north kingstown historic district commission
Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island 80 Boston Neck Road North Kingstown, RI 02852-5762 Phone: (401) 294-3331 Fax: (401) 885-7373 Web: www.northkingstown.org
NORTH KINGSTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION October 2, 2017 The North Kingstown Historic District Commission convened in the Municipal Offices Court Room, 100 Fairway Dr., North Kingstown, RI The following members were present: Wayne Trissler (Alternate) Henry Gauthier Andrew Correia Gail Hallock Cyr Sarah Goldberger James Shriner Shaun Lacey, AICP, Principal Planner, was present as staff liaison. Mr. Gauthier called the meeting to order and explained the proceeding as follows:
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The applicant or their representative would be asked to come forward, be sworn in and give a brief explanation of their application.
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The board would review their requests, ask questions of the applicant, and take comments from the public.
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Decisions may be rendered the same evening, or the matter may be continued until a later time.
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The minutes of the meeting’s session will not be approved until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
If the application is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Appropriateness next month. There is a 20 day appeal period before you may apply for a building permit. If you wish to appeal a decision by the Historic District Commission, you may apply to the Zoning Board of Review during that 20 day timeframe. 1
Minutes and a decision are recorded in the Town Clerk’s office. Stone, Carole: 13 West Main Street, Plat 117 Lot 155, zoned Wickford Village Center (WVC) – Alterations/Minor Modifications – Request to reconstruct an existing deck on the rear of an existing mixed-use building Mrs. Carole Stone came forward and was sworn in. She introduced her contractor for this project, Mr. Michael Rogers; he was also sworn in. Mrs. Stone told the Commission that she would like to replace her back deck. The deck is located on the second floor of the building; access is via stairway which lands at the rear side of the property. She made note of submitted photos of the existing deck, along with some photos of existing decks within the village similar to what she has in mind. Mr. Rogers said that the plan is to bring the deck into compliance with the code. This includes widening the staircase; replacing the decking (mahogany decking is proposed); improved railing and balusters. A flat wood handrail along the deck and stairway will be brought up to today’s building code standards. Decorative wood capped balusters and posts are proposed along the railing (simple two cap and small molding detail). He also said the handrail will be conventional rounded rail (pine, painted white). He added that tropical decking- (which looks like mahogany) is proposed. Mr. Shriner said that the proposal is a gross improvement of what is there now; it will meet building code. Painted white railing/baluster/porch will be more in keeping with the village. The proposal is in compliance with what the Commission looks for in consistency with the village. It looks like the main purpose of the work is to bring the porch up to code standards. He sees no objection to the project. Ms. Cyr proposes a change to the planned balusters; she said it would be more in historical character if the balusters were integrated into the stair treads rather than a lower rail. Mrs. Stone and Mr. Rogers agree to change the plan to incorporate Ms. Cyr’s suggestion. Mr. Gauthier called for a motion to open the meeting to public comment. Mr. Correia moved. Mr. Shriner seconded. There was no public comment. Mr. Shriner moved to close the meeting to public comment. Mr. Correia seconded. All voted aye. Public comment was closed. With that, Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion. Mr. Shriner moved to accept the motion as presented along with the condition that the railing balusters be integrated into the stair treads directly. Mr. Correia seconded. All voted aye. The motion carried. 2
Shriner, Jim: 59 Washington Street, Plat 117 Lot 239, zoned Village Residential Historic (VRH) – Alterations/Minor Modifications – Request to install a generator at the front of an existing single-family residential property Commissioner Shriner is the applicant for this agenda item; he recused himself from this application. Mr. Shriner came before the Commission and was sworn in. He said that he would like to install a generator at his home. He would like to locate it in the front yard setback facing the street; due to location of the new septic system and site limitations, this is the best possible place. Landscaping will screen the unit from view. The planned system is a Briggs and Stratton 8-10kw. Mr. Lacey told the Commission that because Mr. Shriner wants to locate the unit at the front of his home he will need some zoning relief; HDC approval must be granted before an application for the Zoning Board can be submitted. Mr. Gauthier commented that this project is pretty straightforward; he asked if Commission members had any questions. The