Historic District Commission

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION To: Members of the Historic District Commission Robert Champagne Judith Hamblen Gideon Loewenstein Marco Middleton Pamela Muccilli Cort Murphy Nancy O’Neil Office of the City Clerk From: Malcolm Edgar, MD Chairman Notice of Regular February Meeting of HDC DATE ISSUED: February 10, 2012 Please be advised that there will be a Regular Meeting of the Historic District Commission on Thursday, February 16, promptly at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, Union Square, Room 319. Copies of the agenda and minutes of the November 2011 meeting are enclosed. Please notify Cal Edgar of your anticipated absence at 889-2513 or at medgar3441@comcast.net Thank you. ME:ws Sent via email 2-10-12  NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA Regular Meeting 5:00 p.m. February 16, 2012 City Hall Union Square Room 319 Regular Meeting A. Minutes of the November Meeting B. Chairman’s Report C. Old Business D. New Business E. Adjournment Sent via email 2-10-12  HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, NORWICH, CONNECTICUT 17 November 2011 The regular meeting of the Norwich Historic District Commission was held on 17 November 2011 in Room 319, Norwich City Hall at 5 p.m. Members Present: Malcolm Edgar, Chairman Robert Champagne Judith Hamblen Gideon Loewenstein Marco Middleton Pam Muccilli Cort Murphy Nancy O’Neil Also Present: Scott Learned I. PUBLIC HEARING – COA # 290 Adam Clarke 193 Broadway Window replacement COA # 291 Scott Learned 26 Scotland Road Conversion of screened porch to inside room COA # 292 Thomas Callinan 55 East Town Street Revision of kitchen window Mr. Learned presented documentation including photographs, architectural renderings of the proposed project to convert an existing screened porch into an inside room by installation of windows. There will be no change to the footprint of the house. He advised that the requested work is the final element of the project submitted in a previous COA to the commission. Neither Mr. Clarke nor Mr. Callinan was present. The public meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Sent via email 2-10-12 REGULAR MEETING . A. Vote on COA # 291 On motion made by G. Loewenstein and seconded by M. Middleton, the certificate was approved by unanimous vote. . B. Minutes of October Meeting On motion made by G. Loewenstein and seconded by P. Muccilli, the minutes of the October 20, 2011 meeting were approved by unanimous vote. Following a request for clarification, Chairman Edgar explained the limitations of the commission vis-à-vis its role in Section 106 matters. The commission has no legal authority to advise or provide opinion on matters relating to Section 106 projects that are outside established historic districts. It does not bar members from offering personal observations if asked. C. Chairman’s Report Noting the absence of representation for presentation of COAs # 290 and 292, Edgar suggested the commission review the requests for future action. The commission was already aware of the projects at both 193 Broadway and 55 East Town Street. Additionally, both have been visited by commission members on more than one occasion. In discussion the members agreed that there was sufficient information to act on both COAs. With quorum in attendance, on motion made by N. O’Neill and seconded by G. Loewenstein, the commission agreed to move forward on COAs 290 and 292, with the notation that such action is an exception made under specific circumstances and should not be considered a change in standard procedure. 1. The structure at 193 Broadway has already completed restoration of roof and siding as well as extensive interior work. COA #290 addresses the last remaining work, the window replacement. The members concurred that the application would meet historic district guidelines if the window replacements preserved the dimensions of the openings, the pane size, the dividers and the depth of the reveal. The site was visited by Mssrs. Edgar and Loewenstein who inspected the proposed window systems which had been delivered but not installed. They are Harvey units for all windows on the first and second floors. The windows have aluminum sashes and frames, factory coated with epoxy paint on exposed surfaces. The dimensions of the openings, sashes, frames and Sent via email 2-10-12  external dividers are the same as the original windows. The proposed system meets the parameters stipulated by the commission. 2. Vote on COA # 290 On motion made by M. Middleton and seconded by P. Muccilli, COA # 290 was approved by unanimous vote, 3. The site at 55 Town Street had been visited by Edgar and Loewenstein. Edgar explained that the kitchen at the residence is located in an addition at the rear of the colonial structure. It has poor interior air circulation. Mr. Callinan provided the chairman elevations of the south wall of the one story addition. COA # 290 proposes the instillation of a window system of four-over-four panes, one on each side of the existing six-over-four window. The dimensions of the frames, panes and dividers as well as the wooden construction will be maintained. 4. Vote on COA # 292 On motion made by J. Hamblen and seconded by P. Muccilli, COA # 292 was approved by unanimous vote. D. Old Business Ms. Muccilli reported that she and Mr. Champagne had identified sixteen houses for consideration for the 2011 Preservation Awards. She circulated photographs for review. The board agreed on 12 Mediterranean Lane, 14 Elm Avenue, 110 Union Street, 39 Case Street, 8 Huntington Avenue and 50 Summer Street. Ms Muccilli will contact the home owners and prepare a program for the awards presentation at the next City Council meeting. Mr. Loewenstein reported on the opening of Slater Museum, recommending members visit the impressive renovation. E. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Sent via email 2-10-12