunne of CCC&T.
Action: prepare and submit grant (Martha Hansen).
Active (Open) CofAs:
- 55 Lyme Street, screening fence for propane tank and AC unit, September 2018.
- The Lyme Art Association has two projects in process – parking lot lighting and new cedar shingles for the building, September 2018.
6. Any Other New or Old Business:
Historic Buildings survey grant update: John Pfeiffer, as Municipal Historian, will be meeting with Bonnie Reemsnyder soon to work on the grant, which will be overseen by a panel of community members, including a member of the Old Lyme Historical Society.
John Forbis reported on a study on how the Historic District will be impacted by rising sea levels. Water is expected to rise between 2.5 and 3.3 feet on the New England coast in the future. This will impact basements and other structures that that are 15 feet or less above sea level.
The HDC has openings for two members. If you are interested please contact the Selectman’s Office at town hall.
7. Adjournment: John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Cynthia Taylor, to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 am. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Secretary
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