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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin historical com 07/20/04 t' ~'!'I ["F. t. ì "'1.1 ," ,- r, ',' ," I] ,- F I..... E " '!h.~J \, r' 1'-, Historical Commission Minutes July 20, 2004 ell tmv 11 PM 7: I I Present: Jo~ph U~er, Chair; Jean Nordbeck, Gean Parks, David Martip, l~!e¡ D,avis Guests: Lows MasIello, WIS Develo ment 1'1,\) J..,I ¡t.LLJ !2.c........... ' . 1 June 29, 2004 minutes Motion: To approve as submitted (Nordbeck-Unger) All in favor. PASSES l"i'i"IÎ."t~,i Louis Masiello, WIS Development, explained his company's proposal to develop a retail shopping center on 75 acres at the comer of School Street and Route 140. He explained his company invests in real estate for the long-term. He said his company has purchased or has contracts to purchase all the land within the Golden Triangle. Mr. Masiello explained the proposed development is a "lifestyle center" with a Kohl's anchoring the shopping center in the southern portion of the property. He said the other tenants would be "mid-level" retailers such as Linens & Things, Marshalls, Borders or Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods and sit down style restaurants instead offast food. He said he did not plan on drive-through restaurants. Approximately 450,000 square feet of building is proposed, including a business-type, extended stay hotel with about 100 rooms. Mr. Masiello explained the Planning Board public hearing will begin next week, and the Conservation Commission will be reviewing the environmental concerns. He said they are about 50% through the state permitting process with MEP A, where they have discussed historical issues. Mr. Masiello said Mass Historic has commented on 280 School Street, the Stearns-White house. He presented the commission with correspondence between his company and Mass Historic during the MEP A process. He said several houses have been looked at, on and off the property, but the Stearns- White house was the only one slated for demolition that Mass Historic felt was potentially valuable. He said according to Mass Historic, the house had a major renovation in the 1920s-1930s. Mr. Masiello presented an overlay plan showing the house's location within the proposed development; the house is located central to a line of stores. He said they will meet with Mass Historic about what will be done with the house; he said his proposal will be to have a professional go in to document the house in order to keep a record and then have it demolished. He said the other option would be to relocate the house, either on or off the site, but he said he didn't believe the house would survive a trip. He said prior to meeting with Mass Historic, he would like to have a proposal sensitive to the local perspective and he would like to have the commission's input. Mr. Unger said he was concerned about maintaining both the town's quality oflife and historical resources as much as possible. Mr. Masiello said he understood the town's concerns and the need to develop the site with sensitivity and throughfulness. Mr. Unger said if it were done well, that type of development would be a benefIt to the town. Mr. Masiello said there are architectural techniques they can use to achieve certain styles of development. Mr. Masiello said they would probably be going into the house soon and invited the commission members to view the house. Ms. P~ks asked if Mass Historic has asked for an archaeological study; Mr. Masiello said it had not. He said the site has been worked over for many years, especially for the gravel. Mr. Martin asked who would decide if the house could be moved; Mr. Masiello said experts would have to be consulted. He said if that were to be the case, he would like the commission's help to determine a location. He said they are working on a site in Connecticut with a barn, which will be refurbished and used on site. Mr. Martin said he has heard rumors about Wal-Mart. Mr. Masiello said their leasing program isn't as far along as the rumors. He said they do not have a lease or a deal with Wal-Mart, but said it is possible. Ms. Parks asked if the size of the shopping center would be increased; Mr. Masiello said it was highly unlikely. Mr. Masiello said there will be a stop light at the entrance on School Street which will be tied into the existing light at Route 140. He said that intersection will be reconfigured. The commission discussed options, including Mr. Masiello's proposal to document and demolish the house, moving the house to another location, or using the house as a feature within the development, possibly around the pond. Mr. Masiello said he would consider creative options. Motion: To send Mass Historic a letter informing them of our meeting with Mr. Masiello and telling them about the options we discussed, including using the house as a part of the development, perhaps around the pond; moving the house to another location; and documenting the house prior to demolition. Inform Mass Historic it is still the position of the board, as in our original letter, that we would like to see measures taken to preserve the integrity of the house. (Unger-Martin) Four in favor. Nordbeck abstained. PASSES Spring Brook Cemetery National Register Application. The commission discussed the draft and decided to send the same photographs that were included in the preliminary application. The draft letter of support will be sent to Mrs. Scarpellini with a request that it be put on association stationary and sent back to us, so it can be included in the application. Mr. Martin offered to deliver the application, once copies have been made, to the appropriate office at the State House. Motion: To submit the National Register of Historic P1aces application for the Spring Brook Cemetery and Card Chapel as drafted with the above-referenced letter fÌ"om the association. (Unger-Parks) All in favor. PASSES The commission discussed possible future projects and drafted a pending business list, to include: Hartwell School Historical Landmark Signs (FR, Spring Brook) Historic District Town Hall Cemetery (West Street) Other Cemeteries Cate Springs Building By-law amendment about reviewing proposed demolitions of houses over XX years old Motion: To adjourn at 9:15 p.m. (Davis-Parks) An in favor. PASSES Date of next meet~: ~r 21, 2004 at 7:30 p.rn. 4 \ 0 JJv..-~f N -+-- ex- t 2k> 1.m ~eofCl Date of Approval