Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the October 19, 2022 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday October 19, 2022 at 5:30 PM via Zoom virtual meeting. Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Regan Miner Nancy O’Neil Jacob Stahl Members Absent: Gregory Johnson and Gregory Farlow Guests: Frank Cathcart, Rick Chozick, Steve Pappas and Cameron Reinhart Timothy Dowhan reviewed the rules of a virtual meeting and clearly notified participants that the meeting would be recorded. 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 499 - 3 Huntington Place (Frank Cathcart) - New Construction, Other, Propane Frank Cathcart stated his COA was for the installation of a new propane tank that would be placed on the right-hand side of the home, if you were looking at the front of the home. Frank Cathcart discussed the photos submitted with his COA which showcased the proposed location of the tank. Frank Cathcart stated the location was chosen by a representative of Suburban Propane, who would be supplying the tank. Frank Cathcart explained that there are no windows within 10 feet or openings within three feet of the chosen location, which avoids any potential for  downstream air flow from the propane. Regan Miner stated that based on the rendering provided it appeared that a fence or green space would be blocking the view of the tank from the public right of way, which Frank Cathcart agreed was correct. Frank Cathcart stated the tank was only about 43 inches in height and would sit atop a small concrete pad. ● COA 500 - 177 Broadway (Steve Pappas) - Reconstruction, Windows Rick Chozick stated that he and Steve Pappas purchased the 1965 property from the estate of the original developer, and apologized for being unaware that the property was located within the historic district. Rick Chozick showed photos on screen for all to see demonstrating the layout of the building in relation to its neighboring roads. Rick Chozick discussed the various vantage points of the building from the neighboring properties and explained that only the homes directly abutting the building would have a view of the rear and side windows. Rick Chozick stated the building held 33 units. Rick Chozick discussed the existing condition of the windows, that were the original metal frame sliders with single pane glass. Rick Chozick explained that the windows had reached the end of their life span and would leak water during windy rains. Rick Chozick stated the COA requests to replace 136 of the windows with double pane insulated glass units that would be significantly more energy efficient. Rick Chozick showcased a photo on screen for all to view that depicted the proposed configuration of the single and double windows. Rick Chozick stated the windows would be white on both sides and would be double-hung, which he felt kept with the historic district style. Rick Chozick explained that because they were unaware that the building was in the HDC, the insulated units were already purchased and totaled about $83,000 without installation. Rick Chozick stated he asked the manufacturer to re-quote the windows using materials that fit the HDC guidelines, which was totaled at $322,560 without installation and was not a feasible option. Rick Chozick stated they wished to improve the property for the tenants and help them save on utility costs. Rick Chozick stated they were open to replacing the nine windows in the frontage of the home with wood frames, which would total $22,457 without installation. Regan Miner stated she reached out to the SHPO office regarding the COA as the property was a newer historic property. Regan Miner continued that the SHPO suggested that aluminum would be an appropriate material for the age of the property. Rick Chozick stated aluminum would be an acceptable option and that they were open to whatever the commission felt was appropriate. Timothy Dowhan noted aluminum would be a like-for-like material, which was the desired goal. Regan Miner stated that all-wood windows would not make sense for a 1985 property and she would be comfortable with the property owners installing the already purchased vinyl windows if the front windows were aluminum. Timothy Dowhan asked if the metal replacement windows would have the same look and feel of the existing windows. Rick Chozick responded they could or the windows could be double-hung, which were  more characteristic of the homes in the area and were a better option for residents. Rick Chozick stated the center window would be a fixed plate with a double-hung single window on either side. ● COA 501 - 93 Union Street (Cameron Reinhart) - Preservation, Reconstruction, Perimeter Cameron Reinhart stated that upon inspecting an area near his gutter downspout he discovered a lot of damaged wood siding behind the gutter. Cameron Reinhart stated that when he removed the siding, he found that a lot of structural posts in that area were fairly rotted as well. Cameron Reinhart showed photos on screen of the damage for all to see. Cameron Reinhart stated the damaged siding would be replaced with like-for-like wood and would be painted to match the existing color of the home. Cameron Reinhart stated that the work to the structural beams had already been completed for safety reasons. Cameron Reinhart stated the rotted wood was removed and supports were put in place. Cameron Reinhart stated the work would be inspected by the city once completed. Timothy Dowhan asked if the clapboards were being replaced as well. Cameron Reinhart stated he had removed some but they were not damaged by water so he would be putting them back in place. Cameron Reinhart stated he would only be replacing materials that were damaged. Cameron Reinhart stated the water damaged only covered a few feet but additional siding had been removed to determine the extent. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:00 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 499 - 3 Huntington Place (Frank Cathcart) - New Construction, Other, Propane Regan Miner made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented, with the note to ensure that the propane tank is covered from view of public way by a greenery or fence. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 500 - 177 Broadway (Steve Pappas) - Reconstruction, Windows Regan Miner made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented, with the stipulation that the windows in the front facade of the property are aluminum. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Regan Miner stated she felt the front windows being aluminum and the already purchased vinyl windows used for the remaining windows kept in line with state historic guidelines  and was a fair compromise. Timothy Dowhan noted it was a shame the property owners were unaware that the property was in the district but appreciated their willingness to work with the commission. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 501 - 93 Union Street (Cameron Reinhart) - Preservation, Reconstruction, Perimeter Nancy O’Neil made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday September 21, 2022 Meeting Minutes ● Regan Miner made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as written. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan reported that he had not heard back from the city regarding the 2023 HDC budget and would continue to have the item on the agenda for the time being. D. Old Business ● Timothy Dowhan stated that COA 487 and COA 488 that were previously approved for fencing work at 6 Ox Hill Road were approaching the six- month COA deadline. Timothy Dowhan stated he was contacted by the applicant, Sandra Naldony, who stated they were unable to acquire permits and contractors to complete the work within the six months. Timothy Dowhan suggested approving a six-month extension on the COA’s opposed to the applicants filing new COA’s. Timothy Dowhan stated that if the work was not completed by the end of the additional six month the HDC could consider requesting new COA’s. Regan Miner made a motion to extend COA 487 and COA 488 an additional six months. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● Timothy Dowhan stated that there was still a vacancy available on the commission. Jacob Stahl stated he submitted his name for the alternate  position but had not received a response. Regan Miner recommended that he re-apply. Regan Miner stated that her husband Dayne Rugh would potentially be submitting an application, pending conflicting responses on whether doing so would present a conflict of interest. Regan Miner noted that both Gregory Johnson and Gregory Farlow had re-applied and should be reinstated at the next council meeting. E. New Business ● None. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday November 16, 2022 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Jacob Stahl made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:18 PM. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Gregory Farlow, Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary