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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-2-06MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY August 2, 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, August 2, 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, David Wiles, Sandy Izer, Charles Stewart, Merry Stinson and Carla Viar. Also present was County Commissioner Dori Nipps and Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the July 12, 2006 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS None E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Buildina Permit #2006-06252. 24808 Pen Mar Road Revised drawings were submitted to address several comments suggested by the HDC at the July 12, 2006 meeting for Building Permit #2006-06252 for property located at 24808 Pen Mar Road. The following changes are reflected on the plans: a gabled roof and railings have been added to the front porch, a photo showing a four panel door without windows for the garage was provided, and the El Dorado stone has been shown on the front of the house. Members also discussed the style of windows representative of the area; however, Mr. Goodrich stated that there does not appear to be any one type of window that is representative of the community. Therefore, the windows as shown on the original plan have not been changed. Discussion: Mr. Fulmor noted that there will also be standard columns on the front porch that the railings will be attached to. Comments: Mr. Wiles commended the Fulmors for their efforts to make a new house fit into the Rural Village of Pen Mar. Mr. Gehr suggested a more decorative post for the porch. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Building Permit #2006.06252 at 24808 Pen Mar Road based on the proposed plans being compatible with the Secretary of the Interior's standards for new construction in a Rural Village and in general harmony with the character of the adjoining properties. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Unanimously approved. Ms. Stinson abstained. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Building Permit — 24812 Pen Mar Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval a proposed house for Donald and Jo Ellen Crider. The property is located at 24812 Pen Mar Road in the Rural Village of Pen Mar. Discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding the style of the house and the materials proposed for use in construction. Ms. Viar made a motion to grant approval of the Crider's application for 24812 Pen Mar Road based on an inspection of the project plans and the property in question. If constructed in accordance with the submitted plans, the HDC finds the structure to be compatible with the character of the Rural Village of Pen Mar and adjoining properties in the neighborhood and is consistent with the design guidelines of the RV district and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards. Building Permit #2006-06319 14624 Water Company Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Building Permit #2006-06319 for Ronald and Margaret Hettich. The property is located at 14624 Water Company Road in the Rural Village of Cascade. The applicant is proposing to construct a two-story addition with garage and storage room in the foundation and a great room above with an atrium connecting to the existing dwelling. Mr. Goodrich presented the following information regarding the Rural Village of Cascade summarized from the Rural Community Survey information. The dominant character of the Highfield/Cascade Historic District is that of a late nineteenth and early twentieth-century rural mountain resort community. The district consists of small and medium -scale domestic architecture executed in several architectural styles. A majority of the properties are single-family residences and domestic in character. The larger buildings suggest previous uses as boarding houses or modest hotels. Structures are wood construction with foundations of stone, gable and hipped roofs, flat top windows with double -hung sash and historic brick chimneys. Many of the homes have broad wood verandas, stone walls surrounding the perimeter of the building lots and diverse dependencies. Building setbacks vary considerably. Comments: Ms. Stinson noted that the addition appears to be well proportioned and well detailed. Ms. Izer believes the addition is compatible with the surrounding properties. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Building Permit #2006-06319 based on an inspection of the project plans and the property in question. If constructed in accordance with the plans, the project is compatible with the character of the Rural Village and the construction is in general harmony with the historic nature of the neighborhood and will be an asset to the community and is consistent with the RV guidelines. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. Mr. Gehr abstained. Building Permit #2006-05882, 4304 Main Street Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Building Permit #2006-05882 for Robert and Elizabeth Pickett. The property is located at 4304 Main Street in the Rural Village of Rohrersville. The applicant is proposing to construct a full story from an existing half -story attic space. Mr. Goodrich presented the following information regarding the Rural Village of Rohrersville. The Village portrays the architecture and development of an early 19'h century rural trading center. The architecture is described as "human scale". There are many buildings of different time periods. The subject structure was constructed between 1870 and 1875. Buildings from this time period were vernacular or traditional and common to the region. There are many buildings of log construction, frame and brick, 3 or 4 bays wide, side gables, two over two light sash and some with additions and rear shed extensions. The porches have simple design elements that include round columns and straight railings. Alterations to the dwellings in the Rural Village over time include rear additions and a small number of modern surface treatments. The overall character is conservative and traditional. Comments: Commission members commended the applicants on the design and materials proposed for the addition. Discussion: Mr. Gehr stated that at least one of the windows on the second story addition must be large enough to provide egress in order to meet safety regulations. After a brief discussion regarding the windows, members expressed their desire to have the larger window for egress to be placed on the rear of the addition. There was a brief discussion regarding other materials proposed for use on the addition. Commission members believed the materials will be compatible with the existing dwelling and surrounding properties. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Building Permit # 2006-05882 for property located at 4304 Main Street in the Rural Village of Rohrersville. The HDC has inspected the project plans and the property in question and has determined that the new construction will be compatible to the height of the existing structure, the proposed materials are compatible with the existing structure, and the architectural detailing is in keeping with the existing structure; however, the proposed second story windows do not appear to meet the building code requirements for egress and the HDC has no objection to the modification of these windows on the rear of the building addition (west elevation) to meet the requirements. The Commission has also determined that the proposed addition meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for building additions subordinate to the original structure and is compatible with the character of the existing neighborhood. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Unanimously approved. Ringgold Church of Christ, 14416 Barkdoll Road (SP -06-040) Mr. Goodrich presented a site plan for the Ringgold Church of Christ located at 14416 Barkdoll Road in the Rural Village of Ringgold. This plan is for the Commission's review only; however, when the Church applies for building permits, the Commission will review and approve the proposed building plans relative to the exterior of the structure. The site plan proposes the construction of a new 29,542 square foot building to be used for church services, classrooms and a multi -purpose area as well as a parking lot with 209 parking spaces and a stormwater management facility. Discussion: A few of the Commission members expressed their concern that the building will be a dominant structure in the Rural Village. Ms. Izer made a motion to provide the following comments regarding the site plan to the Church. The HDC commends the Church for retaining the existing historic structures on the property and for placing the proposed structure away from the existing historic structures and being sensitive to the historic nature of the surrounding properties. Seconded by Mr., Wiles. Unanimously approved. Ms. Viar abstained. 11664 Mapleville Road — Effects on historic resources Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment, plans to increase a 112 -foot monopole to a 150 -foot tall monopole at 11664 Mapleville Road. Mr. Goodrich distributed inventory forms for five sites listed on the Maryland Historical Trust Sites Survey located within approximately one - mile of the proposed construction site. The following properties are included: WA -IV -067 (a brick cased log farmhouse), WA -IV -069 (log and stone cabins), WA -IV -070 (mid 19`h century farmstead), WA -IV -076 (sided log house) and WA -IV -077 (a log house). Ms. Stinson made a motion to provide the following comments regarding the proposed monopole extension. The proposed height increase will greatly intensify the visual impact on the following historic structures identified by the Maryland Historical Trust Sites Survey: WA -IV -067, WA -IV - 069, WA -IV -070, WA -IV -076 and WA -IV -077. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. Trego and Rohrersville Road — Effects on historic resources Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comments, plans to construct a 150 -foot tall monopole north of the intersection of Trego Road and Rohrersville Road in Rohrersville, Maryland. The proposed facility will consist of the' location of a 150 -foot tall proposed monopole with an eight - foot tall lightning rod and placement of associated equipment within a 60 -foot by 60 -foot fenced area. Mr. Goodrich distributed inventory forms for five sites listed on the Maryland Historical Trust Sites Survey located in close proximity to the proposed construction site. The following properties are included: WA -III -007 (large log farmhouse), WA -III -008 (Crampton-Mullendore Farm), WA -III -049 (farmstead), WA -III -054 (Rohrersville Station), and WA -III -063 (log complex). Comment: Ms. Stinson believes that ther e Ms. Izer made a motion to provide the following comments regarding the proposed monopole construction. The proposed monopole will have a negative visual impact on the following historic structures identified by the Maryland Historical Trust Sites Survey: WA -III -007, WA -III -008, WA - 111 -049, WA -111-054 and WA -III -063. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS There was a brief discussion regarding reimbursement for travel expenses when visiting sites pertinent to upcoming HDC meetings. There was also some discussion regarding required training for members. Rural in -fill is one issue that members would like more information on. Members would like more specific guidelines to follow when reviewing new construction plans in Rural Villages. Mr. Goodrich reminded them that reviews are based on the individual characteristics of each Rural Village and the setting of each particular application. Training must be approved by the Maryland Historical Trust to meet Commission requirements. Mr. Goodrich informed members that Ms. Lakin has resigned from the HDC effective immediately. There was a brief discussion regarding the qualifications required for new members. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Stinson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Izer. So ordered. RreAlwi'n ctful?Su rr ltted,,� StT.rrh Chief Planner STG/dse