HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-14 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
MEETING OF MAY 14, 2020–7:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEETING MINUTES
Commission Members Present: Matthew Carter, Chair
Brandi Leroy, Vice Chair
Alfred Banfield
George Burgoyne
Edmund Chernesky
Liam Riordan
Mike Pullen, Consultant
City Staff Present:Melissa Bickford, Development Assistant
Anne Krieg, City Planner
Josh Saucier, Asst. City Solicitor
John Theriault, City Engineer
Chair Cartercalled the meeting to order at 7:00P.M.
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Asst. City Solicitor Saucier provided review of remote access meetings and how they’re
allowable currently, adding thatall votes must be by roll call. The emergency legislation
has a provision that the Commission must decide how remote participation will be done.
The city usesZoom, the government channel, City’s Facebookpage, with live streaming
feature, and through the City’s websiteto allow public access to meetings. This is the
planned public participation for Historic Preservation Commission from now to 30 days after
the State of Emergency ends. Commissioner Riordan motioned, seconded by
Commissioner LeRoyto accept this policy.A roll call votewas taken; LeRoy, yes;
Chernesky, yes; Riordan, yes; Burgoyne, yes; Banfield, yes; Carter, yes.
Old Business:
1.Certificate of Appropriateness –294 Union Street –Bangor Masonic
Foundation –Demolition of carriage house–applicant requested continuance to
June 11, 2020
At the previous meeting, Bangor Masonic Foundation asked for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to demolish existing carriage house. They are requesting acontinuance to
the June 11, 2020 meeting. Their consultant didn’t have any additional information on this
item. Commissioner Burgoyne made a motion to allowfor acontinuation to June 11, 2020.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner LeRoy.
Bangor Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
A roll call votewas taken:LeRoy, yes; Chernesky, yes; Riordan, yes; Burgoyne, yes;
Banfield, yes; Carter yes. Motion passes.
Project Review:
2.Certificate of Appropriateness –214 Cedar Street –Stephen Schley –removal
of glazed structure, walls and roof, above the roof of the existing first floor portico.
Stephen Schley presented his application for removal of glazed structure, walls and roof
above the roof of existing first floor portico. That structure, the glass in it, is broken, metal
straps are rusting. Unfortunately,it’s leaking down to the beautiful Italianatewood
underneath. He looked around for alternative glass structures, haven’t found anything. He
can’t find any history of glass structure itself being original to the house. In talking with a
couple different contractors, the best solution in order to assure no more leaks and
permanent repair would be removing glass enclosure, and restore to the original flat roof.
They also indicated the best solution for roofing material is rubber. He is suggestingblack
as the color.There are some old radiators that would be removed.He is unsure if they tried
to use as a greenhouse in the winter. Pipes out of those radiators have been cut
off/disconnected for a long time. He would restore brick and woodwork to as close as
original condition as possible.
Commissioner Riordan wasnot entirely clear when Schley says “replacing woodwork as
best he can.” Schley advised that there was one photo that shows most clearly the
woodwork underneath the glass, all of thecurved wood, theywant it to look exactly as it
looks today, but some pieces are coming off and need to be redone to the original.
ChairCarter asked if he’s rebuilding out of wood or using alternate material. The contractor
is suggesting wood. In some cases, he is suggesting adecorative component that sits on a
base, that’snot rotten, it’s just the base. The original decorative is to be put back on. If not
possible, it’ll be replicated to itscurrent configuration. Commissioner Carter suggesting
injectionwith a polymer to help restore the wood. Consultant Pullen advised that it’s a 2-
part epoxy made by several manufacturers. They’re commonly used to strengthen rotten
wood.
Commissioner LeRoy asked about the “weird overhang” above the glass. Per Schley, that
would stay, it’s on all the corners.
Commissioner Carter asked if Schley has looked for photography of the house at the library
or historical society, as often they have those things. It would be interesting to see a photo
of the building before this greenhouse was on there. Commissioner Carter inquisitive how
oldthe greenhouse is, and if it had any significance to the house.
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Bangor Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
Schley advised that you access the greenhouse through a window, which is strange. He’s
not done a search for photographs, but has talked to people that are familiar with the
house. No one has been able to pinpoint when the greenhouse was added. Schley will do
research and attempt to locate a photo. Consultant Pullen confirmed that the records that
were kept by the Historical Society from the 30’s are now held at Bangor Public Library.
The library was in the process of scanning those documents and making them available to
homeowners in Bangor.
Consultant report was provided by Mike Pullen. Glass sunroom was not original, design of
room doesn’t contribute much of anything other than confusion. Applicant noted horizontal
banding that’s not original, probably cleaned back to brick behind there. Trim used for
closing at top of slope glazing, metal heating registers to be removed, dark brown element
that comes up on the window. Good to hear they will be removed. Low pitch roof may be
somewhat visible, the slate roof on top of the housewill remain. The rest of porch area isa
copper-color. There might have been a metal roof, one of the photos looked like seams of
metal. He is recommending adarker color for the roof, more consistent with the roof of the
house which is a dark slate color. Applicant mentioned rotten facing, which is the trim
we’ve spoken of that will be restored in kind.
