Historic
District Commission
Meeting
of
August
18, 2004, 4:00 PM
Members Present: John Dowd, Chairman; Meg Stewart; Polly
Burnell; Carol Neal; and Eric Dray (Alternate)
Excused
Absence: Tom Boland
Absent: Paul Church
Town Hall Representatives: Maxine Notaro, Permit Coordinator.
The Work Session
commenced 3:35 PM.
Work
Session
16 Winslow
Street – Remove stucco
siding on front and sides of porch and replace with cedar shingles. Marilyn
Grove and Ellen Rousseau appeared before the HDC. The HDC members unanimously
approved the request.
10 Winslow
Street – Request to
install a skylight on the Winslow Street side of the building. It would not be
visible. Ansel Davis appeared for the request that was unanimously approved by
the HDC.
66 Commercial
Street – Replace windows
in kind. The windows would be visible from West Vine Street. The HDC members
unanimously approved the request.
212 Bradford
Street (The
Patrician) – Request to replace siding, cedar shakes to cedar shakes. This
request was unanimously approved by the HDC.
87 Bradford
Street – To install
original etched glass panels to front door and sidelight replacing present
frosted panels. This was not approved by the HDC reasoning that the etched
glass panels were not in keeping with the design and period of the house.
Chair John Dowd
called the Public Hearing to order at 4:00 PM.
Case
#2004-064 (continued from August 4, 2004)
Application
by Ruth Gilbert and William Costa on behalf of David Silva and Paul Silva for a Certificate to be
issued in accordance with the Provincetown Historic District Commission
established under the General By-Laws, Chapter 15 of the Town of
Provincetown. The applicant seeks
approval to demolish the existing structure and review the proposed building
plans for the construction of a new three-bedroom single family dwelling at the
property located at 19 West Vine Street,
Provincetown, MA.
William Costa
stated that since the last meeting, some foundation beams were found to be
rounded which indicated old trees were used. He submitted new plans
incorporated some changes suggested and requested by the HDC members. [A copy
of these plans is in the Case file (Case #2004-064) at Town
Hall.]
Meg Stewart
requested that the height of the ½ Cape portion of the house be changed from 8’
to 7’6”. If demolition were approved, she would like to see the same size
building rebuilt. John Dowd agrees with her point but felt that there is no
perspective difference when the new building will be constructed. He does not
want to set a precedent when someone tears down and building and erects a
larger one.
Eric Dray
pointed out that just the Victorian portion of the house would be 2’ higher.
Generally, height and scale are issues that will constantly arise. The sketches
provided by the applicant are very rough and he would like to see floor plans,
etc. He also felt that if it was just the addition of the dormer to the exiting
building it would be OK, but the increase of height would not. Mr. Costa
replied that the increase would be 6” on each floor plus 1’ on the first floor.
Mr. Dray stated the he would not like to see an 8’ height when 7’ is already
existing.
Mr. Costa stated
that the State code allows for a 7’2” high ceiling. Ruth Gilbert said that some
of the building is under grade.
Meg Stewart
reiterated that she is concerned with the overall height and feels that is
should not be increased. Eric Dray said he would be comfortable with an
increase in the height of the ceiling and suggested that the ½ Cape be 6”
taller than it is now and the increase would be 18’ to 20’.
Members of the
HDC applauded the efforts to get the house back to what it was but are opposed
to the new building being taller. A member of the public, John Reis, a builder,
suggested setting the foundation in 10” to gain the height. Howard Greenfield
wanted the HDC not to talk about minute things and said not to lose anything
regarding the District. Once that is lost, the charm of Provincetown is lost.
John Dowd stated
that what the applicants brought in was totally fine compared to what was done
to other buildings.
Mr. Reis pointed
out that the Massachusetts Code increased the height of ceilings from 7’2” to
7’3”.
A motion was
made to approve the demolition of the ½ Cape with the late 19th
Century addition and with a new building to be replicated with the addition of
3” on the 1st floor and an addition 6” from plate with overall
increase of 1’3” for Code purposes. Total height is not to exceed 19’3”. In
addition, dormers shown on the revised plan are allowed. The final decision, as
it relates to replication of historic details include window surrounds, door
surrounds, cornice and fenestrations must be approved by the HDC as well as all
building materials used on this building. The applicants to bring in detailed
photos to the next meeting and measured drawings of window surrounds, etc.
Moved by: Eric Dray Seconded by: Carol Neal Yea:
3 Nay: 2
Polly
Burnell and Meg Steward Opposed
This was amended
to state that window surrounds as measured from the NW corner with 1” of
foundation exposed.
Moved by: Eric Dray Seconded by: John Dowd Yea: 4 Nay: 1
Meg
Stewart Opposed
A general
discussion of window placement, size and design ensued. Ruth Gilbert would like
6/6. The roof shingles to be weathering gray, not brown. She also asked for a
sample of the foundation.
3 Atlantic
Avenue – John Reis
appeared and explained the revised plans and wanted a discussion on location of
the chimney.
The presenters
stated that they would also be putting in a skylight. Eric Dray stated that the
Guidelines allow a skylight as long as it is appropriate. The applicants want
to relocate the flue to the north side of the building. The skylight would
measure 30” x 38” with the window below measuring 34” x 53”. This would be an
amendment to the Certificate of Compliance previously given. The HDC
unanimously approved the request with the pipe being 8” in diameter and painted
brown and place higher up.
Surfside
Hotel, 543 Commercial Street. Neal
Kimball showed new plans and there was an informal discussion on the
preliminary drawings.
Eric Dray
expressed his feelings that the HDC should be careful and should not be seeing
the plans until there is a Public Hearing. Neal Kimball showed drawings of proposed
plans. The owners want to make the buildings more interesting. Currently there
is some disrepair. The number of rooms will be decreased and some will be made
more luxurious, condominiums and apartments. He showed his plans and wanted
some input of ideas from the HDC. Guideline #15 would be relevant to this
project. Mr. Kimball wanted to construct a more conceptual building to fit more
into the surroundings. Members of the HDC made suggestions to keep the proposed
building more in line.
Mr. Kimball then
requested to respond to the article in The Banner regarding the demolition of
18 Cottage Street and he expressed his views and stated where he felt the
article was not correct.
Minutes
of Meetings
The
minutes of past meetings were voted upon and accepted with minor changes that
were made.
A motion was
made to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM.
Moved by: John Dowd Seconded
by: Meg Stewart Yea:
4 Nay: 0
Respectfully
submitted,
Joel Glasser
Recording
Secretary
Approved by:
_________________________________________ on _________________________
John Dowd (Chairman) Date