Historic District And Historical Commission Meeting
MINUTES for PUBLIC HEARING
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Griffin Room, Harwich Town Hall
I.Public Hearing – Call to Order
Chairman Greg Winston called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Members present: Greg Winston, Bob Bradley, Bob Doane, Mirande Dupuy DeWitt, Barbara Dowd, and Pat Scarnici.
A.HH2016-03 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Demolish a structure(s) over 100 years old at 18 Ocean Ave., Map 6B, Parcel L12 in the RH-2 Zone, pursuant to the Code of the Town of Harwich §131-8. The applicant proposes to demolish 100% of a 1½ story dwelling. Russell and Pamela Adams, owners and applicants.
Attorney William Crowell appeared for the applicant with Ezra Ambrose, principal of Ambrose Homes, proposed builders and Mateo Forgione, a professional structural engineer. He noted submittal of a structural report with additional letters from contractors. The building was constructed around 1870. The new building has elements that are similar to the existing structure. Mr. Crowell stated that the Campgrounds have not been created as a historic district, and this building has no historically noteworthy aspects. Mr. Ambrose has demolished and rebuilt 3 or 4 structures in the Campgrounds already. They have had several previous findings of non-significance in the area and request the same finding in this case. A significant factor is the engineer’s finding that the house would probably not survive lifting and moving elsewhere.
Mirande DeWitt said in this case it is the neighborhood streetscape that is significant. The building is a simple structure of the type that we do not have many left. Moving is not a good alternative as the context would be lost.
Bob Bradley said the applicant’s statements regarding difficulty of moving the building are speculative. He said if the applicant is claiming to reproduce details of the existing building, then he needs to show more details. This is an interesting example of a building of that time period as well as its contribution to the street.
Bob Doane said the architecture is very definable and is pretty rare in Harwich. It is architecturally significant. Pat Scarnici said she walked around the house and did not see any external damage. She also looked inside the windows, and the house looked well-cared for. Barbara Dowd said it is a very charming cottage and should be preserved.
Greg Winston said he agrees with the general consensus of the board regarding significance. The streetscape is very important.
Mr. Crowell said they have already obtained a Special Permit from the Board of Appeals and have obtained relief from the Board of Health as well. He noted that the Board does have the legal ability to work with the applicant.
Bob Doane said he would like to open up a discussion about replication. Several other Board members agreed. Mirande DeWitt felt the existing structure should not come down. She felt that the engineer’s structural evaluation is too “hand in glove” since he works for the owners. The Board should have an independent evaluation of whether a structure is too far gone to be saved.
Ezra Ambrose said that lifting and replacing the building would add significantly to the cost of construction. Bob Bradley asked if any such costs have been developed, and Mr. Ambrose replied no.
Greg Winston said that many of the homes in the Campgrounds have become part of the Harwich list of 100-year old houses in the past 3 or 4 years. They are trying to preserve the streetscape in each neighborhood.
Bob Bradley said that demolition delay is a useful tool to allow the Board to express any concerns it has about a proposed building. Bob Doane asked if the new footprint is exactly the same as existing, and Mr. Crowell said substantially yes. Mr. Doane then noted that the main difference is building height.
Mirande DeWitt said she is not interested in an effort to reproduce the “feel” of the original. She would prefer finding a way to renovate the original. Mr. Crowell cited a previous Town Counsel opinion that alternatives may be considered including replication. He said that even though it will be ½ of a story higher, they have replicated the same look and relationship to the streetscape.
Greg Winston said they have done a fairly good job of replicating, but they can do some further improvements.
Ken Miller, a property owner at 12 Ocean Avenue said the neighborhood should be allowed to evolve.
Bob Doane asked for verification that if the Board does a demolition delay, can it continue to work review with the applicant. He said that some details will require discussion in a work session.
Mirande DeWitt moved and Bob Doane seconded a motion to invoke a 1-year demolition delay to maintain the intent of the bylaw which is to entertain a dialogue with the applicant. The motion was approved 5-0 with Chair Greg Winston abstaining.
