Weston CPC approves appraisals for three historic properties, advances elder housing design

WESTON -- January 22, 2018, Weston Community Preservation Committee approves appraisals for three historic properties and advances $400,000 elder housing design request. Meeting January 22, the committee unanimously funded $4,500 appraisals for preservation restrictions on 120 Summer Street, known as the Lilac House and believed to date to circa 1687, and on 71 Lexington Street, the pre-1703 John Warren House; a third appraisal at 261 Merriam Street passed with one dissenting vote. All three appraisals are the first step toward formal preservation restrictions the Weston Historical Commission hopes to bring to a future town meeting. The committee also heard a presentation on a $400,000 CPC design funding request for a 14-unit addition to the Brooks School elder housing campus, estimated at $3.5 million to $4 million to build, with a feasibility study by GNAPP Design due to be substantially complete before the March 26 public hearing. A separate $28,000 request to fund Regional Housing Services Organization support for the Weston Housing Trust was discussed but not voted on, with the town's elder housing capacity described as roughly 80 units below recommended levels.