Sharon Historical Commission

And

Sharon Historic District Commission

Meeting:  Wednesday, May 19, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Shirley Schofield, Chairperson at 7:35 pm

Also in attendance were:  Marie Cuneo, Gordon Hughes, Brent Gundlah, Robert Young and David Martin.

Robert Young volunteered to record the meeting minutes in Debi Pitman’s absence.

1.         Christina Mirrone and Nick Mirrone appeared before the Commission regarding their plans for the development known as Hunter’s Ridge.  They requested a meeting to discuss their plans for a proposed development of 50 age restricted housing units to be built from 155 North Main Street and back into land going as far back as Cheryl Drive.  They have the purchase under agreement with the Glynn Family Trust and have met with the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board.  They informed us that the Sharon Planning Board has approved their development and that they have reached an agreement with the Sharon Conservation Commission as well.
            The parcel in question is approximately 22 acres with plans to build 50 units of Age 55+ housing, 2 units of which will be considered affordable housing.  The lot sizes under the plan would be between 5,500 and 7,500 sq. ft. with unit sizes ranging from 1,600 to 2,300 sq. ft., and includes parking, garages, a community center building and recreation area.    42% of the land will be left as open space.
            Property at 157 North Main Street, included in this parcel, is over 100 years old.  This Commission would need to either approve a building demolition request once submitted to the Sharon Building Inspector, or in the alternative, provide reasons why the demolition request should be postponed under the Historical Demolition By-Law.  This property is not on the inventoried list of the Commission, so a physical inspection of the property would be necessary in order to make that decision.  The developer proposes to also demolish the property at 155 North Main Street, but such a request needs only the consideration of the Building Inspector.
            Both Mr. and Ms. Mirrione were amenable to working with this Commission and other Town boards to mark historic areas and for consideration of street names.  They invited members of the Commission to tour one of two developments similarly being built or completed in Easton.

2. Joe Kent, the Sharon Building Inspector, was in attendance at the meeting.  He let us know that there were no new developments regarding the rebuilding of 178 North Main Street.  No plans have been submitted by the owners to date.

3. Discussion with Mr. Kent regarding Historic Districts and his role in maintaining properties via issuance of building or demolition permits was held.  Various changes within Historic District I have taken place without the consent or knowledge of either this Commission or the Building Inspector.
Brent Gundlah prepared a form for Mr. Kent’s review that would assist and streamline the process of demolition and building permit requests with regard to historically significant properties (those within an Historic District, on the Commission’s inventoried list, or any home exceeding 100 years of age).  After a cursory review Mr. Kent liked the form and we agreed to contact Town Counsel to review.
Once a demolition request is made to the Building Inspector his office will give the Commission’s guideline form to the applicant to complete.  This form will be returned to the Building Inspector and then forwarded to the Commission with the demolition request.  In this way all Town offices can be appraised of the flow of this process.  The property owner would, in the application, request a public hearing for the demolition request.  The property owner would be informed of his or her responsibility to obtain a list of abutters and of the cost for the posting of a public notice.  A hearing could be held no sooner than 14 days after the public notice.

4. Discussion about the demolition of a porch at 22 North Main Street (Owned by Mr. Gundlah and his wife Valerie Gundlah) led to the suggestion that Mr. Gundlah could thus be the first person to use the above mentioned process, though it likely wouldn’t be necessary since it is only a limited demolition request.  Upon Mr. Gundlah recusing himself, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the limited demolition for the property at 22 North Main Street subject to  proper permits being filed with the Building Inspector. 

5. Discussion about all three Historic Districts ensued.  Dave Martin and Shirley Schofield thanked Robert Young for his work that led to the successful adoption at Town Meeting last week of the new Third Historic District encompassing the Morrell Park, Pleasant Street School (Sharon Housing Authority) and the Wilber School.  State and federal resources will be checked to inquire about National Register status for the new district and existing properties.

A request was made by Ed Ruvech to explore the possibility of listing his home on a state or national register.

A letter was received by Shirley Brownstein with information that she found regarding grants available for historic districts.

A motion was made by Mr. Martin to establish guidelines for a signage program for historic properties.  He would look into existing signs, pricing and what is being done elsewhere.  Marie Cuneo seconded this motion and it was approved unanimously.

6.         Mrs. Schofield read a letter from W. Reese Schroeder, suggesting letters be sent to various Town Boards thanking them for their support of Historic District III and providing information that might help each of them.  A motion was made by Mrs. Cuneo to send these letters and was seconded by Mr. Gundlah.  It was approved unanimously.

7.         Mr. Young presented a brochure from the City of Warwick, RI that is used to promote living in that community and businesses located there.  He suggested future discussion of working jointly with the Planning Board on such a project. 

8.         Mr. Young made a motion to make it a policy of the Commission to send out letters to property owners when it is known that a property of historical significance has changed hands.  If the property is inventoried or within and Historic District certain Town By-Laws would be included in such a mailing to offer assistance and guidance.  Mrs. Cuneo seconded the motion.  It was passed unanimously.

9.         Mrs. Schofield discussed the 2004 budget and the 2005 budget.

10.       Mrs. Cuneo reported that the replacement signs for those originally put up in celebration of our nation’s bi-centennial were completed and are ready to be installed by the DPW.  These were paid for with 2003 monies that had been earmarked for this project.

11.       Mrs. Schofield will obtain a copy of the Historic By-Law within the Planning Board’s governance.  Discussion at a future meeting based on this information may lead to one of our members volunteering to offer assistance on the sub-committee of the Planning Board dealing with those issues.

12.       Discussion of a demolition request for 17 Garden Street led to our understanding that the request (which was approved by this Commission) was being held at the Building Inspector’s office as there is confusion as to whether the sale of the property went through and if the request was valid.

A motion was made by Mr. Martin to adjourn.  It was seconded by Mrs. Cuneo.  Meeting was adjourned at 10:47 pm.