Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the November 15, 2023 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held November 15, 2023 at 5:30 PM via Hybrid meeting in Room 319 of City Hall and via ZOOM. Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Regan Miner Jacob Stahl (ZOOM) Dayne Rugh Greg Johnson (ZOOM Nancy O’Neil (ZOOM) Gregory Farlow (ZOOM) Members Absent: None. Guests: John Ross and Meghan Campbell (ZOOM). 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 535 - 81-83 East Town Street (First Congregational Church) - Fixtures John Ross stated that Joe Cirrito, who presented the previous COA, was concerned a fence was being required for something that was not very visible from the road, and that neighboring properties did not have coverings for their condenser units. John Ross noted the condensers at the church were only visible at a corner angle of the property, if one was to stop their vehicle in the road and look in that direction. Timothy Dowhan stated when he viewed the property from the street he could view the condensers, which was why greenery or a fence to cover them was suggested. John Ross stated he did not have an issue installing a wooden fence, like the proposed included in the COA, but he had concerns with the longevity of the fence and maintenance. Dayne Rugh agreed with the applicant’s comments and felt reassured that the condensers were not visible enough to require any type of covering. John Ross noted that the City of Norwich was installing a gas line in the same area as the condensers that upcoming Monday. John Ross continued that they notified him that because of the driveway there they will need to install metal pillars to block the gas meter. John Ross stated the pillars come gray and he would like to paint them white so that they blend in with the color of the church. Regan Miner asked that the applicant submit a COA for the meter only at the next regularly scheduled meeting, as meters are included within the design guidelines. ● COA 536 - 17 Huntington Place (Sam Campbell) - New Construction, In-  Ground Pool Timothy Dowhan noted that due to timing constraints with permitting and scheduling, the concrete for the pool had been poured prior to the submission of the COA. Meghan Campbell stated they would be installing an in-ground pool similar to the concept photos provided in the COA. Meghan Campbell stated that where the pool is located will not be visible from the public right-of-way at all and would eventually be fenced in. Meghan Campbell stated that all associated filters would be tucked into the area where the HVAC units are located and also would not be visible from the road, but she was planning to fence that portion in as well. Meghan Campbell stated she would submit a COA In the future for fencing once the style was chosen. Meghan Campbell noted that a recently adopted international safety regulation allows for an automatic cover on a pool in lieu of a fence. Meghan Campbell explained that the automatic cover remained closed unless the pool was in use. Timothy Dowhan reiterated that due to permitting time constraints he gave approval for the concrete to the building department based on information provided and approval by the city zoning office. Nancy O’Neil asked for clarification that the pool could not be viewed from the road in any event. Meghan Campbell responded that due to the slope of the road it would not be, unless someone was actually in the pool. Meghan Campbell stated the pool would be a rectangular shape level with the property and surrounded by grass. ● COA 521 - 193 Broadway (Lillian Pereira) - New Construction, Other, EV Charger - EXTENSION The applicant was not in attendance. Timothy Dowhan noted the applicant submitted an extension as they were nearing the six month completion date for the project. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:55 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 535 - 81-83 East Town Street (First Congregational Church) - Fixtures Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Timothy Dowhan clarified that he asked the city building department to allow them to proceed due to the emergency need of not having heat in the building, but still required a COA for approval. Timothy Dowhan stated the condensers were placed so that it could be determined if they were visible from the roadway, but they were not yet installed as they were awaiting the gas hookup. Timothy Dowhan also clarified that this COA did not include the discussed gas meter. Regan Miner stated that based on the images she felt that the fence wasn’t necessary and would be an added maintenance for the property owners. Regan Miner added that as long as the condensers were mostly not visible from the public right-of-way she felt it was acceptable to not require a covering. Dayne Rugh agreed with the statement and didn’t believe condensers at the neighboring properties are obstructed. All other members were in agreement. Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow, Greg  Johnson, Jacob Stahl, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 536 - 17 Huntington Place (Sam Campbell) - New Construction, In- Ground Pool Greg Johnson made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Jacob Stahl seconded. Timothy Dowhan stated that the COA was another emergency situation, in regards to pouring the concrete for the pool with permitting constraints. Timothy Dohwan added that due to the pool being flush with the property the applicant stated they were not aware a COA was needed. Greg Johnson stated that all the proposed continued work seemed to be fine. Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow, Greg Johnson, Jacob Stahl, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 521 - 193 Broadway (Lillian Pereira) - New Construction, Other, EV Charger - EXTENSION Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the extension for the COA. Gregory Farlow seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow, Greg Johnson, Jacob Stahl, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday October 18, 2023 Meetings ● Gregory Farlow made a motion to approve the October 18, 2023 meeting minutes. Jacob Stahl seconded. Gregory Farlow, Greg Johnson, Jacob Stahl, Dayne Rugh and Timothy Dowhan all voted in favor. Regan Miner and Nancy O’Neil abstained. The motion passed. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan stated he believed he had condensed legal notice verbiage as much as possible in an effort to reduce costs and to expedite posting process. Timothy Dowhan noted the notices cost approximately $108 each month out of the HDC budget. D. Old Business ● Updated COA Application Timothy Dowhan stated he needed to get additional updates to Regan Miner before being ready to present the draft COA for approval. E. New Business ● Regan Miner stated she received an email from Preservation Connecticut that morning to confirm training dates in December. Regan Miner clarified that Preservation Connecticut and the State Historic Preservation Office were leading the training session and that the Norwich HDC was the host commission. Regan Miner stated that nothing was required from the HDC other than attendance and spreading the word. Regan Miner continued that the meeting would be virtual but members could meet via hybrid as well. Regan Miner stated the goal would be to hold the training  after the regular December 20th meeting at 7:00PM. Regan Miner stated the meeting would not be held on the city ZOOM account so there would not be any time constraints if the regular December meeting was to run past the 7:00PM time. Regan Miner stated the training would go over HDC basics, Robert's Rules of Order, case studies, scenarios and things of that nature. ● Regan Miner stated she recently mailed out three welcome letters to new homeowners in the district, as there had been some recent turnover. ● Jacob Stahl noted concerns with allowing work to begin on COA’s under a proposed emergency situation prior to approval from the commission. Dayne Rugh stated he understood when a situation concerns heat or preserving the property, but in other regards applicants should be required to adhere to the same stipulations as all other applicants. Timothy Dowhan agreed and stated that moving forward it would be clarified that applications must be submitted prior to work commencing. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday December 20, 2023 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Dayne Rugh made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:23 PM. Gregory Farlow seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow, Greg Johnson, Jacob Stahl, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary