A meeting of the Stowe Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 in the Akeley Memorial Building starting at approximately 5:30 pm.
Members Present: Sam Scofield, Chair, Barbara Baraw, Cindy McKechnie, Tim Meehan, and Chris Carey
Sam Scofield presented revised plans that included the addition of a 5-6-foot high cedar board fence along a portion of the Sleeper House property boundary, the addition of a fenced trash enclosure, minor modification to the landscaping in the rear, and addition of locker and handicapped entries in the rear. A site plan prepared by Mr. Scofield last revised 6/12/09 was submitted. Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval as submitted and to classify the project as a minor modification. The motion was approved 4-0 (with Mr. Scofield recusing himself).
Project 3350: Owner: Donald Bourgeois, Construction of Single-Family Dwelling, 266 Maple street, Demolish Garage
Mr. Bourgeois submitted revised elevations dated 6/23/09 and a site plan dated 6/24/09. The project involves demolition of a garage, construction of a new single-family dwelling, and construction of associated walls and fence as depicted on the plans. Mr. Baker submitted a letter dated 6/13/09 from Robert Falker to Don Bourgeois to the Commission.
The garage is not listed as a contributing building within the historic district and was not included on the 2004 Historic Site Survey. The garage was built around 1969. The SHPC finds that the structure does not have historical or architectural significance and does not make a positive contribution to the district’s streetscape
The new building will be located towards the rear of the property at an existing grade elevation of approximately 725 feet. Maple Street is at an elevation of approximately 714 feet. The building will be located behind an existing building on Maple Street and will have limited visibility from Maple Street. The applicant revised the building's scale and massing from the original proposal. The final building design is compatible with nearby structures in terms of scale and massing. The building is an appropriate scale for the intended use. The new building does not borrow from multiple historic styles and combine those into one design.The building style is acceptable as proposed and meets the criteria of Section 10.13.
The building is not proposed along a village street so Section 10.11(a) is not applicable. Buildings normally should be sited to conform to the street line and create a front entrance that is oriented to the main street and should not be at odd angles to the street or adjacent buildings. Exceptions are permitted for sites with challenging topography or viewscapes. The applicant is proposing a second building setback from the street and up a slope in order to take advantage of viewscapes and in order to avoid wet areas at the lower topography behind the existing house on the parcel. The applicant presented evidence in the field that a barn has previously occupied the site of the proposed new building. Given the topography, viewscapes, and possible past historic building patterns on the lot, the Commission finds the building is adequately sited and meets the criteria of Section 10.11.
The applicant submitted photographs of the style of retaining wall to be used. A spilt rail fence is also proposed along the property boundary with Robert Falker. The proposed fences and walls are of traditional materials and design and are compatible with the proposed building. The Commission finds that fences and walls met the criteria of Section 10.15
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval as submitted and to classify the project as a minor modification. The motion was approved 5-0.
Project 4047: Owner: Donald Bourgeois, 266 Maple Street, Addition of Rear Door
Mr. Bourgeois submitted an elevation for an additional door in the rear of the existing house. The door is not visible from Maple Street.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval as submitted and to classify the project as a minor modification. The motion was approved 5-0.
Conflict of Interest Policy
The conflict of interest policy adopted by the Select Board was distributed for review by the Commission members. Members are to review, sign, and return the signature page to Susan Moeck.
Approval of Minutes
The 5/13/09 minutes and 6/10/09 minutes were approved as submitted.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Richard Baker, Zoning Director