Commission agreed with Mr. Gauthier that this is a clear-cut project. Mr. Gauthier called for a motion to open the application to public comment. Mr. Correia moved. Ms. Cyr seconded. There was no public left in attendance. Mr. Correia moved to close the meeting to public comment. Ms. Cyr seconded. All voted aye. The meeting was closed to public comment. With that, Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion. Mr. Correia moved to accept the application as presented. The unit location is proposed for the least conspicuous place on the property; it will not be a detriment to the landscape of Washington St. The generator meets acceptable sound decibel levels. It will not impact the view from Washington St. in any way, shape or form. Ms. Goldberger seconded. All voted aye. The motion carried. Informational items and announcements a. Wickford Sewer Project update. Mr. Lacey gave the Commission an update on the sewer project; all construction is on schedule. He presented the summary submitted by the environmental engineers doing the work. b. Wickford Design Guidelines update
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Mr. Lacey also told the Commission that the first meeting of the Wickford Design Guidelines Steering Committee was set for October 12. Ms. Cyr will be a part of the Committee representing this Commission. c. Appeal summary – 18 Bay St., Plat 117 Lot250 Lastly, Mr. Lacey summarized the Zoning Board of Review appeal regarding the Loughlin/HDC appeal of the driveway at 18 Bay St. The HDC decision was overturned. The Zoning Board voted this way because they do not understand the protocol and process of approving a Certificate of Appropriateness. The HDC makes subjective decisions – the zoning board works with specifics, they opined that this type of project has happened in other parts of the district so therefore the Commission should have approved this one as they had with the others. The Zoning Board said that the HDC showed prejudice in making the Loughlin decision. Commission members were disappointed and disheartened with the decision. Mr. Lacey told the Commission that they should continue to decide matters and use the Secretary of the Interior’s guidelines as they have been.
Mr. Correia left the meeting at this point. Historic District Commission minutes of September 11, 2017 Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion to approve the September 11 meeting minutes. Mr. Trissler had some edits. Mr. Shriner moved to approve the amended September 11, 2017 meeting minutes. Ms. Cyr seconded. All voted aye. The minutes were entered into record.
Adjournment Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Trissler moved. Mr. Shriner seconded. All voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00PM.
Beth Gagnon-Glasberg Recording Secretary
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NORTH KINGSTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION October 2, 2017 The North Kingstown Historic District Commission convened in the Municipal Offices Court Room, 100 Fairway Dr., North Kingstown, RI The following members were present: Wayne Trissler (Alternate) Henry Gauthier Andrew Correia Gail Hallock Cyr Sarah Goldberger James Shriner Shaun Lacey, AICP, Principal Planner, was present as staff liaison. Mr. Gauthier called the meeting to order and explained the proceeding as follows:
-
-
The applicant or their representative would be asked to come forward, be sworn in and give a brief explanation of their application.
-
The board would review their requests, ask questions of the applicant, and take comments from the public.
-
Decisions may be rendered the same evening, or the matter may be continued until a later time.
-
The minutes of the meeting’s session will not be approved until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
If the application is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Appropriateness next month. There is a 20 day appeal period before you may apply for a building permit. If you wish to appeal a decision by the Historic District Commission, you may apply to the Zoning Board of Review during that 20 day timeframe. 1
Minutes and a decision are recorded in the Town Clerk’s office. Stone, Carole: 13 West Main Street, Plat 117 Lot 155, zoned Wickford Village Center (WVC) – Alterations/Minor Modifications – Request to reconstruct an existing deck on the rear of an existing mixed-use building Mrs. Carole Stone came forward and was sworn in. She introduced her contractor for this project, Mr. Michael Rogers; he was also sworn in. Mrs. Stone told the Commission that she would like to replace her back deck. The deck is located on the second floor of the building; access is via stairway which lands at the rear side of the property. She made note of submitted photos of the existing deck, along with some photos of existing decks within the village similar to what she has in mind. Mr. Rogers said that the plan is to bring the deck into compliance with the code. This includes widening the staircase; replacing the decking (mahogany decking is proposed); improved railing and balusters. A flat wood handrail along the deck and stairway will be brought up to today’s building code standards. Decorative wood capped balusters and posts are proposed along the railing (simple two cap and small