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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-5-04MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY MAY 5, 2004 A and B: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission was called to order by Chairman Michael Gehr on May 5, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room #IA of the Washington County Administrative Annex Building. Members present included Frank Artz, Jane Hershey, Don Corbett, and Merry Stinson, County Commissioner Dori Nipps was also present. Also in attendance were staff members Steve Goodrich and Debra Eckard. Members not present were Eleanor Lakin and Carla Viar. C uaTuINLflflf 1 The minutes from the January 14, 2004 meeting were presented. A motion was made by Frank Artz to approve the minutes as presented and seconded by Don Corbett. The minutes were unanimously approved without any further discussion or corrections. No minutes from the November 3, 2003 meeting were available at this time. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS 1. SHA - Statewide Reforestation: All members received a copy of the Statewide Reforestation project which explains the State's efforts to reforest areas along the interstates. The State fords that there will be no negative effect to any historic properties. Within the documentation, there is a page available for members of the Commission to present their comments. There was no concensus or vote to return comments to the S.H.A. 2. Lamb's Knoll — The materials presented were a revision to a previous determination and are for informational purposes only. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There is no unfinished business at this time. F. BUDGET There are no budget items to discuss at this time. G. NEW BUSINESS 1. Demolition Permit #2004-02583, 6633 Old National Pike, Todd Easterday: Mr. Todd Easterday has applied for a demolition permit for the property located at 6633 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, which is located close to the intersection of Maryland Route 67 and Maryland Route 40 (copies of the permit application, location map and pictures from the inventory form were presented by Steve Goodrich). Steve reported that the house looks very similar as that pictured; however, some of the white lap siding has fallen off one side of the house and a layer of asphalt siding that looks like brick is underneath. Mr. Easterday, his attorney Mr. Nairn, and Mr. Johnnie Pryor were present and provided testimony as to the condition of the house in question. Mr. Nairn submitted photographs that were taken earlier in the evening prior to the meeting. Mr. Nairn asked Mr. Easterday to describe the overall condition of the property. Mr. Easterday stated that the house is in serious disrepair, the house has shifted on the foundation, the foundation has crumbled severely, the basement has standing water inside due to the house being built within a floodplain area, the floor joists have been weakened due to insect infestation, the rafters are cracked and leaking, the roof is completely off the back of the house and is covered by a tarp to keep the water out. Mr. Easterday also stated he has hired Triad Engineering to submit a structural evaluation of the house. Triad Engineering hired a consultant, Kurt Cushwa, for the study; however, Mr. Easterday did not have a copy of the findings from Triad Engineering or a representative present at the meeting. He also presented a letter from Nationwide Insurance denying insurance coverage of the house due to its present condition. Merry Stinson questioned Mr. Easterday as to any title search work that has been performed on the property. Mr. Easterday stated that he has traced the title to the property through wills and estates back to the early 1800's. He believes the house was built around 1900 and was documented in the register of wills as an asset of the Lepold estate in 1902. Merry Stinson expressed concern that the Historic District Commission was asked to offer an opinion in the significance of the structure proposed for demolition without sufficient information to determine its importance. It was her opinion as an architectural historian that the structure could be older than Mr. Easterday stated which could give it greater significance. She said she couldn't tell from the information provided if the structure was log or frame, either having significance. She believed the building would date to the early 1800's and is located in an important position along the National Road. Michael Gehr asked Steve Goodrich if the house was fixed, could a use and occupancy permit be obtained for the house since it does sit within a floodplain? Steve stated that there is a limit as to how much you can improve a building that is located in the floodplain unless it is considered historic. Historic buildings are exempt as long as the improvements do not make it unhistoric. In compliance with the Floodplain Management Ordinance, the County does not encourage people to rehab buildings in the floodplain because of flood waters. Michael Gehr stated that if the house is demolished, the Historic Commission would like Mr Easterday to thoroughly document the house, including photographic documentation. Merry Stinson made the motion to oppose the demolition of the structure based on its important location along the National Road, the lack of documentation of its construction date or material, and the potential for the structure to be significant due to its early construction date. The motion was seconded by Jane Hershey. Merry Stinson, Jane Hershey, and Don Corbett voted in favor of the motion, Frank Artz abstained, and there was no opposition to the motion. Steve Goodrich will now take this demolition permit before the Planning Commission on June 2°" 2. Permit #2004-02223 — Sharpsburg Elementary School: Steve Goodrich presented information concerning the construction of a sign at the Sharpsburg Elementary School entrance (copies of the application, location map and a drawing showing the proposed sign were distributed to each member). The sign would be 60" wide and 50" high, wooden painted posts, painted sign and a changeable copy box. Zoning for this property is RR — Rural Residential and setbacks are 25'. A motion was made by Jane Hershey to approve the sign. The motion was seconded by Meny Stinson. Motion was passed by unanimous vote. H. OTHER BUSINESS Steve Goodrich presented a proposed design for the guidelines being prepared with funding from the CLG program for this year. The project will not be on the same time schedule as proposed before; however, it will be completed by the end of the fiscal year. Steve will be completing most of the project himself; however, he will need to have a consultant to help with the county architectural history to be included in the project. He does feel that he will be able to have this item completed below the budgeted amount. Steve submitted an outline for the main subjects to be covered under the guidelines, a sample of a glossary for the Commission to review and ask for the Commission members' input on information from other ordinances concerning ordinary maintenance and replacement issues. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION There were no items to discuss at this time. J. ADJOURNMENT On a motion made by Jane Hershey, seconded by Don Corbett and approved unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully s tted, Stephen T. Goodrich Interim Planning Director STG/dse