Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the December 18, 2019 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday December 18, 2019 at 5:37 PM in City Hall Room 319. Members Present: Scott Learned (Chairman) Regan Miner (Vice Chairman) Richard Guideback Nancy O’Neil Gregory Johnson (Alternate) Members Absent: Timothy Dowhan I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 5:37 PM. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA #405 – 6 Ox Hill Road (Lefkowitz) – Preservation, Roofing Mark Lefkowitz provided samples demonstrating the color and style of the architectural asphalt shingles he wished to use and stated he has seen the same style used on many homes in his neighborhood. Mark Lefkowtiz provided photos showing the roof areas from various vantage points and discussed his financial hardship as upon renovating the inside of the carriage house he has found immense water damage caused by a poorly installed non- functioning chimney and the damaged roof. Gregory Johnson asked what the cost difference would be to replace the shingles with cedar versus the asphalt to which Mr. Leftowitz stated he believed it would be about double the cost or approximately $8,000. Richard Guideback asked if Mr. Lefkowitz planned to stay in the home or resell to which Mr. Leftowtiz responded his plan is to keep part of the home as residential for his family and potentially rent the other portion.  Scott Learned closed the public hearing at 6:10 PM. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:10 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA #405 – 6 Ox Hill Road (Lefkowitz) – Preservation, Roofing Richard Guideback made a motion to approved the COA with the utilization of wood shake shingles in the same style as existing; to mirror the previous approval of the same COA under a recent filing by previous ownership. Regan Miner seconded. Regan Miner stated she spoke to the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the varying vintages of the property to which they stated in the event of multiple time periods they should consider the significance of the district versus the individual property; which is 18th century and would lean towards a cedar shingle replacement. Discussion ensued on the visibility of the roofs and that the HDC had previously approved a COA for a roof replacement at the same property, by different ownership, using like-for-like wood shingles. The motion passed unanimously. Richard Guideback, Regan Miner, Scott Learned, and Nancy O’Neil voted in favor. Gregory Johnson abstained. B. Minutes of November 20, 2019 Regular Meeting • Motion to accept the November 20, 2019 Regular Meeting minutes as written (Nancy O’Neil, Regan Miner seconded) passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report: None. D. Old Business: None. E. New Business: Discussion ensued regarding updating the current COA application. Regan Miner stated she would follow up on this. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday January 15, 2020 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting At 6:27 PM (Nancy O’Neil, Gregory  Johnson seconded) was approved unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary