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HomeMy WebLinkAbout190306 - Minutes, Historic District CommSUMMARY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY March 6, 2019 A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Historic District Commission held a meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 2001 of the Washington County Administration Building, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland. Members present included: Tom Clemens, Ann Aldrich, and Vernell Doyle. Also present was Staff member Stephen Goodrich, Director, Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning. B. MINUTES None C. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS None D, UNFINISHED BUSINESS None E. BUDGET None F. NEW BUSINESS None G. OTHER BUSINESS Discussion of Demolition Application Process There was a brief discussion of the Rural Legacy program which is available to all counties in the State through the State Department of Natural Resources. This program is similar to the ag land preservation program whereby an easement is purchased to remove development rights from the property and preserve it in perpetuity. Ag land preservation is funded by transfer taxes collected locally and sent to the State. Priority Preservation Areas (PPAs) are designated in our Comp Plan and allows the County to keep 2/3 of the transfer tax to be used locally for agricultural preservation. Without PPAs, the County would only be able to keep 1/3 of the total tax and the remainder would go to the State. Rural Legacy areas are the basis for the creation of the Preservation zoning district. During the comprehensive Rural Area rezoning in 2005, three new zoning districts were created including the Agricultural district which has a minimum residential lot size of 5 acres, Environmental Conservation district has a minimum residential lot size of 20 acres, and the Preservation district within has a minimum residential lot size of 30 acres. There is currently a proposal to expand the Rural Legacy area. Members briefly discussed demolition by neglect. Currently, the county does not seek out properties for this issue; however, there are building code enforcement regulations that deal with the safety of buildings. The County responds to public complaints of unsafe buildings and if there is obvious neglect, the code enforcement officer can cite the owner of the property. Mr. Goodrich briefly reviewed the Maryland Use Article Guidelines for Historic Preservation that was included in the agenda packet. This documents prepared by the State of Maryland gives local government the authority to regulate issues dealing with zoning and historic preservation. In order to implement certain regulations addressing historic preservation, there is a process used to evaluate the property and landmark it. Being on the Historic Sites Inventory is not enough to keep a property safe from demolition because the Inventory is not complete and the process has not allowed for public input. There was a brief discussion regarding the "taking" of property and property owners' rights. Mr. Goodrich explained that a policy was adopted in 1989 by the Board of County Commissioners which gives the HDC the right to review demolition permits when the property is listed on the Historic Sites Inventory. This policy has not been changed since its adoption and members believe it is time to review the policy and recommend changes. Following a brief discussion, members suggested that Mr. Goodrich draft a new policy to include the following: • Post a sign on the property being proposed for demolition so the public is made aware that the owner wants to demolish the structure(s). • Establish a policy for HDC members to have the opportunity to walk through the property being proposed for demolition in order to see the condition of the property first-hand. This would allow members to make better informed decisions and discuss with the owner alternatives that may be available. • If the HDC is not opposed to the demolition, the permit could be issued. However, if the HDC is opposed to the demolition impose a 90 day delay in demolition. This would allow time for the salvage of useable materials from the structure to be demolished. • Professional documentation and recording of the structure [at the property owner's expense] prior to demolition. • Prior to the HDC review of the application, documentation should include up-to-date photos of both the interior and exterior of significant pieces of the structure and the history and significance of the property. H. CLOSED SESSION None I. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stephen T. Goodrich, Director