ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 2004
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, in the Council Chambers, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Tatoian called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Richard Tatoian, Chairman
Roman Polaski
Eileen Russell
Nancy Smyth
Raymond Gwozdz, Alternate
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
PUBLIC HEARINGS
HDC #303: Woodgate Apartments: replacing site fencing at 1468 Enfield Street. EHDO Section 8.
Steven Bolella from MCS Property Management appeared before the Commission regarding this application.
Mr. Bolella stated they are looking to update the Woodgate Apartments fencing to a four-foot vinyl picket fence. They have some staircases that lead down into the building basements that they need to enclose for safety reasons.
Chairman Tatoian asked if the vinyl picket fence is in the same location as the former post and rail fencing. Mr. Bolella confirmed that it is.
Mr. Bolella stated due to the age and condition of the post and rail fencing, there was a need to replace it. There are fourteen separate fences on the Woodgate property. They have been replaced with the vinyl picket fence.
Chairman Tatoian asked if Mr. Bolella was unaware that he had to come before this Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change this fencing. Mr. Bolella stated that is correct. Chairman Tatoian advised Mr. Bolella that if there are other modifications, he would need to consult with the Town of Enfield Planning Department before proceeding.
Mr. Gwozdz asked if this fencing has been changed for every unit in the complex and what is the closest fence to Enfield Street. Mr. Bolella stated the fencing has been changed for every unit and the nearest fence is approximately forty to fifty yards from Enfield Street.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated the fence in the front building to the right of way line is probably about 100’. There is a fence at one end of each building. Mr. Bolella added there is a staircase in each building that goes down to the basement.
Ms. Russell asked if the fencing is located only on the side of the building and does not front on Enfield Street. Mr. Bolella stated this is correct.
Chairman Tatoian opened this hearing to the public. No one spoke in favor or against this application. Chairman Tatoian closed this public hearing.
Mr. Polaski made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Russell, to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove the existing original wood post and rail fencing on the grounds and replace it with new Vinyl Crest synthetic fencing at 1468 Enfield Street, Woodgate Apartments.
Such products and materials to be installed and the areas and manner in which they will be installed or used shall be as described and as discussed in the public hearing under HDC#303, and as shown in any product sheets and site photographs.
Mr. Gwozdz felt the design of the fencing is appropriate. His biggest concern is this is another example of work being done where they are not aware of or are ignoring the guidelines of the Enfield Historic District. He recommended that Mr. Alsbaugh send Mr. Bolella a copy of the guidelines for the Enfield Historic District so that he is aware of the procedure when changes are made.
Chairman Tatoian agreed. He felt that Woodgate has a large presence within the Enfield Historic District. If there were any further changes or modifications of anything, they would have to check with the Town Planner’s Office to see if they needed an application for approval. Chairman Tatoian noted certain items could be done based upon an administrative review but most changes do require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
The motion was approved by a 5 – 0 – 0 vote.
HDC #304: Edward Ingraham III: installation of new fence, gate, walkway & steps, stone wall, and garage facade transoms at 1445A Enfield Street. EHDO Section 8.
Edward and Lois Ingraham appeared before the Commission regarding this application.
Chairman Tatoian noted receipt of the Ingraham’s application for a new fence, gate, walkway, steps, stone wall and garage facade transoms at 1445A Enfield Street.
Mr. Ingraham stated they also own the home next door which was built in 1830. The home at 1445A was built in 1967. Mr. Ingraham stated he built this home and the intent was for it to be as colonial as possible with four-inch clapboards, eight over eight window sashes, and black shutters. Mr. Ingraham stated both properties he owns are in impeccable condition.
Mr. Ingraham stated the Town recently cut his driveway in four sections and there is a three-inch gap in each section. Four sections of grass are growing in the sections of the driveway. He and his wife did not like the appearance and had the driveway paved.
Mr. Ingraham stated he doesn’t know what needs or does not need approval when he makes improvements to his home. He brought up items like changing the storm door or paving the driveway. He has previously received approvals from this Commission and the Building Department for changes to his home. He stated it is getting to the point now where he doesn’t want to move a bush, plant a tree, pave the driveway or change a storm door.
