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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080507S. WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION 80 West Baltimore Street Hagerstown, Maryland 21740-6003 Telephone: 301-791-3065 TDD/Hearing Impaired: 301-791-3070 FAX:301-791-3017 AGENDA HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND CONFERENCE ROOM 1A & B WASHINGTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ANNEX 80 WEST BALTIMORE STREET MAY , 2008 7:00PM M A. Call to Order B. Roll Call & Minutes — May 7, 2008 C. Communications & Bills 1. FAA letter re: Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove farmhouse at Hagerstown Regional Airport 2. MD Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference E. Unfinished Business 1. Comprehensive Plan update (BRING MATERIALS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING) F. Budget G. New Business 1. Demolition Permit #2008-01415 , 13220 Maugansville Road * ,\2. Permit # 2008-01556, 18578 Shepherdstown Pike, new construction in the AO -1 zone* 3. Demolition Permit #2008-01715 Marsh Pike * 4. TC-08-001, Tax credits application for 806.The Terrace, Hagerstown Proposed cell tower, Warfordsburg Road, Hancock; MD* 6. SP -08-015, proposed winery, Barnhart Road, Clear Spring vicinity* ✓7. PC -08-002, Hagerstown Gateway, SE quildrant of I-70/US 40 interchange H. Other Business I. Executive Session J. Adjournment * = written material enclosed \HDC\aMAY08.DOC NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MAY MEET IN CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.508, STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND. INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT. CONTACT PERMITS DEPARTMENT AT (301) 791-3065 VOICEODD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS NO LATER THAN TEN (10) WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING. RECYCLED PAPER 0 U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration April 22, 2008 Ms. Carolyn Motz Airport Manager 18434 Showalter Road Hagerstown, Maryland 21742 WASHINGTON AIRPORTS DISTRICT OFFICE 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210 Dulles, Virginia 20166 Telephone: 703/661-1354 Fax: 703/661-1370 Re: Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmstead — Hagerstown Regional Airport Dear Ms. Motz: We received several comments regarding preservation, rehabilitation and reutilization of the Brumbaugh-Kendle Grove Farmstead located on the Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) through the use of state or local funds. In response to this request, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has outlined the federal requirements since the Brumbaugh-Kendle Grove Farmstead was purchased with federal grants as part of the extension of Runway 27. When an airport sponsor accepts a grant from the FAA it is a binding agreement, obligating the sponsor and the United States in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant. FAA Order 5100.38C, Airport Improvement Program Handbook and the Grant Assurances provide specific guidance for the administration of the grant program by the FAA. If a structure is to be relocated because its present location constitutes an airport hazard or impedes eligible airport development, then such relocation would be eligible up to the estimated costs to demolish and remove the structure. HGR received multiple grants under a Letter of Intent for the overall runway extension project, which included money to demolish the house. A Letter of Intent identifies a maximum amount of funding for a specific project; therefore no additional FAA funds are available. The funds identified in the Letter of Intent for demolition can be used towards a project to relocate or move the structure(s). All eligible projects that fall under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 139 — Certification have been funded at HGR, therefore rehabilitation of the structures would not be eligible for FAA funding. All eligible projects that fall under Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1542 — Airport Security have been funded at HGR, therefore additional security measures above what has already been provided would not be eligible for FAA funding. • Any planned re -use of the farmstead must be coordinated with and acceptable to the United States Department of Homeland Security. • Real property purchased with a federal grant, such as the Farmstead, must be used for Airport Improvement Program grant eligible airport purposes. Based on the federal conditions on the Farmstead, as listed above, the FAA believes there are at least three potential outcomes; 1. A local historic society or private citizen can relocate the Farmstead, 2. Advertise for architectural salvage, 3. Rehabilitate the Farmstead with local funds and HGR would use the buildings for airport purposes. If you have any questions, please contact me at 703-661-1362. Sincerely, Jennifer Mendelsohn Environmental Specialist cc: Elizabeth Cole, Maryland Historical Trust Caleb Eby Hagerstown Aviation Museum Heart of the Civil Was Heritage Area Hagerstown Preservation Design District Commission Washington County Historical Society Washington County Historical Trust Washington County Planning Department A unified effort by the: Washington County Historic District Commission, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee, Washington