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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. ________________________________________________________________________ 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. Page 2 | 5 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…” Page 3 | 5 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. Page 4 | 5 Bangor Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020 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 Page 5 | 5