Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-9-06MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSIi FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY September 9, 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, September 9, 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, and Merry Stinson. Also present was County Commissioner Dori Nipps and Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. Mr. Goodrich requested the following items be added to the Agenda: 1) Building Permit Plan Review for Jay P. Benfield, 18311 Manor Church Road in the Rural Village of Tilghmanton and 2) Appointment to fill Eleanor Lakin's vacancy and appointment or re -appointment of David Wiles. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the August 2, 2006 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS None E. OLD BUSINESS None F. BUDGET None G. NEW BUSINESS Building Permit 2006-06388. 14734 Trolley Avenue Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Building Permit 2006-06388, 14734 Trolley Avenue, located within the Rural Village of Cascade, however, it is not within the surveyed historic boundaries of the Rural Village. The applicant is proposing a 1434 square foot addition to the rear of an existing dwelling with an additional 30' x 23', 2 car garage. 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. Comments: Ms. Stinson noted that the house is not within the historic area and appears that most of the other houses in the area have been enlarged or altered. The gabled roof is similar to other homes in the area and the addition issimilar in style and materials to the existing building. Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve the building permit based on the plans that were presented and they are in keeping with the character of the surrounding area and consistent with the design guidelines of the Rural Village district. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. Building Permit #2006-06603, 24830 Pen Mar Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Building Permit #2006-06603, 24830 Pen Mar Road, located in the Rural Village of Pen Mar. The applicant is proposing to construct a 576 square foot deck to an existing dwelling. The house was constructed prior to the Rural Village zoning designation and therefore was not reviewed by the HDC. The subject site is located within the historic area of the Rural Village. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the building permit for 24830 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 addition to be compatible with the existing dwelling and 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. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. Building Permit #2006-06612. 7847 Abbott Drive Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Building Permit #2006-06612, 7847 Abbott Drive, Boonsboro, located in the Rural Village of Tilghmanton. The applicant is proposing a 26' x 30' two story addition to the right side of the existing dwelling. Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve the building permit for 7847 Abbott Drive 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 Tilghmanton and adjoining properties in the neighborhood and is consistent with the design guidelines of the RV district and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. Board of Zoning Appeals Case #AP2006-112.25609 Military Road Mr. Goodrich presented for comment and recommendation Board of Zoning Appeals Case #AP2006-112, located at 25609 Military Road in the historic area of the Rural Village of Cascade. The building is identified as a contributing structure in the Historic. Sites Inventory. The applicant is requesting an appeal for expansion of a non -conforming use to add a third story to create two additional apartments in an existing four -unit apartment building. Construction of the addition was started without a permit and the Department of Permits & Inspections issued a "Stop Work Order". Mr. Goodrich reminded members that the appeal is for the use and that the design of the addition was not the subject of review at this time. If approved by the BZA, design review would occur in the future. Comment: Mr. Gehr stated that due to a conflict of• interest, he would not be participating in any discussions or decisions made by the Commission on this project. Ms. Izer made a motion to provide the following comment to the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding Case #AP2006-112, 25609 Military Road in the Rural Village of Cascade. The subject structure is a contributing historic structure in the Rural Village of Cascade. The required expansion to accommodate the proposed expanded use is incompatible with the character and architecture of the Rural Village and adjoining properties in the neighborhood and is not consistent with the design guidelines of the Rural Village district and the Secretary of the Interiors standards. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. Buildina Permit #2006-05918, 18311 Manor Church Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Building Permit #2006-05918, 18311 Manor Church Road, Boonsboro and is located in the Rural Village of Tilghmanton. The applicant is proposing to replace an existing 33' x 8' kitchen and bathroom with a 24' x 12', two-story addition on a crawl space foundation. The structure is not within the historic area of the Rural Village. Discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding the height of the roof on the new addition and the size of the proposed addition. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Building Permit #2006-05918, 18311 Manor Church 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 Tilghmanton, the existing building and adjoining properties in the neighborhood and is consistent with the design guidelines of the RV district and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Goodrich noted that Mr. Wiles' appointment to the Commission expires at the end of October 2006 and Eleanor Lakin's position remains vacant. Commission members requested that a recommendation to re -appoint Mr. Wiles should be sent to the Board of County Commissioners for their review and consideration. Commission members discussed other candidates regarding the vacant position and will bring their recommendations to the October meeting. Mr. Goodrich stated that a new Vice Chairperson is needed since Ms. Lakin has resigned. Ms. Izer nominated Ms. Stinson as Vice Chairperson. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE SESSION None J. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Izer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. So ordered Respectfully submitted, Stephen T. Goodrich Chief Planner.