C.HH2016-05 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Demolish a structure(s) over 100 years old at 42 South Street, Map 14, Parcel A6-1 in the RM Zone, pursuant to the Code of the Town of Harwich §131-8. The applicant proposes 100% demolition of a c. 1827 two-story single family home. Brian Langelier, owner and applicant.
Brian Langelier said he purchased the property in January 2016. He has submitted a report evaluating the condition of the home which describes a serious mold issue due to water issues. He is requesting permission to demolish the building. He said his contractor will recycle the beams and some flooring. He has not prepared any plans for a new structure.
Mirande DeWitt said the house is on the list of 100-year old Harwich homes, and she believed it is on the MACRIS list as well.
Bob Doane said it is a beautiful ¾ cape, and the core of the building appears to be salvageable. Mr. Langelier replied that he has looked at that option, and it is a cost issue. He has done several projects in Harwich, and he tries to incorporate historical design elements into his construction.
Pat Scarnici said she has walked the property and the inside of the house looks pretty bad. Barbara Dowd said she also has observed damage inside.
Mirande DeWitt said this style of home originated in Harwich, and this house is one of the originals. It should be saved. Bob Bradley said he would like the applicant to present comparative costs of restoration vs. new construction.
Bob Doane moved and Bob Bradley seconded a motion to invoke a 1-year demolition delay because the house is historically significant. The motion was approved 6-0.
D.HH2016-06 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Demolish a structure(s) over 100 years old at 117 Bank Street, Map 14, Parcel Z32 in the RL Zone, pursuant to the Code of the Town of Harwich §131-8. The applicant proposes to demolish one exterior wall to the original dwelling for an addition, and replace the existing foundation with a concrete foundation with a brick façade to match the existing brick. Paul and Lisa Zarookian, owners, and George Reilly, Land Design Assoc., applicant.
George Reilly said the applicant would like to remodel to meet the family’s needs but to keep the historic significance of the structure. They will raise the house and replace the foundation with a brick façade. Chimneys will be repaired with the same brick facing. One wall must be demolished to provide the additional space.
Greg Winston said he has watched this house for a long time and has never seen any significant improvements until now. He felt this is a very good proposal.
Mirande DeWitt said a chimney insert would be preferable. Mr. Reilly recommended replacement in place, instead. Bob Doane said this is a good project, and Pat Scarnici and Barbara Dowd agreed.
Bob Doane moved and Pat Scarnici seconded a motion to approve the partial demolition of a historical structure based on plans as presented. The motion was approved 6-0.
E.HH2016-07 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Demolish a structure(s) over 100 years old at 7 South Street, Map 14, Parcel N4 in the CV and RM Zones pursuant to the Code of the Town of Harwich §131-8. The applicant proposes 100% demolition of a c. 1813 home. Stephen and Patricia Ford, owners.
Bob Doane recused himself. Attorney Michael Ford appeared on behalf of the owners. Greg Winston noted the history of the site including approval of partial demolition. Mr. Ford further described findings from the original review. He said that after Stephen Ford started work, it became evident that the south portion of the front of the house was not structurally sound. They continued to work in the hope that the northern half could be saved. However, the Building Inspector determined that the extent of construction was more than 50% of the house value, and that it was now in the category of full demolition. This would require conformance with all current setbacks or a trip to the Board of Appeals. The former would require moving the structure, and Michael Ford said that is no longer feasible for the applicant due to expense. He said the applicant worked very hard to save the historic structure before reaching this point. The new plan has maintained many historic details and will have the same setbacks as now required for other structures on the street. The proposed appearance of the house will not change, but the way it will be constructed will be different.
Mirande DeWitt felt before that the massing on the south side was different than elsewhere in the neighborhood. She still felt it was very different from what was there before. In this case, she would have preferred a replication.
