Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – October 11, 2016 Attending: Co-Chairman John Solu; Members, John Forte, Chris Kellogg, Mary Ellen Lenahan and Carmine Toto; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Co- Chairman Janet Foster; Members, Karen Jeisi, David Luber and William VanRyzin; and Council Liaison Patrick Rowe. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:30 p.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The September 11, 2016, minutes were considered and correction of the spelling of the name of Mike Kopas was noted. By unanimous consent the minutes were approved as corrected. It was noted that a Commission member who was not present at a meeting can vote to approve the minutes, as long as there was opportunity to review the minutes prior to the vote. It was also noted the Cole Park Fountain repairs referred to in the September minutes are complete. For Action: Sign and Façade applications: 32 Main Street – Jolie spa: Photos were shown of proposed signage for a new spa business, Jolie, in premises at 32 Main Street. The building owner has offered to replace the façade. MHPC found the coloring and style of the sign to be acceptable, and a letter will be sent stating that MHPC has no objection to the new sign and façade changes. . 20 Waverly Place – Downtown Salon: Present for this application were owner Mr. Rosario, his business partner, and building owner John Dalena. The hair salon business is moving from a larger Waverly Place location into the Madison Trust Bank Building. The application is being completed but photos of the proposed new signage were shown and discussion included:  Use of a blade sign was recommended, instead of the awning shown in the photos. The blade sign might provide better visibility.  MHPC had no objection to the color and style of the new sign to be attached to the facade shown in the location on the side of the façade.  MHPC was not favor of the awning , since the Japanese restaurant sharing the premises has no awning.  A sandwich board sign may also be included in the application. A letter will be sent to Mr. Rosario and the Sign & Façade Commission with MHPC’s comments and recommendations. The owner will thereafter engage a sign contractor and complete the application . MHPC will have an opportunity to review the final design of the signage after the application is complete. 19-23 Waverly Lane: A new business, an adult fantasy game area, will be moving into the Waverly Lane Alley, where several stores have been combined into a larger space. At this time the plans for the sign design are incomplete, and the application will be reviewed at a later meeting. Old Business: 81 Ridgedale Avenue: Melissa Hart, new owner with her husband of property at 81 Ridgedale Avenue, which is part of the Bottle Hill Historic District, was present seeking advice and recommendations about the home and outlying structures, including a studio/barn in the rear of the property. The barn is in very poor structural condition but Ms. Hart would like to explore ways to stabilize the roof and the building with the hopes of future renovation and rehabilitation at a reasonable cost. Mr. Solu expressed the Commission’s willingness to provide expertise on what aesthetically pleasing elements of the façade can be preserved and to recommend appropriate materials for siding, windows, trim and other details. Mr. Toto offered to do a visual inspection of the property. Ms. Hart also asked about replacement of a railing on the back porch, and Mr. Solu suggested a railing used on another residence nearby which is appropriate for historic homes and complies with child safety codes. Ms. Hart thanked the Commission for its suggestions and guidance. The Commission would be most interested in speaking with her again as the plans for the house and the barn are formulated. Bank of America – ADA changes to premises at 117 Main Street: Drawings and plans for an ADA ramp installation at the property at 117 Main Street were received by MHPC. Since the work is already completed, the building is not historic, the property is not in the Downtown Historic District, and there is no impact on the streetscape, there was no further comment. MHPC will send a letter thanking the Bank for the opportunity to review the plans. It was noted the revised subdivision plans for the property at 173 Ridgedale Avenue, calling for saving the existing home, have been approved by the Planning Board. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary