SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 20, 2014
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Laurie Bellin, Susan Keenan, Joanne McCrea, and Jane Turiel.
23 Chestnut Street
Peter Cohen and Martin Lieberman submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to:
- Strip the carriage house brick dental work of paint
- Install blue stone chimney caps to replace the existing concrete caps
- Reinstall the original front door and sidelight shutters, which are current in storage in the carriage house.
- Install rooftop HVAC units to service the 2nd and 3rd floors. The HVAC contractor has specified a Goodman GSX160421F unit with the dimensions of 35 ½” x 35 ½”x 36 ¼”. The units would be located between the parapet and the chimney, toward the back of the house.
- Install a 6’ fence along the Pickering House side of the property. The proposed fence is a stockage fence. The existing fencing along the property is also stockage style.
Alter the carriage house door. The application states that the existing door does not appear to be original. There is evident that there were two doors that opened out from the existing hardware on the brick façade and above the door the brick shows evidence that the opening was once arched. The proposal is to store the door to this original arch style.
Peter Cohen was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 7/21/14
- Photographs: 7/21/14
Ms. Herbert asked if the abutting properties’ fences are also stockade.
Mr. Cohen responded that the adjoining three properties also have stockade fencing. If they were to install a different style, it would stand out. He also explained that the application for the window painting has been amended. They originally proposed to paint the sashes black, however they are now proposing to paint the windows with in-kind colors.
Ms. Herbert asked for clarification of the photo of the Phillips House carriage house dentil work. Commission member David Hart took a picture of the carriage house that shows the carriage house with painted dentils.
Mr. Cohen stated that he took a picture of the carriage house from Essex Street. It seems as though the dentils are not painted on the entire building.
Ms. Herbert stated that there was a carriage house on the Common that stripped the painting from the dentils. It can be either painted or unpainted.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the amended application for painting with in-kind colors. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert asked how height the blue stone chimney cap will be.
Jeff Whitmore, contractor for the applicant, responded that it will be 12” from the surface of the chimney.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert asked if historic hinging, with the pins, would be used with the shutters.
Mr. Cohen responded in the affirmative.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin asked if the top of the fence post will be rounded or flat.
Mr. Cohen stated that the posts used to be more rounded, but they have been worn down by squirrels. They are considering installing the fence at 5’, which was a suggestion of the neighbor, as then the fence would match the height of the adjoining fence.
There was no public comment.
MOTION: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the fence, at 6’ or a height to match the adjoining fence.
Ms. Herbert asked if they also wanted to include details on the color of the fence.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin amended her motion to include that aging oil would be used to match the adjacent fences. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert asked if the HVAC for the first floor will be located at ground level.
Ms. Cohen responded in the affirmative. The rooftop unit will be located between the parapet and the chimney.
Mr. Whitmore added that the units will be a dark charcoal color, so it won’t be as visible. It will not be visible at all from Chestnut Street, and will only be visible from halfway down Hamilton Street, for approximately 10’.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to approve the HVAC units in the charcoal color. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert asked if the carriage house door will be an operable double door.
Mr. Cohen responded that they are still exploring that. If it is a single door, it will appear to be a double door.
Ms. Herbert asked for the motivation to change the door.
Mr.Cohen responded that the change is for aesthetics reasons. Additionally, the existing door is not very operable.
Ms. Herbert asked if the age of the carriage house is known.
Mr. Cohen responded that they believe it was built around 1814. The brickwork surrounding the existing door gives the appearance that the door used to be arched and was at one time filled in, as the brick is of a different color. The brick surrounding the adjacent single door is also in poor condition and will need to be repaired.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
6 Harrington Court
Nikoleta Jaho submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for changes previously made to the exterior of the house. These changes include repaired to the front stairs, the addition of retaining walls and stairs, and the installation of a side deck.
Nikoleta Jaho and Anil Jaho were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 7/28/2014
- Photographs: 7/28/2014
Ms. Herbert stated that she is unsure how the deck received a building permit, because it does not seem to comply with the dimensional setback requirements. In addition, it should have come before the Commission because it is located within the historic district.
Ms. Herbert summarize the changes that have been made to the front entry. The front entry previously had a wrought iron railing along the portico, which was not original to the structure. She asked when the changes were made to the front portico.
Mr. Jaho responded that it was fixed approximately 5-6 years ago. They were not aware that the house was located within the local historic district.
Ms. Herbert continued to discuss the deck addition. She stated that if the deck had come before the Commission prior to the deck being built, the Commission would have requested a more historic balustrade and also that the deck be painted to match the house. The existing deck has backcut pickets and the deck is painted the color of red wood.
Mr. Jaho stated that when the deck was built, there were a number of trees on the property so it wasn’t as visible as it is now.