molding detail). He also said the handrail will be conventional rounded rail (pine, painted white). He added that tropical decking- (which looks like mahogany) is proposed. Mr. Shriner said that the proposal is a gross improvement of what is there now; it will meet building code. Painted white railing/baluster/porch will be more in keeping with the village. The proposal is in compliance with what the Commission looks for in consistency with the village. It looks like the main purpose of the work is to bring the porch up to code standards. He sees no objection to the project. Ms. Cyr proposes a change to the planned balusters; she said it would be more in historical character if the balusters were integrated into the stair treads rather than a lower rail. Mrs. Stone and Mr. Rogers agree to change the plan to incorporate Ms. Cyr’s suggestion. Mr. Gauthier called for a motion to open the meeting to public comment. Mr. Correia moved. Mr. Shriner seconded. There was no public comment. Mr. Shriner moved to close the meeting to public comment. Mr. Correia seconded. All voted aye. Public comment was closed. With that, Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion. Mr. Shriner moved to accept the motion as presented along with the condition that the railing balusters be integrated into the stair treads directly. Mr. Correia seconded. All voted aye. The motion carried. 2
Shriner, Jim: 59 Washington Street, Plat 117 Lot 239, zoned Village Residential Historic (VRH) – Alterations/Minor Modifications – Request to install a generator at the front of an existing single-family residential property Commissioner Shriner is the applicant for this agenda item; he recused himself from this application. Mr. Shriner came before the Commission and was sworn in. He said that he would like to install a generator at his home. He would like to locate it in the front yard setback facing the street; due to location of the new septic system and site limitations, this is the best possible place. Landscaping will screen the unit from view. The planned system is a Briggs and Stratton 8-10kw. Mr. Lacey told the Commission that because Mr. Shriner wants to locate the unit at the front of his home he will need some zoning relief; HDC approval must be granted before an application for the Zoning Board can be submitted. Mr. Gauthier commented that this project is pretty straightforward; he asked if Commission members had any questions. The Commission agreed with Mr. Gauthier that this is a clear-cut project. Mr. Gauthier called for a motion to open the application to public comment. Mr. Correia moved. Ms. Cyr seconded. There was no public left in attendance. Mr. Correia moved to close the meeting to public comment. Ms. Cyr seconded. All voted aye. The meeting was closed to public comment. With that, Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion. Mr. Correia moved to accept the application as presented. The unit location is proposed for the least conspicuous place on the property; it will not be a detriment to the landscape of Washington St. The generator meets acceptable sound decibel levels. It will not impact the view from Washington St. in any way, shape or form. Ms. Goldberger seconded. All voted aye. The motion carried. Informational items and announcements a. Wickford Sewer Project update. Mr. Lacey gave the Commission an update on the sewer project; all construction is on schedule. He presented the summary submitted by the environmental engineers doing the work. b. Wickford Design Guidelines update
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Mr. Lacey also told the Commission that the first meeting of the Wickford Design Guidelines Steering Committee was set for October 12. Ms. Cyr will be a part of the Committee representing this Commission. c. Appeal summary – 18 Bay St., Plat 117 Lot250 Lastly, Mr. Lacey summarized the Zoning Board of Review appeal regarding the Loughlin/HDC appeal of the driveway at 18 Bay St. The HDC decision was overturned. The Zoning Board voted this way because they do not understand the protocol and process of approving a Certificate of Appropriateness. The HDC makes subjective decisions – the zoning board works with specifics, they opined that this type of project has happened in other parts of the district so therefore the Commission should have approved this one as they had with the others. The Zoning Board said that the HDC showed prejudice in making the Loughlin decision. Commission members were disappointed and disheartened with the decision. Mr. Lacey told the Commission that they should continue to decide matters and use the Secretary of the Interior’s guidelines as they have been.
Mr. Correia left the meeting at this point. Historic District Commission minutes of September 11, 2017 Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion to approve the September 11 meeting minutes. Mr. Trissler had some edits. Mr. Shriner moved to approve the amended September 11, 2017 meeting minutes. Ms. Cyr seconded. All voted aye. The minutes were entered into record.
Adjournment Mr. Gauthier entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Trissler moved. Mr. Shriner seconded. All voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00PM.
Beth Gagnon-Glasberg Recording Secretary
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