Provincetown Historic District
Commission
Wednesday, August 3, 2005, Town Hall
Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Polly Burnell, John
Dowd, Eric Dray, Carol Neal, Marcene Marcoux, Clo Tepper.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Maxine
Notaro and Doug Taylor
Work
Session 3:45 p.m.
The work session was called to order by John Dowd at
3:45 pm.
90 Commercial Street – Original Seamen’s Bank - Gary Locke fielded most of the questions from the
Commissioners. The questions and
answers revolved around the large windows on the first floor of the building
and how they would be secured. Gary Locke
and Doug Taylor had a discussion on the safety and storm issues raised by the
installation. Doug Taylor is not
against this – but it should meet code. There has to be a common ground. The
contractor/builder will be looking at similar buildings in town i.e., buildings
across from Spiritus for window style and treatment.
The contractor ,Tom Rose,
said the project should have been a demolition – everything has been compromised. He has one request – can he shingle the rear
of the bldg as it was. The Commission
said yes. The contractor has the original door and Eric said it’s worth
salvaging.
John Dowd and Eric Dray stated
they need drawings. They both felt there is no detail and they need that.
3 Fishburn Court – Tom Thompson is redoing the top floor and wants to make it a
studio. The comment was that he wants to
make the windows significantly larger.
No one seemed to have a
problem with this design. They wondered
about hinged swing-outs, which are called a barn light. (No cranks – just swing-outs.) Eric is concerned about setting a precedent
with swing-outs. This is not a highly
visible area.
This was an administrative
review and everyone said what was proposed was fine.
Public
Hearing –4 p.m.
The public hearing was called to order by John Dowd at
4:17pm.
2005-51 (Continued from July 13, 2005)
Application by Neal Kimball on behalf of John
Yandrisovitz 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 renovate two existing free-standing cottages at
the rear of the main house, re-frame roof’s increasing pitch and add a small
ell to cottage #1, reconfigure window layouts at the property located at 5 Conant Street, Provincetown, MA.
The recording secretary, Evelyn
Gauadiano, an abutter to this property, stepped down in order to testify and
Maxine Notaro recorded the minutes for this case.
Members sitting on the case are: Polly Burnell, John Dowd, Eric Dray, Carol Neal, Clo
Tepper.
Discussion:
Neil Kimball, speaking on
behalf of his client, John Yandrisovitz, requested a continuance on July 13th since
there was not a full board seated. It was continued to the August 3rd meeting.
Neil Kimball presented
revised plans stating that the cottages are not visible from Conant Street
however; they are visible from Atlantic Ave. The scale of main house is big so
the property owner is requesting additional height to the cottages.
Cottage #1 on left; the
footprint is the same. These cottages
were built in the 60s. The intention is
to retain as much as possible. There is
a small bump out “L” on Cottage #1. Cottages 1 & 2 have small a loft. Cottage 2 will have the same footprint and a
lesser change than that of cottage #1.
If there were the need to change the foundations, the homeowner would
request a slight relocation.
John Yandrisovitch said the
additional height required would be to accomplish getting the bed off of the
floor and have more livable space. Neil Kimball said the soffit line raises
about 2-½’ to the ridge making it about 4’ for cottage #1. The sill plate height is not changing.
Cottage #2 ridgeline is approximately 5’.
Board members discussed the
distance of the ridgeline.
John Yandrisovitch presented
photos taken of other cottages throughout town. However, the photos presented were not of recent renovations, and
were of existing cottages previous to board presence.
John Dowd said the cottage
located at the corner of Masonic & Bradford would be more appropriate than
the design presented for 5 Conant Street. Mr. Dowd questioned why the smaller
cottage was becoming larger. Neil Kimball replied, it was deeper.
The board discussed the most
appropriate window styles and sizes, 6 over 6 or 6 over 1.
Public comment / letters:
Evelyn Gaudiano who has lived
in the neighborhood since 1931 said the cottages were used as hen houses years
ago.
The board received a letter
from Phil Gaudiano who stated the cottages were used as utility sheds also
known as summer kitchens.
A letter from Evelyn Gaudiano
stated the property originally consisted of 2 apartments; a studio & 2
cottages and the cottages would be used by family members.
A letter from Bill
Fitzpatrick mentioned the cottages would alter the streetscape.
A letter from Maureen Wilson
references the cottages are historically significant and they represent the
artist’s community. There is a loss of
40 to 70 years of history. For the
record, Mr. Kimball and Mr. Yandrisovitch stated Ms. Wilson was not an abutter
to the property.
Letters in favor were read
into the record from Pat Sullivan, Paul Ditacchio and Gregg Russo.
John Yandrisovitch stated
obviously he has a couple of neighbors that don’t like him. Also, it’s his feelings that he has made
improvements to the property for which he pays high taxes on. He further stated that Helen Carter
remembers the cottages being constructed for residential purposes and that they
were never chicken coops.
Obviously people have their
own agenda. It appears the Gaudiano’s
are upset over a parking space and parking issues. The original drawings were for a 2-story structure but have since
been scaled down.
Mr. Dray stated if the
cottages are of historic significance, then the footprint of the cottage with
the bump out should remain as is.
Conant St. has a beautiful historic streetscape.
The case was continued until August 17, 2005.
2005-61
Application by Pat Costa 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 replace 5 windows at the property located at 9 Washington Avenue, Provincetown, MA.
Members sitting on the case are: Polly Burnell, John Dowd, Carol Neal, Marcene Marcoux.
