Historic District Commission

DRAFT HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, NORWICH, CONNECTICUT Minutes of July 15, 2015 Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held on July 15, 2015 in Room 319, Norwich City Hall at 5:30 P.M. Members Present: Gideon Loewenstein, Chairman Judith Hamblen Pamela Muccilli Scott Learned Richard Guidebeck Christie Gilluly Members Absent: Nancy O’Neil, Timothy Dowhan Also Attending: Property owners Jason and Melissa Largent and their daughter, Arthur and Ann Lathrop, and Regan Miner and Bill Champagne for The Norwich Historical Society. Also, Joanne Philbrick and Damien Cregeau, historic district property owners. I. Public Hearing: The Public Hearing convened at 5:30 pm. COA #327: Jason and Melissa Largent 20 Harland Road Install a new wood screen door and historical signage. Property owner Jason Largent presented the plain white sign with historically appropriate print type in black that he wishes to affix to the front of the house denoting the property as the James Lincoln House, 1784. He is also requesting approval to install a period appropriate salvaged wood screen door for the side door. He also described some of the repairs he had already made that were necessary to keep water out of the house, namely a wooden threshold and a copper lined wooden gutter over the front door. In addition, he will be installing a new heating/cooling system that, because of existing conditions, needs to be placed on the outside of the house where it will be installed in the rear and where it will not be visible from the road. COA #328: Arthur and Ann Lathrop 403 Washington Street Erect two new hand railings and install stone steps. Property owner Arthur Lathrop informed the Commission that his wife had fallen on loose flagstone steps resulting in injuries and he apologized for taking some immediate remedial steps prior to submitting a COA application. The loose, crumbling stone steps were removed and a mason reconstructed five steps from unitary-slab bluestone DRAFT which is compatible with other materials on the property and provides a stable surface. In addition, other flagstone steps that were still usable have been repaired. One of the new hand railings replaces an old corroded one and the other is a new installation to provide safe use of the stairs and conform to code requirements. The railings made from black wrought iron will replicate the old one that is to be replaced. COA # 329: The Norwich Historical Society 69 East Town Street Install a new gutter and downspout on the north side of the building. Bill Champagne and Regan Miner explained there is need for a gutter on the rear of the building to prevent rain water from bouncing off the ramp entrance that then makes its way into the building causing damage. They presented both aluminum and a wooden gutter options. Very little of the gutter will be visible from East Town Street. At the conclusion of the COA application presentations Joanne Philbrick of 10 Elm Avenue commended historic district property owners for their commitment to caring for and preserving their historic properties while also expressing a hope for more recognition from city government officials for these efforts in addition to that given at the annual HDC awards. She was thanked for her expression of appreciation for preservation efforts. The public hearing concluded at 6:00pm. II. Regular Meeting: The regular meeting convened at 6:00pm. A. Action on COA Applications: 1. COA #327: On a motion by Judy Hamblen and seconded by Scott Learned the application was unanimously approved with the stipulation that the owner provide the commission with a picture of the described screen door prior to installation. It was also noted that a gutter erected above the front door as an emergency measure should be documented. 2. COA #328: On a motion by Scott Learned and seconded by Pamela Muccilli the application was unanimously approved as submitted. 3. COA #329: On a motion by Scott Learned and seconded by Judy Hamblen the application was unanimously approved with the stipulation that the installation be an aluminum gutter in a wood casing with the aluminum downspout as submitted. B.Minutes: On motion made by Richard Guidebeck and seconded by Pamela Muccilli, the minutes of the meeting of May 20, 2015 were approved. Scott Learned abstained. DRAFT C. Old Business: 1) 8 Elm Ave: Property owner, Dr. Crootof contacted Chairman Loewenstein in June to discuss replacing rotting wooden siding on the west side of his house with Hardie Plank siding. In July, 2010 a COA #279 application for using this material on another side of the house had been unanimously approved. Upon receiving agreement by email from HDC members, Dowhan, Learned and O’Neil, a letter was sent to Dr. Crootof dated June 11, 2015 informing him that because the very same material, Hardie Plank fiber cement lap siding, would be used it would not be necessary to go through another COA application and if any other work is to be done on the exterior of the house he would need to contact the Commission to determine if a COA would be necessary. HDC member Hamblen disagreed citing the need for documenting the work and reiterated her comments at this meeting. Ms. Philbrick questioned the decision. Chairman Loewenstein acknowledged concerns about possibly setting a precedent but cited the specific reason for this decision which does not automatically apply to other projects. Ms. Philbrick also complained that the driveway at 8 Elm St. had been blacktopped without a COA. This was not previously known to the HDC and member Hamblen recommended that Dr. Crootof be advised that a COA application is required. HDC member Gilluly commented that there are blacktop driveways throughout the district and the practicality of having them in New England. 2) On July 1st a mass mailing was sent to all property owners in both historic districts. The mailing included information on applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness, a sample application form and definitions of work to be done. The form and information documents are also posted on the HDC page of the city website. D. New Business: 1) Preservation Plaque Awards for 2015: Pamela Muccilli will again canvass for candidates for this year’s awards and Judy Hamblen will assist. All HDC members are encouraged to submit potential recipients. This year will also include consideration of mid-century houses not less than fifty years old and downtown buildings. 2) Contractor Corcoran contacted the Chairman re replacing the asphalt shingle roof on 409 Washington Street. It will be the same style and color architectural shingle and no COA is necessary. 3) In response to homeowners’ letters, John Dennis of 359 Washington Street wrote to the chairman that he had been unaware of being in the historic district and was halfway through rebuilding a stone and mortar wall at the front of his property with the same type of materials. The chairman confirmed this by visiting the site. 4) Homeowner Robert Methot of 20 Coit Lane phoned the chairman in response to the property owner letters that had been mailed. He did not know that his house was in the district and was given information from the district maps and the tax assessor’s records as confirmation. 5) HDC members expressed dismay at the appearance in the district of the new trash and recycling bins that are visible from the street at all times. The unique DRAFT characteristics of old buildings and hilly terrain can make it difficult to conceal these large containers. Scott Learned informed the group that smaller bins would be available in September and property owners should be informed about their availability and asked to remove bins from street view as much as possible. E. Chairman’s Report: Chairman Loewenstein informed the members of his resignation from the HDC by the end of this year together with the recording secretary as they are planning to move. Damien Cregeau was introduced as the new owner of the former Chinigo house at 23 East Town St. He and his wife purchased the property and need to replace the asphalt roof; he is considering using enviro composite shingles and will apply for a COA next month. He also owns property in the Wethersfield historic district and is a member of that HDC. F. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting is August 19, 2015 at 5:30 pm G. Adjournment: On motion by Learned, seconded by Muccilli the meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm. Respectfully submitted Gideon Loewenstein Chairman GL/mtl