TOWN OF WINCHESTER MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TOWN HALL WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01890 Meeting Minutes Date/Room: August 1, 2018 Mystic Valley Room, Town Hall Members Present: Jack LeMenager (Chair), Jenny Adams, Janet Boswell, Jon Carlisle, John Clemson, and Michelle McCarthy Members Absent: Bruce Hickey Also Present: Timothy O'Donnell 138 Forest Street Steve Meinelt 11 Dana Avenue Chris Nixon 130 Forest Street Michael Bower 16 Glenwood Avenue A quorum being in attendance, the meeting was called to order at 7:35pm Demolition Hearing: 138 Forest Street John Clemson shared the history of the property by reading parts of the Form B prepared by Claire Dempsey. The owner, Timothy O'Donnell, said his family moved into the home in 2013 and feels that demolishing the existing home and re-building a new home is more economical than buying a new home in Winchester. He has looked into building an addition to achieve the needed additional space, but feels it would be too expensive. He said he intends to maintain the existing setback (approximately 90 feet) and keep the total floor area under 5,000 square feet to avoid a site plan review. The builder, Steve Meinelt, feels the current home's function is obsolete for what the family needs. The owner feels that the new home would be more accommodative to his family and he anticipates starting the project in Spring 2019. Jack LeMenager — Would like owner to consider an addition off the back of the house; the owner responded that he wants to utilize the land and there is a drop-off so would rather preserve the landscape and back lot, thus the new build would have a wider footprint. John Clemson — Believes the purpose of the bylaw is to protect these types of homes and that the whole (the neighborhood) is better than the individual parts and this home is a one of collection of buildings that should be protected; feels the existing house could be expanded. Janet Boswell — If a house is determined to be historically significant but a demolition delay is not imposed, it's typically due to extenuating circumstances and this application doesn't include any of those so doesn't feel the delay can be lifted in this instance. Jenny Adams — Sympathetic to the cramped living space but the characteristics of the design, setting, materials and charm of the home lend to the historical significance that is worth preserving. Jon Carlisle — Also sympathetic to homeowner's needs. Michelle McCarthy — Feels many small homes are being destroyed and it's changing the landscape of the Town; would love to see the home preserved. Motion: That the Historical Commission determine that the property located at 138 Forest Street is a Historically Significant Building and that the Historical Commission will impose a twelve-month delay on issuance of the demolition permit on the property at 138 Forest Street. The motion was made by John Clemson and seconded. The motion was approved. 6 In Favor 0 Opposed Absent: Hickey Hearing Closed at 8:15pm ZBA Petition: 16 Glenwood Avenue Homeowner would like to construct a living unit above the garage that would be wheelchair accessible to provide for his daughter's future use John Clemson — stated this is not a historical house Jack — stated there is no impact on the historical resource Motion: That the Historical Commission determine there is no effect on historical resources with the proposed changes to 16 Glenwood Avenue. The motion was made by Jack LeMenager and seconded. The motion was approved 6 In Favor 0 Opposed Absent: Hickey Definition of substantial demolition Jenny Adams found a state definition of demolition on the Mass.gov website that states: "Demolition, for the purposes of 310 CMR 7.15, means the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural member of a facility together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of any facility." John Clemson and Michelle McCarthy feel that this could be too inclusive and pertain to any beams taken out of an older home and Jon Carlisle feels this the same end result can be accomplished by asking the applicant to specify how many rooms they are planning to demolish. Michelle McCarthy suggested that the building permit application include a line item that asks the homeowner to specify how many rooms and how much square feet is to be demolished, and that the Commission set a limit that would be defined at "substantial demolition." John Clemson to draft revised language for consideration by other Commission members at the next meeting, Sept. 10. Other Matters Winchester School Committee Chair Chris Nixon provide an update: • Carriage House: FY20 capital spending does not include the carriage house but the design and construction should be in FY21; the Carriage House is slated to be the future Admin building; he would like to have the School Committee and Winchester School Administration tour the Carriage House and invited the HC to join them • Parkhurst School: potential future use for early childhood education programs (Preschool) or rentable space by collaboratives • Lynch renovation: Mass. School Board will conduct a Sr. Study in October 2018 at Lynch and Winchester will learn in November 2018 if the school moves to a feasibility study, which would be followed by a Town vote to determine if a renovation moves forward Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on September 10. It was moved and seconded to adjourn at 9:32pm Respectfully submitted, Jenny Adams Jack LeMenager, Chair Date Assessor's Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number FORM B - BUILDING 1-20-0 Boston MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION North MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD Town/City: Winchester BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Place: (neighborhood or village): Highlands Address: 138 Forest Street Historic Name: William Howard & Amelia K. Renfrew House Uses: Present: single-family residence Original: single-family residence Date of Construction: 1926 Source: building permit Style/Form: Colonial RevivaV center entry Dutch Colonial Architect/Builder: Exterior Material: Foundation: concrete block Wall/Trim: wood shingles/ wood Locus Map North is up. Roof: asphalt Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: none Major Alterations (with dates): Rear addition, 1996 Condition: excellent Moved: no Z yes El Date: Acreage: .707 acres Setting: moderate-sized lot on an older road Recorded by: Claire W. Dempsey Organization: Winchester Historical Commission Date (month /year): July 2018 12/12 Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form. INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET WINCHESTER 138 Forest Street MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 ❑ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The William Howard and America K. Renfrew house at 138 Forest Street is a well-preserved example of a variation of Dutch Colonial house, among the most popular Colonial Revival types of the period between the first and second world wars. In Dutch Colonial houses, a gambrel roof provides space for a nearly full second story, lit by wide shed-roofed dormers front and rear. In some cases this is a true gambrel, but more often the effect is achieved by an angled and pent roof applied to a simple rectangular box that simulates that arrangement, as in this example. This is a center-entry version of the type, with a plan that includes a center entry/stair-hall space, a living room on the left, indicated by the exterior brick chimney, and a dining room and kitchen on the right; this main block measures about 33 feet across the front and 22 feet deep. The façade includes paired windows on the first floor, composed of 6/1 sash, with two 6/1 sash in the shed dormer above, all flanked by louvered shutters. The entry, with a paneled and a screen door flanked by three-quarter sidelights, is covered by a gabled portico with an angled soffit, supported by Tuscan columns and reached from brick steps and landing. The other walls include primarily 6/1 sash with quartered and full fanlights in the gable ends, otherwise trimmed with simple architraves and eave treatments. There are two rear ells, one to the left rear that appears to be fenestrated like a sunroom (more commonly positioned as a side extension), with clusters of six-light casements. This space sits above the basement-level garage, which is exposed at the rear of the building because of the lot's downward slope. A second shallower rear ell represents a 1996 expansion of the kitchen, covered by a shed roof and including a secondary entry on its east side, with wood stairs to the lower level rear yard. The house is set within a large lot that slopes down from the street, with a drive on the west side of the lot leading to the rear entry to the garage. The front yard includes flower borders, shade trees, and foundation plantings, with a path to the front yard accented by an arched arbor. HISTORICAL NARRATIVE The William Howard and Amelia K. Renfrew House is located in the northeastern section of Winchester, a part of town associated with members of the Richardson family since they settled there in the 17th century. Upper Washington Street was known as Richardson Row, and there and along the road to Stoneham (now Forest Street) members of that family resided well into the 20th century. This property is part of a small subdivision of land on the north side of Forest apparently acquired from one member of the family by Aaron C. Bell in 1868, according to the previous MHC form (Francis Richardson House, 128 Forest Street WNT.452, demolished ca.