Mr. Ingraham stated his wife wanted a colonial picket fence with a stone wall on their home. He discussed some neighbors on the street that do not maintain their homes. He questioned why the Enfield Historic District is not on their case. He does not feel that a colonial picket fence will distract from the appearance of his home but will add to it. There will also be a colonial stone wall with two steps up to a gate with a brick walk. The transom is above the garage doors. His garage doors are aging and he may need to change the garage doors. He added that with every change to his home, he doesn’t know about the necessary approvals required for each of these items.
Mr. Ingraham emphasized the other neighbors that do not maintain their property and yet nothing seems to be done. He felt it is a shame to see these older homes deteriorating and it bothers him.
Chairman Tatoian acknowledged that the issue is one of demolition by neglect and that issue needs to be addressed. Chairman Tatoian added that if someone wants to make a change to their home, in most cases they would need to get approval from this Commission. However, if owners neglect a house and are not asking that there be changes made, that is really allowing the house to deteriorate. That issue is one that needs to be addressed but in the current statute that governs this Commission, there really isn’t anything that specifically addresses this issue.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated there is no law to compel someone to take care of their building. He noted that, in historic districts, there exists the concept that people are required to get a certificate of appropriateness for any changes to the exterior of their homes. People in the historic field are beginning to realize that not taking care of your home is in effect the same thing. It is a change to the exterior of the home by neglect. The catch phrase that has come in to use is "demolition by neglect". Mr. Alsbaugh stated the only way to solve this is to legislate it. This Commission has been discussing new guidelines and the possibility of asking the Town Council to change the ordinance and address the demolition by neglect issue. At the same time, the Enfield Revitalization Strategy Committee has a three-year charge to come up with historic policy related recommendations for the entire town. They are also discussing a recommendation that the Town Council address demolition by neglect which would be in certain areas.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated the issue Mr. Ingraham is talking about is beginning to be addressed. He added for the last thirty years, the Town Council has been reluctant to force something like this on property owners. However, it gets to a point where if it goes on too long, it causes a general malaise within the District. While it is upsetting to some of the owners in the District, there has to be a legislative process followed to correct this. It has only been over the last ten to fifteen years throughout the entire country that this concept is becoming a reality. Further discussion followed on the need to take care of the homes in the Enfield Historic District and the present lack of laws to address this issue.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated this Commission is pushing to address this issue locally along with the Enfield Revitalization Strategy Committee. Those recommendations would go to the Town Council for approval.
Mrs. Ingraham referred to the picket fence request and stated it was something she always wanted. They have a beautiful home that is well landscaped and the improvements proposed would add to the home’s appearance. This includes a brick walkway to the fence which they do not have at this time. They also do not have the transoms for over the garage doors but they are coming. They have paved the driveway because of its appearance.
Regarding the stone wall, Mrs. Ingraham stated they had a stone wall there prior to installing the new one. Their intent was for the front of their home to be pleasing and to make their home more colonial looking.
Mr. Ingraham stated he does have the height above the garage doors to do the transoms.
Mrs. Ingraham stated their intent was for the fence to go straight across the property. They decided to put the same stone that is on the sides of the driveway within the landscaping in the front. They also plan to also add some flowers and additional landscaping in this area. Mr. Ingraham stated the stone wall is a flat fieldstone and it may come up twelve to fifteen inches with two steps up to a gate and a brick walkway to the front and side entrances.
Mr. Ingraham stated the garage doors are approximately thirty-seven years old. His intent is to make the garage doors look more colonial with the transoms above. He would remove the windows.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated the only item not in the current application is the garage doors themselves. This proposed change would need to come back to the Commission when the applicant has a product sheet for the Commission to review.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated if the items are approved, the wall extension toward the road will need a DOT permit. The applicant may have a problem with this because they are putting up a wall which becomes a safety issue should someone drive off the road. The applicant would have to deal with the DOT through the encroachment permit process. Mr. Alsbaugh added the state may have an issue with the stone wall in the right of way as it comes down perpendicular to the roadway and is not a "breakaway" item.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated the transom windows of the garage should be watched carefully because the scale on the drawing is a little off and they are a little large for this building. He noted they are a common architectural element on barns within the Town of Enfield.
