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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-4-07MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 4, 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, April 4, 2007 at 7:05 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, Robert Bowman II, Sandy Izer, Carla Viar and Merry Stinson. Also present were County Commissioner Kristin Aleshire and Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the March 14, 2007 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr Wiles. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS None. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Demolition Permit #2007-00885 - 7505 Old National Pike Update Mr. Goodrich stated that the HDC recommended denial of a demolition permit for an inventory listed barn located at 7505 Old National Pike at their March 14, 2007 meeting. The Planning Commission reviewed the demolition permit and the HDC's recommendation at their meeting on April 2, 2007. The Planning Commission made a motion to recommend approval of the demolition permit; however, the motion ended in a tie vote. Therefore, there was no recommendation either for or against the demolition. During the Planning Commission's meeting, Staff was asked if the property was in the County- or within the Town limits of Boonsboro. Following the meeting, Staff researched this inquiry and discovered that the property had been annexed into the Town of Boonsboro on February 12, 2007, two days after the demolition permit application had been submitted. Therefore, the demolition permit should not have been reviewed by the HDC or the Planning Commission and the owner must apply for a demolition permit from the Town of Boonsboro. Commissioner Aleshire stated that the Town of Boonsboro does not have a demolition ordinance. 21511 Leitersbura/Smithsbura Road Mr. Goodrich provided a brief update regarding an inquiry for property located at 21511 Leitersburg/Smithsburg Road in the Leitersburg Rural Village zone. A deck and staircase was constructed without a permit. An inspector from the Washington County Dept. of Permits and Inspections made a site visit and issued a citation for junk removal by April 27th and the owners were instructed to apply for a building permit for the deck and staircase. The deck must be removed because it is not properly constructed. Once the permit application has been completed, the review process will begin. If construction is over 200 -square feet, the application will be reviewed by the HDC for their approval. Desian Guidelines Mr. Goodrich began a brief discussion regarding the design guidelines. Ms. Viar discussed the demolition permit process. She recommended that prior to the issuance of a demolition permit, proposed plans for the property should be approved. However, members noted that there is no way to enforce a developer to build what they have proposed. Mr. Goodrich recommended that the HDC should develop a standard for demolition review and include a proposal for enforcement. There was a brief discussion on the best way to develop the guidelines. Mr. Goodrich recommended that each member go through the different guidelines that he has supplied and choose standards they would like to see in the guidelines. He would then review each person's choices, incorporate them into the draft guidelines, and present them to the Commission for their review. Ms. Stinson believes a workshop would be beneficial after each member goes through the different guidelines. Members began discussing a day and time to hold the workshop; however, due to a power outage, the meeting was adjourned. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Permit #2007-01594-18118 Manor Church Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval building Permit #2007-01594 for property located at 18118 Manor Church Road in the Fairplay Rural Village zone; however, it is not within the historic portion of the Rural Village. The applicant is proposing a 24' x 32' pole building for residential storage. Comments: Mr. Kullman, owner, was present at the meeting and provided a sample picture of the proposed structure. He stated that the building would be constructed with a rawhide colored metal siding with a sandstone colored roof. The owner is proposing to replace an existing shed already on the property. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Permit #2007-01594 for property located at 18118 Manor Church Road in the Fairplay Rural Village because it is a non-contributing structure, it is not in close proximity to any historic structures and does not have a negative impact on any historic structures, and the scale of the structure is compatible with existing structures in the area. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Permit #2007-01620-7503 Fairplay Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval building Permit #2007-01620 for property located at 7503 Fairplay Road in the Fairplay Rural Village zone; however, it is not within the historic portion of the Village. The applicant is proposing a 1296 -square foot addition to the rear of an existing dwelling. Mr. Sanders, contractor for the owner, was present at the meeting. He stated that the siding and roofing materials would match the existing siding and roofing. Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve building Permit #2007-01620 at 7503 Fairplay Road in the Fairplay Rural Village zone based on an inspection 'of the project plans and if constructed in accordance with these plans, the addition would be compatible with the character of the existing structure and adjacent properties and it does not negatively impact any of the contributing structures within the Rural Village zone. Seconded by Mr. Bohman. Unanimously approved. Permit #2007-01700 — Corner of Maple Street and Maryland Avenue Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval building Permit #2007-01700 for property located at the corner of Maple Street and Maryland Avenue in the Pen Mar Rural Village zone. A portion of the property is located within the historic portion of the Rural Village and a portion is located outside of the historic portion of the Rural Village. The owner is proposing to construct an 850 - square foot one story modular dwelling. Discussion: There was a brief discussion regarding the elevation of the foundation. Ms. Ellen Dorosh, owner, was present at the meeting and stated that her understanding is that the property will be graded so the blocks would be covered except what is needed to be exposed to meet the building codes. She stated that if any of the foundation were showing, she would put in plantings to cover the blocks of the foundation. Ms. Dorosh provided a sample of the granite gray board and batten siding that would cover the outside of the house and she stated that the roof would be salt and pepper asphalt shingles. Ms. Viar made a motion to approve building Permit #2007-01700 for property located at the corner of Maple Street and Maryland Avenue in the 'Pen Mar Rural Village zone based on an inspection of the plans and if constructed in accordance with these plans the structure would be compatible with other structures in the Rural Village and does not have a negative impact on any of the contributing historic structures. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. Modification of previous approval — 24812 Pen Mar Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval a modification to the plans for property located at 24812 Pen Mar Road in the Pen Mar Rural Village zone. Mr. and Mrs. Crider previously presented plans to construct a 26' x 52' one-story ranch style home with its short end parallel to the street because the lot was very narrow. The Criders have purchased an additional lot and would like to modify their previous plans to turn the house with its long side parallel to the street. Discussion: Mr. Butler, contractor, stated that there is a drainage problem in the area and a portion of the foundation will be approximately 8 -feet out of the ground and constructed from either a poured concrete foundation or block with a slurry coat over it. The contractor is proposing a garage under the house in this area with a gentle slope to line up with the house next door. There was a brief discussion regarding the porch detail. Mr. Butler stated they are proposing to use a picket type railing on the porch. Ms. tzar made a motion to approve the plan modification for property located at 24812 Pen Mar Road with regard to the positioning of the house from perpendicular to parallel to the road, that the porch railings should be similar to the house next door and in keeping with the character of the neighborhood, and approval for a garage on the lower level. Landscaping is recommended for any large exposed expanses of foundation. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Unanimously approved. J. ADJOURNMENT Due to a power outage, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:10 p.m Res tfully submitted, Stephen T. Goodrich Chief Planner STG/dse