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Home My WebLink About11-4-09MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY November 4, 2009 A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Merry Stinson called the regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission to order on Wednesday. November 4, 2009 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, Charles Stewart, Rob Bowman, and David Wiles. Also present was Staff members Stephen Goodrich and Debra Eckard. B. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2009 meeting as presented. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. C. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS Mr. Goodrich distributed copies of the newsletter from the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissioners. D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None E. BUDGET None F. NEW BUSINESS Permit #2009-04505-7910 Abbott Drive Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit # 2009-04505 for property located at 7910 Abbott Drive in the Tilghmanton Rural Village zone; however, the property is not within the historic portion of the Rural Village. The owner, Emmett Abbott, is proposing to construct a 45 foot by 32 foot pole barn. Motion and Vote: Mr. Bowman made a motion to approve Permit # 2009-04505 for property located at 7910 Abbott Drive in the Tilghmanton Rural Village zone because this is a non-contributing structure outside of the Rural Village and if built in accordance with the plans as presented it will be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Seconded by Mr. Horst. Unanimously approved. Permit #2009-04566 — 22841 Ringgold Pike Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval Permit # 2009-04566 for property located at 22841 Ringgold Pike in the Ringgold Rural Village zone; however, the dwelling is not within the historic portion of the Rural Village. The applicants, Dennis and Doreen Diehl, are proposing a 783 square foot one-story addition to the rear of an existing dwelling. Motion and Vote: Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve Permit # 2009-04566 for property located 22841 Ringgold Pike in the Ringgold Rural Village zone because this is a non-contributing structure outside of the historic portion of the Rural Village and if built in accordance with the plans as presented it will be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. Unanimously approved. AP2009-045 —15322 Fairview Road Cell Tower Mr. Goodrich stated that the Board of Zoning Appeals application for a proposed communications tower located at 15322 Fairview Road was reviewed and approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals on October 28, 2009. Due to the timing of the application, the HDC did not have the opportunity to review this application; however Mr. Goodrich stated that he sent a memorandum on behalf of the HDC to the BZA prior to its hearing. The memorandum included a list of the historic inventory sites located within close proximity to the proposed cell tower site. He noted that the proposed tower would be visible from all of the sites where photographs were taken by the Consultant and therefore would be visible from all of the historic inventory sites. Mr. Goodrich submitted the HDC's previous comments regarding its concern for the viewshed and the rural landscape. Comments: HDC members acknowledged Mr. Goodrich's response to the BZA and expressed its appreciation for his response. However, members expressed their disappointment that they did not have the opportunity to review and discuss the application prior to the BZA hearing. Ms. Izer expressed her concern regarding environmental issues in the case of leakage from the large batteries housed at the bottom of the cell towers and the impact to the Conococheague Creek. Potential Cell Tower -21228 Black Rock Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment an "Invitation to Comment" on a proposed cell tower at 21228 Black Road Road. The consultant is proposing to construct a 90.5 foot tall silo with 15 antennas and supports installed within the silo. Discussion & Comment: There was a brief discussion regarding the proposed silo versus a monopole. Members also discussed the height of the proposed silo versus the height of a barn or other farm buildings. Members believe that a monopole would be less obtrusive than the proposed silo. Mr. Bowman expressed his opinion that "a monopole would look better than a 90 -foot silo waiting for a 5 -foot chicken to walk by". Members also discussed the proposed location in relation to the interstate and the rural location. Mr. Horst recommended that the Consultant provide photographs from the surrounding historic locations cited by the HDC with a rendering of the proposed silo in proportional size. Mr. Stewart asked if balloon tests have been performed. Motion and Vote: Mr. Bowman and Mr. Horst made a motion to send the following comments to the Consultant for the proposed cell tower at 21228 Black Rock Road. Based on the numerous historic inventory sites in the area, the Historic District Commission (HDC) is concerned with the visual impact of the proposed cell tower. Therefore, the HDC recommends that photographs from surrounding historic locations as specified by the HDC with a rendering of the proposed silo in proportional size be provided. While the HDC appreciates the Consultant's sensitivity to the surrounding agricultural area, it also recommends that a rendering showing a monopole from the same historic locations be provided. These renderings would provide the HDC with a visual representation in order to make more informative and specific comments with regard to the location and style of the proposed cell tower. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. G. OTHER BUSINESS New Member Recommendations Mr. Kurt Cushwa, was in attendance at the meeting and expressed his interest in serving on the Historic District Commission. Members briefly discussed Mr. Cushwa's qualifications and answered his questions regarding the HDC's review authority. Motion and Vote: Mr. Horst made a motion that the Commission recommend to the Board of County Commissioners the following individuals for appointment to the HDC: Kurt Cushwa, Thomas Clemens, Christine Toms and Ralph Young. Additionally, the HDC recognizes Mr. Cushwa's qualifications that meet the requirements specified in Section 20.1(b) of the County's Zoning Ordinance for a person who possesses professional architectural training. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. Mr. Goodrich distributed copies of a letter received from a consultant, A D Marble & Company, regarding work being conducted for the CSX Railroad. The Railroad is using Federal Stimulus Money to fund a portion of the National Gateway Initiative Clearance Project. Mr. Goodrich briefly explained the project and the use of the funds. As part of the requirements to use Federal monies, the effects on historic resources must be considered. The consultant has identified the bridge at Harpers Ferry, which is National Register listed, as one of the tunnels that is structurally limited and needs to be rehabilitated. No action is required. Election of Officers The election of officers will be officially held at the December meeting. Ms. Stinson is currently acting as the Chair because Mr. Gehr, the HDC's chairman, was not re -appointed to the Commission. Members believe that a temporary Vice -Chair should be appointed in the event that Ms. Stinson cannot attend the meeting in December. Motion and Vote: Ms. Izer made a motion to elect Chris Horst as the interim Vice -Chair. Seconded by Mr. Stewart. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Bowman. So ordered Respectfullysubn,itted, f/ Step en T. Goodrich Chief Planner