Mr. Ingraham asked if a storm door can be changed without Commission approval. Mr. Alsbaugh stated storm doors do require an approval. The Commission is currently working on a list of exempt items, one of which, hopefully, will be fences. Another exempt item may be a roof in the same material or in an upgraded material. Mr. Alsbaugh added that regardless of whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is needed or an item is exempt, any changes would still have to come through his office so that they can be documented. He added he expects the new Commission guidelines to be available in the near future.
Chairman Tatoian opened this hearing to the public. No one spoke in favor or against this application. Chairman Tatoian closed this public hearing.
Mrs. Russell made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gwozdz, to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for installation of a new synthetic fence and gate, concrete paver walkways, stone steps, stone walls, and garage facade transoms at 1445A Enfield Street.
Such products and materials to be installed, and the areas and manner in which they will be installed or used, shall be as described and as discussed in the public hearing under HDC#304, and as shown in any product sheets, site plans, elevations, and site photographs.
Any HDC approved portions of the projects contained within the state right of way are known to require an encroachment permit from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CONNDOT); a copy of any subsequent DOT approval(s) must be submitted to the HDC#304 file before this approval is valid.
Mr. Gwozdz stated he shares the applicant’s frustration regarding the demolition by neglect issue. He stated this Commission has had a lot of discussion in the past on this issue and also shares Mr. Ingraham’s sentiments.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated if anyone is interested in lending support, the time to really make their beliefs known is when it becomes an agenda item at a Town Council meeting. Mrs. Ingraham suggested the Commission distribute flyers to homeowners informing them of such a meeting.
Mr. Polaski added this Commission is making an effort to educate people through real estate agents as the homes are turned over. Mr. Alsbaugh stated in the last year and a half he has heard from five or six people who were buying homes in the District and who had been well informed by their realtors; the commission's move to educate and work with real estate companies has and is garnering results.
The motion was approved by a 5 – 0 – 0 vote.
HDCR - Review files, determinations of need for certificates of appropriateness:
HDCR #2004-010: John Reveruzzi: modification of southern garage door of two-car garage at 1157 Enfield Street. 2nd meeting
Following a brief discussion and a review of the photographs presented, Mrs. Smyth made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Russell, to require the Reveruzzi’s to submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for modification of the southern garage door of a two-car garage at 1157 Enfield Street. The motion was approved by a 5 – 0 – 0 vote.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated this item will be on the Commission’s next agenda.
HDCR #2004-012: Sherry Stevens: sidewalk replacement materials at 1236 Enfield Street.
Following a brief discussion and a review of photographs of the area at 1236 Enfield Street, Mr. Gwozdz made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Russell, to require Sherry Stevens to submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for sidewalk replacement at 1236 Enfield Street. The motion was approved by a 5 – 0 – 0 vote.
MINUTES
Mrs. Smyth made a motion, seconded by Mr. Tatoian, to approve the Minutes of September 22, 2004. The Minutes were approved by a 4 – 0 – 1 vote. Mr. Gwozdz abstained.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. Alsbaugh stated the Commission has received a copy of the approved meeting dates for 2005.
Mr. Alsbaugh discussed the Wilson-Haas Barn. He provided the Commission with a copy of the letter from Attorney Grant regarding this barn confirming that the weekend of November 6th the barn will begin to be dismantled. On Monday the 8th, the eastern end clapboarding will be removed and the sledge will be removed by the town and delivered to the Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. Mr. Alsbaugh stated Mr. Grant will either be storing the dismantled barn in one of his mother’s barns or he will have a hoop house structure on the grounds for storage until reconstruction can begin.
Mr. Alsbaugh updated the Commission on Parkway Pavilion regarding their plantings. They have proposed a planting plan that Mr. Alsbaugh approved taking into consideration plantings that will survive. Mr. Alsbaugh noted the need for Parkway Pavilion to submit a maintenance plan regarding this landscaping.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Alsbaugh noted the Commission received a copy of the Connecticut Preservation News.
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Smyth made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Russell, to adjourn. Following a unanimous vote, the Commission adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Nancy Smyth, Clerk
Enfield Historic District Commission
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