Woodbury Historic District Commission

Transcription

1 Woodbury Historic District Commission Woodbury, Connecticut MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING / REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 6, :30 PM SHOVE BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT Susan Cheatham; Chairman Maureen Donnarumma; Vice Chairman Frank Sherer Robert Kolesnik Lois Fiftal ALTERNATES PRESENT Marc Kroll Gene Crawford Nancy Bailey MEMBERS ABSENT ALTERNATES ABSENT Also Present: Attorney Kaelin and Ray Lawlor The meeting was recorded and on file in the Land Use Office. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION To discuss strategy and negotiation of pending litigation regarding 76 Main Street South Chairman Cheatham called the meeting to order at 8:30 PM in the Shove Building Conference Room. She seated all regular members. MOTION: Frank Sherer moved to go into Executive Session at 7:30 PM with only Commission members present. Robert Kolesnik seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. All left the room but Commission members and Attorney Kaelin. MOTION: Frank Sherer moved to come out of Executive Session at 8:00 PM, Maureen Donnarumma seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. No action was taken during the Executive Session. II. PUBLIC HEARING A. 16-HD-1615 / Town of Woodbury / Proposed Amendment to the Historic District Commission Regulations Section 2 Boundaries & Location of Historic Districts (Maps to Replace Text Description) Susan Cheatham convened the public hearing at 8:01 PM and seated regular members herself, Frank Sherer, Robert Kolesnik, Lois Fiftal and Maureen Donnarumma.

2 Frank Sherer referenced the Historic District Handbook Study Reference, page 31, "Boundaries and Map." It states a narrative must be included as well as a map(s). The map(s) should be closely examined. The consensus was not to rely only on the map(s) but use them as a guide for the public. It is also necessary that both the GIS and COG maps agree with the Historic District maps used when the Districts were created. Nancy Bailey referenced Southbury, Farmington and Wethersfield to name a few towns. They use disclaimers. Should the maps be included as an appendix? The Historic Districts should be situated 75 feet in from the center of the road. Woodbury's regulate from the edge of the road 200 feet back. Robert Kolesnik noted a photo of the GIS map was used. The 200 foot shaded area is not to scale. Distances can be measured and be close, therefore the disclaimer. Frank Sherer pointed out the 200 foot from the edge of the road is where the road was at the time the Regulations were created. The words are ambiguous, therefore refer to the map. The map that is on the Shove Building Conference Room wall is the one used for the Regulations, that is the one that should be used, it was approved, it governs. It is necessary to check the maps and boundaries to see that they are the same. Gene Crawford said the consultant from GIS needs to check, and that will cost. The COG map is referenced, not the GIS, it could be the map is off. Nancy Bailey wanted to know what the difference was between COG and GIS. To that Gene Crawford stated GIS has its own system. The maps are being mixed. And COG does they're own thing. The "GIS" label is a type of map. They should match property lines. Fundamentally, Commission members were in favor of not deleting the wording and use the map(s) approved at the time of the Regulations as our guide. Nancy Bailey thought we should see what other towns do. Robert Kolesnik disagreed, stating this Historic District Commission's Regulations were good. We could be opening ourselves up to lawsuits everywhere if they were more like other towns. Susan Cheatham asked Gene Crawford to work on this, check out the information, get clarification. Mr. Crawford agreed to the request. She then asked if anyone from the floor was in favor of, or opposed to the application. No one came forward. MOTION: Maureen Donnarumma moved to close the public hearing on application 16-HD / Town of Woodbury / Proposed Amendment to the Historic District Commission Regulations Section 2 Boundaries & Location of Historic Districts (Maps to Replace Text Description). Lois Fiftal seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. III. REGULAR MEETING A. Call to Order Susan Cheatham convened the regular meeting at 8:33 PM. B. Seating of Members/Alternates Regular members Susan Cheatham, Maureen Donnarumma, Lois Fiftal, Robert Kolesnik and Frank Sherer were seated. C. Consideration of Minutes (2/6/17) Maureen Donnarumma was unseated for consideration of minutes due to absence. Marc Kroll was seated. Page 2

