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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-10-07MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY January 10, 2007 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, January 10, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington County Administrative Annex, 80 West Baltimore Street. Members present included: Michael Gehr, Charles Stewart, David Wiles, and Merry Stinson. Also present were Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. Mr. Gehr noted that an additional item has been added to the agenda under New Business. C. MINUTES Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve the December 6, 2006 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS None. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. F. BUDGET Proposed 2007-2008 Budget Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval the proposed 2007-2008 Budget that will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for their approval. Mr. Goodrich noted that the proposed budget included a requested increase in the Rural Community survey line item, this years CLG project. All other line items requested amounts remained the same as the current budget. Mr. Wiles made a motion to approve the proposed budget. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. Discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding the HDC's design guidelines document that was started. A draft of the document was given to Commission members several months ago and needs to be finalized. There was also a brief discussion regarding the different types of districts and tax credits that are available. G. NEW BUSINESS Permit # 2007-00087 and 2007-00088 Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval building permit # 2007-00087 and # 2007-00088 for property located at 19032 Sandy Hook Road. The property is located in the Sandy Hook Rural Village zone outside of the historic portion of the village. The applicant is proposing to construct a second -story addition and a front deck. Property owners Mr. and Mrs. Hollberlin and Mclnturff Architects were present in the audience. Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve Building Permit #2007-00087 and #2007-00088 for property located at 19032 Sandy Hook Road in the Sandy Hook Rural Village zone because the property is located away from the historic portion of the Rural Village and the additions to the structure will be compatible with structures within its own setting and consistent with applicable design guidelines of the RV district. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. Permit # 2006-09679 — 25609 Military Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit # 2006-09679 for property located at 25609 Military Road. The property is located within the Highfield Rural Village zone. The applicant is proposing to replace the roof of an existing building. Mr. Goodrich informed the Commission members that the applicant was cited for constructing a third floor addition onto the building without the proper approvals and permits. The applicant went before the Board of Zoning Appeals to request approval of the two additional apartment units located in the third floor addition. The Board of Zoning Appeals denied the request and the applicant must remove the third -story addition. The applicant has applied for a demolition permit to remove the third story addition and a building permit to replace the roof. The demolition does not require the HDC's approval because it is not new construction; however, the roof must have the HDC's approval because it is new construction and the structure is located within the Highfield Rural Village zone. The applicant is proposing to construct a simple gabled roof, unlike the roof that was previously on the structure. The previous roof had 6 gables, 2 on the front, 2 on the back and 2 on the sides. Mr. Goodrich presented photographs showing the roof that was originally on the structure. Discussion: Members expressed their opinion that the roof is not similar in character to other structures in the neighborhood or the original. They also asked why the roof was not being constructed like the original roof. The applicant, Mr. Phan, stated that it was due to financial reasons. He also stated that the previous roof had a low roof between two of the gables that caused water to lie in this area and caused damage to the interior of the building. There was a brief discussion regarding other designs for the roof. Comments: Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that she understands why the owner does not want to have a roof that causes leakage and other damage to the structure; however the proposed roof is not in character with surrounding structures or appropriate for the subject building. Mr. Stewart expressed his opinion that the center gable appears to be something that was added at a later time; however, the other gables add character to the structure. Mr. Wiles believes that roof should be constructed like the original. Mr. Wiles made a motion to deny Permit # 2006-09679 for property located at 25609 Military Road because the proposed roof plans are not in conformance with design guidelines or the original structure based on photo documentation and would not be compatible with other structures in the area. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Mr. Gehr abstained. Discussion following the vote: Further discussion indicated that the HDC recommends a roof design resembling the one removed, as it appeared to be appropriate and consistent with the design of the rest of the building. However, because it appeared that the sloping roof between the two front gables was a later addition and the part that caused the leakage, which led to removing the roof, the HDC indicated that including it in a proposal for additional review and approval was not needed. Permit #2006-09874 - High Street Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2006-09874 for property located on High Street in the Pen Mar Rural Village zone. The applicant is proposing to construct a one and one- half story single-family dwelling on approximately .23 -acres of land. Mr. Goodrich provided construction drawings showing the four elevations and the type of proposed siding and gabled roof. There was a brief discussion regarding the porch shown on the drawings. Commission members expressed their support for either porch if the owner decides to have a porch on the house, which is an option. Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve Permit #2006-09874 for property located on High Street in the Pen Mar Rural Village zone based on an inspection of the project plans and if constructed in accordance with these plans either with or without Option #6 (porch) the project is compatible with other structures in the immediate vicinity within the Pen Mar Rural Village zone and applicable design guidelines. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. Demolition Permit #2006-08666-6015 Dunker Church Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Demolition Permit #2006-08666 for property located at 6015 Dunker Church Road in the Antietam Overlay zone. This demolition permit application was previously reviewed and denied by the HDC at their November 6, 2006 meeting. Following the HDC's November meeting, Mr. Goodrich notified the applicant of the Commission's decision. The applicant requested the permit to be reconsidered by the HDC in order to provide additional information regarding their request. Again, the applicants were not present at the meeting and Mr. Goodrich provided the following information as presented to him by the applicant. The applicant, Mrs. Wilson, stated that they do not farm the property and have no use for the building. The building is in need of some repairs which they cannot afford and do not intend to repair the building. Mr. Goodrich recommended dismantling the building for reconstruction elsewhere. Mrs. Wilson stated that some of the building parts have been spoken for and will be reused in other construction projects. Following a brief discussion, the Commission, by consensus, determined that their original decision stands and, therefore, no further action is required. Demolition Permit # 2006-09956 12037 Greencastle Pike Mr. Goodrich presented for review and recommendation Demolition Permit # 2006-09956 for property located at 12037 Greencastle Pike, approximately 1 mile north of 1-70. The property is listed in the Washington County Historical Sites Inventory as WA -I-353. The owner, Mr. Stinson, was present and provided the following information. Tom Davis who subdivided approximately 16 acres from the property that contained the barn originally owned the property and the house purchased by Mr. Stinson approximately 25 to 30 years ago. The area surrounding the subject site is zoned HI -1 — Highway Interchange 1. The Stinson's moved to West Virginia approximately 3 years ago because they did not like being surrounded by commercial and industrial businesses. They decided to sell the property that is now "under contract" with a company that has truck terminals and warehouses around the country. He believes that their plans include new truck terminals and their regional headquarters to be located on this parcel and the adjacent property. The barn is in good repair and needs some maintenance such as painting and replacing the barn doors and a beam damaged by water leakage. The roof is constructed of metal with decorative ventilators. The house was constructed in sections with the original section (approximately 16 x 20 -feet) being constructed of logs. The original siding that has been exposed is German clapboard. The contract purchaser would like to demolish the structures. The current owner stated his wish to have pieces of the barn sold and re -used at another location. Discussion: Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that the structures could be used for other commercial purposes. She asked why the owner was applying for the demolition permit rather than the buyers. Mr. Stinson stated that the buyer was concerned about demolishing the historic structures and he has applied for the demolition permit to "speed things up". Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that the log house and barn are good examples of a mid 19th century farm complex and there is no immediate need to demolish the structures. She stated that although the properties around this site have changed, there are alternatives to demolition such as reusing the structure in the new development. Mr. Wiles stated there is another historic complex in close proximity to the subject site. He stated his opinion that the new owner could subdivide the property to retain the structures on a separate parcel. Ms. Stinson stated that the Planning Commission has recommended retention of several historic structures throughout developments in the County and looks favorably upon developers who retain these structures. Ms. Stinson made a motion to recommend against demolition of this complex of buildings that is a good example of a mid 19th century farm which represents important architectural construction and cultural traditions of Washington County's history. The buildings could be used in a commercial context with the remainder of the parcel to be used for another commercial use. There was also no immediate need for demolition since no site plan has been presented for the site. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. IFFY 2007 CLG Project — Rural Community Survey Phase IV Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval the application for the FY 2007 CLG Project — Rural Community Survey Phase IV. The project is a continuation of Washington County's effort to identify historic structures in rural communities. Phase IV would survey the communities of Downsville, Brownsville, Bakersville, Garrett's Mill, Gapland and Mt. Lena. Mr. Goodrich explained that the surveyed communities with Rural Village zoning would be eligible for inclusion in the HDC's review and approval process for permits, development, etc. The total budget for the project is $33,500.00. The local share reflected in the FY 2007-2008 budget request approved earlier is $12,000.00. Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve the proposed project and budget. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS Election of Officers Mr. Wiles made a motion to re -affirm the current officers, Chairman — Michael Gehr; Vice Chairperson — Merry Stinson. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. None. J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. So ordered. STG/dse Respectfully submitted, Step> n T. Goodrich Chief Planner