SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Harper, Ms. Herbert, Ms. McCrea and Ms. Bellin.
30 Columbus Avenue
In continuation of a previous meeting, Robert and Anthie Jackson submitted an application to waive the Demolition Delay Ordinance to demolish 30 Columbus Avenue in its entirety. Also present was Wayne Hunt, architect.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Report on existing conditions by J. Taylor Moynihan dated July 21, 2010.
- Hunt Design Group drawing of proposed new house dated August 24, 2010
Mr. Hunt provided a site plan with a new layout and elevations of the proposed house. He stated that they are trying to keep the general aesthetics and appearance of a beachfront cottage. The new structure will be within required set backs. They are going to ZBA for a waiver from frontage. The basic schematic design is the same. The materials have not been finalized, but he believes it will be a shingle style. He noted that they played around with the windows, which will be double hung. There will be an eyebrow dormer and balustrade above the garage. They are going to do a covered area with columns at the entryway.
Mr. Jackson stated it will be weathered.
Jane Dionne, 26 Columbus Ave, stated that her family has lived there for over 62 years. The view that they have always had has been through glass walls, looking toward #30 has been of neighbors’ yards, two beaches and the huge trees through the Bay View Avenue intersection and up Columbus Avenue. She stated that if the plans go as presented, their view will be of just 30 Columbus. She added that they have no problem if the house were built on the current footprint. She asked that no vote be taken until after the ZBA meeting of 9/15/10.
Alex Pzenny, 27 Columbus Ave, stated that he felt it would severely compromise his view of the ocean.
Mr. Hunt stated that from the end of the existing stairs to the sidewalk is 5’.
Ms. Herbert questioned if the new wall is in further from the existing porch. She stated that the existing porch looks to be about 10’ out from the existing house and that the new wall will actually be in 4’ inward. She noted that the porch is one story. She stated that Mr. Pzenny’s view may actually be improved.
Claudia Hennessey, 21 Columbus Avenue, stated that she is impacted by the part of the house close to 26 Columbus Avenue. She asked if it will be changed.
Ms. Dionne stated that each house was originally built on two tent lots which is why the numbering is crazy.
Ms. Diozzi asked when construction will start.
Mr. Jackson stated that it will begin when all proper permits are obtained.
Ms. Herbert noted that the house across the street has two garages right on the sidewalk.
Ms. Dionne stated that the rear of the house will be going 7-8’ back and will be going higher, which is what will effect her view. She will loose the view of 2 beaches and some trees.
Ms. Herbert stated that she liked the design and liked what they have done.
Mr. Hunt stated that there are transoms over the doors. He stated that they kept the roof line down and added dormers to keep the scale down. It will be 27’ to the ridge. The house will be approximately 10’6” off the right side property line.
Ms. Hennessey stated that she will loose some view.
Ms. McCrea noted that there are two sheds there which likely block the view of the water anyway.
Ms. Herbert agreed and stated that her view would have to be from the second floor.
Ms. Herbert stated that the 30 Columbus Avenue house is not a pristine structure and has been bastardized.
Ms. Harper stated that the new house has a character that reflects the Willows. The repetition of the gables is a change of the streetscape.
Ms. Herbert stated that she did not feel the existing house added to the historic character of the neighborhood.
Ms. Bellin agreed, but was inclined not to waive it and preferred to let it expire in January. She did not feel there was any need to speed things up.
Ms. McCrea stated that she did not see what is gained by denying the waiver.
Mr. Hunt stated that they are bringing the house within all the setbacks. He stated that they will continue to work with the neighbors to try to best locate the house within the setbacks.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to waive the Demolition Delay Ordinance. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Harper, Ms. Herbert and Ms. McCrea voted in favor. Ms. Bellin voted in opposition. The motion so carried.
315-317 Essex Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, 315 Essex St. LLC, Steve Morris trustee, submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to revise previously approved elevations, including the relocation of windows.
Ms. Guy stated that she received an e-mail from Morris Schopf of Schopf Design Associates, requesting a continuance to the meeting of September 15, 2010.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the meeting of September 15, 2010. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin recused herself from the next application and sat in the audience.
20 Fowler Street
Avalito & Franziska Garcia submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace an existing deteriorated, leaking skylight with a new skylight in Velux or similar.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Specifications on Velux manual venting deck mounted skylight
- Specifications on Velux Model VS and VSE No Leak ventilating skylight
Ms. Garcia stated that the size would be an approximate match to the existing skylight. She stated that the inside dimensions are roughly 21” x 32” and that they will be going to a 21” x 27” casement window in bronze color.
Ms. Harper stated that the roof is very steep and she did not feel the Velux was radically different.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the replacement of an existing skylight (approximately 21” x 32”) with new Velux manual venting deck mounted (VS) skylight (21” x 27”) in bronze color. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin rejoined the Commission.
Other Business
- Ms. Guy stated that she received a letter from Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) to Aerial Spectrum, Inc. finding no adverse effect for a proposed telecommunications installation at 52-60 Dow Street.
- Ms. Guy stated that she received a letter from Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) to Nexamp finding no adverse effect for a proposed geothermal heat pump underneath the existing Hawthorne Hotel parking lot.
There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Clerk of the Commission
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