Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the August 21, 2019 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday August 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm in City Hall Room 319. Members Present: Regan Miner (Vice Chairman) Richard Guidebeck Nancy O’Neil Greg Johnson Timothy Dowhan Members Absent: Scott Learned (Chairman) - Excused I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 5:30 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. • COA 396 – 2 Town Street; Norwich Historical Society: (Door, Windows, Clapboards, Other) Mr Dayne Rugh, with assistance from Ms. Regan Miner presented the COA. This is a joint collaboration of the Society of the Founders of Norwich, the Norwich Historical Society, and the Leffingwell House Museum who have obtained grant funding to address Phase I, Part I of what is anticipated multi-phase project. This presentation addresses exterior work to the back of the house. The existing clapboards are currently in need of repair and replacement. The clapboards were identified in the material list presented, while the artist rendering shows a mixture of clapboards and shingles. The presenters were open to the commission opinion which leaned towards clapboard material. The existing wooden windows will be repaired where feasible and replaced with material made from ‘like material’ (i.e. wooden) for those too far damaged. All windows will be double hung, will be 6 over 6 design to mimic the front side of the house. There are a total of eight windows addressed. The applicant’s contractor has a working relation with a glass supplier and noted the windows will be 50% historic glass. The basement doors will be of historic period appropriateness. It is undetermined at this point whether access to original doors from that period will be available but if not, the doors will be custom fabricated from time appropriate materials. A decision is anticipated within the next month. Additional restoration is necessary to repair some damage to fascia, trim, and soffits. All material will be primed, and paint colors are TBD. It was noted that plywood is behind the Tyvek wrap. It was noted that architect Richard Sharpe had generated rendition drawings of the house, circa 1990s, and may be found in storage. This COA does not address any landscaping, porch, or stair updates. Applicant reassured the commission that the building structure is sound!  • COA 397 – 193 Broadway; Pereira: (Walkway/Landscape, Other) No presentation was made. Commission noted their evaluation could only be based on the description and pictures provided. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:02 pm A. Action on COAs • COA 396 – 2 Town Street; Norwich Historical Society: (Door, Windows, Clapboards, Other) Discussion: Motion to accept the COA as written and presented, with a request that the applicants forward any further details of the door when they become available (RG, GJ second; RM abstain) was approved. • COA 397 – 193 Broadway; Pereira: (Walkway/Landscape, Other) Discussion: The commission is sympathetic to the applicant’s desire to address the restoration and repair in a timely manner. As such, a motion to accept the COA as written with the specific instruction that the current walkway and driveway footprint be maintained, and repaired with the material as described (TD, NO second) was approved. It was noted that if any deviation to the footprint and/or material is intended, the applicant will be directed to revise the COA to present further details, for review and evaluation at a future meeting. B. Minutes of June 19, 2019 Special Meeting • Motion to accept the June Regular Meeting minutes as written (RM, RG second) was approved unanimously. It was noted that with the cancellation of the July Regular Meeting, there were no meeting minutes to approve. C. Chairman Report • Nothing to report. D. Old Business • Due to extenuating circumstances, Ms. Lillian Periera of 193 Broadway requested a time extension of COA #367 (re: fencing & gate around pool, landscaping), approved at the June 2018 meeting. The HDC is sympathetic to the request but its rules and regulations state that the COA must be re- submitted for approval. The HDC will communicate its decision and advise the applicant make any revisions to the COA, and if no one, will accept the original paperwork to facilitate the effort. HDC is aware permits were pulled from the building department upon the original approval but was unsure if any expiration date applies. E. New Business • The HDC will have a new recording secretary. Catherine Rose will assume the duties starting with the September Regular Meeting. • It was noted the conference room was book for another meeting immediately following the HDC meeting. While all HDC business was addressed within its allotted time period, it would be good to know if similar constraints are in place at future meetings. F. Next Meeting Date • Scheduled for Wednesday September 18, 2019 at 5:30 pm. It is anticipated that Messrs. Learned and Johnson will be unavailable. G. Adjournment • Motion to adjourn (TD, RG second) was approved unanimously. The Regular Meeting adjourned at 6:31 pm. Respectfully submitted, Scott Learned Chairperson SL/td