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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-7-08MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY May 7, 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, May 7, 2008 at 7:00 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, Chip Stewart and Chris Horst. Also present were Staff members Stephen T. Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2008 meeting as presented. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmhouse Update Mr. Gehr noted that efforts are continuing to save the historic farmstead located at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. He stated that a meeting was held with Mr. Joe Kroboth, Director of Washington County Public Works Division to discuss plans for the aforementioned property and to arrange a meeting with the Board of County Commissioners. Copies of a letter received from the FAA was distributed and discussed. The FAA has no objection to the rehabilitation and retention of the farmhouse; however, it must be used for airport related uses. Maryland Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference Mr. Gehr noted that information was distributed in the agenda packets for this conference. Mr. Artz stated that members from the HDC participating in the stone house conference that day will get in free. Members will need to register for the second day. There is money available in the HDC's budget for training that will help defray the costs; however, you must present a receipt for reimbursement. Mr. Goodrich will be presenting the Antietam Battlefield bus tour on Friday morning. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Comprehensive Plan Update Ms. Izer presented her comments and suggestions for changes to the Comprehensive Plan update. She gave members a brief overview of her changes and submitted them to Mr. Goodrich for his review. She expressed her opinion that a section should be included on Rural Villages. Motion and Vote: Mr. Horst made a motion to accept Ms. Izer's comments and suggestions as the HDC's recommendation for changes to the Comprehensive Plan update. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Demolition Permit #2008-01415. 13220 Mauqansville Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment Demolition Permit #2008-01415 for property located at 13220 Maugansville Road. Mr. Martin, applicant, was present at the meeting. Mr. Goodrich stated that the dwelling in question has been removed prior to the issuance of the demolition permit. Discussion and Comments: Ms. Izer asked the applicant why the structure was removed. Mr. Martin stated that he purchased the agricultural property in September 2007 with the intent of keeping it as an agricultural use. He stated that he plans to subdivide 3 acres of the property to give to his son with a special needs child. He noted that several contractors examined the structure and they did not believe the structure could be adapted to meet the needs of his son and his family. Mr. Martin stated that the house has been gutted by fire on three separate occasions. A contractor from Chambersburg was hired and the house was removed in three days. Mr. Goodrich stated there are penalties for not obtaining permits, which may or may not be enforced. He noted that the property was rephotographed by the Maryland Historical Trust in the 1990's. Members expressed their disappointment that the historic structure was demolished. Permit #2008-01556 and #2008-01557 -18518 Shepherdstown Pike Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2008.01556 and 2008-01557 for property located at 18518 Shepherdstown Pike in the Antietam overlay zone. A copy of the permit application, a map showing the location of the property, a copy of the Maryland Historical Trust's inventory form describing the structure, which is included in the Antietam Battlefield National Register listing, and a photographic from 1978. Mr. Goodrich briefly reviewed the guidelines that members should use when reviewing applications in the Antietam Overlay zone. He noted that a demolition permit is also part of the application. The applicant, Mr. Lewis Kefauver, was present at the meeting. The applicant is proposing to demolish an existing 15' x 19' one-story addition and chimney and replace with a 15' x 19' two-story addition on the same footprint and replace and enclose the existing covered porch. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Kefauver stated that the portion of the structure proposed for demolition is in very poor condition. Ms. Izer stated that she did visit the site and the addition proposed for demolition is a much later addition than the original structure and is in very poor condition and does not appear to be stable. Members concurred that the proposed demolition is warranted. Mr. Horst expressed his opinion that the proposed addition loses the characteristics of the old house. Ms. Izer noted that the existing chimney appears to be original to the house and she expressed her disappointment that the chimney is going to be demolished also. She also stated that the original clapboard siding on the house was placed over logs and is in excellent condition considering its age. Mr. Kefauver stated it is his intention to leave the original siding on the house and cover it with vinyl siding. Mr. Horst asked if the addition could be moved further to the rear of the property because he believes the two-story addition "overpowers" the original structure. Mr. Kefauver stated it could not be moved back due to its close proximity to the 100 -year storm water management stream. Mr. Gehr suggested using a scissors truss that could drop the facia area down to keep in line with the existing structure. Ms. Izer asked the applicant why he wants to enclose the front porch. Mr. Kefauver stated the existing door height is 72-1/2 inches so by raising the porch roof he can get a regular door height. There was extensive discussion regarding the porch and the doorway. There was a brief discussion with regard to the windows in the proposed addition. Members discussed various design and materials options with the applicant and suggested consulting an architect. Members also expressed concern with regard to the enclosure of the porch. Motion and vote: Mr. Horst made a motion to approve the demolition of the existing addition as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Motion and vote: Mr. Horst made a motion to continue review of the building permit application based on the location of the structure within the Antietam Overlay zone, the addition is not congruous with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for rehabilitation. The HDC will continue its review upon submittal of the following revisions by the applicant: the roof lines on the addition versus the existing structure being the same height so as not to overpower the original structure; the size of the windows to be commensurate with the existing window sizes within reason and within code; the siding shall not be vinyl; plans should be redesigned to exclude enclosing the existing porch; the overall scale of the proposed addition is overpowering the existing structure and should be modified. