LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD

REGULAR MEETING

January 8, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                         OTHERS PRESENT

Reynold Ilg, Chairman                                                                           George Chigas, resident Canal Place I

Peter Aucella                                                                                        Kim Zunino, LHB Intern

Rachel Edlund                                                                                       Sarah Stebulis, Assistant Administrator

Richard Lockhart                                                                                  Stephen Stowell, Administrator

Martha Mayo                                                                                                   

Susan Zacharer

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  He stated that initially the agenda for this meeting included an informational presentation concerning proposed dumpster locations at Canal Place, but due to the inability for the proponent to attend tonight, the informational has been postponed until the February meeting.

The Chairman stated that although the informational has been postponed, he introduced George Chigas, a resident at Canal Place I, who came to speak to the Board tonight about his concerns. 

Mr. Chigas stated that did not feel that the proposed change in the dumpster location was a necessary change.  He stated that the current trash removal system does work well and is consistent with the original ideas proposed in the 1986 development plans for the site.  Mr. Chigas stated that he was concerned that a new dumpster enclosure would be a visual detraction from the historic nature of the site.

The Chairman asked how long he has lived at Canal Place.  Mr. Chigas stated that he has lived there for three years.  Mr. Aucella asked if he was in Canal Place I, II or III.  Mr. Chigas stated that he lived in Canal Place I.

The Chairman summarized Mr. Chigas’ concerns for the record.  Firstly, that a new dumpster enclosure was not necessary, as the current system works well and can be easily improved upon if needed.  Secondly, it would be in deviation with the original plans that the dumpsters would be located in the garage and be moved daily for pickup.  Thirdly, that it would eliminate at least three parking spaces from the site, and fourthly that is would impair the historic value of the site.

Mr. Chigas confirmed that the Chairman’s summary was correct and that he could also think of additional reasons that he is in opposition of this plan.  He added that there could be a possible public health risk if the space is not regularly cleaned and sanitized, as it is currently.  Mr. Chigas also stated that a system such as this could also detract from the incentive of creating better trash reduction measures for the building, including increasing recycling, which he feels is very important and may not be given proper attention with the proposed enclosure.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Chigas for expressing his concerns and stated that his input will help them prepare for when the applicant does come to the Board.  Mr. Aucella agreed.

1.   MINUTES

      Approval of the Minutes of November 13, 2006.

Motion by Mr. Aucella, seconded by Ms. Edlund, to:

approve the Minutes of November 13, 2006 as presented.

Unanimously approved, 6-0.

2.   OTHER BUSINESS

      A.   491 & 509 Market Street Update

The Chairman stated that Mr. Gray was scheduled to provide an update regarding the current status of the project located at 491 & 509 Market Street as requested by the Board.  In light of his absence tonight, the Chairman stated that the Board would hear his report at the February meeting.

The Administrator stated that Mr. Gray informed him that a letter had been sent to the Historic Board offices from his architect, although they were not yet received.  Mr. Aucella asked that once the letter was received, staff should scan it and send electronically to the Board.  The Administrator confirmed that would be done.

B.   Enforcement/Violations Update

The Assistant Administrator stated that staff addressed many of the violation concerns the Board addressed at the last meeting, including Blaine Hair & Beauty School, Market Mills, and 138 Middlesex Street.  She also stated that additional requests continue to go out as needed and that staff continues to work with many businesses. 

Ms. Mayo asked if the staff is working on the signage at Mandarin Kitchen on Merrimack Street.  The Administrator confirmed that staff has been in contact with the owner multiple times and the issues are in the process of being resolved.

The Administrator stated that staff is asking the Board to vote to send an Order to Appear to Ten Perfect Nails.  Although corrective action was taken and conditions of their new signage permit clearly state the signage in violation must be removed, multiple violations persist.

Motion by Mr. Aucella, seconded by Mr. Lockhart, to:

send Order to Appear at the February 12, 2007 meeting to Ten Perfect Nails.

Unanimously approved, 6-0.

Ms. Mayo asked about Hookslide Kelly’s.  The Administrator stated that he has been in contact with the owners and that the sign design was approved, although there has been a consistent issue with the application being incomplete when submitted.  He stated that there is a Bud Light logo on the door which they have been informed needs to be removed and was not approved.  The Administrator stated that he would contact the owners to tell them that the Board has asked about those signage issues and hopefully that will aid in having them resolved.

Ms. Mayo asked about the pizza business located next door to Hookslide Kelly’s and why they have pizza boxes blocking all of the windows.  The Administrator stated that he believed they were still in a coming soon situation and therefore the pizza boxes are the equivalent of papering the windows while preparations occur on the

interior.  He stated that he would also ask about the status of that business when he addresses the other issues with the owners.

