18 August 2020 | Approved: 20 September 2020
Members Present (via Zoom): Bob Booher, Gail Littlefield, Mimi Styles, David Stopak, Darrell Anderson
Bob Booher took minutes.
Approval of Agenda and Adoption of Minutes
The proposed agenda was revised by deleting topics 3.3.2, 3.6 and 3.7 and was adopted unanimously. Draft minutes from the July meeting were approved as drafted.
Project Review
Mimi will summarize the Preliminary Review of the new house at 328 Ridge Road. The project has yet to complete a permit application. The applicant first provided a two-story colonial design as their intent when the application for subdivision was submitted. Included in the HPC subdivision review was advice that the design be more compatible with the adjacent houses and follow the Design Guidelines that include methods for reducing the apparent scale of the house. The applicant then provided concept sketches that followed many of the comments and Guidelines. HPC provided further comments and encouragement on the direction of the design. The drawings reviewed at this meeting further developed that design direction, improving on some of the elements. The resulting design is now compatible with the neighboring houses and the Grove. One previous comment that was not acted on was to locate the front of the house to align more with the fronts of the majority houses on the Road. The comment was reiterated in the Review.
Old Business:
3.1 Historic landscape resources:
Gail provided modifications to the Public Ways Application and the accompanying directions that would better include submission requirements and the HPC review of applications. After discussion, the HPC approved forwarding it to Georgette Cole of the Planning Commission.
A next step will be making a list of work actions that would likely be covered by this permit. An additional step will be producing a map of the Town that can be used to identify the Associated Features.
3.2 National Register Status:
The MHT had not forwarded the Nomination to the National Park Service as of the meeting, but did so soon after. Mimi distributed the printed copies of the NR documents to the members and the Office.
3.3 Masterplan update:
Charlie Challstrom has produced a draft of a new section that covers housing, per the new state requirements to do so. The issue of Accessory Dwelling Units will be introduced and the PC will be looking for input from the HPC regarding revising the definition and requirements should this go forward. The issue must be brought before the Town to gained consensus. Additional input is expected from the HPC regarding demolitions and additional requirements for subdivisions.
3.4 Salt Barn:
The Commission decided to generate a letter of protest regarding the inappropriate scale and design of the second salt barn, and the lack of consideration for the impacts on the Historic District. It was suggested that we provide a drawing showing the submitted design superimposed on the design in the construction documents.
3.5 “5G” progress:
Concern is mounting for progress on tuning of the Town Ordinance regulating roll-out of telecommunications antenna systems. Examples from other jurisdictions have been distributed and reviewed by various members. The next step is for Bob to meet with the Mayor, Darrell, Dave Cosson and Charlie Challstrom to sketch out a direction.
3.5 Joint meeting with PC:
No issues discussed
3.6 Guidelines:
No issues discussed
3.7 Bulletin Material:
Mimi will provide the final section of a 3 part history of the Auditorium.
PC Meeting Report
David summarized issues discussed in the PC meeting including the permit for 107 Pine and a new driveway at 414 Brown Street.
Town Council Report
Darrel summarized his report including progress on the start of WSSC work on Ridge Road.
New Business:
Wendy, Gail and Mimi provided historical information to the newly formed Racial Equity Ad hoc Committee in advance of their first meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at roughly 9:30 pm. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30pm via Zoom.
Robert Booher