Boston Landmarks Commission Hearing - September 26, 2023

I. Design Review Applications

24.0065 BLC - 31-37 STUART STREET - JACOB WIRTH’S 

This application is for the proposed exterior rehabilitation of Jacob Wirth’s, 31-37 Stuart Street. The application includes proposed work on the front and rear facades as well as the windows and roofs.

24.0264 BLC - 193 SALEM STREET - OLD NORTH CHURCH, BOSTON, MA

Old North Illuminated, in partnership with the National Park Service, is preparing designs for accessibility improvements across the half-acre campus of Old North Church & Historic Site. This work will include a reconfiguration of the church's entrance ramp, located off Salem Street, which currently does not meet code requirements due to its short length, steep grade, lack of railings, etc. The project also includes an accessibility ramp to bypass the Freedom Trail stairs on the campus, which was presented to the BLC in November 2022.

II.  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW/APPROVAL

 In order to expedite the review process, the commission has delegated the approval of certain work items, such as those involving ordinary maintenance and repair, restoration or replacement, or which otherwise have a minimal impact on a building’s appearance, to commission staff pending ratification at its monthly public hearing. Having been identified as meeting these eligibility criteria and all applicable guidelines, the following applications will be approved at this hearing.

24.0182 BLC - 60 SCHOOL STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108 - PARKER HOUSE

The goal of the project is to address window and masonry deterioration at the north end of the Chapman Place (alley) facade. First floor repairs include preparing and coating steel windows, replacing cracked glass, and replacing a displaced window sill. Above the first floor repairs include replacement of corroded steel lintels, replacing cracked cast stone window sills, rebuilding displaced and cracked brick, repairing cracked limestone with repair mortar and dutchman if needed, replacing deteriorated and failed sealants, and repointing at upper floors.

24.0201 BLC - BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN SIDEWALKS, BOSTON, MA 02108 

City project through BTD/PWD to rebuild corners and intersections, replace/relocate accessible ramps, replace disturbed brick, and upgrade street lighting and signal equipment for compliance and aesthetic standardization.

24.0234 BLC - 125 FENWAY, BOSTON, MA 02115

The site was previously the focus of the Emerald Necklace Gatehouse Landscape Remediation project in 2018. Plantings will fall into one of three categories: replacements of the same species as the 2018 planting plans (in areas where plantings weren’t completed), substitutions of similar species for 2018 plantings that failed, and additions of species not in the 2018 plans to supplement unmet needs in the area.

24.0236 BLC - 75 ARLINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116 

Retail tenant at 75 Arlington Street, B&B Italia, proposes to install new signage at the first floor exterior of the building. Lower signage option is set into masonry and upper signage option is located on transom window glass. 

24.0032 BLC - AWNINGS AT 4 SOUTH MARKET STREET, BOSTON, MA 02109  

New awnings for the Christmas in Boston shop. The proposal is very similar to many awnings currently installed on the building.   

24.0204 BLC- SIGNAGE AT 101 SUMMER STREET, BOSTON, MA 02110 

Request for a 16" x 16" Alum. Directional Panel sign for Colonial Shoe Repair.  No mechanical fasteners will be used to adhere sign to existing column.

► Applicants whose projects are listed under this heading NEED NOT APPEAR at the hearing. Following the hearing, you will be issued a Determination Sheet to present at the Inspectional Services Department (1010 Massachusetts Avenue) as proof of project approval when applying for permits. ISD personnel will send an electronic copy of your building-permit application to the commission staff for review. (To avoid potential confusion, the text of your building-permit application should be consistent with the project description given below.) Commission staff will accordingly authorize the execution of the work, attaching any applicable provisos, reflecting the relevant guidelines and precedents. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF THE DETERMINATION SHEET NO FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ISSUED for the applications listed below. The electronic building-permit application as annotated by commission staff will constitute your Certificate of Appropriateness; this will be valid for two years from the date of the hearing. The applicant is required to notify the commission of any project changes; failure to do so may affect the status of the approval.  If you have any questions not addressed by the above information, please contact staff at 617.635.1935 or BLC@boston.gov. Thank you.

III.  SHADING TOOL - PRESENTATION SHARE 

Sun/Shade tool presented by Friends of Boston Public Garden, by Elizabeth Vizza

IV. ADVISORY REVIEW - EBEN D. JORDAN Jr. MANSION INTERIORS - 46 BEACON STREET

Review of renovation plans at 46 Beacon Street, which is a pending interior landmark. 

V. HEARING MINUTES  

Review and ratification of Public Hearing Minutes from 08/22/23.

VI. STAFF UPDATES

10/10/23 - NEXT BLC HEARING

Business Hearing at 6pm 

PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT:  8:30PM