Mr. Aucella asked about the signage on 138 Middlesex Street.  The Assistant Administrator stated that all of the deteriorating signage has been removed and what does remain is the original Hanover Leather & Furniture Company sign.  Mr. Aucella asked, if by being centered in the JAM area and in close proximity to the new parking garage and the soon to be renovated Marston Building, there are any financial incentives to make improvements the buildings on Middlesex Street.  He stated that he would also discuss this with Adam Baacke of the DPD.  The Administrator stated that he believed that this specific series of buildings was slated in the JAM plan to receive assistance.

Mr. Aucella asked about the Sirk Building.  The Assistant Administrator stated that the new fence has been installed.  Ms. Mayo stated that it looked much better and seems a little more substantial than the previous fence.

Mr. Aucella asked about the status of the Blue Shamrock.  The Administrator stated that the painting has been completed.   He stated that he is working with the owner on a solution for masking the walls that had to be installed on the upper floor and that come spring they are going to look into removing the putty from the windows to remove them and put a film on the back of the glass.  The Administrator added that he is also discussing signage for the site.

Ms. Mayo asked about the similar situation at the Brush Art Gallery at Market Mills.  Mr. Aucella stated that the Brush has a cooperative agreement with the National Park and the agreement has just expired and they are meeting with them in the next week.  He stated that the Brush Director was aware of the problem and that they will be addressing it.  The Administrator stated that he has also talked to Peabody Properties about the masonry repairs and in spring they are planning on doing corrective work.

C.  Administrator’s Report

The Administrator stated review and permitting Downtown has been pretty even with last year and it has been ahead of last year in the Acre.  He stated that the project at the old George’s Pizza site is moving forward and that Nick Sarris has been secured as the contractor for the project.  He added that staff  would be meeting with architect Jim Jozokos soon to finalize design details.  The Administrator stated that the most recent meeting was with Eden Milroy about the parking structure on Perkins Street, which will be on the agenda in February for a Public Hearing. 

The Administrator stated that provided in their packet was a memo from Asset Manager Larry Bevere and the appraisal for 26-28 Lawrence Street.  Mr. Bevere is ready to begin the process as soon as possible.  The appraisal that came back for the property is $40,000 and the next step is to have the Board authorize that amount as the minimum bid and authorize him to proceed with the disposition process.  Mr. Bevere has recommended at 90-day advertising window to be aggressive in its disposition. 

Mr. Aucella stated that you do want to give people time to respond and do the homework associated with the project, therefore he felt the 90-day window was appropriate.  He also stated that he felt all memos and descriptions were good and they should proceed.

Motion by Mr. Aucella, seconded by Ms. Mayo, to:

accept the appraised value of $40,000 for 26-28 Lawrence Street as the minimum bid and authorize DPD Asset Manager to proceed with the disposition process.

Ms. Edlund asked if there are any outstanding liens on the property.  The Administrator stated that the only outstanding bill on the property is the unpaid water bill dating back to 2000, which totals somewhere around $1,000 and will be deducted from the final profit from the sale.  He stated that he has talked to Mr. Bevere about this.

      Unanimously approved, 6-0.

The Administrator stated that Phase I of the Survey and Planning Grant has been completed and the project is moving along nicely.

The Administrator stated that letters have gone out for Board Member appointments and that letters from the Bar Association and Historical Society have so far been received.  Ms. Mayo asked if the City Manager is looking for interested individuals for his appointed position.  The Administrator stated that he did not know, but is aware of one letter of interest which has been sent to him and he would recommend any interested individual send a general letter of interest to the City Manager.

Intern Kim Zunino is continuing the preparation of the National Register nomination for St. George’s Antiochian Church on Bowers Street.  The nomination is nearing completion and will be sent to MHC within the month for review.

The Administrator stated that the Preservation Coalition met last month with National Trust for Historic Preservation President Dick Moe who is very interested in the DCR maintenance backlog of State Park issues and expanding Main Street programs.  

Planning continues for the 2007 Doors Open Lowell including identification of new grant funding sources and the uploading of the new website. 

Administrative projects are moving along.  All historic district boundaries and labels on the City’s GIS mapping system have been cleaned up, hopefully clearing up any areas of possible confusion.  Specifically, there is a new layer for Lowell Historic Board Review Districts.  Ms. Mayo asked if our web site could link to this.  The Administrator stated that staff will put a link on the LHB website to the GIS system.

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Pollard Memorial Library Meeting Room.

D.   Board Member Items/Inquiries

3.   ADJOURNMENT

      Motion by Ms. Zacharer, seconded by Ms. Edlund, to:

            adjourn the meeting at 6:28 p.m.

Unanimously approved, 6-0.

____________________________________

Sarah U. Stebulis, Assistant Administrator

Stephen Stowell, Administrator

Lowell Historic Board