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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC Mins_12-5-07MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY December 5, 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, December 5, 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, David Wiles, Robert Bowman II, Sandy Izer, Carla Viar, Charles Stewart and Merry Stinson. Also present were Staff members Stephen T. Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the November 7, 2007 minutes as amended. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS Mr. Goodrich distributed copies of the State Highway Administration's proposed interchange improvements/land reconfigurations for four ramps at the 1-70/1-81 interchange in Washington County. The State Highway Administration has determined there are no historic structures located in the APE; therefore, there will be no impact on historic structures. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Goodrich presented for further discussion reimbursement requests from several members for training that they previously attended. This item has been tabled until Spring 2008. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Permit #2007-07563 — 3768 Harper's Ferry Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2007-07563 for property located at 3768 Harper's Ferry Road in the Antietam Village Rural Village zone. The applicant, Mr. McCrossin, was present at the meeting. Mr. Goodrich noted that the Agenda packet included the following information: a location map, a copy of the applicant's drawings, a copy of the permit application, a copy of the Antietam Village historic district survey information, a map indicating where the property is located within the historic district boundaries, and a photograph of the building from 2001. The applicant has enclosed an existing side porch. Mr. McCrossin presented a photograph of the dwelling taken prior to starting any work. Discussion: Ms. Stinson asked what type of materials would be used under the windows. Mr. McCrossin stated he would be using brick that matches the existing structure. Mr. Gehr made an inquiry regarding the windows. Mr. McCrossin stated all windows are 6 over 6 and vinyl. Ms. Stinson asked what type of door would be used. Mr. McCrossin stated he would use exact replicas of the original double doors. Mr. Bowman asked if the brick would extend up into the gable. Mr. McCrossin stated that the gable would be glass. Mr. Gehr stated that the windows and doors proposed maintain the character of the existing structure. Motion and Vote: Ms. Viar made a motion to approve Permit #2007-07563 for property located at 3768 Harper's Ferry Road in the Antietam Village Rural Village zone. Based on a review of the permit application, the construction is in keeping with the Secretary of Interior's standards for new additions and the applicant has taken great care to make the new addition compatible with the old structure; however, it will be apparent that it is an addition to the original structure. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Permit #2007-07720-21550 Leitersburg Smithsburg Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2007-07720 for property located at 21550 Leitersburg Smithsburg Road in the Leitersburg Rural Village zone. Mr. Goodrich noted that the Agenda packet included the following: a location map, a copy of the plat showing the zoning boundaries, and drawings showing the house and elevations. The applicant, Mr. and Mrs. Gouff, were present at the meeting. The applicant is proposing to construct a two-story single-family dwelling. Discussion: Ms. Stinson stated that the structure would be visible from several of the historic structures within the Rural Village; however, the position of the structure on the lot would not have a negative impact on the streetscape of the historic buildings. Mr. Stewart expressed his opinion that the proposed structure echoes some of the existing structures in the area (such as the roof pitch). Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Permit #2007-07720 for property located at 21550 Leitersburg Smithsburg Road in the Leitersburg Rural Village zone. If constructed in accordance with the submitted plans, the dwelling would be compatible with the characteristics of the Rural Village as a non- contributing structure and the plans meet the Secretary of Interior's design guidelines. Seconded by Ms. Viar. Unanimously approved. Permit #2007-07609-21642 Kelso Drive Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2007-07609 for property located at 21642 Kelso Drive in the Leitersburg Rural Village zone. The applicant is proposing 2036 total square foot additions to the sides and rear of the existing dwelling. Motion and Vote: Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve Permit #2007-07609 for property located at 21642 Kelso Drive in the Leitersburg Rural Village zone. If constructed in accordance with the submitted plans, the dwelling would be compatible with the structures in the surrounding neighborhood. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. Permit #2007-07668 —16513 National Pike Mr. Goodrich presented for review and recommendation Permit #2007-07668 for property located at 16513 National Pike. The applicant is proposing to demolish a two-story barn with adjoining one-story hog pen and meat house. Mr. Goodrich stated that the demolition permit has been issued; however, the building is still standing. He noted that the structures were determined to be National Register eligible by the State of Maryland in 2001. In the description located in the Historic Sites Survey, the outbuildings are mentioned. Mr. Goodrich stated that he met with Mr. Corbett, the applicant, today. Mr. Corbett stated that the outbuildings are not of the same date of the house and that he already has his permit and has no intention of keeping any of the outbuildings. He believes the buildings are deteriorated beyond use and they are unsafe. Mr. Goodrich stated that the permit was issued prior to the HDC's review because the property is not included in the local inventory and is not shown on the County's map of historic structures. He noted that even though the demolition permit has been issued, the HDC could recommend an alternative to demolition. Discussion: Members discussed the age and condition of the structure. They also discussed modifying the existing structure to make it suitable for the applicant's intended use as a garage. Motion and Vote: Ms. Stinson made a motion to recommend that the structure be preserved and modified, as necessary, for the applicant's use. If this recommendation is not taken, the applicant should find an individual to re -use the building materials. