REPORT: LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING (6/29/20)

The meeting was held via Zoom webcast and was recorded.

Present: Commission Members Peggy Schwartz, Karin Winter, Bruce Coldham, Greta Wilcox, Jim Lumley, Jennifer Taub (Chair)

The Commission approved Certificates of Appropriateness for four projects and continued a fifth. Approved were: 

(1) removal of a one-story garage at 30 Fearing Stree on a Tudor-revival house (see Historical Commission decision here).

(2) removal and reconstruction of a one-car garage at 117 Amity Street (see Historical Commission decision here)

(3) chimney improvements at 26 Cosby Street;

(4) at 216 Lincoln Avenue, placement of a mini-split heat pump whose condenser will be hidden from the street by shrubs.

(5) 133 Fearing Street was recently purchased and the new owner, who has plans for numerous repairs, asked the Commission for approval of a window replacement and a bathroom fan vent in the attic. The Commission continued this hearing to July 27 at 4 p.m. so that all changes can be considered in one meeting and included in one permit.

The Chair reminded the Commission of the scheduled  Planning Board Site Plan review for the proposed Amherst Media building on Main Street on July 1.

Future agenda items include a discussion about how to deal with “demolition by neglect” and whether either the Local Historic District or the National Historic Districts control appurtenances on telephone poles along the streetscapes of historic houses.