Ms. Herbert said that the deck would be more acceptable if it was painted white and the balusters were changed to 2x2s, where the base of the balusters rest along the bottom rail. Only the front side of the balustrade, facing the street, needs to be changed. The side and the rear are not visible from the street and can remain as they are currently designed.
Ms. Herbert stated that for the front portico, the Commission would have been very specific on the style and would have wanted something less utilitarian. The railings that were there prior to the Jaho’s purchasing the property were of a 40-50s style. There have been many changes to the property over time.
Ms. Lovett left to find the assessor’s picture of the property. The picture shows the front of the house, approximately 5 years ago, prior to the changes to the portico.
Ms. Turiel stated that if the railings were painted white, it would improve the appearance.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to paint the balustrade white and revise the front balustrade design. Jessica Herbert will work with the applicants to clarify the design of the balustrade change. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to paint the front railings white. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert stated that with regards to the retaining walls and stairs, she is not sure what the Commission would have requested differently.
MOTION: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the retaining wall and repairs to the front steps.
Ms. McCrea stated that she does not feel the retaining walls are appropriate to the house.
Ms. Bellin withdrew the previous motion
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to, under the circumstances, allow the retaining walls to remain and as well as the repairs to the front steps. All were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Keenan left the meeting.
148/150 Washington Street (Joshua Ward House)
Salem Renewal, LLC submitted a request for a letter of support from the Commission for their Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit application. The project includes restoration of the house, so that it may operate as a bed and breakfast. The building is being restored by Todd Waller, of ZXE, LLC.
John Seger, Dan Riccarelli, and Todd Waller were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- MA Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Letter Request Form
Mr. Waller gave a presentation to the Commission on the proposed rehabilitation of the building. The building will be turned into a boutique hotel with 11 rooms. The 4-square interior layout will remain. Most of the fireplaces will be restored and made operable. The existing closets will be changed into bathrooms. He added that the building, at one time, operated as a hotel (~1910-1920).
Mr. Seger said that they will need to go through the National Parks Service review as part of the MA Rehabilitation Tax Credits process.
Mr. Riccarelli stated that the balustrade will be restored in the same style, however the new balustrade will be higher to meet current building code requirements. A balustrade will also be added to the top of the rear addition so that the roof will be usable as a deck. The portico will remain and a new door will be added to the rear of the building to accommodate for handicap access.
Ms. Herbert noted that the base of the pillars at the rear portico seem too clunky for the era.
VOTE: Ms. Mccrea made a motion to submit a letter of support. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
3 Webster Street
Renewal Ventures, LLC submitted a request for a Letter of Support for their MA Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits application. Constructed in 1887 by the Lynn & Boston Electric Railroad Company, the Car Barn is a unique example of the industrial architecture built in Salem during the late 19th century. The project will involve converting the Car Barn into six residential units. Historically appropriate and energy efficient windows will be installed and repairs will be made to the masonry. The large wood doors will be reintroduced to the original trolley car bays.
Documents & Exhibits
- MA Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Letter Request Form
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to submit a letter of support. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
217 Essex Street
As a continuation of a previous meeting, and in accordance with Section 106 Review, the Commission received from EBI Consulting, Inc. an Initiation to Comment on a proposed telecommunications facility. Verizon is proposing to co-locate antennas on the building. The antennas will be located at a height of 87’ on a 90’ building. In response to the Commission’s initial comment letter stating the detrimental visual effect the installation would have on the surrounding historic buidlings, EBI submitted additional information on the details of the proposed project.
Documents & Exhibits
- Submission Packet, FCC Form 621
Ms. Herbert stated that she feels the City Councilors need to involved with the telecommunication installations. Councilor Sargeant is the SHC representative and could be notified of the issue.
She said that the comment letter should state that the Commission still finds that the additional antennae installation would have a negative impact on the downtown and because of the proliferation of antennae on the building. The Commission is going to refer the issue to the City Council.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to support the letter to EBI and MHC and send a memo to Councilor Sargeant. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
94 Derby Street/33 Carlton Street
Wendy Walsh requested, via email, that the completion date for their Certificate of Appropriateness, for the doorway repair work, be extended for two months.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the two month extension. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Correspondence
Ms. Lovett updated the Commission on the North Street Fire Station masonry restoration project. The project has been moving along smoothly and the masonry work is nearing completion. The window restoration will be completed during the fall.
Ms. Lovett updated the Commission on the Phase 2 restoration of the Salem Common Fence. CBI Consulting is under contract to produce bid documents and oversee the construction. The bids will be available in the fall.
Ms. McCrea stated that she is concerned with the mothballing of the superior court and that at a meeting DCAMM had stated that the heating system would be split and they would not be heating the superior court building.
VOTE: 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,
Natalie BL Lovett
Community Development Planner
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