HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes from Meeting of Tuesday, May 8, 2007

The Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. in Conference Room C of the Mansfield Town Hall

Attending:   Members: Gail Bruhn, Isobel Atwood, Anita Bacon, Dave Spencer and Jason McGarry

Discussion centered around the issue of building permits being issued for buildings within Historic Districts without checking to make sure that a certificate of appropriateness had been issued by the Historic District Commission.  The matter surfaced in conversations between G Bruhn and Zoning Agent, Curt Hirsch, related to the Crain House at 928 Storrs Road, Spring Hill Historic District.  The fact that building permits had been issued without Committee consideration revealed a deficiency in the building approval process, which has been discussed and will be addressed.*   Previously, unless an approval required Zoning approval, it did not trigger the Historic Commission Review.

The issue also is relevant for the Dentist’s office in Spring Hill Historic District which has apparently been resided without Commission review.  It was agreed that I.Atwood would write a letter to the owner, requesting that they come to our June meeting to discuss the project.  The Committee has also had numerous complaints about the sign which has been erected in front of the Dentist’s office.  Although the Historic District Commission approved the sign, it appears to be different from the design presented to the Commission.

The condition of the house owned by Christine Curtis in Mansfield Center Historic District was discussed.  Jason McGarry volunteered to compose a letter to the owner. 

Respectively submitted,

Gail Bruhn

Chair

* On May 11, the town suspended building permits previously granted to 928 Storrs Road.