Historic District Commission
June 12, 2007
DRAFT ACCEPTED:
__________________________
ATTENDED: Clay Dingman (Chairman), Larry Douglas (Vice-Chairman), Dorcas Gordon, Sandra Heaney, Robin Fitzgerald (alternate) and Diane Marden (Secretary)
ABSENT: Mark Greenwood
OTHERS: Paul Morrissette (8 Central Square), his colleague Jeremy Mitchell , and the restaurant owner (leasing space from Paul Morrissette at 8 Central Square).
The meeting was opened and called to order at 7:00 p.m. Robin Fitzgerald was asked to sit in for Mark Greenwood.
HEARING FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL, 8 CENTRAL SQUARE: Paul Morrissette is the new owner of 8 Central Square and met with the Commission to discuss his plans for the building, and to obtain information from the HDC on specific alterations and signage for the building.
Mr. Morrissette explained he intended on keeping the building’s integrity intact, but needed to do some interior alterations to the structure in order to meet fire safety guidelines. He stated he anticipated keeping the restaurant on the lower level intact as it has the original tin ceilings. He explained he intends on renovating the upper level of the building and create two condominium units to later sell.
Mr. Morrissette told the Commission that the floor above the first level was sagging, and in order to make the floor above level he constructed another floor on top of the existing one in order to save the tin ceilings below. He then stated he has come to the HDC to get some guidance on how to proceed further. Mr. Morrissette stated he needed to change the entry of the building, in order to meet safety codes. He explained he would like to change it back to the original two-door entry. Mr. Dingman stated the HDC would need to see the details in a sketch format showing the proposed changes, stating a frontal view of the building would be helpful, and that the materials used to complete this change should also be listed in detail. Mr. Dingman stated the interior of the building is not under HDC’s purview, but that the exterior of buildings in the District is. Mr. Dingman said that, in light of the information missing from the COA application and the exploratory nature of the applicant’s approach to the meeting, the Commission could continue the public hearing to the next Commission meeting (July 10) and treat tonight’s hearing as a preliminary conceptual consultation (PCC) and provide the applicant with direction on what information to have in hand for the continued hearing of July 10. The applicant agreed to this, as did the other members of the Commission.
Dorcas Gordon asked Mr. Morrissette what his intentions were for the windows within the structure. Mr. Morrissette stated he wanted to replace the current windows with some that were more energy-efficient, and was having them priced out at this time. He explained the original windows are 41 inches wide by 90 inches tall and any replacements would need to be custom made. He explained he, too, wanted to keep the building’s historical features intact. Mr. Dingman explained that as long as a property owner replaces windows with ones that are similar in appearance, then it falls under the definition of “general maintenance” and the Commission does not need to oversee this; he cited the replacement windows used by Jeff Goodrum in his building next door as an example of “general maintenance.” Mr. Dingman said that if the applicant chose to use replacement windows that were different in appearance from the original windows, that these would need to be brought before the Commission for consideration.
Sandra Heaney asked Mr. Morrissette if he would like to see past photographs of the buildings appearance for guidance, referring to some that Mr. Douglas had brought to the hearing. Mr. Morrissette stated that would be great. Everyone present reviewed the photographs. Ms. Heaney asked if the applicant intended on removing or keeping the awnings on the front of the building. Mr. Morrissette stated he had not made a decision on that yet, but would probably keep them. Ms. Heaney stated it would allow him more room for his signage stating originally the building did not have awnings. Mr. Dingman mentioned that the current awnings had advertising on them from a previous business owner, and the applicant would most likely want to change these to reflect the new business going in to the building.
Mr. Morrissette asked if the signage next door (the yellow box sign) was acceptable for his building. Mr. Dingman stated it is not, that the signage next door was pre-Historic District Ordinance, and was not in compliance with the HDC signage guidelines. He stated the HDC does have signage guidelines on its website, and signage should be addressed in detail on the application as well. Mr. Dingman explained that the applicant should include information about type of materials used, font, and proposed placement of the sign on the building. Ms. Marden gave Mr. Morrissette a copy of the signage guidelines along with the HDC’s list of recommended fonts.
