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H. Minutes - 5/20/15, Approved
SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 20, 2015
        
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA.  Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper, David Hart, Larry Spang, and Joanne McCrea.


161 Federal Street

Dan Botwinik (161 Federal Street, LLC) submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for proposed exterior improvements to the former Saint James Rectory. The project includes renovations associated with a new residential use. The project will include:

  • Repair and repaint (same colors as existing) the exterior wood clapboard siding
  • Remove the bulkhead at the west elevation
  • Retain and repair the existing wood windows and doors
  • Restore the windows along the east elevation to their original configuration
  • Adjust the rear (south elevation) recessed entrance to accommodate exterior access to the basement level
  • Replace missing or damaged slates from the roof with in-kind materials
  • Replaced the existing skylights with new skylights of the same approximate size and in the same general locations
  • Addition of a roof dormer to the rear (south) slope of the hip roof to provide adequate clearance at the attic level.
 
Doug Kelleher, Epsilon Associates, and Barry Ganek, Ganek Architects, were present on behalf of the owner.

Documents & Exhibits
  • Application submitted 4/21/15
  • Photographs
  • Existing and proposed elevations
  • Architectural drawings
Mr. Ganek stated that major change to the building is the addition of a dormer. The visibility of the dormer from the street has been limited. It will have a flat roof and the attic unit will be accessed from the 2nd floor. The original window openings will be restored throughout the building where casement windows were installed. The existing wood windows will be restored. In addition, the walkout bulkhead will be removed and the clapboard siding will be restored to that area.

Mr. Hart noted that the applicant is also proposing to replace the existing skylights.

Ms. Herbert any work being completed to the chimney.

Mr. Ganek responded that they will be inspecting the chimney and repairing as necessary.

John Carr, 7 River Street, spoke on behalf of the Federal Street Neighborhood Association. The applicants have met with the FSNA several times. The FSNA voted at last night’s meeting in opposition to the increased density in the neighborhood. Their greatest concern is the dormer to the rear of the building. The slate roof is original. The project will be going before the ZBA for variances. The FSNA would like to see the Historical Commission hold off on their approval until after the applicant has received the variances from the ZBA. The FSNA does not oppose the colors, or removal of the bulkhead. The skylights were not discussed but are in direct contention to the SHC guidelines. They do not feel as though the developer needs the 7th unit in order to make the project financially viable.

Ms. Herbert asked if the FSNA discussed the replication of the original windows where casement windows currently exist.

Mr. Carr responded that replicating the original windows would be favorable.

Mr. Hart disclosed that he is a member of the Federal Street Neighborhood Association, however he did not attend any of their meeting on this application and he is not an abutter. Ms. McCrea disclosed the same.

Mr. Spang asked if the shed dormer would be acceptable if there were only 3 units.

Mr. Carr responded that the FSNA favors as few alterations to the period building, as possible.

Shelby Hypes 157 Federal Street, spoke in opposition to the project. The development assumes that the residents will utilize parking spaces behind the building, however she believes they will prefer to use the street parking further congesting the area.  

Mr. Spang asked whether the applicant requires a height variance for the dormer.  

Mr. Ganek responded that it shouldn’t require a zoning relief.

Dan Botwinik, the property owner, stated that they will be going before the ZBA in June.

Ms. McCrea asked for clarification on where the basement windows will be installed.

Mr. Ganek the only new basement window will be where the bulkhead exists.  

MOTION/VOTE:  Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the removal of the bulkhead to be replaced on the existing remaining wall with materials to match the existing; remove the three more modern windows on the east and replace with 2 window to match the existing historic windows, the trim surround and shutters to match the existing. Mr. Hart seconded the motion.
All were in favor, and the motion so carried.

Mr. Spang noted that regarding the dormer, the Commission should be reviewing whether it is appropriate to the historic character and not whether the number of units is right or wrong.  

MOTION/VOTE:  Mr. Spang made a motion to continue the dormer discussion and the skylight to the next meeting. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.


13 Chestnut Street

Nicholas & Jennifer Kiefer submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the exterior paint color of the house and garage. The applicants consulted with Historic New England’s Senior Manager of Historic Preservation Services, Sally Zimmerman, to ensure that the selected colors are historically appropriate. The proposed paint colors are:

Body: Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray
Trim: Navajo White
House and garage doors: Fine Paints of Europe Delft Blue
Window sashes/grills: Black

The shutters will remain black and the storm windows will not be changed. The application also includes the replacement of lattice at the top of the fence along the entryway for 13R with an appropriate topper. They will also be replacing the storm door.

