|
ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2004
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 in the Council Chambers, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Richard Tatoian called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Richard Tatoian, Chairman
Russell Meyer
Nancy Smyth
Lillian Troiano, Alternate
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
HDCR #2004-010: John Reveruzzi: Modification of southern garage door of two-car garage at 1157 Enfield Street
Chairman Tatoian read a recent letter from Mrs. Reveruzzi indicating that a new 7’ garage door was installed, increasing the height of the door by six inches, at 1157 Enfield Street. The garage door was replaced with a door that was the same in appearance as the original garage door. The reason for the increase in height was to accommodate a new vehicle.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he sent a letter to the property owner regarding this change noting that this item would be brought before the Commission to decide whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is necessary for this change.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated there is a photograph available showing the original perspective of the garage doors showing the doors are the same height. He visually confirmed that the southern left hand door is now higher. Mr. Alsbaugh stated he told the Reveruzzi’s that they need not appear at tonight’s meeting because it was not a public hearing.
Chairman Tatoian requested discussion from the Commission regarding whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is needed for this change.
Chairman Tatoian stated the change is visible and the view of the garage faces Enfield Street.
Mr. Meyer stated a letter was sent out on September 3, 2004 stating that an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness would be necessary. He asked if the six-inch increase in height on the left door would cut into the vertical siding on the door. Mr. Alsbaugh thought that a six-inch section of those boards would have been removed or some part thereof to include the trim around the top of the door.
Mr. Meyer asked if a photograph of the new door is available. Mr. Alsbaugh stated there is currently not one available but one could be taken if the Commission decides to go forward with a formal application.
Mr. Meyer stated this is the second time this owner has done work. He asked if a contractor did the garage door and if a contractor was employed, he questioned why the contractor didn’t apply for a permit.
Mr. Alsbaugh was unclear regarding the requirements of the building code for such garage doors. He believes that when the doors or windows are increased in size, it generally requires a building permit if it changes the structural components. He was unsure if what was done by the Reveruzzi’s required a change to the structural components. He would have to confirm this with the Building Department.
Mr. Meyer’s opinion was because this is not the first time something was done outside the bounds of the Historic District Commission, that the Reveruzzi’s should come before the Commission and describe what was done and why it was done without an approval.
Ms. Smyth agreed with Mr. Meyer and felt they should appear before the Commission.
Ms. Troiano stated while they should have appeared before this Commission, the garage itself is not an old structure and it had been redone completely. She added that six inches seems to be a very minor change.
Mr. Meyer would not have as great a concern if both garage doors were the same height.
He recommended the Commission receive a photograph of the change prior to making a decision regarding the need for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Chairman Tatoian noted the consensus of the Commission is to review photographs at the next meeting and make a decision as to whether this change requires a Certificate of Appropriateness.
HDC#2004-011: Woodgate Apartments: fence design changes at 1370 Enfield Street
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he was informed by Mr. Meyer that work had been done at 1370 Enfield Street consisting of the replacement of fences. Mr. Alsbaugh stated he compared the existing photographs to the current fence change. He noted the rail fence was replaced with a white picket fence.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he sent Woodgate Apartments a letter and a representative visited him with the product sheet that was requested.
Mr. Alsbaugh compared this fence change to the Terhune fence change that was approved as an improvement to the property not necessitating a certificate as long as it was similar to the one across the street on the old house on the corner. The fence is the same as the fence Woodgate installed - a picket fence with a capped post that had a slight angle at either end of the sections.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated since this fence change was done without permission, it is up to the Commission to determine if a Certificate of Appropriateness is needed.
Chairman Tatoian stated at this point the Commission doesn’t have the regulations in place which might address exceptions but he was unsure whether this change would be categorized as an exception. While the previous change was a minor one, this change includes the installation of a brand new fence of a different design that is visible from Enfield Street.
Mr. Alsbaugh discussed previous fence changes where the rationale was that designs like this were determined to be improvements or of equal value and that because fences were not permanent structures, they did not hold the same concern over the long term as changes to the main or accessory structures.
Chairman Tatoian felt there needs to be a requirement that these owners come before the Commission for a review prior to doing any fence changes. His opinion is if this applicant had come for a staff review, this fence might have passed but this Commission cannot allow people to just do things without the proper procedure. Chairman Tatoian would like to require a Certificate of Appropriateness for Woodgate Apartments and he further noted the size of this complex. He saw a need to impress upon them that if they are going to make any changes, they have to come to the Town Planning Office for a ruling about Enfield Historic District Commission action prior to the work being done.
Mr. Meyer stated if the fence was replaced in kind, there would not be a problem but they have changed the fence and changed the color. The fence really stands out as a significant change to the appearance.
Following additional discussion, the consensus of the Commission was an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness will be required for the fence design changes at Woodgate Apartments, 1370 Enfield Street. This will be an application item on the Board’s next agenda.
