HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-7-05MINUTES
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSIi
FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY
December 7, 2005
A and B. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chairman Michael Gehr called the regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission to
order on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington
County Administrative Annex, 80 West Baltimore Street. Members present included: Michael
Gehr, Jane Hershey, Merry Stinson and Carla Viar. Also present was County Commissioner Dori
Nipps and Staff member Steve Goodrich.
C. MINUTES
Ms. Viar made a motion to approve the November 2, 2005 minutes as presented. Seconded by
Ms. Hershey. Unanimously approved.
D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS
Mr. Goodrich stated that a copy of the latest edition of the Forum News was included in the
Agenda packets. This edition includes a listing of all State tax credit programs available.
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
F. BUDGET
None.
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Review of Preliminary Consultation for Allison Avenue Project (PC -05-028
Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the preliminary consultation for the Allison
Avenue project located on the west side of Bower Avenue just north of its intersection with
Sterling Road. The developer is proposing a Planned Unit Development consisting of 137
townhouses on 24 acres. Mr. Goodrich stated that there is a complex of agricultural buildings
including a dwelling, listed in the inventory as site #WA -I-382 located on the property with a good
assortment of buildings contemporary with the farmhouse. During the preliminary consultation, it
was discussed that only the existing historic springhouse is being retained.
Comments: Mr. Jason Divelbiss, attorney for the developer, stated that the property has several
challenges in regard to design issues including a stream channel and wetlands located in the
middle of the site, access from public roads, the need for a second access point and the large
amount of land area, approximately 1 to 2 acres, that the farm complex covers. These factors
have contributed to the developer's tentative decision not to retain the farm complex. The
developer does intend to retain the existing springhouse.
Mr. Jerry Cump, consultant for the developer, stated that there would be a buffer established
around the springhouse due to the wetlands in that area. The stonewall surrounding the
springhouse would also be retained.
Representatives from Portrait Homes presented a slide show of the historic buildings currently
located on the property.
Mr. Goodrich suggested that the developer could apply for a Historic Preservation zone. He
briefly explained that there are county tax credits available for the restoration or rehabilitation of
historic buildings located within a Historic Preservation zone.
Several members of the Commission commended the applicant for retaining the springhouse in
the design proposal. The Commission believes that the existing historic structures should be
retained because they exhibit design characteristics and are intact examples of a typical mid 19th
century farm complex that represents Washington County's rural and agricultural heritage.
Ms. Viar made a motion to recommend that the concept be re-evaluated and an effort be made to
retain the existing dwelling and barn on separate lots in the proposed development so they can
be made available for sale to parties interested in rehabilitation and reuse. The Commission also
recommended that an alternative for the barn would be retention, rehabilitation and reuse as part
of the recreation complex proposed for the development. The recommendation for retention was
made because the structures are still in useful condition. Seconded by Ms. Stinson.
Unanimously approved.
2. New Member Recommendations
Mrs. Hershey's commission is due to expire on January 31, 2006. By consensus, members
agreed to forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners that the two-year
term limit be waived and Mrs. Hershey be reappointed.
H. OTHER BUSINESS
None.
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None,
J. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Hershey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. So ordered
Respectfully submitted,
h > c
S en T. Goodrich
Chief Senior Planner
STG/dse