Historic District Commission

Approved NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the November 20, 2017 Meeting _______________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Monday November 20, 2017 at 5:30 pm in City Hall Room 319. Members Present: Richard Guidebeck Scott Learned (Chairman) Regan Miner Nancy O’Neil Timothy Dowhan Members Absent: Louise Leake (excused) Guests: Bill Champagne, Nicole Coughlin, Mr. Lee, Lobos, and Jonathan Webster I. Public Hearing Public Hearing convened at 5:30 pm COA 356- 28 Huntington Place COA 357- 8 Elm Ave COA 358 – 365 Washington Street II. Regular Meeting Regular meeting convened at 6:07 pm A. Action on COAs COA 356- 28 Huntington Place Scott Learned asked the Commission if they’re willing to vote on the general items in the application. Scott Learned will discuss the railings with the Building Department to determine final height of the railings. The COA application was amended to include doors, windows & railings. Discussion related to the style of the railings and making sure they complement the existing railings in the neigh- borhood. Approved Railings & Door tabled – Applicant needs to come back to the Commission with COAs for the railings and doors Richard Guidebeck made a motion to accept the windows as presented in the ap- plication (wood outside, proper lights to replace windows) Nancy O’Neil se- conded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. COA 357- 8 Elm Ave Tim Dowhan made a motion to accept the COA as presented with the exception of alternate 5 eliminated from the COA. Richard Guidebeck seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. COA 358 – 365 Washington Street Nancy O’Neil made a motion to replace and repair the windows as necessary. Tim Dowhan seconded the motion. Discussion on use of apoxy. Regan Miner recused herself from the vote. The motion was unanimously approved. B. Minutes of the September 25, 2017 Special Meeting Nancy O’Neil made a motion to accept minutes as presented. Richard Guide- beck seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. C. Chairman’s Report No Chairman’s Report D. Old Business Commissioner’s status and website update - Scott Learned will write a letter to the City of Norwich elevating Tim Dow- han to full commissioner - Scott Learned’s term is up in December and he will reapply to be on the commission Recording Secretary - Nicole Coughlin will be the new Recording Secretary 8 Mediterranean Lane - Scott Learned sent a letter to Mr. Bacotti the Commission approved - Mr. Bacotti received letter, but the Commission received no response - Scott Learned reviewed the history of the issue for members - Michael Driscoll advised Scott Learned not to discuss windows and the porch in the first letter – they are separate issues - With the Commission’s approval, Scott Learned will write a separate certi- fied letter to Mr. Bacotti informing him that Scott Learned will address the issue with the City Attorney - All we can do is compel Mr. Bacotti to appear before the Commission with an application we can vote on Approved - Scott Learned will compose a letter addressing Mr. Bacotti’s silence and address the windows. Nancy O’Neil made a motion. Tim Dowhan se- conded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Letter regarding Town Street Development - Chair has received phone calls and emails of citizens concerned with devel- opment - The Commission can only inform residents in the historic district about development, but will not take a stance on the issue - Historic District Commission involvement will be limited on this issue - Norwich Historical Society is sponsoring a meeting with Norwichtown Historic District residents E. New Business Discussion regarding contributing properties in the local historic district - Scott Learned will extend distances and directions of the maps Regan Miner provided to him from the City of Norwich - Scott Learned and Regan Miner attempted to walk the district boundaries, but was challenging to determine boundaries 21 Huntington Place - Scott Learned will check if a COA has been issued for the property in the past few months - Tim Dowhan mentioned having the Secretary keep a record of approved COAs - Scott Learned asked Regan Miner to ask the City Clerk about storing His- toric District Commission files electronically and physical storage in City Hall F. Next Meeting Date Monday December 18, 2017 5:30 pm G. Adjournment Tim Dowhan made a motion to adjourn. Richard Guidebeck seconded the mo- tion. The motion was unanimously approved. The Regular meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm Respectfully submitted Scott Learned Chairperson SL/rm