HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210106MINUTES OF THE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY
January 6, 2021
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, January 6, 2021 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: Jennifer Kinzer, Deputy Director; Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator; and Debra
Eckard, Administrative Assistant.
MINUTES
Mr. Rohrer made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 2, 2020 meeting as presented. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Lushbaugh and unanimously approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
11676 Hopewell Road
A Section 106 Filing notice was presented regarding the proposed construction of a 195 foot monopole
extended to 199 feet on property located in the approximate vicinity of 11676 Hopewell Road.
Discussion and Comments: Ms. Jenkins noted there are 6 historic structures within Y2 mile of the site.
Ms. Doyle expressed her concern with regard to the drastic change in setbacks from neighboring
properties. However, due diligence has been met and the neighboring properties do not seem to have an
issue with the change.
There was a brief discussion regarding the properties within the % mile radius from the site. Ms. Jenkins
gave a brief update on these properties. She noted that the Ridenour Farm was mentioned in another 106
application review from 2000. At that time, MHT determined that the structure was potentially eligible
for the National Historic Register because of its architecture and archeological resources nearby.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Doyle made a motion that the Historic District Commission does not object to the
construction of the monopole at 11676 Hopewell Road. The motion was seconded by Ms. Aldrich and
unanimously approved.
Certified Local Government Response Draft
The Commission briefly reviewed the Certified Local Government Response draft prepared by Ms. Jenkins.
Members offered the following recommendations/corrections/comments to the document:
• Ms. Aldrich noted that she should not be listed as a Department of the Interior SOI. She does not
believe she qualifies under the CLG definition.
• Q 14: The answer should be yes
• Q 15: Add Michael Lushbaugh and Greg Smith as new appointments to the Board
• Q 31: Three priorities for the coming year: Review/Expand/Update historic inventory survey and
photos, Identify and explore the implementation of historic rural landscapes and include them in
the historic surveys, Seek funding
o Motion and Vote: Ms. Doyle made a motion to add the three priorities listed above in
the Certified Local Government Response. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rohrer and
unanimously approved.
• Q 38: Add an "a" to the name Wallace
• Q 44: Add the Tax Credit brochure that was completed by the HAC and updates to the website
for the HDC
• Q 36: Add Gary Rohrer's , Interest: preservation of historic public infrastructure; Tom Clemen's
interest: Local Civil War history; Add Edie Wallace as an SOl historian
o Consensus: All of these changes were approved by acclamation.
Staff Report
• Staff reviewed 1 residential addition alteration for 16836 Shaffer Road (Permit #2020-05040). This
was not in an area typically reviewed by the HDC.
• 106 Review for the Sharpsburg Water Tower — project is for the replacement and upgrade of
equipment - no additional comments on the impact of this project to historic structures
• The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Advisory Committee met on December 17`^. It was
announced that the Maryland Heritage Area Grant applications are now open. The deadline for
application is January 29, 2021.
Mr. Clemens announced that the Town of Sharpsburg is applying for a Program Open Space grant to
purchase the site of the former gas station in Sharpsburg. They plan to make this a cultural, historic park
for the Town of Sharpsburg.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Wallace made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Aldrich
and so ordered by the Chairman.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill L.4Baker, Director
Washington County Department of Planning
& Zoning