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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-8-04MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY DECEMBER 8, 2004 A and B. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order by Chief planner Stephen T. Goodrich on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 7:20 p.m. in Conference Room 1A of the Washington County Administrative Annex Building. Members present included: Jane Hershey, Merry Stinson, David Wiles and Eleanor Lakin (via telephone). Also present was Dori Nipps, County Commissioner and staff member Debra Eckard. Chairman Michael Gehr, and Carla Viar were absent. C. MINUTES The minutes from the November 3, 2004 meeting were presented. A motion was made by Merry Stinson to approve the minutes as presented and seconded by Jane Hershey. The minutes were unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS 1) WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL TRUST LETTER RE: BARNES ROAD BRIDGE Steve Goodrich presented a letter for the Commission's information that was addressed to Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, from the Washington County Historical Trust, Inc. concerning the Barnes Road Bridge. WCHT offered its opinions on retaining and repairing the Barnes Road Bridge based in part on evaluations of Dr. Abba Lichtenstein, a consulting bridge engineer. The copy was apparently provided for the HDC. According to Commissioner Nipps, there are several issues addressed within this letter which are in question at this time. Commissioner Nipps explained that the County would like to replace this bridge to make it wider to accommodate larger vehicles (such as farm equipment) and to eliminate the weight limitations currently in effect on the bridge. There was discussion on the purpose of the Commission receiving the letter and it was noted that there is no request for support or approval. It was also noted that if, in the permitting process prior to construction the MHT would need to determine National Register eligibility, the HDC would be asked to comment on the matter at that time. Steve Goodrich suggested that Gary Rohrer would have more information on the project and the factors that lead the County to determine that the bridge should be replaced. Members requested contact with Mr. Rohrer to determine if he would be available to attend an upcoming meeting and provide this information. Merry Stinson asked if the 106 assessment has been conducted to determine the bridge's eligibility in the National Register. Steve will contact Mr. Rohrer and if the Assessment has been completed it will be provided. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) STATUS OF BOWMAN PERMITS #2002-09083 AND 09084, PORCHES AT 7202 DAM #4 ROAD Steve Goodrich presented a brief history for new members concerning this item. These permit applications as well as drawings for two proposed porches were brought to the HDC for approval. The property located at 7202 Dam #4 Road is located within an Historic Preservation zone where building permits require HDC approval. The first drawings were incomplete and the HDC requested more information before it could determine if the proposed construction should be approved. At a later date the Commission was advised that the porches had already been constructed. When notified the applicants presented photographs of the porches as constructed as a substitute for the requested drawings to approve the building permits which had not been issued. In October of 2003 the applicants were advised that building permit enforcement proceedings would begin if the requested information was not provided. No further action was taken by the building permits department. Steve Goodrich reported that the Permits & Inspections Department has been requested to inspect the site to determine if the porches have been removed or remain. 2) RZ-04.008 - H. B. MELLOTT ESTATES A letter was sent to H. B. Mellott Estates following the November meeting indicating the HDC's recommendation that if the house located on this site of proposed additional mining needs to be demolished, that it should be thoroughly documented and photographed. HDC also recommended that the structure should be dismantled and parts made available to interested parties for use in restorations of other historic buildings. Steve Goodrich reported that a furnace of archeological interest was reported to be located on the site also and he included in the letter a reservation of rights to further comment on the application. A few members of the HDC would like to tour the site to visit the furnace and also the historic house located on the site. Arrangements fora site visit will be made F. BUDGET No items at this time. G. NEW BUSINESS DESIGN REVIEW FOR PERMIT #2004.11073, 5834 DUNKER CHURCH ROAD Owner Eleanora Poffenberger was present for the review of this permit application., Mrs. Poffenberger proposes to enclose an existing lean-to built on a concrete slab. The structure is located in the Antietam Overlay -1 zone which requires building permit approval for all structures. The building is not considered an agricultural building and not exempt from HDC review. Mrs. Poffenberger proposes to cover the building with T- 111 siding and add three garage doors to the side of the building facing south toward the Sharpsburg Pike. The building will be used to store farm machinery and will not have a driveway coming into the building. Members were provided location maps of the site, photographs of the existing building and drawings to show the proposed siding and garage doors. During a brief discussion Commission members indicated the siding would be compatible with the vertically oriented board siding of other enclosed portions of the building. The current metal roof would remain unchanged. The Commission suggested that a different style garage door, rather than the proposed one which had a residential appearance, would be more appropriate. Mrs. Poffenberger had no objection to this change. An appropriate substitution was found in the Holmes garage door catalogue catalog. Merry Stinson made the motion to approve the application as proposed using the T-111 siding but to change the doors (as shown on the drawings provided by the owner) and to substitute the doors shown on page 9, design # 5 or 6 of the Holmes garage door catalog (supplied by the owner). The motion was seconded by Eleanor Lakin and unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS 1) ELECTION OF OFFICERS Jane Hershey made the motion to retain Michael Gehr as Chairman and Eleanor Lakin as Vice -Chairperson for the year 2005. The motion was seconded by David Wiles and unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None J. ADJOURNMENT On a motion made by Jane Hershey, seconded by Merry Stinson and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted Steph T. Goodrich Chief Senior Planner STG/dse