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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-6-24MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY March 6, 2024 The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Washington County Administration Complex, 100 W Washington Street, Room 2001, 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, Michael Lushbaugh, Vernell Doyle, Ann Aldrich, Brianna Candelaria, and Justin Bedard. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member and Debra Eckard, Administrative Assistant. MINUTES Motion and Vote: Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 1, 2023 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS HTC— 1004 The Terrace (John Williamson) Ms. Jenkins presented for review and approval a tax credit application for property located at 1004 The Terrace, which is in the Hagerstown Oak Hill Historic District. The project included: window refurbishment (seals, ropes, sills), replacement of exterior molding, repair and replacement of patio tiles, and repair of the slate roof, etc. Ms. Jenkins noted that the applicant has applied for MHT tax credits as well. The total qualified rehabilitation expenses for MHT were $47,970 which was approved on February 1, 2024. Discussion and Comments: Members commended Mr. Williamson for undertaking this project and rehabilitating this historic structure. Mr. Williamson stated that the property tax credit program is very important to incentivize homeowners to rehabilitate and maintain historic structures. He believes more work needs to be done to educate and make the public aware of the program. There was a brief discussion on ways to make the public more aware. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to accept the MHT qualified rehabilitation expenses in the amount of $47,970 for the County tax credit program. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and unanimously approved. 2024-00586-1244 Frederick Street Demolition Permit Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit application for property located at 1244 Frederick Street, which is in the Ravenswood Heights Rural Village district. The applicant is proposing the demolition of a 1,288 sq. ft. dwelling and associated outbuildings, to fill in the basement and to remove the driveway pavement and sidewalks. The property was purchased by the County as part of property acquisitions associated with Phase I of the Southern Boulevard roadway project. There is no direct access to this property; adjoining property owners would not give access across their property at the time of purchase. The structures have been vacant since the completion of Southern Boulevard; however, there are several architectural features which could be salvaged. The County's Engineering Department (the applicant) have had discussions with Ms. Jenkins regarding the salvaging of materials. During review of this project, an inventory of the County's historic property holdings was also discussed. Ms. Jenkins provided the Engineering Department with information on "mothballing" structures. This information will be passed along to the Department of Public Works which is in charge of securing County properties. Ms. Jenkins noted that Ravenswood Heights is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She recommends that this issue should be further explored. Ms. Jenkins explained that demolition of the property would fall into Phase II of the Southern Boulevard extension. Phase II would be a project completed by the City of Hagerstown, not the County. The County would like to proceed with demolition of the property due to liability issues, vandalism and vagrancy. Discussion and Comments: Ms. Aldrich expressed her opinion that the County should approach the neighbors again to see if they are willing to grant a right-of-way to this property so the house could be sold. Other members don't believe anyone would want to purchase the property knowing that it would need to be sold and demolished in order to construct Phase II of the proposed roadway. Another concern is the property would be sold cheap and left to deteriorate or be vandalized further until sold and demolished for construction of the proposed road. Mr. Bedard recommended requesting that an individual Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties form be completed for this specific property. Members discussed a list of materials they would like to see salvaged from the structure, as follows: bricks, paneling, wood flooring, interior and exterior doors, front porch components, interior and exterior trim and moldings; light fixtures, stair components, railings, and radiators. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to support the demolition application for 1244 Frederick Street with the following conditions: 1. The County will bid services for the selected demolition of salvageable materials that include the following: exterior brick, wood flooring, interior and exterior doors, railings, radiators, stair components, front porch components, interior and exterior trim and moldings, and light fixtures. 2. Request an individual Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties form to be completed for this specific property prior to demolition. It is recommended that this work be performed by a professional. 3. The County will follow the recommended guidelines for "mothballing" of all County owned historic structures listed on the MIHP or have the potential for inclusion on the National Register. 4. Request MHT to consider Ravenswood Heights Rural Village district for listing on the National Register. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and unanimously approved. OTHER BUSINESS Preservation Month 2024 Ms. Jenkins reminded members that May is Preservation Month. She noted that Preservation Maryland has reached out to discuss a Preservation 101 workshop sometime during the week of May 20. This workshop will be held at the Washington County Library in downtown Hagerstown. During Preservation month last year, posts were made three times a week on social media and Ms. Jenkins provided members with a list of topics that were covered. Members discussed topics to be incorporated this year, such as before and after photos of Mr. Williamson's rehabilitation project on The Terrace and how important tax credits are to homeowners; have people in County government or HDC members to take a picture of themselves at their favorite historic structure; a group picture of HDC members in front of the Saylor House with a short phrase telling why they are interested in historic preservation or why they joined the HDC and their credentials; have PR create a specialized graphic for the theme "This Place Matters"; choose a favorite project from 2023; etc. Staff Report • Staff Reviews - Ms. Jenkins provided a written summary. • CAMP training was held and a follow-up e-mail with the meeting recordings were provided to all attendees. Recordings are available for a limited time. The training was paid for by a CLG grant received in partnership with West Virginia. There were approximately 20 participants each day. • Correspondence was received from MHT regarding a culvert and sidewalk projects proposed in Smithsburg. • Correspondence was received from MDOT regarding a proposed sidewalk project in the City of Hagerstown. Members agreed they will let the City HDC comment on this project. • The MAHDC Symposium invitation was included in the agenda packet. • There are two house bills currently being considered: Confederate Naming Prohibiition (at referral to committee status) and Cemetery Acquisition (at referral to committee status). • Updates for the 250`" anniversary were included in the agenda packet. The 250th committee meets on the last Monday of each month at the Public Safety Training Center along Sharpsburg Pike at 11 am. • The Historic Resource Tax Credit Ordinance has been approved by the County Administrator and will go to the Board of County Commissioners for a public hearing. Members decided that April 23rd would be the best date for the public hearing with April 16`h as their second choice. Ms. Jenkins reviewed members' term expirations for the upcoming year. Ms. Doyle has served two full terms on the Commission and has decided not to seek re -appointment in August. Ms. Aldrich has completed two full terms; however, she would be willing to serve another term or partial term if re- appointed. Mr. Yavener has served one full term and is willing to serve another term. Ms. Candelaria and Mr. Bedard have both served a partial term and would be willing to serve for a full term. Members discussed the need for staggering the appointments so we do not have a majority of the Commission with terms expiring at the same time. Ms. Jenkins will contact the County Clerk's office to see how we can handle this issue appropriately. There was also a brief discussion regarding an update of the By-laws to lengthen appointment terms because the HDC is required to have specific qualified professionals. It can be difficult to find individuals to fill these positions. Nomination for Chairman: Mr. Yavener nominated Mr. Smith to serve as Chairman. The nomination was seconded by Ms. Aldrich and unanimously approved. Nomination for Vice Chairman: Ms. Doyle nominated Mr. Yavener to serve as Vice Chairman. The nomination was seconded by Mr. Lushbaugh and unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Yavener and so ordered by the Chairman. Greg r S ith, Chairman