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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230104MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY January 4, 2023 The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington County Administrative Complex, 100 W. Washington Street, Room 1301, Hagerstown, MD. 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, Vernell Doyle, Michael Lushbaugh, Brianna Candelaria and Ann Aldrich. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member. Also present at the meeting was Jeff Tedrick of the Bowman Corporation and George Warmenhover of Antietam Creek Vineyards. MINUTES Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2022 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS 2022-06007 — Antietam Vineyards — 4835 Branch Avenue Ms. Jenkins presented a sign permit application for property located at 4835 Branch Avenue, adjacent to the Antietam National Battlefield in the Antietam Overlay zone. Due to the topography in this area, the sign will need to be 15 feet high. The owner is proposing a 4' x 30" vinyl sign with a blue background and white lettering on pressure treated wooden posts. Staff recommends approval of the sign at the size, shape and scale depicted in the permit application including the typeface and color combination; however, the materials used should be the wood support surrounding the vinyl and wood posts. Discussion and comments: Ms. Doyle suggested the owner consider landscaping around the wooden posts to help hide some of the height. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the sign permit in compliance with Staff's recommendations of materials to be used. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lushbaugh and unanimously approved. 2022-06097 — Demolition Permit —18209 Showalter Road Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit application for structures located at 18209 Showalter Road, adjacent to the I-81 off -ramp. In 2001, it was determined that the property was not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The house is described as a typical early Colonial Revival built in 1926 with 6 over 1 windows and a asphalt roof. There is a brick garage with pyramidal roof to the rear of the property as well as several other outbuildings. All buildings are covered under the demolition permit application. There was a large deck added to the structure and 1 window on the west side was replaced with french doors. During a site visit, Ms. Jenkins noted that most of the original windows are still intact with storm windows attached to several, there is some exterior trim missing and there has been a lack of maintenance to the structure throughout the years; however, most of the brick is still in good condition. The outbuildings also lack maintenance; however, the roofs are still intact. Staff believes that very little integrity of the location and setting remain due to the surrounding development and the interstate in close proximity. The integrity of the design and materials from 1926 remain and exploration of salvageable materials should be taken into consideration by the applicant. The applicant provided an update of materials thought to be salvageable that was prepared by their contractor. Ms. Jenkins reviewed several photographs of the structures with the Commission members. Mr. Tedrick explained that each time a rental property is vacated the owner must perform a lead paint test. In this instance, it would cost the owner more than $30,000 to make the property safe for new residents. Therefore, the property owner does not feel this is economically feasible and wants to demolish these structures. There is also a liability concern for the owner due to vagrants living in the structures. The developer is proposing a convenience store in this location. Mr. Tedrick also stated that the applicant owns several houses along this portion of Showalter Road, all of which are zoned for commercial uses and there is a master plan in place for this area. Motion and Vote: Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to support the approval of the demolition permit application including the amended materials listing the potential items for salvage provided by Allegany Wrecking & Salvage in addition to the front porch columns if they are viable and the fireplace surrounds., if possible. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and unanimously approved. MD 56 over Green Spring Run Remedial Repair to Small Structure No. 21187XO Ms. Jenkins presented a determination from the Maryland Department of Transportation stating that the proposed project will have no adverse effect on any historic structures. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to concur with MOOT that the proposed project will not have any adverse effect on any historic structures. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lushbaugh and unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Historic Property Incentives Ordinance (Draft) Ms. Jenkins began the review with Section 5 "Historic Property Grant Program" which is a new program being proposed to establish grants to assist in the preservation of historic structures. This grant would cover rehab activity that conforms with the Secretary of Interior's Standards and the County's adopted Design Guidelines. Three funding sources have been identified with a yearly allocated amount of $150,000 or greater. Members discussed adding a minimum grant amount of $5,000. Grants would not be available for properties that have an open permit or zoning violation. Members suggested that a grant should not be available on properties that are delinquent on taxes. Section 5.08b should match the MHT guidelines for in -kind matches of labor and materials. There was a brief discussion regarding the point system which can be adjusted each year. Members decided to remove the County Recognized Program and add the 5 points to the Continued use of resource category. OTHER BUSINESS Staff Report Ms. Jenkins reported that we have received a Tax Credit Application for property located on The Terrace in the City of Hagerstown. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Aldrich and so ordered by the Chairman. Respectfully submitted Jill,Baker, AICP Director, Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning