In 2003 the Belmont Historic District Commission was busily engaged in pursuing eight major objectives.
First, with Michael Smith acting as its representative, the Commission continued to work cooperatively and successfully with the Town Hall Complex Building Committee in developing the designs and overseeing the construction for the renovations of the three buildings in the Complex and in planning and executing the redesign of an appropriate surrounding landscape for this historic site. The final stage of the rehabilitation of the Town Hall - finishing out the top floor – was completed during the year, and construction work on the Town Hall Annex and the School Administration Building got underway. Completion of the project is expected in the Fall of 2004.
Second, the Commission continued to fulfill its responsibility to implement the Historic Preservation Agreement that the Town reached with McLean Hospital as part of the Memorandum of Agreement for developing specific zones within the existing campus by taking the following actions:
· In compliance with Section VI.A of the Design Review Agreement between the Belmont Historic District Commission and the Northland Residential Corporation, the Commission reviewed final drawings for the first phase of building construction within Zone 1A and for roadway construction within Zones 1A and 1B of the McLean Hospital Redevelopment. The drawings were found to be in accordance with the concept drawings previously submitted and incorporated in the Design Review Agreement and were approved, subject to three conditions which have since been satisfied.
· After working with McLean Hospital to explore the possibility of saving five of the buildings slated for demolition - Hope, Ledge, North and West Cottages and the former Superintendent's Residence - by making them available to any outside party who would be willing to pay the cost of moving any or all of them to an off-campus location, the Commission approved a Memorandum of Agreement between McLean Hospital Corporation, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, regarding the redevelopment of the McLean Hospital that specified the measures that had or would be taken to advertise the availability of the five buildings for
removal to off-campus sites and to document the buildings prior to being moved or demolished. That documentation was subsequently submitted by the Northland Residential Corporation and was reviewed and approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and by the Historic District Commission on November 6, 2003.
· With regard to the protection of the historic resources that will remain within the McLean Hospital zone, the Commission was able to continue the cooperative working relationship with the Hospital that had developed as a result of the Historic Preservation Agreement, with the Hospital consulting with the designated sub-committee from the Commission before making any changes to the exterior of the buildings listed on the National Register or to the landscapes that surround them.
· Member Richard Pichette continued to serve as the Commission's representative on the Land Management Committee established by the Memorandum of Agreement.
Additionally, the Commission also continued its work to develop a Supplementary Preservation Agreement with McLean Hospital that will specify: (1) how the Pleasant Street Lodge will be protected during construction to create the new access drive and to widen Pleasant Street between this drive and Trapelo Road and how the impact of this construction upon the Lodge, its setting, and the stone wall along Pleasant Street will be mitigated, (2) how the Pleasant Street Lodge and the Mill Street Lodge will be renovated by McLean for reuse by the Hospital, and (3) how the edges of the Bowl will be relandscaped in the affected zones after the underground water retention tank has been installed. Both parties recognize that the Supplementary Preservation Agreement must be completed prior to the commencement of any construction in the development
zones.
Third on the list was the effort to improve the plan for the reconstruction of Pleasant Street, in particular that section of the street that runs through the Pleasant Street Historic District. As a result of the Commission's recommendations, made in consultation with the Office of Community Development, the Belmont Municipal Light Department and the Board of Selectmen, the specifications were rewritten to protect historic stone walls, to save as many mature trees as possible, to specify the installation of appropriate planting, to install wooden guard rails within the Historic District, to introduce partial cut-off light fixtures to reduce glare, and to add lampblack to the concrete sidewalks to tone down their visual impact. Provision was also made for burying electric utility wires. A pledge was also solicited and
received from the Board of Selectmen that should new state regulations be published governing the construction of roads through historic districts, thereby providing the Town with an opportunity to alter the design of the Pleasant Street roadway to further protect historic resources in the District, including but not limited to a narrowing of the width of the street, then the Board would consider such design changes even if construction was already underway, so long as the changes did not cause significant additional expense to the Town or a serious delay in the project.
Fourth on the Commission's agenda was the preservation of the Town's three fire stations. At the Commission's request, the Massachusetts Historical Commission determined on June 4, 2003, that the stations were eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Commission needs to continue the process of placing the stations on the Register because such designation will enable any private party that wishes to buy and renovate one of the stations for commercial purposes to apply for Federal and State tax credits. If Belmont decides to retain any of the stations, the designation would enable the Town to apply for a preservation grant for rehabilitating the building.
The Commission's fifth goal was to continue to assist Historic District residents in preserving the historic character of their houses and landscapes and in making appropriate alterations and additions when necessary. Numerous public hearings were held during the year to discuss and /or review applications for changes or additions to the exteriors of houses or outbuildings in the District. In particular, much time and energy was devoted to assisting the owners of 5 Somerset Street to find and develop the most appropriate means for preserving their barn and for maintaining the integrity of their farmstead as an agricultural landscape. The Commission greatly appreciates the cooperative spirit of the citizens who came before it since only a joint effort between the Commission and the residents can succeed in preserving the
Town's architectural and scenic heritage.
To better serve these residents, the Commission is close to achieving its sixth objective, the compilation and publication of a clearly defined set of design guidelines for them to follow in maintaining and improving their houses. At the suggestion of the Board of Selectmen, the Commission added a volunteer, non-voting member, Lisa Harrington, who as an experienced preservation consultant was willing to help the Commission draft these guidelines. Her first draft will be ready for review in February, 2004, and the Commission hopes to have the guidelines in print by Fall, 2004.
Two more volunteers were added in 2003 to serve the Commission’s seventh goal: to assist the Town in the planning process for the Trapelo Road Corridor Project by identifying those buildings of historic or architectural significance that are worth preserving as symbols of past vitality in a community that is ready to renew itself. Architect Matthew Genta and landscape architect Caroline Darbyshire are already involved in studying the buildings along the street, assessing their possibilities, and sharing their findings with the other Town committees and citizen groups that are concerned with the area's revival.
Last but not least on the Commission's list was the purpose of finding a new home for the interior of the circular library that had been saved from Bellmont, the 1836-40 residence on the Cushing estate, before its destruction in 1927. The disassembled parts of the library are currently stored in a garage on Concord Avenue. Fortunately for the Town, the Belmont Historical Society has offered to come to the rescue by moving the library to a new location and by searching for an individual or institution that might like to restore and reuse it.
With an eye to the future, the Historic District Commission would like to be of greater service in its second capacity as the Town's historical commission by (1) expanding the survey of the Town's historic resources to include more buildings, commercial and residential, from the several periods of significance of the town’s architectural heritage and to include more landscapes; and (2) by scheduling an educational seminar in 2004 on community preservation procedures for historical commissions that would be conducted by Preservation Massachusetts, a statewide non-profit preservation organization, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Historical Commission. This seminar, to be coordinated with other historical commissions in our immediate area, would be open to the public and is a part of an on-going series held in
different areas of the state, to aid the municipalities across the state to explore and adopt additional measures to better protect their own historic resources as components of the Commonwealth’s historic patrimony.
Lastly, the Commission wishes to thank the many citizens who have helped to preserve the Town's rich heritage of fine buildings, beautiful landscapes and other historic resources. We look to you for continued advice and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Cheek, Co-Chairman
Lydia Phippen Ogilby, Co-Chairman
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