Washington Historic District Commission

Washington Historic District Commission

1

WASHINGTON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

MINUTES

March 23, 2015

PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING

Members Present:Jane Boyer, Tom Hollinger, George Krimsky, Alison Gilchrist

Members Absent:Phyllis Mills

Alternates Present:Susan Averill

Alternates Absent:Sally Woodroofe, Louise Van Tartwijk

Staff Present:Janice Roberti

Others:Samuel Averill

PUBLIC HEARING

Samuel and Susan Averill/250 Calhoun Street/construct 1800 sq. ft. single family home with attached garage at 251 Calhoun Street

Ms. Boyer opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 PM to consider the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness submitted by Susan and Sam Averill, 250 Calhoun Street, for the construction of an 1800 sq. ft. single family home with attached garage at 251 Calhoun Street, Washington Depot. The legal notice which appeared in Voices Newspaper March 7 and March 8, 2015 was read by the clerk. Ms. Boyer seated regular members Tom Hollinger, George Krimsky and Alison Gilchrist. Alternate Susan Averill recused herself from the Public Hearing. Property owners Sam and Susan Averill were present to describe the proposed construction.

Ms. Averill displayed and explained the supporting documents:

  • Proposed site development plan by Brian Neff (7/26/14)
  • Survey Map
  • Elevations – Brian Elcholtz, TheRedCottage.com Architects (8/8/14)
  • Blueprints - Brian Elcholtz, TheRedCottage.com Architects(8/8/14)
  • Catalog photos of doors, windows, garage door(not dated)
  • Recent photos of the building site, fencing – Susan and Sam Averill (not dated)
  • Roof, siding and window samples – Susan and Sam Averill

Questions asked and answered are as follows:

  • Types and sizes of windows?6 over 1
  • Entry door style?6 small windows over solid door(outside door opens into mud room)
  • Exterior lighting?Front entrance downward light only; no other exterior lighting.
  • Chimney?Yes, constructed of cement blocks with fieldstone covering
  • Shingles?Cedar shakes, neutral stain, no color
  • Material for driveway?10’ long gravel driveway
  • Fencing?Existing deer fence remains. new deer fence to house (sameagricultural style)
  • Finished Basement?No
  • Garage door style?Two car garage with traditional style doors

A lengthy discussion ensued among members concerning the proportion of windows to wall. Several commission members noticed there was a massive amount of shingling and asked Ms. Averill if perhaps breaking up this large amount of shinglesby installing a small window and a secondnon-functional louvered vent on the opposite gable wouldaccomplish this. Doing so might provide a more traditional appearance for the home.Mr. and Mrs. Averill will present these ideas to their builder and return to the 4/20/15 meeting with the requested information.

MOTION:To continue the Public Hearing to consider the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness submitted by Susan and Sam Averill, 250 Calhoun Street, Washington Depot CT for the construction of a two-bedroom single family home with attached garage at 251 Calhoun Street, Washington Depot CT. By Ms. Boyer, seconded by Ms. Gilchrist and passed 4 to 0.

Ms. Boyer closed the Public Hearing at 8:05 PM.

REGULAR MEETING

Ms. Boyer called the regularmeeting to order at 8:07 PM and seated regular members Tom Hollinger, Alison Gilchrist and George Krimsky.

MOTION:To include subsequent business not on the agenda. To discussWashington Historic District’s Procedures and Timelines prepared by Janet Hill, Land Use Administrator and to seat Susan Averill. By Ms. Boyer, seconded by Mr. Krimsky and passed 4 to 0.

MOTION:To change the order of business on the agenda to discuss Historic District Commission Procedures and Timelines with Janet Hill, Washington Land Use Administrator. By Ms. Boyer, seconded by Ms. Krimsky and passed 4 to 0.

Ms. Hill compiled a 25 page reference document for the HDCand at the request of the Historic District Commission, Janet Hill agreed to attend the Commissions’ 3/16/15 meeting. Ms. Hill briefly reviewed past errors and procedures regarding previous applications.She distributed numerous forms and documents included but not limited to:

Site Inspection Report Form, Notice of Violations Form, Memos from Enforcement Officerto the HDC Commission regarding violations, HDC Review of COA Applications for Completeness, informational sheetregardingConsultants’ Fees and Expenses, copies of Washington Zoning Regulationspertinent to the HDC and other miscellaneous documents.

The key topics discussedwere:

  • Review of HDC Regulations and Recommendations for revisions
  • Policy matters to consider
  • Procedures for conducting regular meetings and public hearings
  • Reviewing applications for Certificates of Appropriateness
  • Executive sessions
  • Consultants
  • Site inspections
  • Enforcement
  • Timelines – COA application deadlines, review of new applications for Certificates of Appropriateness

Commission members asked Ms. Hill numerous questions regarding the preceding topics and asked

Ms. Hill to attend the 4/20/15 HDC meeting. Ms. Hill agreed.The members extended their overwhelming gratitude and appreciation for compiling such an informative, comprehensive, well considered and thought provoking document.

Consideration of the Minutes

February 23, 2015

MOTION:To accept the February 23, 2015 minutes as submitted. ByMs. Averill, seconded by Mr. Hollinger and passed 5 to 0.

MOTION:To adjourn. By Mr. Hollinger, seconded by Ms. Averill and passed 5 to 0.

Dated March 23, 2015

By: ______

Janice Roberti, Historic District Clerk

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