County Planning Commission, Washington County Historical Trust, Maryland Historical Trust, and Preservation Maryland Proposal for the Preservation and Rehabilitation of the Brumbaugh - Kendle - Grove Farmstead presented to the: Washington County Commissioners, Hagerstown Regional Airport, Federal Aviation Administration. The demolition of a historical resource is now deter- mined to be of economic, cultural, and environmental interest to the surrounding community. A concerted ef- fort to preserve a historic structure validates the right of the community to become involved in the disposition of its common heritage. The preservation community hold the common belief that historic buildings, as the em- bodiment of a community's history, are part of the broad public trust and that the loss of these structures has an adverse impact on the quality of life for the whole com- munity. In upholding a community's right to be beautiful as part of the notion of the public good, the courts have established that issues of beauty, and by interpretation preservation, are not solely the domain of the property Proposal to rehabilitate the historic property known as the Brumbaugh -Kendall -Grove Farmstead located at 14301 Pennsylvania Avenue, presently owned by the Washington County Commission- ers, under the authority of the Department of Public Works and the Hagerstown Regional Airport, into a serviceable, income -producing commercial facility. The goals of this proposal are to: I. Save and protect one of the historic treasures of Washington County. II. Demonstrate Washington County's Commissioner's willingness to engage in a proactive historical preservation process to save a historic farmstead while remaining in compliance with the security and sensitive measures necessary to further the economic and security goals of the Hagerstown Regional Airport. III. Whereas Washington County Commissioners have accepted financial incentives and entered into an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the acquisition of this property, all im- provements or agreements will abide by the covenants of the grant assurances as dictate by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). IV By the use of grants, loans, and other available funds, rehabilitate the exterior of the house and barn under the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation defined as, "the process of returning a property to a state of'utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contempo- rary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values. " Should the county accept financial grants or loans from the Mary- land Historical Trust or Preservation Maryland, those agencies will require historical easements designed to protect, enhance and perpetuate the Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove farmstead. V. Renovate the interior of the house to a level deemed "decent, safe and sanitary," in accordance with the requirements noted in the FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-17, Sec. 6-3. Interior renovation may be accomplished without cost to the county in exchange for lease incentives to as part of a leasehold im- provement agreement. VI. Rehabilitate this farmstead to the above -cited levels for the purpose of creating a valuable, incom- ing -producing property suitable for lease to whomever the Washington County Commissioners, Depart- ment of Public Works, or the directors of the Hagerstown Regional Airport select as appropriate tenants. VII. Establish and overlay the farmstead with a Historical Preservation District as identified in Article 20 of the Washington County Zoning Ordinance thereby ensuring all exterior rehabilitation and future improvements meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. VII. This farmstead is identified on the Washington County Historical Site Survey, and the Maryland Historical Trust Property Inventory (WA -I-480), as eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Placement of this farmstead on the National Register would enhance the value, and aid in the perpetuity of the farmstead should Washington County Commissioners ever choose to return this property to private ownership. Justifications for adoptions of this plan - The acquisition of this farmstead in 1999 as part of the enlargement of the Hagerstown Regional Airport was a worthwhile and necessary measure. Since the acquisition of this historic property, the house and barn have been allowed to deteriorate to a level where immediate atten- tion is necessary. The Washington County Comprehensive Plan addresses "demolition by ne- glect" citing "Neither form [willful or unintentional] is necessary or desirable." As stewards of one of Washington County's historic properties, allowing this continued demolition by neglect is unacceptable. A thoughtful and correct adaptive reuse of the historic structures at the Brumbaugh-Ken- dle-Grove Farmstead would: a. Demonstrate to the citizens of the county the County Commissioner's proactive stance on historic preservation. b. Demonstrate to independent developers that rehabilitated historic structures can provide modern, efficient contemporary uses. c. Provide a good example of interagency coordination of Washington County's Historic resources in light of recent negative publicity regarding two prominent landmarks, Fort Ritchie and The Antietam National