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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-7-25MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY May 7, 2026 The Washington County Historic District Commission attended a public presentation offered by Preservation Maryland entitled "Researching Your Historic Property" at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in the Washington County Public Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD. The HDC's regular monthly meeting was held immediately following this presentation at the Library. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. Commission members present were: Lloyd Yavener, Chairman; Ann Aldrich, Michael Lushbaugh, Justin Bedard, Tyler Milam, and Greg Smith. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member. MINUTES Motion and Vote: Mr. Bedard made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2025 meeting as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Milam and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS 21431 Leiter Street [2025-011731 Permit Application Ms. Jenkins presented a non-residential construction permit application for property located at 21431 Leiter Street. Proposed is a 2,046 sq. ft. pavilion on a concrete slab with enclosed heated storage area and fundraising storage area for the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Department (Lot 5). Staff recommends approval of the permit with consideration for the following being addressed with the site plan (SP-25-012): native vegetative screening should be considered on the property facing Leiter Street while being sympathetic to the sight distance requirements at the nearby entrance and that exterior lighting on the building be mounted low, shielded and downward facing to the extent practicable [meeting site plan and zoning ordinance requirements] and illuminating only the side of the structure facing the existing fire company building. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the building permit application contingent upon the site plan including the following notes: native vegetative screening should be considered on the property facing Leiter Street while being sympathetic to the sight distance requirements at the nearby entrance and that exterior lighting on the building be mounted low, shielded and downward facing to the extent practicable [meeting site plan and zoning ordinance requirements] and illuminating only the side of the structure facing the existing fire company building. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved. Demolition Permit 1`2025-014071 19133 Geetine Road Ms. Jenkins presented a residential demolition permit for property located at 19133 Geeting Road. The applicant is proposing the demolition of a 1,224 sq. ft. single-family dwelling including the foundation and an outbuilding. The structure is on the Washington County's Historic Sites Inventory; however, there is very little documentation. The dwelling was described in the inventory as brick encased log; however, staff visited the site and found the structure to be wood sided with a metal roof and only one of the chimneys remains with evidence that the others were removed due to variations in the metal roofing. The owner provided photos that shows a portion of the structure to be log based; however, there is no evidence of brick. The foundation is fieldstone. A rough floor plan of the interior and narrative discussing conversion, relocation and plans for demolition were provided by the applicant. The structures subject to this permit application lack integrity of exterior design elements. The applicant has indicated that any viable materials are intended for reuse for other purposes on the property. The structures appear to be unsafe as evidences by lean and deterioration due to exposure. Staff recommends support of the demolition permit. Motion and Vote: Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to recommend approval of the demolition permit as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard and unanimously approved. OTHER BUSINESS Town Invitation to Tax Credits Ms. Jenkins provided members with a copy of a draft letter to be sent to the municipalities inviting them to a workshop to discuss tax credits and to review a Memorandum of Agreement that would allow the municipalities to participate in the tax credit program. Consensus: Members approved the letter with no changes. Members discussed setting up meetings with the municipalities starting sometime in August. Ms. Jenkins will send out a Doodle Poll with different dates and times for members to choose the best meeting times for them. Preservation Month 2025 • The County Commissioners presented a proclamation on May 6th for Historic Preservation Month. Members of the Washington County Historical Society were present and accepted the proclamation. • The Historic Scavenger Hunt brochure will be promoted online. Ms. Aldrich suggested sending the brochure to the Board of Education to promote to students. • John Frye awards will be presented on May 15th. • Social media posts will continue during the month of May for #WashcoLoveHistoric. • The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage will be held in Washington County on Saturday, June 7th Correspondence Ms. Jenkins stated that an invitation to participate in the Environmental Review Process for the proposed Sheetz Store in Smithsburg on Mapleville Road has been received. Mr. Bedard would like to know if any archeological surveys have been performed. Staff Report • A written report of staff reviews for the past month was provided to members in the agenda packets. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lushbaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard and so ordered by the Chairman.