Gingerbread Hill residents and direct abutters Ed and Kate Birtwell distributed a letter to neighbors which detailed their concerns about the proposed plans for 9 and 11 Gingerbread Hill May 14.
Their list of “strong objections” to the project were:
- That the “massive size of the proposed structure,” which would combine 9 and 11 Gingerbread Hill, “does not fit into the historic scale of the surrounding cottages.”
- That “the new building would dwarf the surrounding cottages and eradicate the last vestige of open land while totally obscuring the views of forest and ledge which are currently enjoyed by all the townspeople who daily walk our street for its serene and peaceful glimpses of the past.”
- That “any disruption to the ledge such as blasting or digging or the use of high powered machinery… could cause irreparable damage to the houses not just on Gingerbread Hill, but also on many other streets, such as Mill Pond, Beacon Street, Norman Street and Crowninshield Road.”
- That the “overflow of water from Black Joe’s Pond” would create “a significantly expanded new footprint downstream,” “causing the water to find new pathways through abutting and adjacent properties.”
- And that “there is an underground stream” running underneath 9 and 11 Gingerbread Hill that “at times floods the property during periods of heavy rain. What will happen if that expanse of open land that now allows the natural ebb and flow of water is built on and paved over?”
“Please join us in our bid to save our beloved GBH from this latest assault,” the Birtwells wrote.
Ed and Kate Birtwell emphasized that this project “will destroy the very sense of living history… and peaceful serenity that so attracts people to our lovely Gingerbread Hill Historic District,” and asked community members to join them in attendance at the Old & Historic District Commission (OHDC) meeting May 20 at 7 p.m., which many did.
At Tuesday’s meeting, 9-11 Gingerbread Hill property owners Andrew and Dana Bull and Jeff Tucker of Tucker Architecture sat at the table once again to show the OHDC their proposed plans. Commission Chair Charles Hibbard began this conversation by addressing the audience.
“We, the Commission, acknowledge the receipt of a number of emails, letters and other communications regarding this project, and we will enter those into the record,” he said.
He also told the audience that, when given the chance to speak at a later time, they solely make comments and questions “that are based in historically appropriate nature.” He added that the Commission does not have the purview over selling, planning, drainage or anything related to engineering. “This is strictly about what’s historically appropriate,” Hibbard said.
Tucker then presented the latest design.
“Our goal is to expand an existing home to accommodate a family of six. In doing this, we plan to preserve the existing cottage, which everyone has spoken fondly about. The existing cottage will be protected and preserved as part of this project,” Tucker said. “We have been before the board on two occasions, and we have taken feedback on each one. The building has been improved and refined as a result of those conversations.
“The current scheme calls for the following:
- “Number one, the preservation and protection of the existing cottage on the site (at 11 Gingerbread Hill).
- Number two, the relocation and reuse of the existing house structure. The structure will be relocated onto a new foundation in a conforming location on the combined lot.
- Number three, flanking additions of approximately 1,700 square feet are planned to accommodate additional square footage for bedrooms and living spaces. These additions are located in conforming locations, as we step down with the slope of the site.
- And number four, we’ve also developed a site plan per your request with the gravel driveway and parking area, much in keeping with the neighboring properties.”
Andrew Bull said, “to provide a little bit of context to you folks, as well as our adoring fans in the audience,” he and his wife had purchased 9 Gingerbread Hill, and their growing family had “quickly outgrown it,” which led the Bulls to move while retaining ownership of the properties, but they would “love to come back and raise our family on the Hill, and that’s what we’re here to do.”
Addressing some rumors from community members that the Bulls were developers who have always planned to flip these properties, Andrew Bull added that “this isn’t an economic decision. This is a family decision that we’re trying to accomplish… making sure we’re following all zoning and town bylaws as relates to setbacks and height restrictions, and of course the historic appropriateness of the building and how it fits into the neighborhood.”
The sole Commission member to air any serious qualms about the project was Hibbard, who said he was “not able to support this” project because he was struggling to find comfort in this project being done on Gingerbread Hill and also had concerns about the “flat yard.”
But after the roughly 40-minute conversation, the OHDC decided Tuesday night to move forward with the Bull’s project, and a public hearing for 9-11 Gingerbread Hill was set for June 17. Community members and Gingerbread Hill abutters will get the chance to speak on this project at that public hearing if they so choose.
