STAFF REPORT Town of Wellesley - Planning Department Application: DR-2018-31 38 Maugus Avenue - Preservation Determination Subject Property: 38 Maugus Avenue (Assessor s Parcel ID # 64-47) Applicant: Barnett and Jennifer Helzberg Property Owner: Barnett and Jennifer Helzberg Date: Report prepared 6/27/2018 for 7/9/2018 Historical Commission Meeting Staff Contact: Claudia Zarazua, Planner Staff Recommendation: Preferably Preserved APPLICATION OVERVIEW On June 15, 2018, the Applicant submitted plans to the Planning Department to confirm the percentage of the existing exterior of the dwelling at 38 Maugus Avenue to be affected by work that includes partial demolition and an addition. Planning Department Staff determined that the proposed work would affect more than 50% of the total existing exterior surface of the dwelling (59.3%), therefore qualifying as a Demolition under the Bylaw. Based on this determination, an application for Eligibility Notice was submitted on June 27, 2018. An Eligibility Notice was issued on June 28, 2017 determining the subject building to be an Eligible Building. An application for Preservation Determination was submitted on June 27, 2018. A public hearing before the Historical Commission is scheduled for July 9, 2018. DESCRIPTION In consideration of the application for Eligibility Notice, it was determined that the dwelling was originally constructed in 1929 based on building permit # 3135 issued to owner Albert Leonard on February 6, 1929. Page 1 of 4
DR-2018-31 38 Maugus Avenue - Preservation Determination Staff Report prepared 6/27/2018 for 7/9/2018 Historical Commission Meeting Figure 1. Plan of Land owned by Albert Leonard,1929 Wellesley. Norfolk County Registry of Deeds The original lot was created by Albert Leonard, owner of 3 ½ acres at Maugus Hill. See Figure 1. According to the building permit, the house was built by Albert Leonard, owner, with plans by architect Howland S. Chandler. Chandler was part of the firm Dwight and Chandler, formed in 1894. Albert Leonard developed the area and Maugus Avenue. He was also the Town s building inspector for a period of time. The house was purchased by Mildred Duncan in 1933, later acquired by Carl Reinhold Hellstrom in the same year. Mr. Hellstrom was born to a renowned family in Sweden. An engineer by training, Mr. Hellstrom worked as the president of Smith & Wesson, a gun manufacturing company, and led the company in several advancements in firearms. Mr. Hellstrom was also a member of the Town s Planning Board. The house was later inherited by his son Douglas Hellstrom. Douglas was also employed by Smith & Wesson and served as the executive vice president obtaining a patent for innovative barrel design. The house was then sold to David Wiswall in 1967. Mr. Wiswall served in the Navy and was also a notable builder and developer in Wellesley. The house was then sold to Lois and James High in 1967. Mr. High was a doctor and practiced in Medford. The house was then acquired by Christine and Norman Miller in 1976. The property was acquired by Gerald and Linda Zukowski in 1978. The house was then sold to Don and Vienna Campbell in 1984. The property was acquired by Terences Francis Mahony and Joan Foo in 1990. It was then sold to Christopher Lyman and Dale Lasden in 1993. The house was then sold to Elizabeth McClintock in 1999. The house was then acquired by 38 Maugus Avenue Realty. It was acquired by the current owners in 2017.. Page 2 of 4
DR-2018-31 38 Maugus Avenue - Preservation Determination Staff Report prepared 6/27/2018 for 7/9/2018 Historical Commission Meeting According to the building permit records, a sun porch was added in 1938, a swimming pool was built in 1973, solar panels were installed in 1982, the master bedroom was expanded in 1991, and the kitchen remodeled and family room added in 1993. The dwelling is a two-story building with side-gabled roof with moderate alterations since its construction. Staff believes the architecture of the house is best characterized as Colonial Revival with elements representative of such style like small-paned windows and heavy window frames, as well as two chimneys. The siding is perceived to be masonry with a concrete foundation. The overall condition of the existing house is above average. Figure 3. Neighborhood Context As a partial Demolition, the Applicant has submitted architectural drawings indicating significant alteration of the front façade of the original building along with a contemporary addition to include a three-car garage. PRESERVATION DETERMINATION STANDARDS In consideration of a Preservation Determination for the building, the Historical Commission is to determine whether or not the building should be Preferably Preserved, a term defined as a building the demolition of which that is proposed would be detrimental to the historical or architectural heritage of the Town because such Building is (i) importantly associated with one or more historic persons or events, or with the architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of the Town, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the United States of America, (ii) historically or architecturally important by reason of period, style, method of building construction or association with a particular architect or builder, either by itself or in the context of a Page 3 of 4
DR-2018-31 38 Maugus Avenue - Preservation Determination Staff Report prepared 6/27/2018 for 7/9/2018 Historical Commission Meeting group of Buildings, or (iii) located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the boundary line of any federal or local historic district and contextually similar to the Buildings located in the adjacent federal or local historic district. If the Commission determines that the Building should be Preferably Preserved, then no Demolition Permit with respect to such Building shall be issued until twelve (12) months after the date of the Preservation Determination. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff is of the opinion that the subject building is not (iii) located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the boundary line of any federal or local historic district and contextually similar to the Buildings located in the adjacent federal or local historic district, but that the building is (i) associated with one or more historic persons or events, or with the architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of the Town, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the United States of America, and (ii) historically or architecturally important by reason of period, style, method of building construction or association with a particular architect or builder, either by itself or in the context of a group of Buildings. With respect to standard (i), Staff if of the opinion that both Carl and Douglas Hellstrom s legacy in gun manufacturing, along with Carl Hellstrom s service to the Planning Board, is notable in terms of the history of the Town, the Commonwealth, and the United State of America. With respect to standard (ii), Staff is of the opinion that the existing dwelling is architecturally important by reason of period and style, by itself and in the context of the neighborhood. With respect to the scope of work, Staff is of the opinion that by itself the contemporary addition is not detrimental to the original structure; however, the alterations to the front façade are detrimental to the overall historic value of the original architecture. Therefore, based upon the above and the proposed scope of work identified in the submitted plans, Staff recommends that the building be deemed Preferably Preserved. Page 4 of 4
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