01/14/2021 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes

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Chairman Hyde announced that the first Public Hearing is for Mr. Dean Stanley and questioned whether the Commission was moving forward to the next scheduled Public Hearing. Mr. Lehrer said that Mr. Stanley was not present on the phone call. Mr. Lehrer indicated that Mr. Stanley was not on the call but was requesting a Certificate of Non Applicability and that the Commission could deliberate and vote if adequate information was provided. If the Board would like to speak with the applicant they could vote to continue the hearing to a future date. Mr. Lehrer suggested opening Mr. Stanley's Public Hearing. The option would be there to continue to a later time in the meeting but felt the Public Hearing should be opened. Chairman Hyde then opened the Public Hearing by reading the Public Hearing Notice for Mr. Dean Stanley located at 234 Main Street. MOTION: Mr. Balzarini made the motion to continue the hearing at 9:15AM. Ms. Paxton seconded the motion. All voted in favor. PUBLIC HEARING Applicant: Mr. Shane Gibbons Location: 278 Main St. Request: Certificate of Hardship Description: The applicant is seeking endorsement of Certificate of Hardship for installation of skylights on a detached accessory structure already granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to enclose a pre-existing garage into living/work space. Chairman Hyde opened the next Public Hearing by reading the Public Hearing notice into the record for Mr. Shane Gibbons of 278 Main Street. Mr. Hyde invited Mr. Lehrer to begin the discussion. Mr. Lehrer indicated that the Commission has discussed this property at the two previous meetings: Once in February of 2020 for a Certificate of Appropriateness to enclose a carport/garage into a workspace. Mr. Lehrer clarified that this is not a new dwelling unit. It is just a conversion of an existing area into workspace for Mr. Gibbons design practice. The Commission had previously approved the Certificate of Appropriateness for the enclosure of the structure which is now under construction. Mr. Lehrer indicated that the applicant had contemplated the addition of skylights into the project to enhance access of natural light into the studio. Mr. Lehrer elaborated that Historic District Regulations typically discourage the installation of skylights and are perceived as not appropriate for historic structures. There is a process in place for exceptions on a case by case basis that would allow skylights under a Certificate of Hardship. Mr. Lehrer pointed out that the structure that is being modified is a rather new structure unlike the house which is included in the Historic Register. There are numerous skylights present in the Historic District. The Commission needs to consider whether the hardship expressed by the applicant is legitimate and will the inclusion of a skylight in this project take away from the historic fabric of the area. Mr. Lehrer pointed out that generally Certificates of Hardship are accompanied by an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The applicant has asked for a waiver on this requirement due to the fact that Mr. Gibbons had previously file for a Certificate of Appropriateness which the Commission has already reviewed and approved. Mr. Lehrer asked for a procedural vote to grant the waiver to proceed with the Certificate of Hardship. MOTION: Mr. Balzarini made a motion to grant the waiver for the Certificate of Appropriateness and to proceed with the Certificate of Hardship. Ms. Paxton seconded the motion. All voted unanimously in favor of the waiver.