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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110406MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 6, 2011 A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Chris Horst called the regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission to order on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington County Administrative Annex, 80 West Baltimore Street. Members present included: Chris Horst, Rob Bowman, Tom Clemens, Christine Toms, Kurt Cushwa, Chip Stewart and Gary Rohrer. Also present were Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard and Ex -Officio Commissioner Jeff Cline. Mr. Goodrich began the meeting by distributing a packet of background information pertinent to the Commission's authority and guidelines to be used. Packets included copies of various sections from the Zoning Ordinance, guidelines for reviewing permit applications in various zoning districts, a list of Rural Village districts where the HDC has design review authority, a copy of the Secretary of Interiors Standards, the HDC By-laws, etc. B. MINUTES Mr. Bowman made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2011 and February 2, 2011 regular meetings as presented. Second by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved with Mr. Cushwa and Ms. Toms abstaining from the vote. Mr. Cushwa and Ms. Toms have not officially been sworn in by the Clerk of the Court; therefore, they will be abstaining from all votes at this evening's meeting. C. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS - Cell Tower Information — 23523 Foxville Road Mr. Goodrich stated that a letter was received from Burgess & Niple regarding the presence of historic sites in close proximity to this proposed cell tower location. Mr. Goodrich responded to the request stating there were no historic inventory sites within '% mile of the proposed location. However, the site is located near the Appalachian Trail and recommended that the National Park Service and trail associations should be contacted about the effects of a cell tower on the Trail. Mr. Goodrich also noted that the Town of Smithsburg has a historic core that is National Register eligible. He reviewed all pertinent information that was included in his letter to the consultant and the consultant's response. Comment: Mr. Clemens expressed his concern that consultants perform the balloon tests without notifying the HDC so members could be present during the test. Mr. Goodrich stated that if he is notified prior to any testing, he will inform members. - MAHDC newsletter Mr. Goodrich noted that a copy of the Maryland Historic District Commission newsletter was included in the agenda packets for April. - Appointments Mr. Goodrich noted that the BOCC has appointed Ms. Toms and Mr. Cushwa to fill the positions recently vacated by Ms. Stinson and Ms. Izer. Copies of letters sent to Ms. Stinson and Ms. Izer from the BOCC thanking them for their service were included in the April agenda packets. Commissioner Cline stated that Ms. Stinson and Ms. Izer are welcome to attend the meetings any time and participate as citizens. Mr. Goodrich stated that Ms. Izer intends to continue to help with the Design Guidelines. D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Design Guidelines Mr. Goodrich briefly discussed an e-mail response from Mr. Kegerise of the Maryland Historic Trust regarding a question posed by Mr. Horst from the HDC. There was a brief discussion during a Design Guidelines work session relative to the issue of how to appropriately apply the Secretary of Interior's Standards to a specific design when an applicant's financial situation is such that the design changes would cost the applicant more money. There was a brief discussion regarding copies of the Design Guidelines. Mr. Goodrich will provide hard copies of the document, which may be picked up at the Planning Department offices. Ms. Eckard will send out an e-mail to the members as soon as the document is available for pick-up. - RZ-11-001 — Holcim (US) Inc. Mr. Goodrich stated that Holcim (US) Inc. has made application for the IM (Industrial Mineral) overlay zone on approximately 120 -acres of land located adjacent to its existing quarry. The property is located along both sides of Old Forge Road and the southwest side of Herman Myers Road. During its review of the application in February, the HDC was uncertain if Historic Inventory Site 1-235 was still in existence. After further investigation, it has been determined that the house was destroyed by a fire; however, there is a complex of modern buildings and a barn on the site. Discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding the existing barn, which has been updated and houses a modern dairy operation. No action required. - Proposed Cell Tower at 2367 Harper's Ferry Road Mr. Goodrich stated that the Commission previously reviewed this application and responded with comments about historic sites within close proximity to the proposed cell tower. Comments: Mr. Clemens noted that the proposed site is in close proximity to the Kennedy Farm. He stated that this is an important historical site and needs to be protected. Motion and Vote: Mr. Rohrer made a motion to amend previous comments to the applicant and request that photographs of the balloon test be provided from the Kennedy farmhouse. Second by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved with Mr. Cushwa and Ms. Toms abstaining from the vote. E. BUDGET Mr. Goodrich stated that the HDC budget was submitted in