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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-2-07MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY May 2, 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, May 2, 2007 at 7:00 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, and Merry Stinson. Also present were Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve the April 4, 2007 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS 1. Mr. Goodrich presented for the HDC's information, SHA Project #WA308A21 for safety, resurfacing and drainage improvements along Maryland 68 from .35 miles west of Cedar Ridge Road to Bottom Road. The State Highway Administration has determined that the project will not alter any viewsheds and will not have a negative impact on any historic structures. 2. Mr. Goodrich included a copy of The Bugle Call, a newsletter from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, in HDC member's Agenda packets. The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area is an organization promoting tourism in three counties based on their civil war heritage. Washington County, as a participant, is eligible for grant money for specific projects that promote heritage tourism. 3. Mr. Goodrich also included information regarding the Maryland Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference in the Agenda packets. He informed members that attending the conference one day would meet their training requirement. There are funds available for training and minimal travel expenses in our Budget. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Williamsview (PC -06-012 Mr. Goodrich presented the summary of the Preliminary Consultation for Williamsview (Britner) that was held on Thursday, March 8, 2007. The property is located within the Urban Growth Area along the south side of Sterling Road and is zoned A — Agriculture. Design Guidelines By consensus, members scheduled a workshop meeting to discuss the Design Guidelines on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at the offices of BMGM Architects on Oak Ridge Drive. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Permit #2007-02076-21511 Leitersburp-Smithsburn Road Mr. Goodrich presented an update on the property located at 21511 Leitersburg-Smithsburg Road in the Leitersburg Rural Village for Commission member's information. The Permits and Inspections Department issued a citation to the property owners for constructing a deck and stairs without a permit at the above location and a notice for junk removal. The owners have applied for a permit and submitted new drawings to reconstruct the structures to meet building codes. The new construction would be less than 200 square feet and would not require HDC's review and approval. No action required. Permit #2007-02448 —18309 Breathedsville Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2007-02448 for property located at 18309 Breathedsville Road in the Fairplay Rural Village zone. The applicant is proposing to construct a 2800 -square foot (40' x 70') covered pavilion to replace an existing pavilion damaged by wind. Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve Permit #2007-02448 based on the fact that it is a reconstruction project and the structure is not in close proximity to historic structures within the Rural Village. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. S-06-046 —11543 French Lane Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the preliminary/final plat for property located at 11543 French Lane. The property is currently owned by the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. The County is proposing to subdivide the property to sell the existing house (constructed in 1818) and barn on a separate 5 -acre parcel of land. The County will retain the remaining lands that would be protected by a forest easement. Discussion: Mr. Wiles asked if there would be restrictions in the deed that the house must be historically restored. Mr. Goodrich stated that the County wants to sell the structures to be restored; however, he does not know if that would be a contingency in the deed. He noted that the property is not usable for development due to the floodplain located on the surrounding area, there is no road frontage and the property is accessible only by a right-of-way, and it is surrounded by the forest easement. Ms. Izer expressed her support to the County for their efforts to place the existing structures on their own lot and recommended that easements should be placed on the property to encourage preservation of the structures. There was a brief discussion that the "HP" — Historic Preservation overlay could be placed on the property in order to ensure proper restoration and protection of the property. The "HP" zoning district would also enable property owners to qualify for tax credits. Ms. Izer made a motion to commend the County for their efforts to place the existing structures at 11543 French Lane on their own parcel of land and recommended placing historic easements within the property's deed prior to the transfer of the property to encourage preservation of the historic structures and to encourage the County to place the HP — Historic Preservation overlay zoning district on the property to enable the owners to qualify for applicable tax credits. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. Demolition Permit #2007-02014-11843 National Pike Mr. Goodrich presented for review and recommendation Demolition Permit #2007-02014 for property located at 11843 National Pike west of Clear Spring on Fairview Mountain and is listed in the Washington County Historic Sites Inventory as WA -V-131. According to the Inventory, the stone cabins are a good example of an early 20th century motel built in the 1920's. The existing structure consists of several "cabins" connected together that were once part of a motel court. Discussion: The property owners, Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, were present at the meeting and presented photographs of the inside of the structure that was damaged by a fire in February 2007. Mr. Wiles stated that the main motel structure was destroyed by fire in the 1970's. The owners are proposing to demolish the burnt structure and replace it with a modular home. Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that the two adjacent "cabins" currently used for storage should be retained as an example of an early 20th century motel. Mr. Wiles made a motion to recommend approval of Demolition Permit #2007-02014 due to the recent fire damage of the existing house, loss of the main motel structure in the 1970's, and the poor condition of the remaining structures and recommends retention and preservation of the two adjacent "cabins". Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS None I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. So ordered. Respectfully submitted, Stephen T. Goodrich Chief Planner STG/dse