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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-2-08MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSii FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY July 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, July 2, 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, Robert Bowman II, Merry Stinson, 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 May 7, 2008 meeting as amended. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS & BILLS E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AP2008-012 - Special Exception within the Doub's Mill National Reaister District Mr. Goodrich presented a copy of the memorandum from the HDC that was sent to the Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals regarding AP2008-012. The applicant requested a special exception for a contractor's storage yard and office to be located in the Doub's Mill National Register District. By a consensus vote, the HDC recommended several conditions if the special exception is approved by the BZA. Mr. Goodrich stated that the BZA denied the applicant's request. Motion and Vote: Ms. Stinson made a motion to formally accept the memorandum sent to the Board of Zoning Appeals on June 16, 2008. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Permit #2008-01556 - 18518 Shepherdstown Pike Mr. Goodrich reminded members that Permit #2008-01556 was previously reviewed by the HDC during their May 7, 2008 meeting. The applicant proposed to demolish an existing 15 x 19 -foot one-story addition and chimney, to construct a 15 x 19 -foot, 570 -square foot two-story addition, and to replace and enclose an existing covered porch. The HDC approved the demolition of the existing addition at the May 7'h meeting. However, the HDC continued their review of the proposed new construction and identified areas of concern regarding the design of the proposed addition and porch. Discussion: Mr. Goodrich presented new plans submitted by the applicant, Mr. Kefauver. Mr. Kefauver stated that the demolition of the one-story addition has been completed. Mr. Bowman noted that the new plans propose the use of fiber cement siding instead of the vinyl siding originally proposed. Ms. Stinson questioned the replacement of the original siding on the existing house. Ms. Izer stated that the original siding would be encapsulated; however, the HDC expressed their opposition at the May 7th meeting. Ms. Stinson stated that the guidelines recommend keeping original materials. Mr. Kefauver stated that the original log structure was encapsulated by batten board siding and lap board siding was added at a later date. He stated that it is difficult to keep paint on the lap board siding and maintenance has become an issue. Ms. Izer noted that the HDC, as part of their previous motion to continue review of the building permit application, recommended that, "plans should be redesigned to exclude enclosing the existing porch". She expressed her opinion that enclosing the porch gives the appearance of a "modern house". . Other members concurred that the enclosed porch is not appropriate There was a brief discussion with regard to the replacement of the existing front door and applicable County codes. Ms. Izer made an inquiry with regard to the proposed asphalt shingles. Mr. Kefauver stated that the entire dwelling including the new addition would have a metal roof. Mr. Stewart made an inquiry with regard to the height of the roof on the new addition. Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that even though the addition is taller, it is similar to old two-story farmhouses that have a 1 /z -story section on them. Mr. Horst expressed his concern with regard to the windows on the proposed addition. He believes that they are not proportionately compatible with each other. There was an extensive discussion regarding the proportions of the windows. Mr. Stewart suggested enclosing the porch with glass. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the addition for property located at 18518 Shepherdstown Pike contingent upon the following conditions: the porch must be redesigned so it is not enclosed and encapsulated in "hardy plank" siding. Enclosing the porch alters the appearance of the remaining portion of the original house and gives the appearance of a modern house. The "B" windows (as shown on the plans) must be elongated and in scale with the existing windows on the original, lower portion of the house. The roof must be metal as indicated by the owner and not asphalt shingles as indicated on the plans. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. The plans for the porch must be reviewed by the Historic District Commission upon being revised. Demolition Permit #2008-01715 —13221 Marsh Pike Mr. Goodrich stated that the applicant has withdrawn the application for the demolition permit for property located at 13221 Marsh Pike. The applicant intends to retain the building to be rehabilitated and reused. TC-08-001 — Tax Credit application for 806 The Terrace Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval additional information for TC-08-001 for property located at 806 The Terrace. At the May 7, 2008 meeting, the HDC approved several items for tax credits that had appropriate supporting documentation; however, several items did not have the appropriate documentation (i.e. receipts). The Commission requested additional information to validate several expenses associated with the general contractor's charges. Discussion: Mr. Horst gave a brief summation of his findings when reviewing the additional documentation. He noted that the Commission was trying to validate the charges for the exterior renovations to the house. Mr. Horst believes that the additional information provided does not meet the HDC's request. Motion and Vote: Mr. Horst made a motion not to approve any of the general contractor's expenses with the documentation provided. Original documentation to validate the breakdown of interior versus exterior costs is needed. Invoices from the subcontractors should also be included, if available, with the general contractor's invoices. