HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 14, 2009
APPROVED:
______________________
AGENDA: CONT. COA: DOUG VOELBEL/SARA SHATTUCK,
16 Pleasant Street, #114-190
PCC REVIEW: DON MILBRAND/TOWN OF BRISTOL,
Town Directional Sign
COA: TD BANK, NA c/o BOHLER ENGINEERING,
10 North Main St., #114-010
ATTEND: Clay Dingman (Chairman), Larry Douglas (Vice Chairman), Dorcas Gordon, Sandra Heaney
ABSENT: Rick Alpers (Sel. Rep.), Robin Fitzgerald (Alternate), Mark Greenwood (Alternate)
OTHER: Lucille Keegan
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm. It was noted that Ms. Heaney cannot vote this evening as the paperwork was not ready for her to be sworn in.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
D. Gordon made a Motion, second by C. Dingman, to elect Clay Dingman as Chairman and Larry Douglas as Vice Chairman for another year. The motion carried.
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 2009:
The following amendments and clarifications were made:
Page 1, under Public Hearing on Design Standards, 3rd line, delete “is only suggestions” and replace with “implies that the HDC (Historic District Commission) is only suggesting what should be done”. Page 2, 2nd paragraph, last line, replace “honorous” with “onerous”. 4th paragraph, 3rd line, insert “changes are” before “necessary”. Under PCC: Don Milbrand, 2nd paragraph, 1st line, insert “Center” before “Sandwich”.
D. Gordon made a Motion, second by L. Douglas, to accept the minutes as amended. The motion carried.
CONTINUED COA: Douglas Voelbel/Sara Shattuck
Mr. Dingman read Ms. Shattuck’s note stating that she no longer is in need of signs in the Historic District. The Commission agreed to withdraw her application.
-2-
HDC Minutes
4/14/09
PCC: Don Milbrand
Mr. Milbrand was unable to attend this evening. Mr. Dingman explained that he has photos to show Mr. Milbrand. Mr. Milbrand’s plan shows a flat sign. This shall be continued to May 12th.
COA: TD Bank, NA
A letter from Bohler Engineering was read. The applicants are asking to be continued to May 12th as they want some minor changes which they are to give to Michelle Bonsteel, Land Use Officer.
Ms. Gordon asked if it is legal to deny a trademark. Mr. Dingman explained that we cannot deny the registered trademark but we can determine such things as size, that it have muted colors, etc.
L. Douglas made a MOTION, second by D. Gordon, to CONTINUE THE HEARING FOR TD BANK, NA TO MAY 12TH. The motion CARRIED.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The N.H. Preservation Alliance News, Spring 2009 was looked at. Mr. Dingman stated that he has renewed this subscription himself.
A copy of a memo and letter to Peter McGrath from Michelle Bonsteel were read. Both were in regard to what is needed for the Presidential Grille building. Ms. Keegan, President of the Historical Society, stated that a gentleman approached her looking for old photos of the building as it is to be auctioned off sometime in May.
When asked why Ms. Keegan had attended tonight, she answered that she came to represent the Church as an abutter to TD Bank, NA and is also interested in what the Commission does.
WEB SITE:
Mr. Dingman asked if anyone is interested in updating the web site. He is willing to train them at his house. He added that Mark Greenwood promised to give him a CD to use. Ms. Keegan mentioned that the Historic Society has a lot of photos that they could copy as well. Both Mr. Douglas and Ms. Gordon expressed interest. Mr. Dingman said that Ms. Heaney already knows about this and he can show the secretary how to update the minutes on it.
DOWNTOWN/SHORELAND PROTECTION:
Ms. Gordon asked if the Shoreland Protection Act was ever exempted in the Downtown section. The secretary did not know if the Selectmen ever did so; it is under their jurisdiction.
-3-
HDC Minutes
4/14/09
HISTORIC RESOURCES OF THE MASTER PLAN:
Mr. Dingman explained that he has volunteered to address this section of the Master Plan. He has asked Ms. Gordon and Ms. Heaney to do the updates of the buildings listed and they have agreed to do so. Mr. Dingman is waiting to hear back from Mike Izzard, Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC), as to whether or not he has forms that we can use.
ALTERNATE TO HDC:
Ms. Keegan may be interested in becoming an alternate to the HDC. She was told that we meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month. A quick synopsis of what the Commission does was rendered. A discussion was held in which it was noted that there is nothing to prevent demolitions in this district. The area shown on the map and below the map depicting the buffer was overlooked when we made the change to make this all inclusive, so as to eliminate confusion, was explained.
In a discussion, Ms. Keegan expressed that nothing seems to be happening in the Downtown area since the PlanNH Charrette. It was explained that things are going on but don’t get publicized as much as they could. There is the application for a grant under Safe Routes to School and the LRPC Transportation Advisory Council (TAC) team has come in to look at the safety issues with traffic and pedestrians so as to get us onto the State’s 10 year plan. The latter is being run on Channel 24 right now. Jeff Chartier, Superintendent of Water/Sewer, is having maps of the underground pipes done by Cartographics so as to be ready to replace old pipes when the State decides to do the roads. Ms. Gordon expressed that she does not think that this is a money issue. A discussion was held in which some thought that a Town Planner is needed.
The Commission then explained the HDC process to Ms. Keegan. Mr. Dingman suggested that she read the Zoning Ordinance (on the HDC and Town web sites) and some of the past HDC minutes. If she is interested still, she should come to Ms. Laferriere or the Town Manager so that her desire can be sent to the Selectmen. They, in turn, will bring her in for an interview and it is up to them to appoint her.
GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN:
Mr. Dingman asked the Commission to read Attorney Bernie Waugh’s comments. He will try to implement these for our next meeting. He requested that the members input any comments that they may have, as well.
-4-
HDC Minutes
4/9/09
GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN continued:
Ms. Gordon asked about Page 4, Re: A(6) in regard to prohibition of off-premise signs.
Mr. Dingman stated that he does not necessarily agree with Atty. Waugh’s comments on this. He feels that the structure’s components need to be taken into consideration. He noted “The Mill” in which the lentils need to be consistent with the existing lentils when replacing windows. Ms. Gordon added that registered trademarks have to be considered and Mr. Dingman agreed. Ms. Gordon also mentioned that “shall” and “will” make her nervous. The Attorney says this is needed for enforcement. Mr. Dingman added that we need enough direction for the people to understand what we are looking for. Ms. Gordon pointed out #10 of our Guidelines where we say “what the lettering should be” or should this be “what the lettering shall be”. Mr. Dingman felt that the people want the direction. Ms. Gordon asked about #9 Shape, about the middle, beginning with “while the Commission --- should this be “it may approve” or “it shall approve”? Mr. Dingman suggested that we have 20 commandments with an explanation of each below them. Perhaps we could include examples. Mr. Dingman stated that he would like Dan Paradis, Planning Board Chairman, and Ms. Bonsteel’s input, as well. He shall try to restructure what we have and bring it to the Commission next time.
MICA BUILDING:
Members of the Commission asked if there is an update on what is happening with the mica building. It was reported that the town solicited bids to demolish it and received bids of $132,000 to $200,000. There was a lower bid given to Mr. Suldenski for $75,000 by a salvage company but they did not put in a bid to the town even though they were notified.
With no other business, L. Douglas made a motion, second by D. Gordon, to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Laferriere, secretary