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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-1-06MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY February 1, 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, February 1 at 7:05 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, Sandra Izer, David Wiles and Carla Viar. Also present was County Commissioner Dori Nipps and Staff members Steve Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Ms. Hershey made a motion to approve the December 7, 2005 minutes as presented. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS Maryland State Highway Administration —1-81 widenin Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the State Highway Administration's proposed widening project for Interstate 81 (Project No. WA128B11). The SHA is proposing an inside widening project between the West Virginia state line and the Pennsylvania state line and the construction of a two-lane Collector -Distributor Road that would extend from the 1-81/1-70 interchange through the 1-81/Halfway Boulevard interchange. The project also includes the widening of the 1-81 bridge over the Potomac River and revisions to the boundary of the Garden of Eden (MIHP WA -1-377). With the widening of the 1-81 bridge, the SHA has determined that the project would have an adverse effect on the C & O Canal. Ms. Stinson made a motion to agree with the State Highway Administration that there would be an adverse effect on the C & O Canal and the HDC would defer to the Maryland Historical Trust and the Park Service for future protection of the Canal. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Comment before the vote: Ms. Viar expressed her desire to have the HDC review the plans if any other changes would occur that would affect other historic properties. Ms. Stinson amended her motion to include the Commission's desire to review the plans if other changes occur that would affect other historic properties. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. Maryland State Highway Administration —1-70 Beaver Creek Thermal Impact Reduction Mr. Goodrich presented for review the Maryland State Highway Administration's 1-70 Eisenhower Memorial Highway Beaver Creek Thermal Impact Reduction project. The SHA is proposing to replace approximately 1.9 miles of existing concrete swales along westbound 1-70 and 0.1 mile along northbound Maryland 66 with vegetated swales. This project will reduce thermal impacts to Beaver Creek and its tributary Black Rock Creek, both of which suffer from increased water temperatures from highway runoff. No action required E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS SP -05-066 Mauaansville Elementary School Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the site plan for Maugansville Elementary School located along the south side of Maugans Avenue just east of its intersection with Maugansville Road. The original portion of the existing school dates back to the 1930's. The entire school building is proposed for demolition. Comments: Mr. Gehr stated that the original portion of the school has been modified several times over the years to modern standards. Commissioner Nipps stated that the proposed main access would go through the existing school and community athletic fields would be located in that area. The proposed school would be a two-story structure and would accommodate approximately 750 students. Ms. Stinson made a motion not to oppose demolition of the existing school because it is not a good example of an historic structure of its type due to the numerous alterations over time. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. RZ-06-002 Hashempour Consulting & Management, LLC Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comments the Rezoning Case RZ-06-002 for Hashempour Consulting & Management. The property is located along the west side of Maryland Route 65, north of its intersection with Maryland Route 68 and consists of 198.8 acres currently zoned A — Agricultural (Rural). The applicant is applying for a zoning designation of RV — Rural Village. The property is located adjacent to Rockland that is listed on the Washington County Historic Sites Inventory as WA -II -102 and has recently been restored and rehabilitated. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Rural Village zoning was designed to protect rural villages and boundaries were established to keep out large areas of vacant land. In villages where historic inventories have been completed, the HDC would have architectural review authority; however, this property is not included in an inventoried village. Ms. Izer noted that there is another historically significant property located just south of the site known as Widow's Mite that has been restored. She does not believe that a mistake was made in the original zoning of the property. Ms. Hershey noted that St. James School is also in close proximity to the site and they are in the process of obtaining permanent agricultural easements. Ms. Izer made a motion to recommend denial of the rezoning application to the Board of County Commissioners because this property is bounded on two sides by two significantly historic properties and is also bounded by a property that is in the process of obtaining permanent agricultural easements and it is not adherently