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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210407MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 7, 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, April 7, 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, Gary Rohrer and Ex -Officio County Commissioner Jeff Cline. 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. MINUTES Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2021 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Wallace and unanimously approved. OTHER BUSINESS Design Guidelines Ms. Jenkins reported that staff has been working on a draft of the Design Guidelines, which was started several years ago. The new draft has been re -organized and scaled back from the original. These guidelines could be easily distributed to the public to reference and help make decisions about the care of historic structures. Ms. Jenkins gave a brief overview of the basic outline which includes: the purpose of the Design Guidelines, the application process and requirements, a brief history of Washington County, and information regarding the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The draft will be provided to members for review and comment at the May meeting. A copy of the original draft guidelines will also be made available to members. Ms. Jenkins noted that the HDC has the authority, by virtue of the County's Zoning Ordinance, to adopt the Design Guidelines without a public hearing with the Board of County Commissioners. A public information meeting with the HDC would be required. Staff Report Ms. Jenkins noted that Section 5D.5 of the Washington County Zoning Ordinance designates the areas throughout the County which may be reviewed by the HDC for exterior architectural changes/improvements . This section states, "In Rural Villages that are identified in Washington County's Historic Sites Inventory, individual parcels identified in the same inventory when the village is not identified, properties listed in Maryland's Inventory of Historic Places or properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the exterior appearance of new construction that requires a building permit, except buildings of 100 square feet or less, shall be subject to review and approval or disapproval by the Washington County Historic District Commission." Ms. Jenkins provided a complete list of the areas that may be reviewed by the Commission which includes areas that were previously surveyed by the Maryland Historical Trust. She also provided a map showing these areas. A link to the map and the list of the areas will be provided to members. Discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding review of historic structures within the incorporated towns in the County. Members discussed approaching the towns to offer the services of the HDC to review permits for historic structures. Staff recommends adoption of the Design Guidelines before approaching the municipalities. Staff reviewed the following permits in March: o AC&T on Hopewell Road —canopy replacement o New residential construction along Miller's Sawmill Road o Residential addition/alteration on Willow Road (placement of a new mobile home where a structure was destroyed by fire and demolished) o Pole barn replacement at 13225 Cearfoss Pike o Expansion of a church sanctuary on Mt. Aetna Road (the church is an historic structure and is listed on the Inventory) o A letter was received from the owner of Stonemont informing staff that the property is being restored and covenants will be added to the property requiring the historic structure to remain. The property owner is receptive to having the Historic Preservation overlay put on the property. Discussion: Ms. Aldrich asked for an update on the Review & Herald Publishing property located on Oak Ridge Drive. Ms. Baker stated that the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a recent application to reduce the number of parking spaces required on the site. Ms. Jenkins noted that the demolition permit that was previously approved for the historic structures is still active. If a new project is proposed for the site, a new demolition permit would not be required. No formal site plan has been submitted at this time. There was a brief discussion regarding the length of time a demolition permit is valid. Ms. Baker said she has spoken to Mr. Ashley Holloway, Director of the Department of Plan Review & Permitting, and he has stated that this permit will remain open indefinitely. National Preservation Month Ms. Jenkins gave a brief overview of subjects she plans to cover in May celebrating National Preservation Month. Each week will feature two posts and one architectural term. Ms. Jenkins has also contacted the Washington County Historic Trust to obtain articles for success stories or structures we have lost over time. Subjects to be included are: • Week 1: What is Preservation month and historic preservation? • Week 2: The Historic District Commission • Week 3: Inventory and Tax Credits • Week 4: What we have and what we have lost. Ms. Jenkins asked members to review the information she will be sending and give their comments before April 21g Additional Comments • Ms. Aldrich noted that the Trust will be hosting two workshops: repair, replacement, restoration of windows — June 25, 26 and 27, 2021; exterior replacement, repair and restoration of soffit, gutters, etc. — September 11 and 12, 2021. If you are interested in participating, registration is thru the City of Hagerstown. • Tentative —April 13th meeting with the Board of County Commissioners to discuss the demolition permit process • Ms. Baker announced that the Heart of Civil War Heritage Area reviewed grant applications for funding for the coming year. • Mr. Clemens announced that the Kretzer House on Main Street in Sharpsburg is for sale. This was an important structure during the Battle of Antietam where many people sheltered in the basement. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Rohrer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith and so ordered by the Chairman. Respectfully submitted, Jill L aker, Director Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning