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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-4-06MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSii FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY October 4, 2006 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, October 4, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington County Administrative Annex, 80 West Baltimore Street. Members present included: Michael Gehr, Sandy Izer, Charles Stewart, Carla Viar and Merry Stinson. Also present was County Commissioner Dori Nipps and Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. Mr. Goodrich stated that the following item has been deleted from this evenings Agenda: 4) Preliminary design review of multiple new dwellings by Interfaith House in the Cascade Rural Village. After further review, Mr. Goodrich established that the property is in Cascade; however, it does not have the historic inventory and therefore is not subject to the Commission's review. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the September 6, 2006 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS Mr. Goodrich included an article from Old House Journal entitled "Dealing with Growing" for the members use. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Leitersbura Fire Hall Mr. Goodrich presented for review and recommendation the preliminary design of the Leitersburg Fire Hall, located at 21431 Leiter Street in the Rural Village zoning of Leitersburg. The applicant is proposing to remove the existing structure and build a new structure on the existing footprint and will include a second story. The architect for the Fire Hall stated that they plan to use materials that are similar to what is on the building now, the roof will be slightly lower, and there may be an elevator added that would add some height to the rear of the building. The first floor has simulated stone on the exterior of the building and will be used on the new building with siding on the second floor that is compatible with other buildings in the neighborhood. The roof will be metal. Mr. Goodrich referenced several architectural features that appear within the Rural Village zoning of Leitersburg. The village retains its approximate 1815-1830 appearance. The buildings in the town are primarily log structures and intended to be covered with another type of external material. There is a wide variety in the size of buildings ranging from a one-story cabin to multi- story commercial buildings. Many of the buildings have been changed over the years with decorative materials and additions; however, they ,still retain their architectural character. Leitersburg is a well-preserved 191h century village. 'Many buildings have been covered with modern materials but nearly all retain their original window patterns and exhibit their original details such as window trim and sash. There is a collection of early 19`h century commercial buildings that include log, stone and brick. The architect is generally vernacular in nature although there are some examples of specific styles, for example from the Federal period, the great revival style, Victorian, and other buildings that have been Victorianized with additional details, and the four-square design. One back portion of the building will remain and will be insulated. The elevator would be installed in this portion of the building. Comments: Mr. Gehr noted that the existing structure is not a contributing structure in the Rural Village zone. Mr. Stinson noted that most of the structures in the area are two story structures so the two-story fire hall would be compatible. Ms. Stinson stated her opinion that a simple horizontal siding would be preferable. Ms. Izer made a motion based on the preliminary review of the plans, if constructed in accordance in scale and mass with the submitted plans, the HDC finds the structure to be compatible with the Rural Village and the registered historic district of Leitersburg and the adjoining properties in the neighborhood and is consistent with the design guidelines of the Rural Village and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Discussion before the vote: Ms. Stinson requested that the motion be amended to recommend that horizontal siding should be used on the structure. Mr. Gehr suggested that final approval should be based on materials selections including the horizontal siding. Ms. Izer amended her motion that the siding should be horizontal and final approval would be subject to review of the plans at the building permit stage. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Unanimously approved. Ringgold Church of Christ Mr. Goodrich presented for review and recommendation the preliminary design plans for the Ringgold Church of Christ in the Rural Village zone of Ringgold. Mr. Goodrich highlighted several comments from the Historic Sites Inventory for the Rural Village zone of Ringgold. He stated that the district's historic significance dates from 1825 to 1920. The district is primarily residential in character and 90% of the structures are considered contributing structures within the district. Its predominant character is that of a district of a rural western Hamlet located atop a hill overlooking a spacious valley. The district retains its integrity in each of the seven qualities which include location, design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling and association. The vast majority of the structures are of wood construction, have front porches of varying scales and forms and there is a variety of domestic outbuildings in the district. The buildings in the district vary in height between one and one-half to two and a half stories, most have laterally oriented gabled roofs with standing seamed metal or asphalt shingles, windows