Local Historic District Commission (LHDC)

Meeting Minutes

The Local Historic District Commission (LHDC) met on September 14th, 2016,

6:30 pmat the Holyoke City Hall Annex.

In attendance:

Members:

Marco Crescentini

Sandy Parent

Beth Strycharz

Wendy Weiss

Alternate:Olivia Mausel

Public:Andrew Levin

Susan Woods

Other:Debbie Oppermann OPED – Sr. Project Manager

Elizabeth Rairigh PVPC

Prior to a quorum there was discussion:

Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District Commission will now be known as Local Historic District Commission (LHDC), which will still govern the Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District and also any other Local Historic Districts formed in Holyoke.

At our last meeting the LHDC agreed to amend the COA to include Driveways, Site paving, &/or grading. It was pointed out by Elizabeth Rairigh at this meeting that under our guidelines in the Ordinance of our LHDC these features were listed as NOT subject to LHDC regulations, therefore an amendment is not enforced. If the commission wishes to amend the Ordinance in any way it will be necessary to be presented to and voted upon by the City Council.

Andy Levin has volunteered to be an alternate of the LHDC. He will send necessary application & resume to the Mayor Alex Morse.

To clarify, Elizabeth Rairigh mentioned repairs with no architectural changes & replacement of same materials, does not require a COA application.

A new COA Application for Exterior Changes is in the process of being created, and renamed: Local Historical District Application for Exterior Changes .

A quorum at this time will continue to be determined by a Commission of seven members, therefore four members remain as a quorum.

AT 7:15 a quorum was realized.

  1. LHD application draft – This will be reviewed by commission members & a discussion at next meeting regarding all members comments.

When application has been completed each resident will receive one with a cover letter. Elizabeth Rairigh will present us with some sample letters.

  1. New Signs for Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District. Marco Crescentini will contact the new DPW Superintendent Michael McManus in reference to this.
  1. Fairfield Avenue Fall clean-up and (Pot Luck ) Block Party will take place on October 29th. This will be posted in various places including the City Council page and Facebook. A flyer will be made up by Marco Crescentini, and he will also contact John Twohig at the DPW for the city pickup of all debris from clean-up. Also mentioned by Susan Woods the graffiti on STOP sign needs to be removed by city.
  1. CPA form. This will be a question (5) on November 2016 ballot. Debbie will contact law department concerning the LHDC involvement of the Commission promoting the vote for question 5.
  1. Yankee Peddler – Wendy Weiss mentioned her concern of the preservation of a significant landmark of Holyoke due to the possible sale of the Yankee Peddler. Elizabeth Rairigh said our only recourse to protect the Yankee Peddler from disappearing would be to make it a Local Historic District.

Motion for adjournment by Wendy Weiss and seconded by Beth Strycharz.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:10 pm

Next meeting October 12th in accordance with the schedule.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sandra Parent

Secretary