January in the same amount as the previous year. However, the proposed amount has been cut in half. There was a brief discussion regarding the usual expenses for the operation of the HDC. Mr. Goodrich stated that membership dues, publications and training are the most expended items. There was a brief discussion regarding the types of workshops or seminars that would be eligible to fulfill training requirements of HDC members. F. NEW BUSINESS - Demolition Permit #2011-01089-17443 Reiff Church Road Mr. Goodrich presented a demolition permit for property located at 17443 Reiff Church Road (WA -1-266). The applicant is proposing to demolish one of two houses located on the property. The house proposed for demolition was built in several sections with the middle being of log construction with a 1989 addition on one side and additions on the back. Mr. Goodrich stated that the applicant claims the house is not suitable for a modern day dwelling. The applicant also stated that all of the windows have been replaced and all openings have been enlarged to accommodate the windows. The majority of the rear wall has been removed to install patio doors and the original stairways have been removed. The applicant informed Mr. Goodrich that he has contacted a restoration/salvage contractor to remove and reuse materials from the building; however, the contractor did not believe any of the materials were usable or desirable. Motion and Vote: Mr. Rohrer made a motion that the HDC does not object to the demolition of the structure based on the substantial changes made to the original structure, which have compromised the historic integrity of the structure. Second by Mr. Stewart. Discussion: Mr. Bowman expressed his interest in contacting the owner to determine if any of the materials are salvageable. Mr. Clemens expressed his opinion that the owner should obtain a letter from the salvage contractor stating that the materials are not usable. Commission members briefly discussed this issue. Amended Motion and Vote: Mr. Rohrer amended his motion stating that the HDC does not object to the demolition of the structure based on the substantial changes made to the original structure, which have compromised the historic integrity of the structure and the HDC recommends that another salvage contractor inspect the structure to determine if any of the materials could be salvaged. Discussion: Mr. Clemens expressed his opinion that a member of the HDC should inspect the structure to determine if any of the materials could be salvaged and recommended Mr. Bowman. Mr. Bowman stated he would be willing to inspect the structure for significant materials that could be salvaged for the property owner, if he is willing. Amended Motion: Mr. Rohrer withdrew his amended motion for lack of a second. Second Motion: Mr. Bowman made a motion that the HDC does not object to the demolition of the structure based on the substantial changes made to the original structure, which have compromised the historic integrity of the structure. The HDC also recommends that the property owner allow Mr. Bowman to inspect the structure for salvageable materials prior to demolition. Second by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved with Mr. Cushwa and Ms. Toms abstaining. - Southern Boulevard Mr. Goodrich noted that the County is in the process of designing a new road to connect Oak Ridge Drive to Frederick Street, which would by-pass the Town of Funkstown. Since Frederick Street is US Alternate 40, which is under the jurisdiction of the State Highway Administration, an access permit will be required from the State to connect the new road. The access permit triggers a Section 106 review and it must be determined if the new road would have any negative effect on National Register eligible properties. The Maryland Historic Trust is requesting that the HDC review the permit application and determine the effect on the National Register eligible properties. Mr. Goodrich stated there is one National Register eligible site and two other historic sites in close proximity to the proposed road. Mr. Rohrer gave a brief history on the planning and design of this project. He noted that the house located on parcel 14 (Kefauver house) is proposed for demolition. The house located on parcel 635 (known as Garden Hill) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Goodrich showed a brief video of the area of the proposed road and the location of the historic structures. There was a brief discussion regarding the impact of traffic in the area, screening of the properties, and the proposed road alignment and traffic circle. Mr. Clemens expressed his opinion that with additional screening the impact on Garden Hill appears to be very minimal. Motion and Vote: Mr. Stewart made a motion that the HDC express its support for the proposed project and recommends that additional screening, if necessary, be added to protect the visual impact from Garden Hill. Second by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved with Mr. Cushwa and Ms. Toms abstaining from the vote. Motion and Vote: Ms. Clemens made a motion that the HDC express its support for the proposed project and recognizes that there will be some impact on the historic structures; however, the impact will be minimal. Second by Mr. Rohrer. Unanimously approved with Mr. Cushwa and Ms. Toms abstaining from the vote. G. OTHER BUSINESS None H. CLOSED SESSION None I. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Second by Mr. Bowman. So ordered. Respectfully submitted, Ce3� Stephen T. Goodrich Chief Planner