Battlefield, inclusion on "Most Endangered" lists. As part of Washington County's status as a Certified Local Government, a Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Review of this property was conducted. Numerous agencies including the: Historic District Commission (HDC), The Washington County Historic Trust (WCHT), The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), Washington County Advisory Board, Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA) and the Washington County Planning Commis- sion were asked to comment. Without exception, all agencies determined this property to be of cultural and historic significance worthy of preservation. Of particular significance is the letter from the Planning Commission director Michael Thompson in which he states, "It is also evident that demolition or removal is not the only alter- native to address the security concerns for an unoccupied structure.... Although clearly in need of considerable investment to return the structure to productive use, it is also obvious that the complex represents and displays evidence of many phases of Washington County's agricultural, economic and architectural history and is deserving of its National Register eligibility." There are numerous examples of commercial rehabilitation of historic property through- out Washington County. The one that most closely resembles this property is the adaptive reuse of the historic house and barn of Callas Contractors on the Downsville Pike. Clear evidence that rehabilitated historic properties do have productive re -use potential. To accomplish our goals, the county can solicit grants, loans, and fiends from a number of po- tential funding sources available for heritage preservation projects, including, but not limited to: 1) Maryland Resources i. Maryland Historical Trust ii. Preservation Maryland iii. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development iv. Maryland Grant Resource Center v. Maryland Heritage Area Authority 2) Federal Government Sources i. Department of Environments ii. Department of House and Urban Development iii. Federal Aviation Administration iv. Historic Preservation Loan Program 3) Washington County Resources i. Washington County Historical Trust ii. Local grant programs iii. General Fund Immediate Needs - To accomplish this program, there are two immediate needs: 1.. Construction of a secure perimeter fence around the house and barn to secure them from vandals, alleviating the need of the Hagerstown Airport Security to secure the house. 2. Take immediate maintenance steps to prevent additional "demolition by neglect." These measures include, but are not limited to: a. Repairing the tin barn roof to prevent internal destruction. b. Boarding the house windows to prevent internal destruction. c. Installation or replacement of the house gutters to reduce moisture damage to the house foundation. By addressing these two immediate needs, further deterioration of the property will be prevented. These measures will allow the county agencies sufficient time to apply for the necessary grants, loans, and funds necessary to accomplish the outlined goals. Recommendations - Restoration of exteriors in anticipation of tenant - A Request for Proposal (RFP) issued to certified, approved contractors with expertise in restoration of historic structures. Work would include correct restoration of all determined build- ing exteriors. Interiors of the barn and house would receive minimal attention, thereby allowing prospective tenants the opportunity to renovate as needed. A certified architectural historian would supervise the project and report back to the County Commissioners and Historic District Commission. Costs for the architect and restoration would be covered by matching grants from the Mary- land Historical Trust, Preservation Maryland, or other historic agency in exchange for an ease- ment protecting their investment. Upon completion of the exterior restoration, the complex would then be offered to ap- proved commercial entities as an incoming -producing complex owned by Washington County. Rehabilitation in Exchange for Extended Lease - ARequest forProposal (RFP) issued to certified, independent developers or companies. In exchange for correct, supervised rehabilitation of the exterior in accordance with the Secretary of Interior's Standards, approved tenants would receive extended lease considerations for use of the house and barn. Tenants would improve the interiors of the house and barn as needed to their specific industry with minimal restriction. Additional, compatible structures in fiirtherance of the tenants business would be permitted to be constructed. Again, a certified architectural historian is recommended to supervise the exterior work is completed in accordance with the Secretary of Interiors standards. Leasing of grounds surrounding the farm complex - The residual surrounding open fields not determined to be included within the commercial complex can be leased to a local farmer for crop production. This will alleviate the need for con- tinued county maintenance including mowing. Farmers would be required to agree only to plant low -cover crops for airport security reasons. Additionally, they would be required to keep the fields "weed -free" in accordance with local ordinances. Respectfully submitted, Washington County Historic District Commission, Michael Gehr, Chairman