HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-16-2025 - HHDC Draft Minutes (1)
Town of Barnstable
Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission
www.townofbarnstable.ma.us/hyannismainstreet
MINUTES
July 16, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Members Present: Cheryl Powell, Jack Kay, Tom Doherty, Matt Clark, Laura Cronin, and Peri Wentworth
Members Absent: Cornelius Cawley, Kevin Matthews, Conrad Watson, Jeniffer Hinckley Needham
Staff Present: James Kupfer, Director and Karen Pina, Principal Assistant, Planning & Development Dept. in
attendance.
To all persons deemed interested or affected by the Town of Barnstable’s Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District
Commission Ordinance under Chapter 112, Article III of the Code of the Town of Barnstable, you are hereby notified that a public
meeting is being held at Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA Selectmen’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor 6:30 P.M. on
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 . All public hearings and other matters anticipated by the Chair listed below may be acted upon.
The meeting will be televised live via Xfinity Channel 8 or high definition Channel 1072. It may also be accessed via the Government
Access Channel live stream on the Town of Barnstable’s website:
http://streaming85.townofbarnstable.us/CablecastPublicSite/watch/1?channel=1
Please silence your cell phones
Call to Order
Attendance Roll Call
Peri Wentworth
Tom Doherty
Matt Clark
Laura Cronin
Jack Kay
Cheryl Powell
Welcome to New Members, Special Guests, Advisors and Comments
Town Councilor Charles Bloom in attendance.
Updates
• Trainings
• Awards
• Correspondence
Reminder of Commission’s Purpose and Proper Procedure
Continued Business
Theodore Zambelis – 379 South Street, Hyannis – Map 308 Parcel 218
Solar Panels – continued from July 2, 2025
Stephen Kelly from Sunrun in attendance. Explains the solar project.28 panels. 5 panels will be removed towards the back, may be
visible from Pine Street. Black on black, frame with black matte finish. Some will be visible, arrays complete, nothing jutting out.
Symmetric arrays, we will hide he conduit.
Jack Kay is this historic building?
Stephen Kelly, built in 1922.
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Jack Kay, are the roof’s engineering ok to support the weight?
Stephen Kelly, we provide this info to the Building Dept. We will submit to them. 5 panels to be removed. Roofs are cut up.
Laura Cronin, confirms 5 panels being taken down from the original design or from new proposal?
Chair Cheryl Powell opens up public comment. None. Chair closes public comment.
Chair Cheryl Powell entertains a motion for the Findings, moved by Tom Doherty to find this application at 379 South
Street to be compatible with the preservation and protection of the district, seconded by Jack Kay,
Roll Call Vote:
Peri Wentworth - aye
Jack Kay - aye
Tom Doherty - aye
Matt Clark - aye
Laura Cronin - aye
Cheryl Powell - aye
Char Cheryl Powell entertains a motion for a Certificate of Appropriateness, moved by Tom Doherty to issue for the
application at 379 South Street as described in the submitted materials, seconded by Jack Kay,
Roll Call Vote:
Laura Cronin - aye
Matt Clark - aye
Tom Doherty - aye
Jack Kay - aye
Peri Wentworth - aye
Cheryl Powell - aye
Minor Modifications - Continued
473 Partners Restaurant d/b/a Elbow Room Sports Bar/Wicked Willy’s Tiki Bar 473 Main Street, Hyannis Map 308 Parcel
084 - White wash and paint – continued from July 2, 2025
William Planinshek in attendance. Here for the minor modification that has been requested. Owners would like to open the second
building and use the same address/footprint. Colors were previously approved.
Laura Cronin had asked for some updated materials for this. Applicant has not submitted. Working group went and did a site visit
to view and let him know. This was a follow up from our last meeting.
Cheryl Powell, with regard to the original – reads owner letter into record that was received previously for permission.
This doesn’t go with the new building?
Jim Kupfer explains. Have existing improvements now. Request to add additional white washing and green trim for the
modification. Also the ongoing activity on this same site, is there an update for?
Tom Doherty, when we gave approval this was sent to Staff.
Laura Cronin, when original project was approved, there were a few things needed. We as a Commission were saying that this was
outstanding. Everything else was as presented, when approved we approved with what was submitted. Nothing on the original
plan. Concerns with the white wash, maybe power wash it down. Went through several items with the applicant, which were not part
of the original design. July 11th meeting review. It looks painted. She refers to her letter/summary dated July 11, 2025 – read into
record.
Laura Cronin – we would never have approved a thatched roof. The original pagoda was wood supposed to go over the bar. We
approved the original site plan. What can we do to get it more like what should be in a historic district. Lights, globe. Site plan to
scale.
Tom Doherty, where do we go from this point?
Chair Cheryl Powell, let’s see how we can get it corrected. Copy of the report summary that Laura submitted?
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Laura Cronin, they are going for a certificate of occupancy next week.
Jim Kupfer, two options – work with applicant, maybe resubmit some drawings and then HHDC can review to see if meets
guidelines.