Commissioner Burgoyne moved approval of CertificateofAppropriateness for 214 Cedar
Street, seconded by Commissioner LeRoy. A roll call vote was taken:LeRoy, yes;
Chernesky, yes; Riordan, yes; Burgoyne, yes; Banfield, yes; Carter, yes.
3.Certificate of Appropriateness –204 Broadway –Sarah & Tim Smith–
installation of a 6’ high wood (SPF) stockade fence in backyard of property.
Applicants Sarah & Tim Smith presented the application. They intend to install 6’ high wood
(SPF) stockade fence in the backyard of the property. Seeking approval for
appropriateness for fence installation. Would be roughly 287’ spruce stockade fence that
rd
they’d install. Would run along 2 boundaries of the backyard.The 3
boundary already has
an8’ white vinyl fence. The main purpose is to keep pet in the yard. It wouldn’t be visible
from Broadway. Commissioner Carterasked if fence coming tothe house foundation
(corner), and at the other end, it would terminate at the existing vinyl fence, which was
correct. The applicants are not planning to paint/stain the fence, but wish to let it stay
natural and age.
The consultantreport was provided by Mike Pullen. “SPF”is what the fenceis made out of
Spruce, Pine, Fir, could be anyone of those species of wood. Stockade fences are
continuousand solid. 6’ high, standard panel height.The fence will age to a light gray color
overtime. No painting/staining. The fenceisconsidered by definitionof Bangor’s HPC to be
a building. Anything that appliesto buildings in the district, this is considered a building.
148-13-C, “new structures w/in historic district should be …. Compatiblewith other
buildings in historic district…”
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Bangor Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
It is common that there are other fences in the neighborhood that bound properties. Many
district propertieshave fences of some sort. He referred to 198 Broadwayand their 8’ vinyl
fence. Applicant indicated that it won’t be very visible. Boundaries are tighton the lot and
agree that it’ll be much less visible from Broadwayside, unsure from FrenchStreet side.
Won’t be invisible, but won’t be very obvious.
Commissioner Carter asked questions regarding how the fence would attach to the building
as not to cause damage to the building.
CommissionerRiordan made amotion for approval of Certificate of Appropriateness at 204
Broadway, seconded by Commissioner Chernesky. A roll call votewas taken: LeRoy, yes;
Chernesky, yes; Riordan, yes; Burgoyne, yes; Banfield, yes; Carter, yes.
Other Business:
4.Pickering Square Revitalization Project -John Theriault, City Engineer provided
background information. This falls under Historicpreservation review, Section 106.
When the city is doing a project, we have to do a Section 106 review, which gets
reviewedat State & Federal levels. Staff wantedto make the Commissionaware if you
had any questionsabout the project, or concerns about the district that abuts it, Main
Street District. This would be a good time to ask any questions,wecan incorporate any
comments that we sent to the state.
City Engineer Theriault presented the project. City received grant to construct a transit
center in Pickering Square. They are moving forward with putting out RFP for architect
to assist us with the bus building, which is approximately 1,000-2,000 s.f., so there is a
lot of room for design development with consultant. The Section 106 that Planning
Officer Krieghas been working on. Some work in pocket park area was done last year.
There is still loam and seeding to do around pedestrian bridge. Next week, opening bids
for the replacement of the pedestrian bridge. He was hoping to be underway and have
this started in the fall. We will have public input once we get architect on board and
something to show the public. He said staff will be happy to return to the Commission
to provide updates.
CommissionerCarter indicated he likes the project –the landscaping, a huge park in
the middle of town dedicated to use for people that live downtown. A lot more people
live downtown than before. The only concern he has is the clock tower on end of the
building. Hopefully Engineering will work with the architect chosen to echo more of the
Union Stationsentiments.
Consultant Pullen advised that Section 106 is specifically asking about any adverse
effects on historic properties. The closest district is West Market Square District, and the
closest building is the Freese’s Building.
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Bangor Historic Preservation Commission
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This is a greatly beneficial, huge improvement to be looking out over open space and
landscaping, and abig improvement of open space versuswhat is currently there now,
as a turnaround for busses. This is a really big improvement in downtown Bangor, this
should be viewed positively by the state, and doesn’t suspect any negative impacts to
the historic district.
City Engineer Theriault asked the Commission, based on what they’ve seen, if they
foresee this having any adverse effects on historic properties.Commissioner Carter
feels that they can stay all those things, and that the park is great, it isright next to
Freese’s Building, and the apartments above the buildings along Main Street.
Commissioner Riordan moved that the proposed transportation hub for this area is an
improvement and the Commission looks forward to seeing more detailed design of
building to come, seconded by Commissioner Burgoyne. A roll call vote was taken:
Chernesky, yes; Riordan, yes; Burgoyne, yes; Banfield, yes, LeRoy, yes; Carter, yes.
5.Meeting Minutes –March 12, 2020 Meeting Minutes for Review-Were not
available at this time.
6.Adjournment –meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Bickford
Development Assistant
Planning Department
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