Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the October 21, 2020 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday October 21, 2020 at 5:31 PM via Zoom virtual meeting. Members Present: Regan Miner (Acting Chairwoman) Richard Guidebeck Nancy O’Neil Gregory Johnson Members Absent: Gregory Farlow, Timothy Dowhan Guests: Bryan Vasser, Father Peter Langevin, Joseph Muscarella, Scott Learned I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 5:33 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 437 - 86 Town Street (BLCR) Signage Bryan Vasser stated the COA was the same as the previous application for the address with a different design which included a smaller, non- illuminated wall sign and a two-post monument sign with ground lighting. Bryan Vasser stated the applicant was still undecided on ground or gooseneck lighting for the wall sign. ● COA 438 – 25 Otis Street (Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp.) Reconstruction, Roofing Father Peter Langevin stated that the Diocese purchased the property a year prior and that it houses the school and communications office. Father Peter Langevin stated at the time of purchase they were aware the building would need a new roof which is what they are looking to do with like-for-like materials.  ● COA 439 – 26 Scotland Road (Scott Learned) Preservation, Reconstruction, Other Scott Learned stated he had neglected the north side of home on the Scotland Road side and never completed the soffits so the wood is now badly rotting. Scott Learned stated the work he is requesting will be identical to what he was previously approved to do. ● COA 440 – 8 West Town Street (Robert Allen) Restoration, Reconstruction, Windows The applicant was not in attendance. ● COA 441 – 5 Crossway Street (Antonio & Lisa Barros) New Construction, Other The applicant was not in attendance. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:46 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 437 - 86 Town Street (BLCR) Signage Gregory Johnson made a motion to accept the COA as presented and submitted. Richard Guidebeck seconded. Discussion ensued on the floodlight option versus gooseneck lighting for the building signage and a decision was made to encourage the applicant to install gooseneck lighting. Regan Miner stated the applicant would need to ensure flood lights used for monument signs do not impact or have light spillage onto other properties. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 438 – 25 Otis Street (Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp.) Reconstruction, Roofing Nancy O’Neil made a motion to accept the COA as presented and submitted. Gregory Johnson seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 439 – 26 Scotland Road (Scott Learned) Preservation, Reconstruction, Other  Gregory Johnson made a motion to accept the COA as presented and submitted. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 440 – 8 West Town Street (Robert Allen) Restoration, Reconstruction, Windows Gregory Johnson made a motion to accept the COA as submitted. Richard Guidebeck seconded. Nancy O’Neil asked if the applicant had been previously approved to which Regan Miner responded that applicant was anxious to replace the window and did so without a building permit or a COA. Regan Miner stated the replaced window was identical to the window beside it and was a Marvin wood window with a thick historic sill and 5/4-inch trim. Discussion ensued if any window replacements for the property had been approved previously. Regan Miner reported that the applicant stated they would also replace the clapboards around the window with new cedar clapboards and that they were also planning to replace their fence with the originally planned metal balusters between cedar rails opposed to the stainless steel airline cable that had been previously approved by the Commission. Discussion ensued regarding the original fence versus the applicant’s request. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Regan Miner stated she would mention in the approval note for the applicant to come before the Historic District Commission in the future prior to completing any exterior work. ● COA 441 – 5 Crossway Street (Antonio & Lisa Barros) New Construction, Other Richard Guidebeck made a motion to approve the COA as submitted. Gregory Johnson seconded. Richard Guidebeck stated the application was well done and to his recollection the staircase is not highly viewable. Regan Miner stated it appeared as though the applicant would use pressure treated wood. Discussion ensued regarding the staircase, zoning regulations, and painting. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of Wednesday September 16, 2020 Regular Meeting ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Richard Guidebeck seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously.  C. Chairman Report ● Regan Miner reported there was a new member Gregory Farlow who had been unable to attend and that he works with the Leffingwell House Museum Board of Directors. D. Old Business: ● CLG Grant Update Regan Miner stated she submitted the CLG grant to the City Manager for approval and his signature then it would be on the December agenda of the State Historic Preservation Office meeting. E. New Business: ● 2021-2022 Budget Regan Miner stated that the City requested her to submit the commission’s 2021-2022 budget as the acting chair. Regan Miner stated about $2,300 was fully funded last year and she will apply for the same amount this year. In the past, the commission awarded preservation plaques, but has not for a long time due to lack of funding. Discussion ensued regarding initiating a plaque program again. F. Next Meeting Date: ● Scheduled for Wednesday November 18, 2020 at 5:30 PM. Regan Miner stated the Planning of Conservation and Development Implementation Committee was scheduled for the same time using the same ZOOM account. Motion made to cancel the regular meeting and schedule a special meeting for November 19, 2020 at 5:30pm. G. Adjournment ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:24 PM. Gregory Johnson seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck, Gregory Johnson, and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary