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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-5-25MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY November 5, 2025 The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in 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 6:00 p.m. Commission members present were: Lloyd Yavener, Chairman; Justin Bedard, Ann Aldrich, Tyler Milam, Greg Smith, Brianna Candelaria and Ex-officio County Commissioner Randal Leatherman. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member and Debra Eckard, Office Manager. Also in attendance were Charles Dunn (contractor for Demo Permit 2025-04522) and Nida and Philip Bikle (property owners — HTC-25-003). MINUTES Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2025 regular meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS Residential Demo Permit (2025-04486) — Wolfsville Road Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit application for an old grist mill that has partially collapsed. The current property owner acquired the property in 2022 and is proposing a new structure on the property but not directly at this site. The owner has provided plans to recycle any steel roofing and may reuse the stone for landscaping as practicable. The owner has also evaluated the demolition alternatives and provided justification to reuse the materials on site or recycle, where possible. Staff contacted the County Engineering office to determine the site's susceptibility to flood risks. Engineering staff indicated there is potential for this site to flood which would make it difficult to rebuild or rehabilitate the structure in its current location and given its current deteriorated status. Staff recommends support for the demolition permit. Discussion and Comments: There was a brief discussion regarding the stabilization of the ruins that could be used as a stone wall garden. Members would like to discuss, at a future date, ways to encourage the rehabilitation and reuse of old ruins. Suggestions included adding a section in the Design Guidelines pertaining to ruins, promote the idea of stabilization and reuse during Preservation month next May, and finding ways to incentivize. Motion and Vote: Mr. Smith made a motion to support the demolition permit as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Milam and unanimously approved. Residential Demo Permit (2025-04522) —11416 Hanging Rock Road, Clear Spring Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit application for an existing 1,182 sq. ft. two-story metal clad log home and accessory shed with no existing foundation. The property is located at 11426 Hanging Rock Road in the Forsythe Rural Village. The topography of the property includes a steep hill to the rear of the property with the dwelling on a mostly flat cleared area; therefore, flooding is a concern. The structure has been heavily altered over time and the condition of the structure under the metal siding is unknown. The electrical and plumbing systems are outdated as well as many other building code issues were cited. The owner has indicated that it is not economically feasible to convert or relocate the structure. The owner is amenable to keeping the original log structure to be used as a workshop/storage facility. The outbuildings also have condition issues; however, the roofs are intact. These structures are not great workmanship examples of their construction type. This property is likely associated with the Forsythe family with a nearby example of an intact log structure and the Forsythe family cemetery. Staff recommends support of the demolition permit in consideration of the details provided in the staff analysis with the following comments: 1) the applicant is encouraged to perform a selective demolition of the main dwelling and to utilize the mothballing methods detailed by the National Park Service Preservation Brief #31; and 2) the property owner should be cautious in demolition as they may find resources in and around the dwelling. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Dunn, the contractor for the owner, briefly discussed the conditions of the house, the cost for rehabilitation, and the many issues associated with rehabilitation. The owner is interested in keeping the 1426 foot main structure, which he believes is log construction under the siding, and remove several of the additions that were constructed over the years. He is also interested in retaining the 10x14 foot timber structure for a shed. Both structures are located within the septic reserve area. Ms. Jenkins asked if the Health Department has advised the owner to remove the structures from the septic reserve area. Mr. Dunn stated they have not. There was a brief discussion regarding the complete or partial demolition of the two structures in question. Mr. Dunn stated that the property owner would like to keep the structures, if possible, for reuse on the site. There is a question as to whether the Health Department will allow these structures to remain in the septic reserve area. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to table the demolition permit until additional guidance is received from the Health Department regarding the structures within the septic reserve area. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard and unanimously approved. Residential Demolition Permit (2025-04487) —14219 Maugansville Road Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit application for a County -owned property located at 14219 Maugansville Road on the northern end of the Urban Rural Village of Maugansville. This property is inside one of the imaginary FAA surfaces. The Airport has stated that conversion of the structure or the continued lease/use of the property is not feasible. In the past, there have been documented issues with the rental of the property. While the Airport does handle commercial leasing of other structures, the zoning of this property does not permit the structure to be used for commercial purposes. The demolition contactor has provided documentation for the salvage of certain materials. Staff recommends support of the demolition permit in consideration of the documentation provided by the Airport staff with the following comments: 1) there are other structures which the Airport leases in the vicinity of this structure; staff recommends a thorough assessment of the Airport's building which have been or will be acquired to ensure they are properly secured at all times and utilize the mothballing methods detailed by the National Park Service Preservation Brief #31, especially for buildings older than 50 years; and 2) the Airport should pursue rezonings of property they acquire to ensure that adaptive reuse is feasible by zoning or that residential uses can continue as a non -conforming use if there is an intent to phase out residential leasing. Motion and Vote: Mr. Bedard made a motion to support the demolition permit with the conditions stipulated in the staff report. The motion was seconded by Ms. Candelaria and unanimously approved. HTC-25-003 —102 W. Irvin Avenue Ms. Jenkins presented a tax credit application for property located at 102 West Irvin Avenue. The applicants are proposing an interior and exterior chimney repair project on their 1933 dwelling. The structure is located in a contributing area, has been well -maintained and still has all of its character features. Ms. Jenkins showed photographs of the existing chimney and explained the proposed work to be completed and materials to be used. OTHER BUSINESS Correspondence Ms. Jenkins explained that a letter was received from Trileaf for a proposed 146-foot monopole communications tower to be located at 7116 Houser Road in Sharpsburg. Trileaf is requesting information regarding the tower's potential effect on historic properties. This project will be presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals at its second meeting in November and comments will be submitted on behalf of the HDC. Ms. Jenkins stated she has provided comments to Trileaf and requested a visual simulation specifically showing the viewshed from the tower at Antietam Battlefield. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Bedard suggested that the visual simulation should also include the vegetation and topography of the viewshed from the top of the tower as well as from the C&O Canal. Staff Report A written report was provided to members in the agenda packet. Legislative Priorities Update — Last year staff proposed a grant program which was sent to the County Attorney's office for review. The County Attorney's Office believed that legislative authority was needed. Staff listed the grant program as part of the Legislative Priorities for the coming year; however, the County Attorneys Office has changed its opinion and believes that the current Land Use Article provides the authority. This program would need to be self-sustaining. In discussing the proposal with the Budget &Finance Department, they suggested a slight increase in the recordation tax. Ms. Baker, the Director of Planning & Zoning, is planning to discuss this again during the upcoming budget season. The program would not be available until 2027 to ensure there is enough money in the dedicated grant program. Update of Town adoption of MOUs for Tax Credits o The MOU with the Town of Keedysville has been approved by the BOCC o A presentation was made to the Smithsburg Council by Ms. Baker and Ms. Jenkins. The Council was amenable to the MOU and a signed MOU should be coming soon. o The Town of Sharpsburg has approved the MOU; we are awaiting the signed document. o A presentation was made to the Boonsboro Council on October 2711, which went very well. • Workshops will be conducted locally by Presentation Maryland using CLG grant funding. They are seeking suggestions for workshop sites. • The Historic Advisory Committee has scheduled, on November 1811, a work day at the Reichard property to remove vegetation around the barn. • The HAC will be discussing nominations for the Frey awards at its next meeting. The next meeting of the Historic District Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The Election of Officers will be held. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 pm. The motion was seconded by Ms. Candelaria, unanimously approved and so ordered by the Chairman. M , I Lloyd Yavener,