Discussion:
Her son presented the case for
replacement of rotted, cranky windows that are to be replaced in kind.
Motion: Carol
Neal Second:
Polly Burnell
To grant a certificate of Compliance
for the application as presented, Pursuant to guidelines 5.a, 5.c;
All approved window
replacements must non-tinted, clear glass and 1/2 screens, unless otherwise
provided in the decision. Full screens or windows with Low-E or other tinted
class are not permitted.
Yea: 4
Nay: 0 Abstain: Eric Dray
2005-62
Application by Rick Murray on behalf of Bradford
Montello Realty Trust 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 extend the roofline and dormer on
the rear (South) elevation and change a window/door configuration at the
property located at 35 Bradford Street
and, to relocate an existing 3-bedroom unit to a new single family dwelling on
the Southwest corner of the lot (formerly 9 Montello Street), Provincetown, MA.
Members sitting on the case are: Polly Burnell, John Dowd, Eric Dray, Carol Neal, Clo
Tepper.
Discussion: Muscle Beach building
Rick Murray said an ANR had
been done and the property is now one property, located at 35 Bradford
Street. The Building Commissioner
wanted to have it presented as two separate applications. The only change in Mussel Beach is to bump
the building out on the 2nd floor rear.
There is to be no change to the footprint and no change to elevations.
There was a full discussion
among board members, the applicant about the style and size of windows as well
as their ability to open for ventilation. Generally the board felt that double
hung windows would be more appropriate.
Rick Murray will return with new plans featuring all
double hung windows.
Discussion: Residential buildings
Rick Murray wants to relocate
the residential units onto the new property, which will be built at the rear of
the gym (formerly 9 Montello Street).
He has consulted with abutters Hilda Neily, Joyce Guide, and Marcia
Fair. Joyce and Marcia are in the
process of writing letters of support.
The lot coverage will be less than 38% . The height size is within the
guidelines and it is stepped back from Montello Street. Rick Murray explained that he tried to take
everyone’s requests in mind as he sought an appropriate design. Hilda wanted to save her view of the
monument and Marcia and Joyce wanted the building moved away from their
property as much as possible to preserve their privacy and air.
Public comment:
One person objected. Jack Yandrisovitz said he was confused. “It looks like a 3 story house.”
The final opinion from the
Commissioners was that the house design was too busy; John Dowd compared it to
an Edwardian Physician’s building (middle class).
John DeSouza, the architect, said he was trying to both consider
the neighbors’ requests as well as the floor plan necessities.
Rick Murray will return with revised plans offering
alternatives of simpler design.
2005-63
Application by Tom Burke and Axel Brunger 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 modify a previously approved plan to include four operable windows in a new
foundation; two windows to be partially visible from a public way at the
property located at 27 Tremont Street,
Provincetown, MA.
Members sitting on the case are: Polly Burnell, John Dowd, Eric Dray, Carol Neal, Marcene
Marcoux.
Discussion:
Mr. Hopkins is their
contractor. Tom Burke presented his
plan. There are still 4 windows
requested. Only one window will be
visible from a public way. (The one
closer to Atwood)
Public comment: None in favor or against.
Motion: Carol
Neal Second:
Polly Burnell
Pursuant to guideline 5, to
grant the modification to the previously approved plan and allow 4 operative
windows in a new foundation.
Yea: 5
Nay: 0 Abstain: 0
2005-64
Application by Neal Kimball on behalf of Michael
Isrtvanko 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 extend an existing shed dormer by 8’ with an
egress door, construct a deck with a railing over the existing flat roof area,
bump out a portion of the first floor by approximately 5’ with a door leading
to a new small deck area which will be held close to grade. All alterations are
located along the rear (West) elevation side of the existing structure at the
property located at 6 Washington Avenue,
Provincetown, MA.
Members sitting on the case are: Polly Burnell, John Dowd, Eric Dray, Carol Neal, Clo
Tepper.
Discussion:
Neal Kimball presented the
plan on behalf of Michael Isrtvanko. He
is not going to do the deck off the back elevation.
Polly felt they couldn’t
allow this plan to be changed with regard to the window openings. The openings can’t be shortened.
John Dowd thinks the posts
are inappropriate for this type of house.
He suggested they try finding some records of 2nd story porches.
Public comment: None in favor or against.
Motion: John
Dowd Second:
Carol Neal
To continue the hearing for
revised plans.
Yea: 5
Nay: 0 Abstain: 0
2005-65
Application by Joyce A. Cuming of Architects Studio
Ltd. on behalf of Alan Whitehead 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 reconstruct a roof of a
larger roof form to meet code, add two new dormers to the East and West side of
the smaller roof, add a new bay window to the West wall of the living room, add
a new door a the East wall to provide access to a new deck and external stair
to a proposed roof deck, replace windows throughout the entire building and add
three new skylights to the rear (East) side of the dwelling at the property
located at 41 Commercial Street,
Provincetown, MA.
The application was withdrawn. No action was taken.
Administrative
Review
14 Howland St. - Peter Fine presented a request for mostly
cottage style 9 over 6 windows. He
researched Broscoe and none of them would fit.
Eric Dray commented that these are replacement windows. The applicant was looking for the board’s
advice, not window size changes.
He was encouraged to go ahead as planned.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10
p.m.
Minutes recorded by
Evelyn Gaudiano
Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano
Revised and respectfully
submitted by
Carla Anderson Recording
Secretary
Approved by _____________________________________ at the 12/21/05 meeting.
John Dowd, Chair