Historic Board

LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD MINUTES Mayor’s Reception Room, Lowell City Hall October 17, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For further detail, contact the Lowell Historic Board, Lowell City Hall, Room 51, 375 Merrimack Street or refer to video recordings available online at www.LTC.org. Members Present: Jeffrey Harris, Chair; Yovani Baez‐Rose, Troy Depeiza, Aurora Erickson, Kerry Regan Jenness, James Wilde Members Absent: Lisa “LC” Cassidy, Richard Lockhart, George Villaras Others Present: Stephen Stowell, Administrator The following represents the actions taken by the Historic Board at the 10/17/2022 meeting. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, this meeting occurred in hybrid form, both in‐person and via the Zoom video conferencing platform. Chair Harris called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. AND‐23‐01: 346 Fletcher Street Application for a Historic Permit by Sim Chhuon for construction of one residential duplex building and associated site improvements on an existing vacant lot pursuant to the Lowell Historic District Act (Chapter 566, Acts of 1983). On Behalf: Catherine Flood, Flood Law Office Sim Chhuon, 346 Fletcher Street C. Flood introduced and described the proposed project. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 2 10/17/22 MINUTES Y. Baez‐Rose inquired about parking access to the rear, if it would be off of Cross Street. C. Flood confirmed that was the arrangement. She noted that there were two parking spaces for each unit as well as one in a ground floor garage. J. Wilde asked what the square footage of the lot was. C. Flood said that it was a little over 4,000 square feet. J. Wilde asked if the two units would be sold or rental. C. Flood said they would be rental units. The Chair noted his appreciation for the design in keeping with other similar structures along Fletcher Street. He asked if two additional false windows could be added, one each under the bay windows, on the Fletcher Street façade to help in balancing the elevation. The Chair said that it would consist of window trim/frame and infilled with clapboard. C. Flood said that they could add the two false windows and would work with the Administrator. K. Jenness said that it was a good project. T. Depeiza stated he appreciated the design and he agreed with the Chair’s suggestion to add the false window to the first floor under each bay on the front elevation. Motion: By Y. Baez‐Rose, seconded by J. Wilde, to: Vote to issue the Historic Permit for the construction of one residential duplex building and associated site improvements on an existing vacant lot at 346 Fletcher Street in the Acre Neighborhood District conditional upon the following: 1. Submittal, review, and approval of final design and construction details including, but not limited to specifications for door and window systems, porch railings/post system, paint color, and shingles prior to commencement of work. Material and color samples will be required for paint and shingles; 2. Cementitious siding and PVC trim to have smooth (not raised grain) surface. Sample of final selection (including colors) to be submitted for review and approval prior to purchase and installation; 3. Submittal, review, and approval of final details related to the site plan including, but not limited to, planting plan/schedule, fencing, paving, dumpsters/screens, building/site lighting, and other site features prior to commencement of work; 4. Two false windows including frame and clapboard infill to be added to first floor design with one each to be located under each bay window; 5. Submittal, review, and approval of any scope of work alterations and final design/construction details prior to commencement of individual work items. Work is consistent with Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Design Review Standards for the Acre Neighborhood District. LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 3 10/17/22 MINUTES Unanimously approved, 6‐0. C. Flood inquired about the final building colors. The Administrator said that the colors were part of the approved conditions and that the various cementitious siding companies usually have prepainted options that can be explored during the construction phase. 2. MINUTES Approval of the Minutes of July 11, 2022 Motion: By K. Jenness, seconded by J. Wilde, to: Approve the minutes of July 11, 2022 Unanimously approved, 5‐0‐1. 3. OTHER BUSINESS A. Enforcement/Violations Update At this point of the year, there will be less of a focus on minimum maintenance as much of this work can only be accomplished in warmer weather. However, several other buildings have been identified that are in need of work, mainly storefront repairs and painting similar to the buildings earlier this year, and Requests for Compliance will be sent in late winter that will anticipate spring and early summer work being undertaken. This is similar to earlier this year. With regard to the Saab Building at 147 Central Street, as you recall the Board voted at the June 13 meeting to find that violations existed and that a fine of $100 for each of the seven violations would begin to accrue daily. The returned certified mail cards were not returned but using the USPS tracking numbers, delivery was made on June 25. As of October 13, the total accrued fines would be $77,700 (7 violations total @ $100 per day = $700 per day x 111 days beginning 6/25/2022 to 10/13/2022). Materials will be packaged up and sent to the Law Department to seek compliance in Superior Court. Non‐conforming signage that has crept in during the pandemic will receive additional focus, especially lit signs in windows. These will be addressed and will be brought into compliance as personal visits occur and if needed, a Request for Compliance sent. Y. Baez‐Rose described the City’s new Problem Properties Task Force that will include people from various City departments and disciplines that will look at properties citywide and address vacancies and maintenance. The Administrator noted that this is in addition a standing monthly meeting that has been occurring for several years between the City’s economic development staff, building commissioner, health inspector, and historic. B. Administrator’s Report The Administrator noted that the materials in the packet are for informational purposes and would be included in the record. LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 4 10/17/22 MINUTES Upcoming Projects: Several projects are in the review stage and will require public hearings including the rehabilitation of the Hildreth Building (including two connected structures to the rear on Paige Street) at 45 Merrimack Street. Post‐ permitting review and approval of design details and materials continues at a variety of projects including 733‐ 735 Broadway Street, 279 Dutton Street, 62 Gorham Street, 80 Gorham Street, 199 Market Street, 555 Merrimack Street, 78 Middlesex Street, and 160 Middlesex Street. This is in addition to routine signage and maintenance work. National Park Historical Architect: As previously noted, the new Lowell National Historical Park historical architect is David Lieb, whom some of you met via Zoom at the March 14 Board meeting just prior to his departure for a position at the NPS’ Denver Service Center. David returned to the Park in mid‐August and has started to reengage with the Board on several review projects, most recently the initial introductory design meeting for the Hildreth Building held last week. Lowell Memorial Auditorium Anniversary: An event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium was held on September 21. Board members Jim Wilde and Yovani Baez‐Rose and the Administrator attended. Downtown Lowell Historic District Markers: Ten new markers are nearing completion and will be installed this fall. In addition, a separate project is being developed that will make the DIY Black History Trail permanent with approximately 12 panels mounted on various poles downtown. Sun Sign: Efforts are still being made to connect the Sun Building owners with the Sun newspaper to address the rooftop Sun sign. Once the sign has been transferred to the building ownership, funds will be sought for the restoration which was estimated at $45,455. As you recall, the sign would be converted to LED resulting in less maintenance and operation costs due to the longevity of the LED components and the fact they require far less power than neon. Social Media: Social media continues to be a very popular and effective community engagement and outreach tool for the Board. The Board’s Facebook page has 7,316 followers while individual posts continue to reach thousands. Other platforms include Instagram (1,647), Twitter (719 followers), and Pinterest (30 followers). Next Meeting: The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Reception Room. 4. ADJOURNMENT LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 5 10/17/22 MINUTES Motion: By J. Wilde, seconded by Y. Baez‐Rose, to: Adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Unanimously approved, 6‐0. ATTEST: Stephen R. Stowell, Administrator ‐