In a pivotal and highly anticipated meeting, the Historic District Commission (HDC) convened a special session on October 23, 2023, to discuss the fate of the Red Cross Building at 51 Main Street, known for its historical significance in the God’s Acre Local Historic District.
Chairman Tom Nissley called the meeting to order, citing its primary purpose: to review and deliberate upon the Certificate of Appropriateness for the preservation of the historic structure and the addition of a residential structure.
The discussion commenced with Attorney Timothy Hollister raising two pivotal questions for the record. The first query revolved around the town’s charter, inquiring whether it detailed what constituted significant architectural exterior features. Commissioner Lindstrom affirmed the existence of such a list, previously developed and readily available. The second question concerned the existence of an official certificate permitting the Town to utilize the rear of 51 Main Street for parking.
Attorney Hollister and Mr. Karp firmly declined, indicating that any changes at this stage were impractical, and they would proceed with demolition if the application faced rejection.
Attorney Hollister then presented an overview of the proposed project, underlining substantial modifications since the previous presentation to the HDC in 2022, largely influenced by comments from the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) department. The attorney meticulously delved into eight key points, as outlined in the submission package, emphasizing their importance in approving the application. These points touched upon prior HDC decisions, inconsistencies in the past, property setbacks within the district, and zoning aspects. Attorney Hollister sought the HDC’s approval based on these salient points.
Commissioner Lindstrom raised concerns about relocating the historic house and the size of the proposed new building. Commissioner Skrelunas highlighted the placement of a 6-foot-tall transformer at the front of the house, questioning whether landscaping could genuinely obscure such elements from public view. Attorney Hollister explained that burying the transformer was not an option due to utility company restrictions.
In response to Attorney Hollister’s points regarding past HDC decisions and property setbacks, Commissioner Rothbart firmly reminded the Commission that its purview lay in scrutinizing the Commission’s regulations specific to this project’s location and its overall impact on the Local Historic District. Attorney Hollister contended that the Applicant was incorporating concerns raised by P&Z during previous presentations.
Attorney Gelderman then presented five letters opposing the project, submitted by Attorney Joel Green on October 17, 2023, for the Commission’s consideration. Attorney Hollister distributed physical copies of these letters to the HDC, formally entering them into the record.
Commissioner Skrelunas proposed modifications to the design, suggesting alterations to roof heights. He noted that such changes might have been advantageous if discussed in a pre-application meeting.
Attorney Gelderman, however, asserted that it was too late in the process for resubmission and urged the Commission to make a decision unless the Applicant agreed to withdraw the application and reapply with a revised design. Attorney Hollister and Mr. Karp firmly declined, indicating that any changes at this stage were impractical, and they would proceed with demolition if the application faced rejection.
Chairman Nissley then closed the hearing for public comments, leading to Commissioner Rothbart’s pivotal motion. He proposed a vote to reject the application, invoking Section 4.1 and 4.2 of the historic district regulations, which stressed the importance of preserving historic relationships and maintaining the size, scale, and proportion of structures. The motion received a second from Commissioner Lindstrom and was approved by Chairman Nissley and Commissioners Rothbart, Rose, Lindstrom, and Berry. Commissioner Skrelunas cast the sole dissenting vote.
In a resounding decision, with a vote of four to one, the HDC officially denied the application. The historic integrity and architectural character of the God’s Acre Local Historic District remain preserved, at least for now.