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Demolition —16814 Blake Road, WA -1-232 Mr. Gehr recused himself from any discussions regarding this project. Mr. Goodrich presented for review and recommendation the proposed demolition for property located at 16814 Blake Road. A subdivision plat is currently under review by the Washington County Planning Department for Lots 3 and 4 in the Hopewell Business Park. The historic barn currently is located across a proposed lot line. Lot 3 is proposed for development in the future. The property is zoned HI -1 — Highway Interchange 1. The house and barn located on proposed Lot 3 are listed on the Maryland Historic Sites Inventory. Discussion: There was a brief discussion with regard to plans for the property. Mr. Townsley of Fox & Associates, Inc., the applicant's consultant, stated that Mr. Day, the applicant, intends to construct a flex office on Lot 4. Lot 3 is under contract for purchase and a site plan would be required by the new owner prior to developing the site. Ms. Stinson asked if the property line could be readjusted slightly to keep the structures. Mr. Townsley stated, "we are trying to hold the existing property line behind the existing office building". He noted that the barn would need to be removed as a condition of the subdivision approval. Members reviewed photos of the existing barn and comments were made regarding the excellent condition of the structure. Ms. Izer asked if the original house was a log structure. Mr. Day stated he did not know if it was a log structure. Ms. Izer asked if the house is a log structure and in good condition, would the applicant consider dismantling the house and donating the materials to the Washington County Agricultural Museum. Mr. Day stated he would not be opposed to dismantling the house and donating the materials. Ms. Izer suggested keeping the barn on its own lot with a private driveway. Ms. Stinson suggested keeping the barn on Lot 4 and adjusting the lot line slightly. Mr. Day stated he would keep the barn on Lot 4 and adjust the lot line. Mr. Goodrich stated that the HDC's recommendations should be placed on the plat to assure that the recommendations are implemented. The recommendations would become a requirement of the approval. The Planning Department would be responsible to make sure the restrictions are being followed. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to recommend to the County Planning Department and Planning Commission that the barn and an appropriate setback be added to Lot 4 and be retained for an active re -use. The HDC is not opposed to the demolition of the house with the condition that it would dismantled and offered for reconstruction to the Washington County Agricultural Museum or other non- profit organization or any other interested persons. The HDC commends the owner for their willingness to consider the HDC's recommendations. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Mr. Gehr abstained. Permit #2008-03131 and Demolition Permit #2008-03133-21420 Leiter Street Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit #2008-03131 for property located at 21420 Leiter Street in the Rural Village of Leitersburg. The applicant is proposing to demolish an existing 320 -square foot kitchen addition to the rear of the dwelling and to construct a 24'-8" x 24' two-story addition to the rear of the existing dwelling. The applicant, Ms. Bittle, was present at the meeting. Discussion: Mr. Bowman asked the date of the kitchen addition. Ms. Stinson stated it is probably early 20th century, but it is not "substantial or noteworthy". Members expressed their opinions that the addition appears to be compatible with the existing structure. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Permit #2008-03131 for property located at 21420 Leiter Street in the Rural Village of Leitersburg. The HDC approves the addition as presented with the standing -seam roof and the hardy plank siding because the house is located in the historic portion of the Rural Village of Leitersburg, it is a contributing structure, and if built according to the plans, the addition will be compatible with other structures in the area. The HDC recommends the use of grids on the windows to make the appearance of the house aesthetically pleasing. The HDC is not opposed to the demolition of the existing addition as referenced in Permit #2008-03133. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. PC -08-005 — Hagerstown Towne Center Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment a preliminary consultation for the Hagerstown Towne Center located at the intersection of US Route 40 and the 1-70 interchange on the south side of Landis Road. The property is the subject of a potential annexation into the City of Hagerstown. Discussion: Ms. Izer noted that most of the historic structures are surrounded by housing developments. Ms. Stinson stated she believes there is an old existing cemetery on the property. She stated it is documented in the cemetery listings of Western Maryland. Mr. Gehr expressed his opinion that significant buffering is needed to protect the historic structures around the subject site. Motion and Vote: Mr. Bowman made a motion to recommend wooded buffers of significant vertical height and berms to compensate for the proposed retail buildings and to offer a shield for the nearby historic structures and other residents in the area. Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. H. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Goodrich stated that he has received the final draft of the Rural Communities Survey for Downsville and Mt. Lena. None. J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Horst. So ordered. Respectfully submitted, Stephen t. Goodrich Chief Planner