HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230301MINUTES OF THE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY
March 1, 2023
The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday,
March 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Washington County Administration 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, and Ann Aldrich. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning
& Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member.
MINUTES
Motion and Vote: Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2023 meeting
as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Aldrich and unanimously approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
National Preservation Month (May)
Ms. Jenkins began with a review of the outreach used last year for National Preservation Month. She
discussed the resources that worked best on social media. Members discussed ideas and ways to promote
preservation this year, such as: focusing on the Design Guidelines that were recently adopted; promote
the efforts of other historic preservation groups' activities; display pictures of various architectural styles
and features; promote historic preservation in the County's municipalities by highlighting a specific
historical structure; focus on the three categories of the John Frye award (Advocacy, Preservation,
Adaptive Re -use); discuss the designated Rural Villages in the County; and the use of production tools
such as slideshows or interactive prompts. Ms. Jenkins stated she will prepare a rough draft of some of
the posts she will be using and will reach out to Public Relations for their assistance. Staff will also contact
the Commissioners' office to prepare a proclamation for National Preservation Month as we did last year.
Staff Report
• Historic Properties Incentive Ordinance
Ms. Jenkins reported that Staff met with the County Administrator who was very supportive of the
idea. The draft document has been sent to other County departments (County Attorney, Budget & Finance
and Grants Management) for their review. A kick-off meeting is scheduled for April 21" with these
departments. There was a brief discussion regarding the grant program funding and where those monies
will come from. Staff is hopeful that Budget & Finance will have several ideas.
• Staff Reviews
Ms. Jenkins provided a written summary but also noted that the State Highway
Administration performed a Section 106 review of the 1-81 Phase 2 project which runs
from North of MD 63/MD 68 to North of Halfway Boulevard. Staff reviewed the project
and found no additional impacts to any historic structures in the area.
• Professional Organization Outreach (Realtors/Builders)
Ms. Jenkins announced that a mass e-mail containing the Design Guidelines was sent to
approximately 100 organizations/businesses around the County. The Pen Mar Association of
Realtors responded and have asked Ms. Jenkins to present a workshop.
• Grant Ideas Sheet
Ms. Jenkins reported that she included a copy of the Grant Ideas Sheet in the agenda packet as well as
provided members with an on-line link. Members are encouraged to share their ideas using this format.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lushbaugh
and so ordered by the Chairman.
r mith, Chairman