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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211201_workshopSUMMARY OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AND HISTORIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE JOINT WORKSHOP December 1, 2021 The Washington County Historic District Commission and the Historic Advisory Committee held a joint workshop meeting on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the Washington County Administrative Complex, 100 W. Washington Street, Room 2001, Hagerstown, Maryland. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The HDC Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Historic District Commission members present were: Greg Smith, Chairman, Lloyd Yavener, Vice Chairman, Ann Aldrich, Vernell Doyle, Michael Lushbaugh, and Kourtney Lowery. Historic Advisory Committee members present were: Linda Irvin -Craig and Ralph Young, Co -Chairpersons, and Tom Clemens. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Jill Baker, Director; Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member; and Debra Eckard, Administrative Assistant. Demolition Permit Review Procedures Discussion Ms. Baker gave a brief history of the draft demolition permit review policy. This policy was first presented by the HAC to the Board of County Commissioners in 2019. At that time, the BOCC requested input from the Washington County Planning Commission. Unfortunately, the Planning Commission did not provide any feedback to the proposed policy changes. Subsequently it was presented again to the BOCC earlier this year at which time the County Commissioners suggested that they should hold a workshop meeting with the HAC and HDC. It was decided that a joint workshop with the HDC and HAC should be held prior to meeting with the Commissioners in order to provide a united proposal. Two topics of discussion that need to be focused on are the delayed review period and premature demolition and fines. Ms. Aldrich expressed her opinion that the permitting process needs to be reversed so that a demolition permit cannot be issued before development plans are approved. She asked if there is a way to reverse the process and hold the demolition permit on historic structures until all other permits are approved. Ms. Baker stated there is not a way to reverse the process because the demolition permit is its own independent process and is not necessarily associated with a development project. She noted that included in the Design Guidelines, which will be approved by the HDC independent of the BOCC, staff is proposing a requirement that when a demolition permit is applied for, the applicant must have a case file number from MHT. This will ensure that MHT will be able to review the application and comment on the historic structures prior to demolition. Ms. Aldrich asked if MHT's requirements for documentation will be cited in the Design Guidelines. Ms. Jenkins stated that MHT's standards and guidelines for architectural and historical investigations would be a suggestion in the Guidelines. It will not be a requirement since it can be quite costly to have a professional assessment completed. This could be a deterrent for people to apply fora demolition permit and go thru the process whereby the HDC can make comment and provide alternatives to the property owner, such as reuse, rehabilitation or salvaging of materials. Currently in the Zoning Ordinance and in Maryland State Law, there is a requirement for the HDCto render a decision within 45 days of receipt of a "completed application". There currently is no demolition application with the HDC; there is only the permit application. There was a brief discussion regarding the definition of a "completed application". Members suggested defining the "completed application" in the HP zone. One suggestion would be to considerthe application completed when it is presented forthe first time to the HDC during its monthly meeting. That would give the HDC 45 days to review the application and work with the applicant to find alternatives to demolition. There was some discussion as to whether a public hearing could be incorporated into the process to give the public an opportunity to comment or give testimony on the history of a property, potential environmental impacts, etc. If a public hearing could not be integrated, members suggested having a way to get public comment. Ms. Baker explained that public comment is only used when there is going to be an amendment or a change in the use of a property that is not expected. For example, a change in zoning on a specific parcel of land. She reminded members that we are discussing a building permit and noted that the County does not take public comment on a building permit. Ms. Baker expressed her concern that by taking public comment, we would give the public a false sense of hope when we cannot deny the demolition permit. The HDC's authority is only for the support or non-support of a demolition permit. The HAC would like to be included in the review process when the HDC receives the "completed application". It was suggested that the HDC agenda packet should be sent to the HAC at the same time it is sent to the HDC members. Consensus: Define "completed application" in the Design Guidelines. It was decided that the Chairman of the HDC and the Co -chairpersons of the HAC will exchange e -mails to discuss the premature demolition permit and fines. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and so ordered by the Chairman. Respectfully submitted, Jill L. Baker, Director Washington County Dept. of Planning & Zoning