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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-1-05MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 6, 2005 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 Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at 7:05 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington County Administrative Annex. Members present included: Jane Hershey, Sandra Izer, Merry Stinson, Carla Viar and David Wiles. Also present was County Commissioner Dori Nipps and staff members, Stephen T. Goodrich and Debra Eckard. Member Eleanor Lakin was absent. C. MINUTES The minutes from the March 2, 2005 meeting were presented. A motion was made by Ms. Izer to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Wiles, Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS None E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chenev's Neck Road Mr. Goodrich presented a copy of the letter that was sent to Todd and Tracey Bowman in February 2005. Mr. Goodrich also stated that he has had several discussions with Mr. Dan DiVito, Director of Permits and Inspections and Ms. Angela Smith, Deputy Director of Permits & Inspections regarding the course of actions that can be taken to resolve this issue. They have stated that court proceedings would be the next step to resolve this matter; however, due to the lack of significant documented evidence and the length of time that has passed, this course of action is not recommended. Mr. Gehr recommended sending a certified letter to the Bowman's stating that the correspondence of February 15th is the Commission's final decision unless new plans are submitted before the next HDC meeting on May 4, 2005. Copies of the correspondence should be sent to the Board of County Commissioners and the Maryland Historical Trust. Ms. Viar made a motion to recommend that the Bowman's property records be "flagged" so if historic district property tax credits are applied for in the future this issue will arise again. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. Barnes Road Bridge Correspondence Mr. Goodrich presented a copy (for informational purposes only) of the letter written by Mr. Gary Rohrer responding to the Washington County Historical Trust's letter of November 5, 2004. This correspondence is for informational purposes only. TC-05-001,112 Broadway (Follow-up) Mr. Goodrich stated that he has contacted Mr. Colin Ingraham of the Maryland Historical Trust regarding the column replacement issue at 112 Broadway. Mr. Ingraham stated that the Trust believed the columns were going to be replaced "in -kind" and if they had known they were replaced with fiberglass columns, the credit would have been denied. However, since this application was reviewed three years ago, the time limit has passed for the Trust to pursue any kind of action. F. BUDGET Mr. Goodrich presented information for the Annual State Conference stating that there are funds available for any member planning to attend. G. Demolition Permit #2005-02780, 21101 Twin Springs Drive Mr. Goodrich presented Demolition Permit #2005-02780 for property located at 21101 Twin Springs Drive and identified in the Washington County Historic Sites Survey as site #WA -I-095. When a permit is applied for on a property listed in the Inventory, the application must be presented to the Historic District Commission for review and comment. If the Historic District Commission recommends denial of the permit application, it must then be presented to the Washington County Planning Commission for their review and comment. Mr. Goodrich introduced Mr. Sandy, the contract purchaser, and Mr. Palmer, owner of the property. Mr. Sandy presented photographs of the property proposed for demolition and photographs of the houses in the surrounding area. Mr. Sandy owns and lives in the adjacent property to the east. He plans to demolish this structure and is proposing to construct a cape cod or a colonial style house on the property. Mr. Sandy stated that the original logs within the current structure are infested with termites. No report was available. Mr. Sandy also stated that he has not had the structure inspected by a structural engineer. Ms. Izer presented information regarding the history of the structure, which served as Luther Bett's general store from 1863 until the early 1900's. Ms. Izer and Ms. Stinson recommended that Mr. Sandy obtain information regarding tax credits for rehabilitation of historic properties. Mr. Goodrich stated that the County offers a 10% credit on property taxes for any work done on the outside of the structure according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Maryland offers a 20% income tax credit for interior and exterior rehabilitation. There are also Federal tax credits available. In order to receive the County and State tax credit, the property must have the Historic Preservation zoning. Ms. Stinson volunteered to visit the property with Mr. Palmer to obtain more information regarding the architectural history and current condition of the structure. Mr. Gehr suggested selling or donating the historic components of the structure. Commissioner Nipps stated that Rural Heritage Museum is organizing a Rural Village at the Ag Center using donations of historic structures. Ms. Stinson made a motion to recommend denial of the demolition permit based on the significance of the structure as stated in the Washington County Historic Sites Survey for Site WA -I-095 and its importance in maintaining the character of the Rural Village of Chewsville. Mr. Gehr added to the motion that if the demolition permit is issued, the structure should be documented before it is demolished and all parts should be donated for re -use. Ms. Viar added to the motion that this recommendation is made based on the lack of significant information to justify demolition. The motion and its additions were seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. PC -05-011, Artz Property Mr. Goodrich presented a preliminary consultation for the Artz property located on Rench Road. There are inventoried historic structures located on adjacent properties and a forest buffer between these two properties. Ms. Izer made a motion to recommend that the planting area between the Artz property and the former Brethren Church be maintained as a buffer area. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. DP -05-001, Black Rock PUD Final Development Plan Mr. Goodrich presented the final development plan for the Black Rock PUD located on the north side of Mt. Aetna Road. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Snavely Farm houses, previously proposed for demolition, have been retained on their own lots. Ms. Stinson made a motion to commend the developer for setting aside the two historic houses on their own lots for purchase and rehabilitation and to recommend that the existing barn be set aside on its own lot. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS None. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Hershey made a motion to adjourn the meeting a 9:00 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. Respeytfully ub ted Stephe T. Goodrich Chief Senior Planner STG/dse