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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-2-25 WorkshopMINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY WORKSHOP July 2, 2025 The Washington County Historic District Commission held a workshop on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in the Washington County Administrative Complex, 100 W Washington Street, Room 2001, Hagerstown, MD. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Ms. Jenkins began the Workshop at 5:00 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. WORKSHOP Ms. Jenkins began the Historic Properties Tax Credit — Town MOU workshop by giving a brief powerpoint presentation. She explained the different types of tax credits available. In Washington County, there are tax credits available for exterior only rehabilitation and restoration for both residential and commercial structures. Tax credits are currently available to properties located in the Antietam Overlay, in an adopted historic Rural Village, on properties with the County's Historic Preservation (HP) overlay, and within a qualified municipality. The only qualifying municipality is currently the City of Hagerstown. Ms. Jenkins gave a brief history of the Tax Credit Ordinance, which was originally adopted in May of 1990 and recently updated in April 2024. She discussed some of the changes made in the Ordinance, including an increase in the tax credit from 10% to 25%. Ms. Jenkins noted that properties on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties, individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Register District Contributing Structure would be eligible for the tax credits. She explained that a qualifying municipality has exterior design review requirements equivalent to the HDC's Historic Preservation district as defined in the County's Zoning Ordinance or by delegation to the HDC for permit review through a recorded MOU. This is for properties that voluntarily apply for a tax credit. The Maryland Inventory for Historic Properties is not regulatory; however, it has more than 43,000 historic and architectural resources across the State of Maryland. Washington County prepared its own survey of historic resources in 1970. A map is available on the County's website showing this data. Ms. Jenkins noted that all of the municipalities have some level of a historic properties survey. The Town of Sharpsburg has a National Register District with contributing structures listed. There may also be a few documented individual properties outside of the district as well. Hancock and Clear Spring have properties individually documented; however, none of these have pursued a National Register nomination. Ms. Jenkins stated that the HDC was created in 1986 and became a Certified Local Government in 1991 thus opening up more programs and educational opportunities within the community. She briefly reviewed the County's tax credit application. Receipts and documentation will be required for review of any application submitted to the County for a tax credit. Ms. Jenkins explained that the ultimate purpose of the MOU with the municipalities is to provide a mechanism for properties within the municipalities that do not have design review to still qualify for tax credits. The HDC would act as the reviewing agency for the permits within the municipality and would use the County's Design Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for guidance. The HDC will review permits for exterior rehabilitation/restoration only if the property owner has requested a tax credit. There was a brief discussion regarding reasons for the tax credit to terminate for non-compliance. Ms. Jenkins gave a few examples. She acknowledged that the County prefers to work with the property owner to resolve the issue before extinguishing the credit. The question was asked if the tax credit would convey to a new property owner if the credit had not been used up. Ms. Jenkins stated it would convey with the property and not the previous owner. Ms. Jenkins announced that after comments are received from the municipalities, the HDC will discuss those comments and reach a consensus on language within the MOU to forward to the Board of County Commissioners. She will clarify with the County Attorney's Office what the process will be for executing the MOUs. ADJOURNMENT The Workshop ended at 6:40.