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Berlin HDC examines role following reversal

(Dec. 22, 2016) Members of the Berlin Historic District Commission met last week to discuss its role, following a ruling by the Berlin Board of Appeals that overturned a recent commission decision.
“I’ve never sat on the other side and listened to the zoning appeals board,” commission member Mary Moore said. “I was like, is that how we seem sometimes? A little out there? I would love to think that we could all get that knowledge and be right where we should be.”
The board of appeals had expressed confusion over why the historic commission denied a pylon sign insert for the Berlin Butcher Shop, citing a lack of clear-cut reasoning in the minutes of a meeting in October.
Moore said if the commission was simply going by the zoning code book, “there’s no reason to be here.”
“That’s correct,” Engelhart said. “If it’s just by an ordinance or just by strict guidelines, then there is no reason to have [the commission]. The reason to have it is for your judgment.”
“It’s not supposed to be cut and dried – you’re supposed to have a discussion. That’s why you’re panel of five – you’re not a panel of one,” he added.
Engelhart said that since he started working for the town, rulings by the commission had been established as being “based on the aesthetic and what’s complimentary to each neighborhood.”
“The historic district is not huge by any means – it’s pretty much centered on the downtown and Main Street,” he said.
The commission discussed at length section 104-27 of the town code, on “commission considerations.”
According to code, when the commission reviews plans for new construction or changes to an existing structure it “shall give consideration” to four specific areas.
They are: “The historic or architectural value and significance of the structure, site and all other appurtenances and their relationship to the historic value of the surrounding area.
“The relationship of the exterior architectural features of the structure, site and to the remainder of the structure and other appurtenances to the surrounding area.
“The general compatibility of the exterior design, arrangement, texture and materials proposed to be used for any structure or appurtenance.
“Any other factors, including aesthetic factors, which the commission deems to be pertinent.”
A general consensus was given that, before voting on any motion during future commission meetings, the group would specifically cite at least one of those four areas.
Commission member Betty Tustin called the work session “very helpful” and asked if regular sessions of a similar nature could be held.
“At any meeting, after you’ve had cases, we can certainly say new business is let’s talk about this some more – or have another work session.” Engelhart said. “If you’re at a meeting anyway, we could always talk.”