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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-3-04MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY NOVEMBER 3, 2004 / f y 1I • rn7 ►milff 14KGMNA The regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order by Chairman Michael Gehr on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room lA of the Washington County Administrative Annex Building. Members present included: Jane Hershey, Eleanor Lakin, Merry Stinson, Carla Viar, and David Wiles. Also present was Dori Nipps, County Commissioner and staff members Steve Goodrich and Debra Eckard. Steve Goodrich made a request to add three additional items to the evening's agenda. Items were as follows: 1) Update on French Lane property, 2) Rezoning application that has an inventory site on it, and 3) Election of Commission officers at the December meeting. Merry Stinson also made a request to add an additional item to the agenda: update on the Todd Bowman property. A motion to add these items to the agenda was made by Jane Hershey, seconded by Merry Stinson, and the motion passed unanimously. C. MINUTES The minutes from the September 1, 2004 meeting were presented. A motion was made by Merry Stinson to approve the minutes as presented and seconded by Eleanor Lakin. The minutes were unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS Steve Goodrich presented for the Commission's information the MAHDC Newsletter, "Forum Journal" and the "Preservation" magazine. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Draft Design Guidelines Steve Goodrich distributed the second draft of the Design Guidelines dated November 2004. This draft includes several new items: a section addressing Routine Maintenance — defuutions, examples and maintenance of exterior architectural features; a Glossary and Table of Contents have been added; and a section addressing Demolition has been added. Steve has asked the Commission members for their input concerning both the first draft and the second draft of the Design Guidelines. Items also suggested by the members that should be addressed in the Guidelines would be fencing and a section on the types of new engineered materials acceptable for restoration projects of historical sites. Maps and photos will also be included within the Guidelines once the text has been finalized. 2) Reappointments and Recommendations for new members The following members were reappointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve the following terms: Michael Gehr (one year) and Carla Viar, Eleanor Lakin and Merry Stinson (three years). New appointment: David Wiles (two years). The Commissioners decided to stagger the appointments so that all members' terms would not be vacated at the same time. Steve Goodrich reported that we are still in need of one Commission member. All positions had been filled; however, John Kvach who had also been appointed to a two year term, has moved out of the state, thereby leaving one position unfilled. All interested applicants from the Commissioner's office have been exhausted. Merry Stinson had one suggestion for a new member, Sandy Izer, and will contact Ms. Izer to see if she would be interested in serving on the Commission. Commissioner Dori Nipps informed the members that candidates can apply on-line. Steve Goodrich reminded all members that there are certain background requirements within the Zoning Ordinance that must be met by Commission members. Steve included a copy of these specific requirements in the agenda package sent to the Commission members. At this time, Carla Viar expressed her concern for continuing education requirements. She has suggested training for Commission members on a yearly basis. Steve Goodrich stated that he does send out brochures on seminars and training sessions periodically to the members. There is however, a limited budget for such training and workshops. F. BUDGET FRENCH LANE — Steve began by reminding the Commission members that there is an item in their budget for the stabilization project on the French Lane property. Items that were to be completed came from the Historic Structural Report that was funded with CLG monies received in Fiscal Year 2002. With approval from the Board of County Commissioners, Steve applied for and received State grant monies for this project. One condition of acceptance of the money was for the State of Maryland to obtain an easement on the property thus allowing the State to approve any work or changes to maintain the historic integrity of the structure. When the grant agreement was presented to the Board of County Commissioners for their approval and signature a few weeks ago, the Board decided it no longer wanted to be restricted by the required easement, and therefore could not accept the grant funds. However, the BOCC will provide contingency funds equal to the amount of the grant so the project may continue as planned. Buildings, Grounds and Parks will be responsible for overseeing and/or performing the work necessary to stabilize the structure as outlined. Discussion then focused on a proposed use for the property. Commissioner Nipps felt that the County Commissioners would look to the HOC to provide some type of recommendations concerning the future use of this property. Some suggestions would be a small museum, a linear park, a restoration laboratory for training sessions for restoration at the site, an on -going demonstration project, office space, or headquarters for a county agency. Two more options offered was a curatorship whereby the tenants would restore the property using their own funds or selling the property. There is a major limitation on the property due to access (stream crossing in one direction or crossing private property in another direction). G. NEW BUSINESS 1) Demolition Permit #2004-08940, 11111 Lakeview Drive Steve Goodrich presented an application for a demolition permit for 11111 Lakeview Drive in Hagerstown owned by Lakeside Partnership. This structure is included in the County's Historic Site Inventory. Susan Grandville, Property Manager for Lakeside Partnership, presented pertinent information and photographs of the structure as it appears now. Ms. Grandville stated that three rooms on the first floor of the structure are currently used for offices by Lakeside Partnership. Plaster on the second floor is falling down and the roof is beginning to collapse thereby exposing the ceiling on the third floor. There are also numerous holes in the roof and ceiling. Debris from inside the chimneys of the nine fireplaces within the structure is falling thereby making the fireplaces inoperable. A minimal amount of asbestos was found in the basement around the pipes thereby making the basement unusable and traces of asbestos were also found in several layers of linoleum on the floors. Plans for the area where the structure now stands are to create a parking lot. The office would be moved to a new structure built elsewhere on the site. Lakeside Partnership has owned the property for approximately 15 years and has made only a minor investment to make access into the building safer by repairing sidewalks and installing railing. Lakeside Partnership was aware of the building's historical status when it was purchased; however, they have not put any money into the necessary maintenance or upkeep of the structure. The structure is architecturally beautiful and has many redeeming qualities. A motion to recommend opposition to the demolition of the structure was made by Eleanor Lakin, seconded by Jane Hershey and motion passed unanimously. The Commission recommended that the Lakeside Partnership develop a plan to re -use the building and begin to make repairs so that damage to the building does not get any worse due to unnecessary neglect. 2) PC -04-006 — The Preserve at Glen Erin (WA -I-248) There will be consultation on Friday, November 5, 2004 concerning the proposal sent to the Washington County Planning Department. There is an inventory site on the parcel but not within the area that is proposed to be developed. The inventory site has a good buffer area from the development. The Commission did not feel there was any negative effect to this site. No other comments at this time. 3) RZ-04-008 — H. B. Mellott Estates (WA -II -149) Steve presented a rezoning application from H. B. Mellott Estates for an Industrial Mineral Overlay designation to be placed on 50 to 60 acres of additional property acquired for their quarry at Beaver Creek. An historic inventory site is located on this property, but has been abandoned for at least 5 years. The inventory form (WA -II -149) was distributed during the meeting. A rezoning hearing before the Washington County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, November 15, 2004, with a 10 day written comment period after the hearing. Merry Stinson would like the Commission to be able to visit the site before the house is torn down and asked Steve to make the necessary arrangements. A motion was made by Merry Stinson to recommend that the structure should be documented, and if eventually removed, H. B. Mellott Estates would re -use the materials or offer them for sale. The motion was seconded by Carla Viar and unanimously passed. H. OTHER BUSINESS — None EXECUTIVE SESSION —None ADJOURNMENT On a motion made by Jane Hershey, seconded by Carla Viar, and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. I2esp $tful s ed, phenT. Goo ch Chief Senior Planner STG/dse