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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHC 06 17 25 DRAFT MINUTESDRAFT MINUTES Barnstable Historical Commission This meeting was held on June 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM Within the Selectmen’s Conference Room Barnstable Town Hall, 367 Main Street Robert Frazee, Chair Present Nancy Shoemaker, Vice Chair Present Cheryl Powell Absent Jack Kay Present Barbara DeBiase Present John Richmond Present Andrew Fisher Present Erica Brown, Administrative Assistant Present Corey Pacheco, Senior Planner Absent Chair Robert Frazee called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Acting under the provisions of the Code of the Town of Barnstable, ss 112-1 through 112-7, the Historical Commission held a Public Hearing on the following applications previously determined significant and referred to Public Hearing: CONTINUED APPLICATIONS None APPLICATIONS Ahearn, Francis & Doris, 555 Main Street, Cotuit, Map 021, Parcel 007, Built 1900 Partial Demolition: Pick up house and relocate it onto a new foundation. Remove the gable roof and restore it with a typical four-sided mansard. Remove recent additions, shorten the porch, and add a modest addition to the right side. New roofing, windows, siding, and trim. Timothy Luff was in attendance for this item. Timothy started the presentation by introducing himself and the project. There are two types of vernaculars prominent in Cotuit which are the Greek Revival and the Mansard. Timothy described the documented additions as not kind and betrayed the Mansard vernacular. They are proposing to pick up the house, rotate it so that the front façade faces the street, and relocate it further back on the lot on a new foundation. The windows will be replaced, new siding installed, and a new cedar wood roof. Commission Discussion: Nancy clarified the scope of the demolition where the existing porch is. Timothy confirmed the demolition proposed to accommodate the traditional Mansard. The two chimneys’ will be removed, and a new one will be built on the right-side. Bob commented that this house is not highly visible from the street and will be moved further back. He also added that the return to the Mansard is nicely done. He thanked the applicant for working with the architecture that is already existing. Jack asked if the existing building has wooden gutters. Timothy stated there is a mixture of wooden and aluminum gutters. Timothy proposed the gutters will be fiberglass in the exact profile of the wood. Nancy noted that most downspouts are on the corner and not in the middle like the existing building has. Public Comment: None Motion 1: Barbara DeBiase moved that after review and consideration of public testimony, the application, and associated materials, the Significant Building – 555 Main Street, Cotuit is a Preferably Preserved Significant Building. Jack Kay seconded. Nay: Nancy Shoemaker, Barbara DeBiase, John Richmond, Jack Kay, Andrew Fisher, Robert Frazee Motion 2: Barbara DeBiase moved that in accordance with Section 112-3(F), the Barnstable Historical Commission determines that the partial demolition of the building located – 555 Main Street, Cotuit is not detrimental to the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage or resources of the Town. Jack Kay seconded. Aye: Nancy Shoemaker, Barbara DeBiase, John Richmond, Jack Kay, Andrew Fisher, Robert Frazee Other: • Discussion of upcoming historical events open to the public. • Cotuit Form Bs- Discussion and Review o Jack Kay moved to approve the transmittal of the Form Bs to MHC. Andrew seconded. Aye: Jack Kay, Barbara DeBiase, John Richmond, Andrew Fisher, Robert Frazee • Correspondence: o Section 106- 565 Main Street- Advanced Engineering Group Letter addressing the structural integrity of the Church Steeple. Bob referenced the letter that was sent in response to BHC’s comment about the structural integrity of the Church Steeple. John commented that he was still concerned about the project because it is a contentious matter in Centerville. John noted that if th ere is any change to the appearance of the Church then it should be obligated to have a public hearing. It was noted that it appears all of the work is to be done internally within the Church Steeple. Bob noted that the Commission’s jurisdiction is over the destruction or demolition of architectural elements rather than the addition to the historic structure. o Proposed Senate Bill S1428 & companion House Bill HD4331: Amendments to local historic commissions and 40C local historic district commissions. Bob addressed this item stating that he had read through the bulk of the bill. He noted that the amendment would eliminate some of the details that a LHD has especially concerning being able to outright deny demolition. Neither MHC nor Preservation Massachusetts were consulted regarding this amendment. Councilor Bloom noted he trusts the Commission’s stance on this topic and noted that he would like more information. Erica noted that comments should be sent to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. • Reminder: Election of officers next month. Nancy Shoemaker left the meeting at 4:55pm. Minutes May 20, 2025 Jack Kay moved to accept the minutes of May 20, 2025, as submitted. Andrew Fisher seconded. Aye: Jack Kay, Barbara DeBiase, John Richmond, Andrew Fisher, Robert Frazee. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair Next meeting will be June 17, 2025. With no further business before this Commission, a motion was duly made by Commissioner Kay and seconded by Commissioner Fisher to adjourn the meeting. Aye: Robert Frazee, Barbara DeBiase, John Richmond, Jack Kay, and Andrew Fisher Meeting adjourned at 5:00pm Respectfully Submitted, Erica Brown, Administrative Assistant