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Thursday July 16, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Present: Chairman Scott Ford, Susan Berry, Ben Wilcox, Nancy MacKay, Chuck Clutz, Elaine Marcell, Arthur Choo, Bill Tuite, John McCoy
Absent: Winston Hall
Chairman Scott Ford called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The minutes from the May 14, 2009 meeting were approved as amended. The amendment is to reflect that the Certificate of Appropriateness for 185 North St. is contingent upon confirmation that Mr. and Mrs. Smith own the property at the front of the house currently in use as a driveway.
263 Main Street
Garrison Wilkes is seeking approval to replace two existing 6/6 windows on the side of the house. Mr. Wilkes is trying to improve upon the “mish mash” of window styles in the house by installing new 6/1 windows, which appear elsewhere on the house. He would like simulated divided light windows. The bottoms of the existing windows are currently below the kitchen counter.
Decision
Members voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 263 Main Street change two existing windows on the north side of the house from 6/6 to 6/1. The new windows will be shorter in height than the existing windows to accommodate the height of the kitchen counter. New windows will be all wood with either single pane true-divided lights, or simulated divided lights. Note: The Commission allowed the use of simulated divided lights due to the distance of the windows from the public way.
48 Middle Street
Commission member Susan Berry recused herself from this hearing. Owners Jeffrey and Susan Johnson are seeking approval to redesign the steps and walkway at the front of the house.
Decision
Members voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 48 Middle Street to remove the existing front porch and replace the existing front steps and front walk in accordance with drawings submitted. A herringbone or running bond pattern may be used for the brick walk, which will have a cobblestone border. A new lantern may be installed in accordance with the brochure submitted, with a dark antique brass or an antique brass finish.
565 Main Street
Tim and Amanda Beachus are seeking approval to install a skylight on the north side of the roof, which will be used as a means of egress. Ben Wilcox said that the type of skylight the Beachus’ selected has one of the lowest profiles available. Chuck Clutz said that the only alternative to a skylight in this case would be a dormer, which he thought was not appealing. Arthur Choo suggested that the skylight line up with the window below it. Commission members agreed.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 565 Main Street to install a roof window on the north side of the house. The window is to be in accordance with the vendor specifications submitted. The new window must be aligned with the window below, and must have a brown or black anodized finish.
578 Main Street – South Shore Baptist Church
Architect Vcevy Strekalovsky, building on a presentation he made at the HDC hearing last month, elaborated on elements of the of the proposed architectural, landscape and hardscape plans that fall within the historic district line. In response to questions from Commission members, Mr. Strekalovsky said that the current driveway will be relocated, the handicap ramp will be removed and the resulting exposed concrete will be covered with clapboard. Further discussion concentrated primarily on changes to the ell on the north side of the church. Although the ell is 60-65 ft. back from the face of the church, the proposed changes will be readily visible from the public way. Commission members requested more information on the height and general mass of the redesigned ell. They were also concerned about the existing front doorway on the ell, suggesting that it may no longer be in proportion to a revised façade. Mr. Strekalovsky agreed to provide information requested. He also confirmed that traditional building materials, i.e. wood, will be used on any elements located within the historic district.
222 North Street
Builder Curtis Moore came before the Commission to request approval to remove an unused chimney. The chimney can be seen from the north and east and is one of two chimneys on the building. Mr. Moore said that the chimney is in disrepair and is becoming a safety hazard.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 222 North Street to remove the unused brick chimney.
22 Lincoln Street
Property owner Meg Lind came before the Commission seeking approval to make several changes to the front façade of the house and garage: replace the existing columns on the Greek Revival residence, and realign them from their original position to allow unobscured vision of the street through the front windows; move the front door to accommodate relocated columns; replace the 2nd floor railing, realign the front porch to facilitate entry into the house; remove the door on the side of the garage and add three windows; add a cupola to the garage. The Commission was not opposed to replacing rotted columns with new wood columns. However, Commission members were not in favor of moving the columns. Doing so would affect the symmetry of the façade. The columns are now evenly spaced on the center line. The proposed relocation would result in columns that are unevenly spaced. Mrs. Lind believes that the difference would not be noticeable. Several Commission members also stated that the Commission is charged with preservation of the historic assets within historic districts and making such a dramatic change to the façade of the original house was inconsistent with the Commission’s mission. Mrs. Lind proposed painting the front door Marlboro blue, a color that is not consistent with Greek Revival colors researched by Historic New England. The HNE palette is the Commission’s approved color resource.
The Commission also addressed an issue of previously approved dormers that did not comply with the plans approved by the Commission, and asked Mrs. Lind to address the following with her builder:
1. The crown molding should continue around the returns,
2. The pediment on top of the window is to match the house, raked or flat. The Commission asked Mrs. Lind to submit a sketch of the pediment.
3. Shutters are to match the house and be hung on shutter hardware.
Decision
1. To replace existing front porch columns with new wood columns. Columns may not be relocated. Front door may not be relocated.
2. To raise the height of the front porch step.
3. To amend the garage elevation as shown in plans submitted to the Commission. Windows will be Brosco true-divided-light.
4. To paint the exterior of the house white. Installation of additional shutters, shutter color, and trim color will require HDC approval.
The style and design of the existing porch railing may not be changed.
*Approval is conditioned upon compliance with previously-approved plans for dormers as described in the application dated 9/10/07.
The next HDC meeting is on Thursday August 13, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Scott Ford adjourned the meeting at 10:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator