Historic District Commission

METHUEN HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Thursday, February 23, 2023 @ 7:00 pm Searles Building, 2nd Floor Conference Rm 41 Pleasant Street Methuen, MA 01844 MEETING MINUTES 1) Call to order Chair Lussier called the meeting to order at 7:21p.m., noting a presence of a quorum. 2) Roll Call Thomas Lussier, Chair Present Dianne Moore , Present Denis Webster Greene, Vice Chair Not Present OPEN SEAT Katherine Robinson Present OPEN SEAT Joseph Bella Present OPEN SEAT Others in attendance: Casey A. Dowgiert, RA, Consultant Historic Planner Consultant 3) Acceptance of Meeting Minutes: Continued to next meeting 4) New Business: a. PUBLIC HEARING: i. 24 Park Street (First Baptist Church): Certificate of Non-Applicability –Pastor Nat Burnes Sanding and painting the exterior of the church and to restore to its original appearance. 7:23pm Chairman Lussier opens the meeting to the applicant Pastor Nat Burns and members of the church. Pastor Nat Burns provides background of church which was built in 1815. The congregation has been there for 7 years and the exterior is in need of work. The entire exterior needs new paint. Chairman Lussier asks if the exterior request structural work and/ or decaying and carpentry needs? Pastor Nat Burns replied that there may need further repair in areas and proceeded to present the color. Canyon Wild-BL-W12 Chairman Lussier asks the commission if anyone has any concern. No one took issue. Chairman Lussier to those speaking in favor of a Certificate of Appropriateness for sanding and painting of the exterior of the church and to restore to its original appearance on the property located at 24 Park Street (First Baptist Church), seeing and hearing none, to those speaking unfavored of the exterior repair and paint, seeing and hearing none moves to close the public hearing and opens discussion with commission members. 7:29pm Hearing closed and before Commission. MOTION by Commissioner Robinson to approve the application as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Bella. UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE. 1  ii. 290 Broadway: Certificate of Appropriateness –Victor Casten Sign for Victor Multi Service 7:36 pm Hearing opened and closed by Chairman Lussier. Applicant was not present and commission decides to proceed with sign application. MOTION by Commissioner Robinson to approve the application as submitted and per the following conditions: the sign fits in the sign band, the sign will be in sign band on building and nowhere else on the building, dark crimson color will be the color of the sign, white will be the lettering, material of the sign will not be of reflected material and appropriate building material such as wood, metal, plastic panels and not fabric. Seconded by Commissioner Moore. UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE. 5) Old Business: 7:10pm a) Public Hearings i. VP Lawrence Street: Charles Street Wall: Certificate of Appropriateness- John J. Wilson, Jr. Esq. (City of Methuen) historic retaining wall: Previously approved and approval expires 2/17/23. New application has no modifications from previous. Casey Dowgiert states no new application was received by the city therefore removed from agenda. ii. Extension of Time Form Chairman Lussier reviews form from previous meeting with commission. MOTION by Commissioner Robinson to approve the Extension of Time Form A and Seconded by Commissioner Moore . UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE. ` 1) Enforcement: 7:25pm i. Parking lot for 5-7 Marbella Lofts: Private Property Sign @ Parking Entrance approved Commission discusses and a letter to be sent. Casey Dowgiert discusses preparing a log to track enforcement issues. To present at future meeting. 2) Other Business i. 269 Broadway & 2 Osgood Street: Casey Dowgiert updated the commission that the CD board did not at this time approve the application and that one of the main concerns was density. They are expected to submit at the next CD meeting a revised design which will have to be reviewed by the HDC. ii. 275 Broadway: Casey Dowgiert updated commission that there were areas of work that still required attention before occupancy could be given such as landscaping, retaining walls. Chairman Lussier asked about the placard at front and Casey Dowgiert stated she would find out from the applicant if they were still going to restore it. 2 3) Adjournment MOTION to adjourn by Commissioner Robinson. Seconded by Commissioner Bella. UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE. Meeting Adjourned. 3