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. SP -07-050 — Proposed cell tower at 18528 Lappans Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment a site plan for a proposed cell tower to be located at 18528 Lappans Road. Mr. Goodrich distributed a revised map of the inventory sites and inventory forms for the sites shown on the map. The existing house on the property is shown on the map as site 283. Mr. Goodrich noted that the information included in the Agenda packets was supplied by the applicant and was previously presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The consultant presented the photographs enclosed in the Agenda packet to the Maryland Historical Trust for their review and comment. Mr. Goodrich stated that he called the Maryland Historical Trust to inquire about the Trust's policy with regard to reviewing cell tower applications. He was told that the Trust does not have enough Staff to review these requests and there is a programmatic agreement with the Federal government with a pre -determined method of reviewing FCC projects. The programmatic agreement states that these reviews will only take into consideration currently listed National Register sites or currently eligible National Register sites. Mr. Goodrich stated that the only National Register site in the immediate area of the proposed cell tower is St. Mark's Church. He noted that under the programmatic agreement a cell tower that is visible from a National Registered site does not create a negative impact on the historic site. MHT stated that the National Trust would comment on the project if the proposed cell tower infringed on or had a negative affect on something that contributed to the listing (ex. if St. Mark's Church listing in the National Register was dependent on a pristine rural setting, then the Trust would comment; however, St. Mark's Church is a registered listing because of its architectural features.) Mr. Goodrich noted that it does not prevent Washington County from making zoning decisions about cell towers and historic structures. This application was presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals in March prior to the HDC's decision to request that they review all cell towers. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to make the following comment with regard to the proposed cell tower at 18528 Lappans Road (SP -07-050). The Historic District Commission is disappointed that the Board of Zoning Appeals did not take into consideration a significant National Registered church and its pristine setting and the negative impact on six other identified historic sites, especially sites 286 and 288, which are in close proximity to the proposed cell tower. It is the HDC's hope that the BZA will be more sensitive to historic structures in the future. The HDC recommends that the BZA should not make decisions with regard to any proposed cell tower sites without the HDC's review and comment. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. Proposed cell tower at 11274 Gehr Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment a proposed cell tower site located at 11274 Gehr Road, Big Pool. Mr. Gehr recused himself from discussions with regard to this project. Discussion: Members discussed the proposed cell tower's close proximity to Fort Frederick State Park. Mr. Goodrich stated that he located historic sites on the map provided by the consultant. Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that Fort Frederick is dependent on its setting. Mr. Wiles noted that McCory's Ferry and the C & O Canal are in close proximity to the proposed site. Motion and Vote: Ms. Stinson made a motion to make the following comment with regard to the proposed cell tower at 11274 Gehr Road. Considering that this cell tower would be in close proximity to the entrance to the Fort Frederick State Park, which depends on its pristine historical setting, to the C & O Canal National historic trail, McCory's Ferry National Park and historic sites identified as WA -V-048, 137, 138, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, and 236, the Historic District Commission believes this is an inappropriate location for such an obtrusive structure. Therefore, the HDC would recommend denial if the project were to continue. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Chewsville Streetscape Project Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the State Highway Administration's proposed streetscape improvements project in Chewsville. The SHA has determined that the proposed project will not have an adverse effect on historic properties. No action required. H. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Izer made an inquiry with regard to reappointments of HDC members. Mr. Goodrich stated that the BOCC has not made a decision yet. The next meeting to continue work on the draft design guidelines is scheduled for Saturday, December 15th at 9:30 a.m. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. So ordered. Respectfully submitted, ,Cf i,. ;t /_ Stephen t. Goodrich Chief Planner