are almost exclusively flat-topped, however, in a few cases there are pointed arched windows and most windows are sparsely ornamented and have multi -light sashes. The majority of the buildings have rock foundations. The architectural character i$ primarily vernacular with most buildings executed without reference to a particular building style. There is also a vernacular church building located at the bottom of the hill. Discussion: Ms. Izer expressed her concern that the proposed Church building is much larger than the existing buildings in the Rural Village. Based on design guidelines for the Rural Village zone, the proposed structure is not compatible with the existing village. Church representatives stated that the buildings now being used by the Church would remain in place. There was a brief discussion regarding a new entrance to the rear of the proposed Church from Route 64 since the current entrance is so small. The Church has investigated this proposal and would need to purchase additional property; however, the current owner is unwilling to sell any property. The Church is proposing to demolish one of the homes they currently use to construct another access point. Mr. Goodrich reminded Commission members that while they should be reviewing and discussing the scale of the project, they should also remember to include the flexibility they're allowed since this is new construction. He believes that there may be ways to change the design and surfaces to break up the massive appearance of the building. Church representatives stated that the Church has existed in the community for 100 years and they do not intend to compromise the integrity of the rural village. The Church has always been the largest structure in the Rural Village. The Church is located in the lowest point of Barkdoll Road. The property is completely surrounded by trees on the west and north sides. There was a brief discussion regarding the second access. Church representatives stated that the second driveway would be located where one of the current historic houses now sits at Misty Meadow Road. They believe this design would help to keep most of the traffic out of the Rural Village on Barkdoll Road. Commission members expressed their opposition regarding the removal of the historic house for the new entrance. Mr. Goodrich stated that the site plan has been reviewed and approved by the Washington County Engineering Department with only one access. Mr. Gehr suggested that a perspective view of the proposed building would be useful for Commission members and that members should focus on the type of materials that will be used for compatibility with the neighborhood. Church representatives presented samples of materials and earth -tone colors intended for use on the new structure. Ms. Izer stated that according to the design guidelines for a rural village, the HDC has the authority to prevent large amounts of inappropriately scaled development or uses. Mr. Goodrich stated that the guidelines cannot limit the size of a structure. Commissioner Nipps expressed her opinion that the Church is a mainstay of the community and is traditionally one of the largest structures in the community. Commission members would like to see an depth perception drawing of the proposed structure as well as how the structure will look within the surrounding rural village. They would like to see a view with the streetscape of Barkdoll Road. Ms. Izer made a motion to table the preliminary design review until additional information could be provided. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. Ms. Viar abstained. 18233 Manor Church Road Mr. Goodrich provided for review and recommendation the preliminary design review of a building addition for 18233 Manor Church Road in the Tilghmanton Rural Village zone. The original proposal was for use of a modular structure as an addition to an existing house. Since the distribution of the Agenda packets, the proposal has changed and Mr. Goodrich distributed photographs of a doublewide mobile home that will be used instead. The structure is located outside of the historic portion of the Rural Village. The addition will be attached to the existing house by a breezeway and will sit behind the existing garage. The color of the siding on the doublewide will match the siding on the house and garage. Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that the addition does not fit with the existing historic house; however, it fits as a linear part of the garage. Ms. Viar stated that because it is not a permanent structure it could be easily removed without having a negative effect. Ms. Viar made a motion that after inspection of the preliminary plans and property at 18233 Manor Church Road, the Commission finds that, if constructed in accordance with the plans that have been reviewed, the project is compatible and does not give any negative effect to the Rural Village or the adjoining properties and therefore, as a preliminary design review, approve the plans as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Nipps distributed copies of an application for a new member to fill Eleanor Lakin's vacancy. By consensus, the Commission recommended Mr. Robert Bowman, II be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to fill the vacancy on the Historic District Commission. Commissioner Nipps will bring this item before the County Commissioners at their next meeting. Mr. Goodrich informed the Commission members that Mr. David Wiles has been re -appointed for a second term. Mr. Gehr noted that the 2007 Meeting Schedule was included in the Agenda packet. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Viar made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Izer. So ordered Resp'e tf lly su rn ed, dJL Stephen . Goodrich Chief Planner