HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-6-2021MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY October 6, 2021
The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday,
October 6, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington County Administrative Complex, 100 W. Washington
Street, Room 2001, Hagerstown, Maryland.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commission members present were: Greg Smith, Chairman, Lloyd Yavener, Vice Chairman, Ann Aldrich,
Vernell Doyle, Michael Lushbaugh, Kourtney Lowery and Ex-officio County Commissioner Jeff Cline. Staff
members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS
Coordinator and Debra Eckard, Administrative Assistant.
MINUTES
Motion and Vote: Mr. Yavener made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 1, 2021 meeting
as presented. The motion was second by Ms. Aldrich and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
2021-03775 – 1406 Weverton Road
Ms. Jenkins presented for review and comment a permit for property located at 1406 Weverton Road.
The applicant is proposing to replace a building that was destroyed by fire and construct an 864 sq. ft.
metal pole building on a concrete slab. There is no historic resource or contributing structure on the site.
This application is for review and comment only; members had no objection.
2021-03793 – 1137 Weverton Road
Ms. Jenkins presented for review and comment a permit for property located at 1137 Weverton Road.
The applicant is proposing to construct a detached garage, 506 sq. ft. finished and 506 sq. ft. unfinished,
as well as a 120 sq. ft. attached deck. This property contains an historic structure, which the applicant
plans to restore. The applicant is proposing to use materials that will mimic a barn. No samples of
materials were provided for the project.
Comments: Ms. Aldrich expressed her opinion that the applicant should use traditional materials because
this structure is located in a cluster of original buildings (pre-1860) in the Weverton area.
OTHER BUSINESS
Staff Report
Ms. Jenkins gave a brief update on the following:
• Pole buildings located in a rural village – Do HDC members want to review these applications or
have them handled at a Staff level? Pole buildings are considered temporary, not a permanent
structure. Members agreed Staff could handle these applications, but they would like to see them
on the written report provided by staff. Agricultural buildings are exempt from HDC review even
in the Rural Villages. Meghan will provide a written clarification of pole buildings at the next
meeting.
• Design Guidelines – Wyatt is currently working on formatting the Design Guidelines document.
Color photos are needed. Specifically needed is an example of an Italianate structure.
• Meghan suggested adding resources on the website regarding cemeteries. Staff has had several
inquiries recently, especially for family cemeteries. Commissioner Cline stated that the State of
Maryland has started an inmate program for repairing and cleaning tombstones. Ms. Doyle noted
that a good resource can be found on-line at the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites.
• Staff would like to update the HDC By-laws which have not been updated since the 1990s.
• Training – We have received Certified Local Government funding to assist with training costs. The
next two training courses offered by the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions
are: HP 101 – Law and Procedures and HP 102 – Ethics and Defensive Decision-Making. Meghan
will send out a survey for training dates. Members agreed they would like to schedule the HP 102
training first. Another opportunity for training is a free, virtual session the first week in December
sponsored by MHT. Meghan will provide members with the information.
• Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area – The boundary updates at the Airport for the plane museum
are complete and it is now in the HCWHA as well as the Saylor House.
• The Antietam Battlefield visitor’s center is progressing and should be open in September 2022.
The Battlefield is also working on an update to its Grounds Plan that should be out for public
comment in mid-October or November.
• South Mountain Battlefield is in the process of purchasing some properties for its expansion.
• A brochure was distributed to members for the Underground Railroad provided by the visitor’s
bureau.
• An African American cemetery in the Halfway area is being documented.
• The mini grant session for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area is now open for applications.
Staff Reviews
• A demolition permit for the Dickinson property (16822 National Pike) has been received and will
be scheduled on the November agenda.
UPCOMING MEETING
Our next meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms.
Doyle and so ordered by the Chairman.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________
Jill L. Baker, Director
Washington County Dept. of Planning & Zoning