Nicholas and Jennifer Kiefer were present.
 
Documents & Exhibits
  • Application submitted 4/23/15
  • Photographs
  • Paint chips
  • Proposal from Cosmos Painting Company
Mr. Kiefer stated that Sally Zimmerman, from History New England, recommended a tri-color scheme as the most appropriate for the Greek Revival house. She recommended an off-white trim color rather than bright white. She also recommended a bright door color. They would like to restore some historical accuracy to the current mono-color scheme.  

Mr. Spang asked for clarification of which doors will be blue.

Mr. Keifer responded that the Chestnut Street front door, Cambridge Street side entrance and single overhead garage door will be blue.

Ms. Kiefer stated that they discussed possibly using the Navaho white for the garage, however Ms. Zimmerman encouraged them to use the blue.

Mr. Kiefer added that Ms. Zimmerman stated that the trim should be semi-gloss and the doors and shutters should be high gloss.

Mr. Spang asked if they did a paint analysis.

Mr. Kiefer responded in the negative.

Peter Gordon, 15 Chestnut Street, spoke in favor of the application.

Marshall Strauss, 10 Chestnut Street, also spoke in favor of the application.

Mr. Spang stated that he is having a hard time envisioning the blue color on the garage door. Because the garage is a more modern addition, he feels it would be better to have it disappear rather than be called out.

Mr. Hart stated that he thinks the blue color will make the garage door blend with the house.

Ms. Herbert stated that if the garage were all the body color it may call attention to the garage.     

MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the house colors. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.

MOTION/VOTE:  Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the remaining work with the exception of the garage door color. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.

MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to continue the garage door color until the house and garage are painted and there is a paint sample for the garage. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.

Mr. Kiefer stated that they propose to remove the lattice top along the side entry fence and replace it with the cap identical with that along the Button Waters House.

MOTION/VOTE:  Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the fence cap. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion.  All were in favor, and the motion so carried.


125 Derby Street

Christian Haselgrove submitted an application on behalf of the 125 Derby Street Condo Association for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove the rear section of gutter between the building and the adjacent house on Hardy Street. The remaining wood gutters will be replaced in-kind.
Documents & Exhibits
  • Application submitted 5/4/15
  • Photographs
Ms. Lovett stated that the applicant has request a continuance to the June 3rd meeting.

MOTION/VOTE:  Mr. Spang made a motion to continue the application to the June 3rd meeting. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.


Preservation Plan Development Discussion

Patti Kelleher, from Community Opportunities Group, the City’s consultant for the Preservation Plan Update project discussed the Preservation Plan Update and asked the Commission what their concerns are regarding implementation of the local historic district ordinances as well as preservation of historic resources, generally. Concerns that were discussed included:

  • Consistent identification of SHC jurisdictional projects by the Building Department
  • The need for residents to better understand the requirements of the LHD
  • How to educate new buyers of the LHD requirements
  • Enforcement of violations
  • How the SHC could have a voice on the various projects that are reviewed by the other City boards
  • City property reuse and ensuring that the selected use perpetuates preservation
  • Preservation of buildings outside of the districts specifically in the Willows, Bridge Street Neck, South Salem, and North Salem
  • Identification of resources outside of a LHD and NHD and consideration of creating a new historic district
  • The need to better promote the economic benefit of preservation
  • The possibility of using of form based zoning in certain neighborhoods
  • Ways to influence what is built when a building is demolished so that it is harmonious with the neighborhood.
Ms. Kelleher stated that she will be at a future Commission meeting to discuss the recommendations of the plan.

Community Preservation Committee – Representative Appointment

MOTION/VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to appoint Joanne McCrea as the Historical Commission representative to the Community Preservation Committee for two years.
Mr. Hart Seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried. Ms. McCrea abstained from the vote.

Other Business

Approval of minutes
There were no minutes to approve.

Correspondence
Ms. Lovett read a letter from the Building Inspector addressed to the owner of 192 Federal Street regarding a possible violation on the property.

Ms. Harper stated that the contractor for the Choate Statue restoration project is looking for background information on the statue and any details on previous restoration that may have taken place. Ms. Lovett stated that she would check the Historic Commission files for any information.


VOTE:   There being no further business, Ms. McCrea made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Spang seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.



Respectfully submitted,



Natalie BL Lovett