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Demolition Permit #2008-01715 —13221 Marsh Pike Mr. Goodrich stated that the applicant has requested review of this permit to be withdrawn at this time. TC-08-001 — Tax Credit application for 806 The Terrace Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval the Tax Credit application, TC-08-001, for property located at 806 The Terrace. The credit application includes tax credits for new construction as well as rehabilitation of the existing structure. Mr. Goodrich distributed copies of the minutes from the Hagerstown Preservation Design Commission's review of the plans for the addition and copies of the application noting receipts for various items and staff comments for questionable items for which credits are being sought, a copy of the Ordinance for tax credit, and copies of the line by line items to be reviewed. Mr. Alsip, applicant, was present at the meeting. Mr. Gehr noted that he is a member of the Hagerstown Preservation Design Commission and he will abstain from any comments or discussion with regard to this tax credit application. Discussion and comments: The Commission discussed each individual line item to determine its eligibility for the tax credit. A copy of the line items is attached and made a part of these minutes noting if the item was approved or not approved for inclusion in the total tax credit calculation. Items that did not have receipts included in the application were not accepted as eligible expenses. By consensus, the HDC clarified that receipts or documentation for the General Contractor's fees must be submitted for eligibility. By consensus, the HDC determined that landscaping and fencing are not eligible for tax credits. By consensus, the HDC determined that replacement of the driveway is classified as "maintenance in kind" and is not eligible for tax credits. Mr. Horst expressed his opinion that the applicant should provide the following as proof of the expenses associated with the general contractor's work: the total spend (contract amount), copies of the canceled checks that match that total, a breakdown of the total spent between the exterior and the interior, a breakdown by category for the exterior work. The documents should be submitted to Mr. Goodrich and presented to the HDC for further review and approval. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the tax credits that have supporting documentation and as discussed and agreed upon by the HDC. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Mr. Gehr abstained. Proposed cell tower — Warfordsburg Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment a proposed cell tower to be located on Warfordsburg Road near Hancock. He noted that the agenda packet included inventory forms of nearby historic structures and maps. Mr. Goodrich stated that Site #VI -005 (Steigers farm), which is located on the Jefferson Cheese property has been determined to be National Register eligible. Mr. Goodrich noted there is an existing cell tower in close proximity to the proposed site. Members discussed the surrounding area noting that it is a more industrial area with a cheese factory, a new/used car lot, a quarry, etc. Mr. Horst expressed his concern with regard to the view shed from Hancock and the height of the cell tower. Motion and Vote: Mr. Horst made a motion to recommend that this site is acceptable for an additional cell tower assuming it is of similar height to the existing tower located within close proximity. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. SP -08-015 — Knob Hall Winery Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the site plan for Knob Hall Winery to be located along the north side of Barnhart Road. Mr. Gehr noted that the applicant is requesting a temporary winery to be located in their existing garage and proposing a winery to be located down the road away from the existing structure. No comments. PC -08-002 — Haaerstown Gatewa Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the Preliminary Consultation for Hagerstown Gateway, a proposed shopping center at the I-70/US Route 40 interchange. The consultation was held on April 23, 2008. Mr. Goodrich stated that he gave the developer a copy of a map with numerous historic inventory sites designated. He noted there will be two sites directly impacted by the development (Site # 1-451, which will be need to be demolished in order to construct the access onto US Route 40) and the bridge in Route 40, (which has been determined to be National Register eligible) over the Landis Spring branch. Mr. Goodrich stated that US Route 40 would need to be widened to four lanes. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Horst expressed his opinion that it is "unconscionable" to eliminate any historical structure. Mr. Stewart expressed his opinion that eliminating the house to put in a chain restaurant would be a huge loss for the County. Mr. Goodrich stated that the historic house is in good condition and is currently occupied. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to forward the following comments to the developer. The HDC is "enormously disappointed at the lack of sensitivity to the existing historic structures on the Maryland and Washington County Historical Site Inventories. It is unconscionable that the developer has not made any effort to save, work around or incorporate this valuable asset of Washington County in their plans. Washington County treasurers its stone bridges because they are part of the heritage of this County." The HDC recommends that the plans be revised to save the historic house and bridge. Seconded by Mr. Horst. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Wiles asked if there is any penalty for demolition of a structure without a permit. Mr. Goodrich stated there are penalties, such as a minimal fine. Members expressed their opinions that penalties should be sufficient to make an impact so citizens follow the rules. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Bowman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. So ordered. Respectfully submitted, Stephen T. Goodric Chief Planner