Option 2 – if applicant is unwilling and doesn’t meet the Certificate of Appropriateness, then Building Dept would have enforcement
action that will need to be done and they will send inspector out.
William Planinshek, has scale drawings with the umbrellas and seating. The drawings are passed out.
Review/discussion of the plan.
William Planinshek – lighting, saw what was around Main street and in town, which was extensive, immediate neighbors, all have
the exact same lights, which are the same as he has.
Discussion regarding lighting and the rendering that was originally submitted.
Tom Doherty, this is a small area. Lights that turn color are not approved. Original plan wasn’t followed through with.
William Planinshek, there have been a lot of delays with other departments as well.
Tom Doherty, asks if fencing up yet?
William Planinshek, not yet, waiting for it to come.
Laura Cronin, can you remove the thatch roof and put up wood? This would make it more compatible.
Peri Wentworth, lighting, we are here to preserve the historic character. What would be the best. There are several non conforming
items. Thatch roof is not going to be something that would have been approved.
Chair Cheryl Powell doesn’t think thatch roof would have passed. Lighting. Thinks globe light style should be there. Would like a
firm commitment that suggested improvements be made. White washing to be addressed.
Matt Clark, we need to keep our messaging clear.
Tom Doherty, the umbrellas.
William Planinshek, they are teal to go with the tropical color for the bar. He has purchased his umbrellas and trying to keep
coordination with the motif. Trying to keep it coordinated and with the theme.
Tom Doherty, thatched roof would not be accepted. Laura Cronin, take it down.
William Planinshek, thatched roof is only seasonal, could take down after the season. Wouldn’t be there that much longer, and is
approved by Fire Dept and Bldg. inspector. Can come back and supply another remedy for after the season.
Has done the power washing. Lighting can be acceptable.
Discussion – regarding approvals and HHDC guidelines.
William Planinshek, remove the roof and put in an asphalt roof.
Jack Kay suggests shingled roof same as on the building.
William Planinshek, would like to put a different color, probably green, maybe hunter green, maybe a stripe on the roof? This would
match the artwork.
Chair Cheryl Powell, thatched roof come down and hunter green asphalt shingles, come back for lights. This will be conditional with
the report.
Tom Doherty and Laura Cronin will go back to check that these things are done.
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William Planinshek, change over roof immediately. And working group will come back to check the power wash and lights and the
tiki roof to be replaced. Umbrellas ok if part of the color palette, confirms they are.
Conditional approval – will get a packet of all from applicant/William Planinshek. This will be emailed to staff when he is done.
Chair Cheryl Powell entertains a motion to continue this matter to August 6, 2025, per conversation on a conditional
agreement with regard to the roof, the lighting and the whitewashing- we have agreed on those conditions - and then will
review the request for minor modification for the additional building, seconded, by Peri Wentworth,
Roll Call Vote:
Peri Wentworth - aye
Jack Kay - aye
Tom Doherty - aye
Matt Clark - aye
Laura Cronin - aye
Cheryl Powell - aye
The Cordial Eye and Hyannis Public Library – Community Wall Art Project at 401 Main Street, Hyannis
Map 326 Parcel 013 - Extension for grant of a Certificate of Appropriateness
Mary George of the Cordial Eye in attendance. She explains that they would like to continue with the wall. Presentation submitted.
BHS and other schools and community groups have visited. Wall has been a deterrent to vandalism in the community. Redirected
some vandals to the graffiti wall. Gives some examples of people that have used the wall and the outcomes of being able to use the
art wall. Would like to keep the project for the remainder of the building still there and until renovations commence.
Peri Wentworth, timeline that coincides with the library renovations.
Mary George, would agree to a timeline.
Tom Doherty, concerns with the size. Likes children to paint but aerosol is dangerous, don’t like that. Thinks this is too big for that
building
Jack Kay, a lot of push back from neighbors. Not getting a positive reaction to this. Hoping that an art wall would include every kind
of art not just graffiti. Chatham has an art in the park program. A lot of people would like to see it change and have more art for all,
not just graffiti.
Laura Cronin thinks size is an issue. Feedback is that it is graffiti. Takes up a whole side. Has been up for a few years. Some
positive but there’s also a bigger community. Library demolition soon.
Antonia Stephens, director of library, July 3rd passed site plan, Friday application submitted. Sept 1st date is being given because
parking is a big deal, permit ready prior to that. Building will be inaccessible. Sept. 1st. construction fencing will go up and will have
some inaccessible area.
Chair Cheryl Powell confirms the partnership with the Cordial Eye and the library for the project.
Chair Cheryl Powell opens up public comment – new comment only please
Jennifer Stratton, artist and teaches art as well for children and adults. What the wall has done, it’s another month or so longer.
Don’t see a lot of graffiti art here on the Cape. For some people it’s a real expression. Worked with children with the wall.
Expression is good and for the community as well.
