SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 21, 2006
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on June 21, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Herbert, Mr. Spang and Ms. Harper and Ms. Guy.
Ms. Diozzi noted that there is a bare quorum and offered the applicants the opportunity to request a continuance to the next meeting.
10 Gifford Court
Maureen Jacoby and Toni Fournier submitted an application for a Certificate of Non-Applicability for secondary egress at 10 Gifford Court. Also submitted, was a letter requesting that the Commission rescind the Certificate of Appropriateness dated March 16, 2006. Also present was Attorney John Carr.
Ms. Guy stated that Ms. Herbert has prepared a drawing for a secondary egress solution in the rear of the property. She stated that the Building Inspector has reviewed the drawing and is in approval. She noted that by issuing a Certificate for the rear solution and rescinding the Hardship certificate for the front entry solution, the front entrance will remain in tact.
Ms. Herbert reviewed the drawing with the Commission.
Mr. Spang asked for clarification that the rear solution would not be visible.
Ms. Herbert replied that it would not be visible.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to rescind the Certificate of Hardship dated 3/16/06. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to issue a Certificate of Non-applicability for the secondary egress in the rear per drawing submitted. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
6 North Pine Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Richard Grundy submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for roof replacement.
Mr. Grundy provided a sample of the proposed roofing material and stated that he believed it was Timberline.
Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the roofing material which has alternating 2/1 tabs. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
92 Federal Street
Susan Quirk, Patricia McIntire and Debra Capozzi submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to extend a roof overhang to take water away from the front side of the house.
Ms. Guy stated that she received a note from the applicant withdrawing the application.
47 Osgood Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Debora Dawkins presented an application to Waive the Demolition Delay Ordinance for demolition of the house at 47 Osgood Street. Also present was Scott Costello.
Ms. Herbert stated that she attended the site visit and felt that the structure has lived a full life. It is poor shape in terms of beetles, carpenter ants and settlement. It is not set up for today’s living standards, due to low ceilings and no maneuverability.
Mr. Spang stated that the foundation is rubble stone and that there are not a lot of signs of movement of the foundation. He stated that there are strong signs that the building is racking and moving. There is not a lot of historic fabric left other than the basic shape on the outside. The inside has been significantly changed over the years and is pretty contemporary. He is not sure if it is failing or collapsing, but it is clearly moving around and he did not know the cause.
Mr. Costello stated that he found that he only needs 10’ of setback on each side, so they are considering moving the orientation to the front as suggested by Mr. Spang.
Ms. Diozzi asked how much taller it will be.
Mr. Costello stated that the proposed is 32’ while the current is approximately 16’.
Ms. Diozzi asked how the situation with this property differs from 7 Sutton Avenue recently denied.
Mr. Spang stated that the question is if there is any historic fabric and if the structure contributes as a defining element of the neighborhood. He stated that the house is neither. He noted that their willingness to change the orientation is the same type of compromise that the Commission tried to do with 7 Sutton.
Ms. Herbert stated that the property has the skeleton of the original, but little else, and noted that 7 Sutton has all the wonderful features worth saving.
Ms. Harper made a motion to approve the waiver. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
377 Essex Street
Maureen McCarthy submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for East side alterations including removal of aberrant casement window, removal of door and vinyl entry porch, removal of 2 windows and relocation of new windows. Also submitted was an application for a Certificate of Non-applicability for the South elevation for alteration of window sizes and locations which have minimal seasonal visibility of the 2nd floor only from Chestnut St. Present were Ms. McCarthy’s spouse, Frank Simmons and architect Helen Sides.
Ms. Sides stated that they are proposing 2 over 2 Brosco true divided light windows with energy panel as close as possible to the existing size. The windows will line up on top and bottom.
Mr. Spang asked about the downspout over the porch roof.
Mr. Simmons stated that it will be eliminated.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the Appropriateness application as submitted. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the Non-applicability application as submitted. There was no second.
Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the South elevation alterations under Appropriateness due to its visibility in the Winter. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Sides provided a copy of a draft drawing for porch replacement that they will be submitted for a future application and asked if there were any immediate issues that she should be aware of.
Ms. Guy suggested that Ms. Sides find precedent in the district for non-roofed double porches and provide drawings for two options (one with and one without a roof).
Mr. Spang felt that the privacy screen will have a strong impact on appropriateness.
Ms. Herbert suggested using planter boxes with evergreens instead of a screen.
6 Gifford Court
Jacqueline Albanes presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to enclose an existing side porch which will be finished and painted to match the existing clapboards on the house.
Ms. Albanes stated that she will take the existing door and flip it to create a new back entrance. Approximately ¾ of the existing porch (2 sections) will be enclosed. She noted that when she initially bought the house, it had an enclosure.
Mr. Spang asked the height of the foundation section.
Ms. Albanes stated that it was approximately 2 ½’.
Mr. Spang wondered if it will need a railing. If required by the Building Inspector to install a railing, Ms. Albanes will need to review the design of the rail with the Commission at a future hearing.
Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
27 Flint Street
The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 3 wooden oval signs, two for either side of the Essex Street door and one to the right of the Flint Street door. The signs will be black with gold leaf lettering. Pam Constantine and Arthur Emery were present.
Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
21 Warren Street
Charlene Laurion submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a 6’ cedar fence with lattice to be installed on the left hand side of the building. The fence will match the fence approved for 23 Warren Street.
Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the fence installation to match 23 Warren and to be installed between 21 and 19 Warren at the property line, running from the street to the rear lot line. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the minutes of March 15, 2006 and June 7, 2006. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Guy read a letter from the Building Inspector to the Middlesex Corporation concerning the building at 234 Bridge Street, declaring it an unsafe structure and ordering that it be removed or made safe. Ms. Guy noted that the building was demolished today.
Ms. Guy read a letter from an anonymous resident complaining about French doors installed at 266 Lafayette St. Ms. Guy noted that the doors are visible from Laurel Street and that Laurel Street is referenced in the ordinance, although there are no addresses on Laurel in the district. Ms. Herbert made a motion to send a violation letter to the owner. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Diozzi stated that In A Pig’s Eye on Derby Street has started scraping paint and has installed an awning. Mr. Spang stated that he will take a ride by. Ms. Harper noted that the building is primed.
Mr. Spang stated that the Marketplace Development Committee has been trying to work with the developers and that there is a public hearing on Monday at the Peabody Essex Museum. At some point the Commission will be asked to consider demolition. He noted that Historic Salem, Inc. has done a position paper stating that the facades of the Edgewater Café and Delandes buildings should be preserved. They agree that the condition of the Salem News wood frame building does not warrant preservation.
There being no further business, Mr. Spang made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Clerk of the Commission
| 