MINUTES
Mr. Meyer made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smyth, to approve the Minutes of July 28, 2004. The Minutes were approved by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. Alsbaugh noted the Commission received the approval letters from the previous applications. There is also Mr. Polaski’s new confirmation letter which addresses his concern from the last meeting that his term was expiring.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated there is a newspaper article in the packet regarding the lawsuit by Enfield Montessori School.
Commissioners also received a copy of the Forum News.
Mr. Alsbaugh received the initial statistical report for the design guidelines project for Thompsonville which points out the seriousness of the degradation of design elements in the Thompsonville Village. It notes the percentages of buildings that are vinyl, buildings that have lost windows and buildings that have lost original porches. Mr. Alsbaugh stated this information will be presented by the ERSC to the Town Council. The Town Council will then have complete information to make decisions regarding initiating design guidelines.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported the contract for the boundary expansion in Thompsonville came to him today for an initial review and approval. Mr. Alsbaugh stated he was pleased this project is moving forward as part of the overall planning for Thompsonville and noted the funding is in place. The funds have been encumbered from the Historic District Commission’s budget of last year for the remaining portion of the money needed for the boundary expansion. Funds have also been received from the Connecticut Trust as a grant that Mr. Alsbaugh applied for to do this project.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated there was a problem because of the manner in which the census was done. The Thompsonville census tract was a regional center under Connecticut Statutes but the census changed that and the prison tract was declared eligible. That affected funding. Mr. Alsbaugh stated they are still going forward with all the planning issues for the design guidelines and expanding the Thompsonville Village Zone to the entire census tract and the boundary expansion of the national district. The issue has almost been resolved with the IRS to deal with the prison census tract and get it back to the Thompsonville tract so that it is eligible for certain federal money.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported the Transportation Strategy Board’s next round of public hearings is coming and that the potential for Enfield to get a commuter stop is strong. A meeting was recently held to review a preliminary conceptual plan for where the platforms will be located in Thompsonville. The town is looking at multi-phased co-development - including two platforms and a passenger cross over walkway, and a minimum of 120 parking spaces. The platforms will have to be placed correctly the first time around as they are too expensive to move. There is also an expectation of co-development with the former casket company building. The owner of that building is agreeable to such co-development. The town is also talking to Northland, the parent company for Bigelow Commons. Mr. Alsbaugh noted Enfield’s next public hearing will be November 17, 2004 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Enfield Town Hall.
Mr. Meyer requested that at a future meeting the Commission discuss the advantages and disadvantages of including Hazardville Center as a historic district. He noted there are many old homes located in that area and the sidewalks and lights that have been added are better than Enfield Street. Mr. Alsbaugh requested that the Commission inform him when they would like this subject added to a meeting agenda. Chairman Tatoian suggested the November meeting might be an appropriate time for this discussion.
DISCUSSION RE: STATUS OF SUBCOMMITTEE WORKING ON REVISIONS TO THE HISTORIC ORDINANCE AND DESIGN GUIDELINES
Mr. Alsbaugh noted a second meeting of the Subcommittee was held.
Mr. Meyer stated the sale of items in the front of property on Enfield Street was discussed along with how the Town of Suffield has addressed this concern.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
It was the consensus of the Board that an Alternate seated as a Regular Member is allowed to vote during election of officers. Ms. Troiano was seated as a Regular Member tonight and was allowed to participate in the election of officers.
Chairman Richard Tatoian nominated Nancy Smyth for Clerk. Ms. Troiano seconded the nomination. Nancy Smyth was elected Clerk of the Enfield Historic District Commission by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
Ms. Smyth nominated Russell Meyer for Vice Chairman. Chairman Tatoian seconded the nomination. Russell Meyer was elected Vice Chairman of the Enfield Historic District Commission by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
Mr. Meyer nominated Richard Tatoian for Chairman. Ms. Troiano seconded the nomination. Richard Tatoian was elected Chairman of the Enfield Historic District Commission by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
APPROVAL OF 2005 MEETING DATES
Mr. Meyer made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smyth, to approve the 2005 Meeting Dates as published. The motion was approved by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
The Board recessed at this time and reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
8 PM. EXECUTIVE SESSION (a brief executive session of the Commission will be held in the Thompsonville Room, 2nd floor.)
· Update on HDC #301 Appeal, Felician Sisters VS Enfield Local Historic District Commission
Mr. Meyer made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smyth, to go into Executive Session to discuss the HDC#301 appeal. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote and the Commission went into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Meyer made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smyth, to come out of Executive Session. Following a unanimous vote, Executive Session ended at 8:20 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Meyer made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smyth, to adjourn. Following a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Nancy Smyth, Clerk
Enfield Historic District Commission
jmr |