Don Boivin, neighbor, lives up the street. Loves historic district. Enjoys the art wall, makes him feel happy. Thinks speaks highly of
Hyannis, open to modern art. Thinks nice splash of color.
Meg Anton, 255 Main St. Executive producer and did work with some non profits. Has some footage of people at the art wall and
engaging in it. Nice to see it here.
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William Caolo. Here when wall originally was done. Wall has been up for quite a while , I have visited several times, all different
kinds of paints. Wall contributes to part of the core and strong culture of the arts. Intercommunicating with all. Unique way for this
to happen. One of 2,400 in the world. Helped to get it established with Cordial Eye. Has seen a lot of art.
Christina Bologna, trustee with library. Public art, not just for decoration it is a declaration for all. Sense of expression. Opportunity
for people to connect. All shape the narrative. Many people enjoy. Evolution of art. Everyone should have this opportunity. Public
art welcomes all. When people belong more likely to care for the community.
Sara Blandford, works in Hyannis. Behavioral Health Provider, Harbor Health LICSW. This wall has been a point of reference,
reflection of belonging and representation. Others that are part of our community. Also goof for healing and trauma. Historical
depictions, this is appreciated as well, this wall expands that.
Randi Gallerani, resident, teacher. We have a rich history with and for art. Different modalities. Historic community.
Owen Fletcher, board member of Cordial Eye. Be content neutral when dealing with public art. Don’t make decision on whether
you like graffiti art or other art, may be more vibrant, don’t make your decision on the type of material/art. Art reflects life as well.
John Richmond. Has worked with the library. Unique challenges to this library. Public art. The art has always at least been
cheerful. Only 6 weeks left. Let it go the course and move on.
Antonio Stephens reads message into record: statements that have been on the wall. Supportive and meaningful;
The natural way to be is confident.
Everybody is welcome in our garden, joy play inspire love together family.
I’m going through changes.
Stay grateful
Be here now.
Tom Doherty, our job is not to determine social issues. Our job is to determine what should be in the historic district. This is too big
for the building. Not objection to the art. Strictly the mass and the materials. Don’t think fits into historic district.
Peri Wentworth, the library presentation. Previously served as trustee for library. Significant that library supports this. Have seen
children and grandparents there. It’s not that much longer that it is being requested to keep up. She thinks they have been
following the guidelines. Updated surveillance.
Mary George, This is evidence that social commits to well being. Much like this Commission. Public art, social by its nature.
Chair Cheryl Powell – one of the guidelines – re monitor it daily. Stencils, not always been used. Certain words were used back in
January, didn’t correct timely. Does support art. Doesn’t like the size, particularly.
Correspondence read into record:
Chair Cheryl Powell reads into record: Tamora Israel letter dated July 2, 2025.
Peri Wentworth reads into record: Satchel Douglas letter dated July 16, 2025.
Laura Cronin reads into record: Christina Bologna letter dated July 16, 2025.
Matt Clark reads into record: Trish, letter dated July 16, 2025.
Chair Cheryl Powell – petition received from the Cordial Eye - received July 16, 2025.
Peri Wentworth, public art. Moratorium was issued in the past.
Chair Cheryl Powell entertains a motion for the Findings, moved by Tom Doherty to grant the extension to Sept. 1st
Chair Cheryl Powell makes a motion to extend the Community Art Wall until Sept. 1st., 2025, panels to be removed by
September 1st 2025, seconded by Peri Wentworth.
Roll Call Vote:
Peri Wentworth - aye
Jack Kay – nay
Tom Doherty - aye
Matt Clark - abstain
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Laura Cronin - abstain – retracts her vote to aye
Cheryl Powell – aye
Motion carries to extend until Sept. 1st, 2025
Jim Kupfer, enforcement – maybe bring in the Bldg. Commissioner about what the proper process is. Jim has talked to him and
potential to come to HHDC on Aug. 20, 2025.
Discussion Item
Downtown Hyannis Unified Design Regulations and Guidelines – Public Art wording for page 46
Chair Cheryl Powell, this will be a quarterly review. Reviews the process.
Tom Doherty, thinks send to Planning Board, see what they say.
Chair Cheryl Powell makes a motion to approve this draft as our proposal to be sent to the Planning Board for review and
comment, seconded by Jack Kay,
Roll Call Vote:
Laura Cronin - aye
Matt Clark - aye
Tom Doherty - aye
Jack Kay - aye
Peri Wentworth - aye
Cheryl Powell - aye
Matters not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
Approval of July 2, 2025, Draft Minutes
Chair Cheryl Powell entertains a motion to approve the draft minutes of July 2, 2025, moved by Laura Cronin, seconded by
Peri Wentworth,
Vote
All aye
Next HHDC meetings scheduled for August 6th, and August 20, 2025
Adjournment
Chair Cheryl Powell entertains a motion to adjourn, moved by Jack Kay, seconded by Peri Wentworth,
Vote
All aye
The meeting ended at 8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Pina
Further detail may be obtained by viewing the video via Channel 18 on demand at
http://www.town.barnstable.ma.us