HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-3-08MINUTES
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY
September 3, 2008
A. and B. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice -Chairperson Merry Stinson called the regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission to
order on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington County
Administrative Annex, 80 West Baltimore Street. Members present included: Merry Stinson, Sandy Izer,
Chris Horst and David Wiles. Also present were Staff members Stephen T. Goodrich and Debra Eckard.
C. MINUTES
Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2008 meeting contingent upon
verification of the dollar amount referenced in the Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmstead issue. Seconded
by Mr. Horst. Unanimously approved.
D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS
Mr. Goodrich noted that information was included in the agenda packet regarding an upcoming workshop
being conducted at the Allegany College of Maryland. This workshop would qualify as required training
for HDC members.
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
TC-08-001 - 806 The Terrace
Mr. Goodrich stated that this application was previously reviewed at the May 7th meeting at which time the
Commission approved a portion of the expenses that were documented with receipts. The Commission
requested additional documentation for several items labeled "GC" (General Contractor) on the
applicant's list of expenses that were submitted without receipts. Additional documentation was
submitted and reviewed at the July 2n° meeting; however, Commission members did not feel that the
documentation provided enough detail to verify the submitted costs were for exterior work by the general
contractor. Additional information was not submitted; however, Mr. Alsip, the applicant, attended this
evening's meeting to explain further and answer questions.
Discussion: Members reviewed the documentation previously submitted at the July 2n° meeting. Mr.
Alsip gave a brief explanation of the documentation from the general contractor. Mr. Horst expressed his
opinion that the documentation does not clearly specify the charges for exterior and interior work.
Members had a brief discussion to determine the course of action to be taken to resolve this issue.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to approve 75% of the total 10% tax credit amount shown as
$12,281.75 and 75% of the total 5% tax credit shown as $54,094.35 on the application. Seconded by Mr.
Horst. The motion passed with Ms. Izer and Mr. Horst voting "Aye" and Mr. Wiles voting "Nay".
NEW BUSINESS
Permit #2008-04480 — 14147 Windy Haven Road
Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit application #2008-04480 for property located at
14147 Windy Haven Road in the Ringgold Rural Village zone. The applicants, Howard and Diana Harne,
are proposing a 17' x 20' one-story unfinished addition to an existing shed to be used for storage. The
applicant is proposing to use vinyl siding for the exterior.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to approve Permit application #2008-04481 for property
located at 14147 Windy Haven Road based on an inspection of the proposed plans, the shed is a non-
contributing structure in the Ringgold 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. Wiles. Unanimously approved.
Permit #2008-04771 —17821 Spielman Road
Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit application #2008-04771 for property located at
17821 Spielman Road in the historic portion of the Fairplay Rural Village zone. The applicant, Douglas
Moyers, is proposing to construct a 16' x 31' detached one -car garage to the rear of the dwelling. The
applicant is proposing to use vinyl siding for the exterior.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Chris Horst made a motion to approve Permit application #2008-04481 for
property located at 17821 Spielman Road based on an inspection of the proposed plans and if
constructed in accordance with these plans, the garage would be compatible with the character of the
neighborhood. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved.
Potential Cell Tower — 9000 Jordan Road
Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment the proposal for a 190 -foot monopole tower facility to be
located at 9000 Jordan Road. There are two historic structures within a %-mile radius of the proposed
cell tower and numerous other historic structures in the surrounding area.
Discussion: Ms. Izer expressed her opinion that the cell tower will be visible from most of the historic
structures due to the topography of the area. Mr. Goodrich noted that a large transmission line is already
visible in this area. Mr. Wiles believes the proposed cell tower would be visible from Fort Frederick,
Antietam Battlefield, Harper's Ferry, C & O Canal, Potomac River, etc. There was a brief discussion
regarding a cell tower that was recently approved for construction at Lappan's Crossroads which is in
close proximity to this site.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to recommend disallowing the proposed cell tower because a
cell tower was recently approved for construction across the road from St. Mark's Episcopal Church (a
National Historic Register site) at Lappan's Crossroads, which is in close proximity to this site, and the
telecommunications provider should co -locate on the Lappan's Crossroads tower. Seconded by Mr.
Wiles. Unanimously approved.
PC -08-007 - AMS, LLC
Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment a preliminary consultation for a 9 lot subdivision for
industrial uses located along the east side of Greencastle Pike (Route 63). The property is currently
zoned HI -1 — Highway Interchange 1. Mr. Goodrich explained that commercial, light industrial, light
manufacturing and warehouse uses are allowed in this zoning designation.
Discussion: Mr. Goodrich noted there is a National Register eligible structure (Site 1-367 of the
Washington County Historic Sites Survey) located north of this site. Site 1-353 located south of the site
was previously reviewed for demolition by the HDC. Members reviewed documentation provided for the
inventoried sites.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Horst made a motion to recommend appropriate screening on the proposed site to
provide a buffer for the National Register eligible historic structure. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously
approved.
Membershia Recommendation
Mr. Goodrich stated that Mr. Gehr's appointment to the HDC expires on October 31, 2008.
Recommendations are needed from the Commission to the BOCC to fill this vacancy. Mr. Goodrich
explained the BOCC's policy for appointments to Boards/Commissions. There are currently no
applications on file with the Board of County Commissioners for this particular commission.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that
Mr. Gehr be re -appointed to the Historic District Commission because there are no applications on file
and his expertise is important to the completion of the Design Guidelines. Seconded by Mr. Wiles.
Unanimously approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Stinson began a discussion regarding properties zoned RB-E (Rural Business Existing) within the
Rural Villages, which are not reviewed when applying for permits for new construction by the Historic
District Commission. Mr. Goodrich stated that Staff is currently reviewing the issues involved with having
the RB-E zone within the Rural Villages. Staff is currently discussing two options: 1) to have the RB-E
zoning designations removed or 2) have the HDC review permit applications for business with the RB-E
zoning within the Rural Villages. A Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance is required to make the
appropriate changes.
There was a brief discussion regarding the HDC's historic review of Rural Villages.
Ms. Izer announced that Mr. Jason Divelbiss has extended an invitation to members of the HDC to tour
the Shank house located on the property owned by Faison, which is the site for the proposed Hagerstown
Gateway shopping complex. The tour will be conduced on Thursday, September 11th at 2:00 p.m.
Representatives of Faison will be present.
Ms. Izer announced that the Historic District Commission in conjunction with the Washington County
Historical Society and the Maryland Historical Trust will be hosting a luncheon and tour of the
Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove Farmstead for the Board of County Commissioners. The luncheon will be held
on Tuesday, September 23rd from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Horst announced that Leadership Washington County will be holding a Historic Day in the near future.
There will be a panel discussion regarding issues relative to historic properties. Members discussed a
tour of a historic building that has been saved and reused or a historic building that is proposed for
demolition and a building that has been rehabilitated.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Horst made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Izer. So ordered
Respectfully submitted,
LSG
S eplien T. Goodrich
Chief Planner