HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201202MINUTES OF THE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY
December 2, 2020
Due to current social meeting restrictions put in place by the Governor of Maryland because of the COVID-
19 pandemic, the Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. virtually using Zoom software. No physical meeting took
place.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commission members present were: Tom Clemens, Ann Aldrich, Vernell Doyle, Edie Wallace, Michael
Lushbaugh, Greg Smith, and Gary Rohrer. Staff members present were: Washington County Department
of Planning & Zoning: Jill Baker, Director; Jennifer Kinzer, Deputy Director; Meghan Jenkins, GIS
Coordinator; and Debra Eckard, Administrative Assistant. Also present at the meeting Lloyd Yavener.
MINUTES
Ms. Doyle made a correction to the October 5, 2020 minutes. Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the
minutes of the October 5, 2020 meeting as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Wallace and
unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Permit #2020-04285 — 4425 Main Street, Rohrersville
Ms. Jenkins presented for review a permit for a porch addition to the house located at 4425 Main Street
in Rohrersville.
Discussion and Comments: Ms. Doyle asked if the property is located in a flood plain. Ms. Jenkins stated
it is not located in a flood plain.
Ms. Wallace noted that the porch will be constructed of pressure treated lumber and asked if the porch
would be painted. Mr. Yavener, property owner, stated the pressure treated lumber will be used only for
the porch decking. The rails will be made from pine or mahogany and painted white to match the trim on
the house. The owners have not decided if they will paint the decking.
Ms. Doyle noted that the proposed porch does not match the shadow depicted on photographs of the
house. Mr. Yavener stated that the old porch was constructed with a cinder block foundation and was not
original to the house. Ms. Doyle asked if the railings would be behind the columns. Mr. Yavener stated
that the railings would attach to the sides of the columns.
Mr. Rohrer asked what the pilasters would be constructed of. Mr. Yavener stated the pilasters will have a
concrete core faced with brick on all sides and painted to match the house.
Ms. Jenkins noted that the porch was not referenced in the historic inventory as an architectural feature
of the house, Mr. Yavener believes the porch was probably constructed in the 1940s or 1950s. Ms. Wallace
expressed her opinion that originally the house likely had just a "landing" rather than a porch due to
architectural detailing present.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Rohrer made a motion to approve the permit as presented. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Doyle and unanimously approved with Mr. Clemens abstaining from the vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
Staff Report
• Ms. Jenkins noted that staff reviewed the following applications in November: 1 ag certificate in
the Antietam Overlay zone.
• Ms. Jenkins reported that she attended the MAHDC annual meeting. New trainings will be offered
soon.
• Ms. Jenkins attended the first Battle of Falling Waters listening session hosted by Preservation
Maryland. They are currently exploring the obstacles that are preventing the Battlefield from
being recognized. A lot of good discussion between property owners and interested parties was
held.
• The MAHDC training for members was held on November 20`h. The power point presentation will
be made available and distributed to members soon.
• Ms. Baker attended the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area meeting. This was a video presenta-
tion which is available on YouTube. There was a financial study regarding tourism completed that
included the entire Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and all other Heritage Areas across the
State of Maryland. This data will be extremely useful in the future for preservation in the County.
• Proposed changes to the Demolition Permit Policy is scheduled to be heard by the Board of County
Commissioners on Tuesday, December 8th. Ms. Linda Irvin -Craig and Mr. Ralph Young of the HAC,
and Mr. Clemens will be presenting this information to the Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Lushbaugh and so ordered by the Chairman.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill L. B <er, Director
Washington County Department of Planning
& Zoning