Sandra Heaney made the motion to continue Mr. Morrissette’s hearing for Certificate of Approval to the next meeting of July 10, 2007 at 7 p.m. Vice Chairman Larry Douglas seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES OF 08MAY07:
Dorcas Gordon made the motion to accept the minutes of April 10, 2007 as amended, Sandra Heaney seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED.
Discussion Election of Officers
The members briefly discussed the election of Officers. It was decided that Robin Fitzgerald would be re-instated at the end of her term in July 2007, until the HDC could review by-laws to determine which month would be appropriate to hold the elections.
2007-2008 Goals of the HDC
The board went over this list of goals, and prioritized each item. Some were tabled until the indefinite future, while the following (with the initials of parties responsible for completing these shown in brackets) were prioritized to be worked on for the remainder of 2007 and early 2008:
To complete by July 10, 2007:
a. complete application process to make Bristol a Certified Local Government (status report by July 10 with application completion by August [if no changes to HD Ordinance are needed]) [CD with LD to assist];
b. revise current signage guidelines by expanding them to show more illustrations and examples -- meet with Bristol Code Enforcement Officer to review [CD with LD to assist];
c. edit existing COA application package to make easier to use/understand and include user-friendly guide for how to fill out application -- meet with Bristol Code Enforcement Officer to review [CD with LD to assist]
To complete by August 2007:
a. create process by which HDC can document the evolution/progress/regress/status of projects in the District, for future reference. This information would eventually be available on the website [LD];
b. create an Historic District "awards program" to publicize in local media notable property owner preservation projects within District (publicize on website, as well) [RF];
c. design, build and install three Historic District signs (to indicate to people that they are entering the District) [CD with LD to assist]
To complete by September 2007:
a. meet with area realtors to educate about the Historic District; create annual mailing for realtors that reminds them about and educates them about the Historic District [DG];
b. create an Historic District Commission "welcome package" for new property owners within the Historic District [SH];
c. create HDC walking tour brochure and place downloadable copy of it on HDC website (possibly a simple update and reformatting of existing Downtown Revitalization Committee material) [CD];
d. complete current HDC website -- and possibly find grant funding to hire someone to do this. Final website will have back-end administrative section so that anyone with access rights can make content edits/updates without needing any background in web design or HTML, etc. (allows Town to take eventually take over maintenance of site without any compromise to current graphic design of site -- could become prototype for rest of Town's website) [CD]
To complete e at various points in next several months of 2007 and possibly into 2008:
a. work with Planning Board on upcoming town survey (Commission will provide input to Board through Clay Dingman) (complete as Planning Board moves forward with survey edits) [entire Commission];
b. research any necessary additions to current Historic District Ordinance and submit to Planning Board for inclusion on March 2008 ballot (complete by November) [CD]
c. have Commission as a whole contribute to writing HDC's segment for Bristol's annual report and include on website. Focus on how the District impacts the quality of life in Bristol, as well as on results for the past year. (complete by December) [entire Commission];
d. work with Planning Board to revise historic preservation of Master Plan (complete after Planning Board receives survey results) [entire Commission];
e. build Commission membership -- attract members from specific backgrounds (architecture, historic preservation, development/real estate, etc.) (ongoing) [SH]
Each of the above were discussed in some detail. Mr. Dingman stated he would contact Town Manager, Elizabeth Corrow regarding her plans for the downtown Revitalization/Main Street Program.
New Business-Community Opinion Survey
Mr. Dingman stated the HDC has been encouraged to take part in the revamping of the Community Opinion Survey from 1997. Mr. Dingman stated it is a great opportunity to find out what is important to town residents, and gives the town great insight on a multitude of issues within the town. HDC members decided they would give their input to the project.
Adjournment
Sandra Heaney made the motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Dorcas Gordon seconded the motion. THE MOTION CARRIED.
The next meeting of the HDC will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in the downstairs of the Bristol Town Offices at 7:00 p.m.