Stephen Ford said that new issues kept coming up and that the structure had been so altered already.
Bob Bradley said he recognizes that applicant did make an effort, but that the quirkiness will be gone. It will be a totally different building than was there before.
Pat Scarnici said although this will be a different structure, she believes that the applicant has tried and that this should go forward. Barbara Dowd agreed that the house is a mish-mosh now.
Pat Scarnici moved and Barbara Dowd seconded a motion to allow 100% demolition of this historic home. The motion was approved 4-1 with Mirande DeWitt in opposition and Chair Greg Winston abstaining.
B.HH2016-04 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Demolish a structure(s) over 100 years at 26 Ocean Ave, Map 6B, Parcel L8 in the RH-2 Zone, pursuant to the Code of the Town of Harwich §131-8. The applicant proposes to demolish 100% of a 1½ story dwelling. Jillian and Christian Bichsel, owners and applicant Attorney William Crowell.
Attorney William Crowell appeared with Mr. Bichsel, owner, who acquired ownership 6 months ago. The property is known as the “wigwam”. It is quite run-down. The new dwelling is not intended to replicate the existing one. He said it is not on National or Massachusetts Historic Registers, that no historic figures are represented, and the structure has no architectural significance. In his opinion, if any house in Campgrounds deserves to be torn down, this is the one. Thiey are dealing with obsolescence, and the applicant is requesting a determination of non-significance.
Greg Winston said he totally disagrees. This is a Gothic Victorian cottage and has all the details that go with it. There is no doubt it has historic significance.
Mirande DeWitt said that individually it may not rise to the National Register, but it contributes to the Campgrounds and is contextually significant. She asked why was renovation not considered? Mr. Crowell replied that it was cost and obsolescence. He argued that new buildings can still maintain the streetscape.
Bob Bradley said this is an iconic example of the Campgrounds. It is unfortunate that the building is pretty small on valuable land. However, it should be protected. Bob Doane said this is one of the houses that you always remember when you leave the Campgrounds. It is historically significant.
Pat Scarnici said the “wigwam” is an icon for the area and is important to maintain to keep the Campgrounds alive. Barbara Dowd said this was probably the start of the campground era. She would like to see something done with it that would bring back the historic look.
Lindsay Hale, property owner at 38 Ocean Avenue, said that most people living there think it is a mess and that it has been neglected. She said she does not understand what you can salvage out of it. It is the very opposite of iconic. Ken Miller, property owner at 12 Ocean Avenue, said it is a wooden tent and does not fit in any longer. Most people do not want to see it there.
Christian Bichsel, current owner of the property, said he has visited the Campgrounds for many years before buying this house. Structurally it is not sound. It needs a proper foundation.
Bob Doane moved and Mirande DeWitt seconded a motion to institute a 1-year demolition delay as it is historically significant and should be attempted to be preserved. The motion was approved 6-0.
Greg Winston said the intention of the Board is to work with the applicant towards a compromise. Discussion will continue to a work session on June 8th.
III. Old Business
a. 19 Park Place. Attorney William Crowell said they have come back with new plans to retain features from the original home. He described various details.
Mirande DeWitt said the roof pitch is very different from the original. Brackets would not usually go with such a steep pitch as shown.
Bob Doane asked what is the need for the high pitch? Dale Nikula of Encore Construction said to get height for the 2nd floor bedrooms. Otherwise there would be some roof angle inside the bedrooms. Several Board members concurred with the concern about roof pitch. Greg Winston said he would also like to see a sketch showing the depth of overhang.
Bob Doane moved and Pat Scarnici seconded a motion to lift the demolition delay order subject to new plans as submitted with anticipated further changes to 6:12 roof pitch, different vent configuration, and provision of bracket detail, with said changes to be reviewed at the June meeting. The motion was approved 5-1 with Mirande DeWitt in opposition.
b. Approval of minutes. This item was deferred to the June meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Submitted by: David Spitz
Adopted: June 15, 2016