Historic District Commission

Approved NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the July 18, 2018 Special Meeting _______________________________________________________ The special meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday July 18 2018 at 5:30pm in City Hall Room 319. Members Present: Regan Miner (Vice Chairman) Richard Guidebeck Tim Dowhan Members Absent: Bob Allen Nancy O’Neil (Excused) Scott Learned (Excused) Guests: Nicole Coughlin, John Gaehring, Jay Craig I. Public Meeting Public meeting convened at 5:35 pm A. COA 368 - 423 Washington Street -COA described plans for a fence that would encompass the entire yard made of wood painted white with wood hemlock hard ware. The proposed design will be a picket fence with an arch. -COA described restoration of the porch as well as it has been damaged due to weather and time. The railing would be restored to original height. -COA described plans to take out door in entry way and replace it with a stained glass window, which was what the home had originally. II. Regular Meeting Regular meeting convened at 5:47 pm A. Action on COA’s -COA 368 -423 Washington Street -Tim Dowhan made a motion to accept the fence and porch restoration as presented in the COA but recommended to table the window restoration pending more information from the applicants. Further, the Commission would encourage the applicants to submit a separate COA addressing the window restoration. Richard Guidebeck seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Approved B. Old Business -COA 366 - 30 Huntington Lane -Jay Craig and John Gaehring requested approval for the replacement of three windows on the front of the home. The windows would be uniform in design, 6x6. The material used would be a vinyl clad composite. - Tim Dowhan made a motion to approve the COA as presented with supplemental pictures for the replacement of the 3 windows that is consistent with the style (6 over 6 windows) of the rest of the house. Richard Guidebeck seconded the motion was unanimously approved. - Letter to Residents -Regan Miner and Scott Learned worked to create another draft of a clarified letter to be sent out to the residents of the Historic District. -Regan Miner advised not to motion a vote until the entire commission is present. -The policies and procedures will be updated as well as the COA application to make it easier for residents to apply -Streamlined communication with the Historic District Commission email was discussed as well as potential for a P.O. box in City Hall for mailings. -List of Properties in the Local Historic Districts -Regan Miner presented a completed inventory of the Norwichtown District and the Little Plains Local District as of July 18, 2018. -Regan Miner asked for a motion to approve the inventory of properties in the Norwichtown and Little Plain Local Historic District for presentation to the City of Norwich with the caveat that this list may be altered as needed. The inventory was generated from existing maps, documentation dating to the time the Commission was founded, and lists from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Office. Tim Dowhan seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved. C. New Business - 12 Elm Avenue As stated in the procedures, COA’s are required for changes to homes only that would be able to be seen from public areas. This Approved residency plans to build a back porch which would not be seen by the public. - The commission felt that if the porch could not be seen from a public right of way, then the property owner does not need a COA. The commission will wait for the Chairman’s opinion and advice from the city attorney. -8 Mediterranean Lane - Since the full commission was not present at this meeting, the city attorney recommended we wait until all members are present to take further action regarding communication with the property owner. -The building department has reported that no permits have been issued for this property D. Minutes of the June 6, Special Meeting -Richard Guidebeck made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the June 6th special meeting. Tim Dowhan seconded and the motion passed unanimously. E. Adjournment -Tim Dowhan made a motion to adjourn. Richard Guidebeck seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The Special meeting adjourned at 7:15pm. Respectfully submitted Scott Learned Chairperson SL/nc