part of the Rural Village of Lappans. Seconded by Ms. Hershey. Comments: Mr. Joe Michael and Marcie Michael, owners of Widow's Mite Farm, and Michael Moreland, owner of Rockland, were present at the meeting and offered the following comments. Mr. Michael stated that the property, until recently, was in agricultural preservation. He does not believe the current owner has an interest in historic preservation in Washington County. Ms. Izer's motion passed unanimously. RZ-06-003 Williamsport Ventures. LLC Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comments .Rezoning Case RZ-06-003, Williamsport Ventures located along the south side of Sterling Road, east side of Doub Road and north side of Kendle Road. The applicant is requesting a zoning classification of Agriculture with a Planned Unit Development Overlay on 328 acres. A similar request was previously submitted and reviewed by the HDC; however, the applicant withdrew the rezoning request and has submitted a new zoning application with a revised development plan. The new development plan proposes 967 units consisting of single-family dwellings, townhouses and duplexes. A commercial area and a school site have also been proposed on the site. The HDC previously recommended retention and reuse of the existing historic complex located on the Ebersole property that is part of this rezoning request. During the last rezoning hearing, the developer stated it was not their intention to retain the buildings and presented a brief analysis performed by an architect stating that the buildings are in poor condition and have no significant historical value due to the numerous modifications over the years. Comments: Ms. Izer noted there are several historically significant properties, listed on the Historic Sites Survey, in close proximity to this property, including Daulton and Linden Hall, that would be significantly impacted by this development. Mr. Goodrich stated that the property is located within the Growth Area which makes it eligible for a PUD zoning overlay. The County's Comprehensive Plan encourages PUD's to make full use and efficiency of the facilities available in the Growth Area. When a PUD is approved, there is a specific plan that must be followed closely. Mr. Gehr expressed his opinion that dense screening should be established around developments such as this one to protect historic properties that are adjacent to the area. Ms. Izer made a motion to recommend to the developer that the historic complex be retained and rehabilitated. This recommendation is based on the rapid disappearance of log structures in Washington County and because the house is an intact example of the building styles of the early 19th century and an example of modifications and improvements typical to farm buildings over time and shows the progression in the development of agricultural uses. The Commission also recommends a greater density of forest buffers to help protect the historic properties along the east and northwest sides of the proposed development. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Unanimously approved. RZ-06-004 Allison Avenue Project Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comments Rezoning Case RZ-06-004, Allison Avenue Project located on the west side of Bower Avenue just .north of its intersection with Sterling Road. The Commission reviewed the preliminary consultation for this project at their December 7, 2005 meeting. The developer has applied for a Planned Unit Development zoning overlay with a new development plan. The developer is now proposing all streets to be public, not private, the historic farmhouse and outbuildings are proposed for retention on a separate parcel, and the barn would be relocated on another site. Ms. Viar made a motion to commend the developer for retaining the historic house and outbuildings on a separate parcel and to recommend retention of the historic barn on a separate parcel for re -use or resale. The recommendation is made because the structure is in good, useful condition and is a good representation of the building style of its time period. Seconded by Ms. Hershey. Unanimously approved. RZ-06-005 Ritchey's Totlot Mr. Goodrich presented for review Rezoning Case RZ-06-005 Ritchey's Totlot located at 13514 Little Antietam Road. The applicant is applying for a change in zoning classification from RV — Rural Village to RB — Rural Business to establish a proposed day care center. There was a brief discussion regarding properties surrounding the site. It was determined that no significantly historic structures are in close proximity to the site. The Commission also discussed uses allowed within a Rural Village and Rural Business zoning classification. Ms. Stinson made a motion that the Commission should not object to the rezoning of the property because there is not a negative effect on the historic aspects of the Rural Village of Leitersburg. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. TC-06-001 Tax Credit Application Mr. Goodrich requested the Tax Credit Application for 811 The Terrace be tabled pending the submittal and review of additional information. H. OTHER BUSINESS None. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Hershey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. So ordered Respectfully Submitted, tephen T. Goodrich STG/dse