Historic District Commission

DRAFT HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, NORWICH, CONNECTICUT 19 February 2009 The regular meeting off the Norwich Historic District Commission was held on 19 February 2009 in Room 319, Norwich City Hall at 5 p.m. Members Present: Malcolm Edgar, Chairman Desiree Champagne Judith Hamblen Gideon Lowenstein Marco Middleton Court Murphy Nancy O’Neil Special Guests: Gregory Farmer, William Champagne Paul Thompson John Robbins David LaBonne George Mattern I. PRESENTATION OF CONTRACTOR RECOGNITION AWARD Chairman Edgar presented to George Mattern, President of the Mattern Construction Company and to David LaBonne, project manager for the Rock Nook restoration, to wit: The Norwich Historic District Commission hereby recognizes the Mattern Construction Company for the historically respectful and capable restoration of the Rock Nook Building at 77 East Sown Street, Norwich, Connecticut. The high quality of this restoration enhances the entire district. Presented by the Norwich Historic District Commission. II. HEARING COA #264 Paul R. Thompson 21 West Town Street, Norwich, CT This application is being processed in retrospect because the project has been completed. The homeowner, Mr. Thompson, applied for and received a building permit from the building official who wrongly assumed the property was not within a historic district. Consequently no COA application was processed, and the building permit was therefore invalid. See C.G.S. Section 7-174 j (b).  Specifically this application is to replace five 9-over-6 paned wood windows with white vinyl units of similar dimensions and snap-in dividers. The existing wooden surrounds will be maintained. Now that this matter has been brought to our attention, I have requested submission of this application so that this commission has the opportunity to render an opinion regarding appropriateness. After discussion and by unanimous vote, the application for COA #264 was denied. The reasons for the denial are: 1. Invalid building permit 2. The loss of depth of reveal. 3. The use of solid vinyl as construction material is not appropriate 4. Snap-in muntins are not appropriate. We believe the applicant has acted in good faith, and we do not contemplate any further action related to this matter. Our intention is to avoid setting any precedent. The Historic District Commission must remain involved in the application process for a building permit for projects within historic districts as described by statute. We also reaffirm our authority to adjudicate any future changes involving architectural detail visible to the public on the building at 21 West Town Street in Norwich. III. REGULAR MEETING A. The minutes of January Meeting were approved with the single correction of the spelling of Rachel D. Carley in the New Business section. B. Chairman’s Report 1. Revisions to the application form for a COA were discussed and, with input from Greg Farmer, the project categories will be changed. Otherwise the revisions are approved. 2. Edgar and Lowenstein have been working on revisions to HDC Bylaws and Rules and Regulations. Input from the whole commission is important and this will be the main subject addressed at the March meeting. C. Old Business - None D. New Business Greg Farmer and William Champagne led a discussion of Rachel Carley’s study of Norwich history and architecture, and of the many options to increase public  awareness of these important treasures, as well as awareness of this commission and of the Norwich Historical Society. Mr. Farmer also discussed the implications of the impending federal economic stimulus legislation, and the importance of NHDC involvement in the allocation of these monies. These are public funds that will be properly directed toward public projects in: 1. Energy efficiency 2. Job training 3. Vacant and abandoned building solutions 4. Brown fields (contaminated lands and buildings) The city officials dispensing these funds will be held accountable and our involvement can help assure that the various projects are appropriate from a historical and architectural standpoint. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35p.m. Respectfully submitted, Malcolm S. Edgar, Chairman