Historic District Commission

Draft NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the May 21, 2018 Meeting _______________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Monday May 21, 2018 at 5:30 pm in City Hall Room 319. Members Present: Scott Learned (Chairman) Regan Miner (Vice Chairman) Richard Guidebeck Members Absent: Tim Dowhan Bob Allen Nancy O’Neil Guests: Nicole Coughlin, John Gaehring, Jay Craig, Joel Webster, Jade Perry, Lilian Pereira I. Public Meeting Public meeting convened at 5:32 pm A. 93 Broadway Lilian Pereira asked advice on the right material and architectural style for upcoming projects on her home as well as requested approval of the projects. She was advised to submit a COA so the committee could vote on it properly in order for her to move forward. B. 30 Huntington Place Jay Craig and John Gaehring asked advice on which materials to use to replace windows on the house. They were advised to submit a COA so the committee could vote on the approval of the project in order for them to move forward. C. 96 Union Street Joel Webster and Jade Perry sought out advice on the Historical District Commission’s policies for residents in the historic district. II. Regular Meeting Regular meeting convened at 6:27 pm Draft A. Chairman’s Report Any outgoing certified mail to residents in the Historic District are to include the return address of the City of Norwich. There were no objections. B. Minutes of the April 16, 2018 Meeting Richard Guidebeck made a motion to accept the minutes of the April Meeting. Regan Miner seconded the motion. The minutes of the April meeting were unanimously accepted. C. Old Business Discussion regarding contributing properties in the local Historic District Richard Guidebeck and Regan Miner were able to find maps and text lists of the original description and owners of the historic properties at the time the ordinance passed. The text material had minor internal discrepancies such as addresses that no longer exist and locations in the middle of intersections. Perimeters of the Historic District remain intact. Little Plains district had no discrepancies. Richard Guidebeck made a motion to reaffirm the Historic Districts properties and residents as presented in the 1966 maps and lists available at the time of the ordinance. Regan Miner seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. Regan Miner will confirm the list with the City of Norwich. Newsletter Mailings Mailings were sent from the finance department of the City of Norwich. Regan Miner was able to provide envelops for the newsletter. D. New Business 6 Ox Hill Road A neighbor contacted Scott Learned and Bill Champagne of the Norwich Historic Society about the property being vandalized and in a state of deterioration. The blight officer of Norwich was notified after investigation and found the bank who owns the property. The complaint was put at the top of the list of concern. It was explained that the Historic District Commission has no power to take action against properties in disarray or blight; the Historic District Commission can only act on Certificates of Appropriateness submitted to the committee. The Committee does have the authority to write a letter in support of the blight officer. Future Development The Historic District Commission was made aware of information that was volunteered described plans from a developer asking to buy properties on the green of the Norwich Historical District. The new structure would include the demolition of several historical structures along the green. Regan Miner verified the Historic District Commission does have authority over demolitions within the Historic District. Scott Learned Draft noted that since the information of the developer’s plans were volunteered to the Norwich Historic Society in a written letter, it would be the pleasure of the Commission to write a letter stating the Commission would be disinclined to support the demolition of historic buildings. The letter would also make the developer aware of the Historic District Commission’s authority before buying the properties. Scott Learned is to draft the letter to be presented in front of the Commission. E. Adjournment -Scott Learned made a motion to adjourn. Regan Miner seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The Regular meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm. Respectfully submitted Scott Learned Chairperson SL/nc