3 MOTION: Frank Sherer moved to approve the regular meeting minutes as amended, the correction being: Page 2, 1st paragraph, last sentence should read "These proposed maps may be attached..." Robert Kolesnik seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. D. New Application HD-1702 / Lawlor / 2 White Oak Road / Roof Replacement / Map 104 / Lot 046 Mr. Ray Lawlor came forward to represent his application. The roof of his 1958 home is leaking, causing interior tiles to buckle. He wishes to replace the existing 3 tab architectural shingles with a 40 year architectural roof. The colors of the new shingles are slightly darker than the existing. He presented samples. After discussion members felt no changes were being made, and referenced Section of the Regulations. MOTION: Frank Sherer moved no application is necessary for the roof, it is an ordinary repair pursuant to Section of the Historic District Commission's Regulations. Lois Fiftal seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. E. Pending Applications HD-1615 / Town of Woodbury / Proposed Amendment to the Historic District Commission Regulations Section 2 Boundaries & Location of Historic Districts (Maps to Replace Text Description) MOTION: Frank Sherer moved: WHEREAS the Woodbury Historic District Commission has received an application from Town of Woodbury for a proposed amendment to the Historic District Commission Regulations, Section 2 Boundaries & Location of the Historic Districts (Maps to replace text descriptions); and WHEREAS the Commission has held a duly called public hearings on February 6 and March 6, 2017; and WHEREAS the Commission has carefully considered all the evidence and testimony received at the duly called public hearing; WHEREAS, the permission granted by the passage of this Certificate of Appropriateness does not replace requirements for the applicant to obtain any other permits or licenses required by law or regulation of the Town of Woodbury, such as, but not limited to: Building Permit, Zoning Permit, Planning Commission approval, Fire Marshal approvals, Health District approvals, Driveway Permit, Wetland Permit, Vendor License; or from the State of Connecticut or the United States Government. Obtaining such permits or licenses is the responsibility of the applicant; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Woodbury Historic District Commission denies application #16-HD-1615 submitted by Town of Woodbury. Maureen Donnarumma seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. Page 3

4 F. Other Business 1. Review and Discuss Potential Amendments to the Historic District Regulations Members received a copy of the Secretary of the Interior for Rehabilitation Standards. It notes one of the charges of the Commission is to protect and restore architectural features. Robert Kolesnik noted the document is twenty-two years old, we're not bound by them. He agreed to disagree with them. Susan Cheatham said preservation briefs for historic structures are commonly referred to. Robert Kolesnik thought it was important to have this information but we still look at each application on its own merits. Many consider our Regulations to be very good, major changes are not necessary. Those properties located in the Historic Districts are designated on the information the Building Department has. Lois Fiftal thought maybe a definition of "temporary sign" might help, as in "60 days." Susan Cheatham asked members to again review the Regulations and reference the State's enabling Statutes. 2. Discussion Regarding Proposed Zoning Regulation Amendment to Add Section 5.7 MRD Multi Residence District Some Commission members attended the Zoning meeting pertaining to the MRD. It was felt that only public intake occurred, mostly negative. Some believed the hearing should not have been closed and others thought the reason for the MRD was to create "affordable housing" which already exists in town. Maureen Donnarumma commented the point of saying Woodbury does not satisfy the need for this type of housing was based on the State's percentage. Susan Cheatham said another word for "affordable" is "subsidized" housing. The MRD is a change to Regulations which the Town does or does not have to approve. Marc Kroll had trouble with the terms "floating" and "density" the wording needs to be changed. Susan Cheatham was not in favor of putting these districts anywhere, she wants to see a special area designated. 3. SDAT Discussion Susan Cheatham informed members she gave a presentation to the Planning Commission. They were unaware of many aspects of this Commission. This Commission was informed that her presentation was well received. 4. Discussion Regarding 299 Main Street South (Telephone Company Buildings) Two letters were sent to regarding these houses. One was returned and will be resent with a different address. G. Privilege of the Floor No one came forward. Page 4

5 H. Correspondence MOTION: Lois Fiftal moved to accept the clerk's bill for 4.5 hours and approve for payment. Maureen Donnarumma seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. I. Planning Office Reports There were none. J. Pending Enforcement 1. Status of 16-ENF-0017 / 76 Main Street South / Arras / Erection of Sign without Certification of Appropriateness / Map 105 / Lot 128 This was discussed under Executive Session. Bryan Baker sent the Commission notification that letters will be sent to 994 Main Street South and 346 Main Street South regarding signage with no Certificate of Appropriateness approval. K. Adjournment MOTION: Maureen Donnarumma moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 PM. Lois Fiftal seconded. VOTE: 5-0 FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. FILED SUBJECT TO COMMISSION APPROVAL Respectfully submitted, Linda Leigh Clerk RECEIVED & FIL a13 IN WOODBURY, CT Page 5 This of CSL" da ~ at: o'clock A Clerk