Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION 5:00 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted May 12, 2021 4/14/2021 - Minutes 1. Call to order Chair Michael Sweet called the meeting to order at 5PM and read the emeeting intro: As Chair of the Heritage Commission, due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus crisis and in accordance with Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically. Please note that while there is a physical location to observe and listen to the meeting, the meeting is also being conducted electronically, which was authorized pursuant to the Governor’s Emergency Order. Participants may choose which option to use. However, in accordance with the Emergency Order, this is to confirm that we are: a) Providing public access to the meeting by telephone, with additional access possibilities by video or other electronic means; In addition to the “in person” option, we are utilizing the Zoom platform for this meeting where all members of the Board will have the ability to communicate, and the public will have access to watch or listen to this meeting through dialing the following phone # 1-312-626-6799. To participate in the meeting, you need to log on to Zoom: then type the Webinar ID: 840 5438 9637. b) Providing public notice of the necessary information for accessing the meeting; We previously gave notice to the public of how to access the meeting using Zoom, and instructions are provided on the City of Laconia’s website at laconianh.gov c) Providing a mechanism for the public to alert the public body during the meeting if there are problems with access; If anybody has a problem, please call 524-3877 x 249 or email at: planning@laconianh.gov d) Adjourning the meeting if the public is unable to access the meeting. In the event the public is unable to access the meeting, we will adjourn the meeting and have it rescheduled at that time. Please note that all votes that are taken during this meeting shall be done by Roll Call vote. Let's start the meeting by taking a Roll Call attendance. When each member states their presence, also please state whether there is anyone in the room with you during this meeting, which is required under the Right-to-Know law. 2. Acceptance of Minutes from previous meeting 2.I. Acceptance of minutes from March 10 M. Haynes motioned to approve the March 10 meeting minutes. D. Duffy seconded. All voted in favor by roll call vote. 3. City Council Liaison Report M. Haynes said that 30 Church Street has been sold and is to be occupied. The 50 Church Street property is currently under negotiations. 4. Planning Board update D. Trefethen noted that the City is receiving demolition permits for small cottages that qualify under the age requirement but not for their size. He added that there is strong interest in development in the City. 5. Old business 5.I. Update from Mae Williams Mae Williams said that the draft NH Department of Historic Resources Inventory underwent revisions  5. Old business 5.I. Update from Mae Williams Mae Williams said that the draft NH Department of Historic Resources Inventory underwent revisions with the NH Division of Historical Resources and they conducted a site visit last week. M. Williams sent a final draft to DHR for their review. M. Williams provided an overview of the area that is eligible for the national registry. Several buildings were not included due to the age requirement, such as the parking garage. Other buildings, such as City Hall, are not contributing due to the change of the building. M. Williams explained that Laconia has seen much change due to fires, rebirth, and economic trends. Parking lot areas are considered contributing. D. Trefethen will send out the link for the latest version of the document to the Commission members. 6. New business 6.I. 7 Foster Ave Lionel Berthiaume, owner of 7 Foster Ave., explained that he purchased the property in 2009 and has done interior and exterior work to the house. The foundation, floors, and piping are original. L. Berthiaume would like to demolish the house and place a modular home in its place, instead of putting more money into the existing home. The new home will fit in the setbacks and has received ZBA approval for setback relief. L. Berthiaume shared photos of the existing and proposed houses. D. Duffy thanked the applicant and asked how the abutters feel and if the outbuilding will also be demolished. L. Berthiaume explained that his neighbors are supportive and that the outbuilding will be demolished as well. There were no comments from the public. D. Duffy motioned to approve the demolition permit. J. Whitehead seconded. All voted in favor via roll call. 7. Public comment There were no comments from the public. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:46PM. 9. Other business J. Whitehead provided updates from the Lakeshore Redevelopment Planning Commission meeting and announced that the Pittsburgh Prize for architecture was awarded to a project for restorative architecture. J. Whitehead will provide information to interested members on the NH Preservation Alliance schedule of events. C. Tokarz asked about the sale of the State School property. D. Trefethen explained that the Lakeshore Redevelopment Planning Commission (LRPC) is continuing on with their Master Plan until they are told otherwise. While there has not been an official statement from the Governor, D. Trefethen noted that the Governor's consideration for the property to be sold via approval by the Governor and Executive Council could eliminate the current cumbersome process of selling State property which usually takes at least 1 year. M. Haynes is against the Bill to allow this, and noted that it was passed in the House and is now with the Senate. D. Duffy expressed concerns about the sale of the property. 10. Salute to the flag The Commission saluted the flag. 11. Roll call Members present at City Hall: Michael Sweet, Dorothy Duffy, Mark Haynes 10. Salute to the flag The Commission saluted the flag. 11. Roll call Members present at City Hall: Michael Sweet, Dorothy Duffy, Mark Haynes Members present via Zoom: Lois Kessin, Jane Whitehead, Catherine Tokarz 12. Recording secretary Ashley Ruprecht 13. Staff in attendance Planning Director Dean Trefethen