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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-2-08MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSIi FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 2, 2008 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 2, 2008 at 7:04 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 lzer, Chip 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 minutes of the March 5, 2008 meeting as presented. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS Mr. Goodrich distributed copies of the State Highway Administration's proposed bridge remedial work to Structure No. 2109000 in Washington County. The proposed work involves plating beam ends, installing drainage troughs over piers, modify roadway joints at piers, repair roadway joint headers with concrete, perform pneumatically applied mortar repairs to piers and reseal abutment roadway joints with pourable sealant. 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 Comprehensive Plan Update There was a brief discussion regarding the HDC's reorganization, goals and recommendations of Chapter 10 of the County's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Goodrich stated he would like to have the changes and recommendations by the May meeting. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Permit #2008-01019-25437 Highfield Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2008-01019 for property located at 25437 Highfield Road in the Highfield Rural Village zone; however, it is located outside the historic portion of the Rural Village. The owner is proposing a 32' x 35' one story addition. N1r. Goodrich noted that the Agenda packet contained the following items: the permit application, a vicinity map showing the property location, a plat of the property showing the existing dwelling located on the property and the proposed additions, a copy of the letter notifying the property owner of this evenings meeting, and a copy of the building plans showing the exterior elevations. He provided a copy of the floor and roof plans during the meeting, copies of a map showing the Rural Village of Highfield and a drawing showing the boundaries of the historic portion of Highfield. The applicant/owner, Ms. Connie Smith, was present at the meeting. Comments and Discussion: Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that there is a mix of building types in the area. Mr. Stewart expressed his opinion that the proposed addition would present a "more cohesive finished product" than is currently there. Members agreed that the proposed addition would bring the house into proportion of other homes in the area and would be compatible with the character of the neighborhood. Motion and Vote: Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve Permit #2008-01019 for property located at 25437 Highfield Road based on an inspection of the proposed plans, the house is a non-contributing structure in the Highfield Rural Village zone and if constructed in accordance with these plans, the addition would be compatible with the character of the existing structure and adjacent properties. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmstead Mr. Gehr added this item to the Agenda during the meeting. Mr. Gehr began by stating that he attended a meeting with Ms. Izer, Mr. Brian Poffenberger, representative of the Maryland Historical Trust, Mr. Ralph Young, and Mr. George Anikis. The group met to discuss efforts to preserve the Brumbaugh- Kendle-Grove Farmstead. They are in the process of securing grants through MHT and Preservation Maryland to save this structure. The grants would be used to install security measures in order to protect the structure from further vandalism. Mr. Gehr noted that the County currently owns the structure and the Comprehensive Plan cites historic preservation as one of the County's goals. He noted that the structure could be used for Airport related business; however, the group is open to suggestions. Mr. Bowman has prepared a preliminary cost estimate to rehabilitate the structure to a usable condition. Ms. Izer began a brief discussion with regard to the 106 review. Mr. Goodrich stated that the County used Federal funds to purchase the property for the roadway extension. Demolition of the structure was not proposed at that time. The initial proposal several years ago to remove the building triggered the 106 review. The County has been advised what steps need to be taken to address the 106 review including the documentation of the building and trying to find alternatives to retain the structure. Ms. Izer stated that trees have fallen through the roof of the barn, the tin has been peeled back and water is coming into the basement. She also noted that on three separate occasions, the group working to preserve the buildings have found the structures unlocked. Ms. Izer expressed her opinion that the Airport no longer wants to maintain the structures; therefore, the more the property is neglected and left to be vandalized, the easier it will be to justify demolition. Mr. Gehr briefly discussed the grant process and the requirements that must be met to receive funding. He also discussed the priority of work needed to begin to preserve the structures. Ms. Izer began a brief discussion with regard to the FAA assurances attached to the property. She noted that Ms. Motz, Airport Manager, stated that the FAA is requiring that the property in question must be used for airport related purposes only. Ms. Izer stated that the County Attorney's office and land records do not have the assurances associated with the grant. Ms. Izer has obtained a standard copy of the FAA's assurances. Under the Operation, Management and Compatible Land Use section of the assurance it is stated, "The Airport will take appropriate action to the extent reasonable including the adopting of zoning laws to restrict the use of land adjacent or in the immediate vicinity of the airport to activities or purposes compatible with normal airport operations. It will not cause or permit any change in land use within its jurisdiction that will reduce its capacity with respect to the airport." Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that the airport could use the property as a security monitoring facility, which would be beneficial to the airport. Members then discussed the zoning of the property. Mr. Goodrich stated that the property is currently zoned Agriculture. The County is in the process of developing a zoning plan for the Urban Growth Area. Staff's intention is to update the Airport area and everything that the County owns as part of the Airport in the Airport Overlay zone. Members discussed several options for securing funds to help with the renovation and rehabilitation of the property. They also discussed the agency that would be responsible for the funds once they are received. Mr. Bowman is preparing a document with colored photographs to show the deterioration of the structures and a proposal with an approximate cost to rehabilitate them. He brought a slide presentation to the meeting to show members the current condition of the property and discuss his recommendations. Mr. Goodrich stated that research would be needed to determine the original materials used and determine what past residents would have used to replace or repair the structures. He also suggested choosing a date in time to which materials should be chosen to match materials appropriate to that time period. Motion and Vote: Mr. Wiles made a motion to approve Michael Gehr and Sandra Izer as the HDC's representatives and give them full authority to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in the preservation efforts of the Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmstead based on the HDC's advisory capacity as delegated in the Zoning Ordinance and because this is a County owned National Register eligible property. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS A meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, April 6th at 9:30 at Mr. Gehr's offices to discuss the Washington County Stone Age presentation the committee is preparing. Mr. Wiles stated that he attended the Board of Zoning appeals meeting when the cell tower adjacent to Fort Frederick was discussed. He noted that the HDC's recommendation was not mentioned. The BZA approved the cell tower location. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. So ordered. Respectfully submitted, Stephe T. Goodrich Chief Planner