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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-4-26MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY February 4, 2026 The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 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 Randy 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 was Harold Dorsey (21245 Mount Lena Road). MINUTES Motion and Vote: Mr. Bedard made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2025 regular meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Aldrich and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS Residential Construction Permit (2025-05908) — 21245 Mount Lena Road (WA-II-166) Ms. Jenkins presented a permit application for the construction of a 2,520 sq. ft. one-story pole building on a concrete slab to the rear of the dwelling to be used as a garage. The applicant is proposing to use white siding with black trim for compatibility with the existing structures on the site. The proposed structure will be visible as you enter the Rural Village on the northernmost edge, but not highly visible from a majority of the Village. Therefore, staff believes the proposed structure will not detract any more than other accessory structures within the Village. There will be minimal disturbance of the site and the proposed pole building would be removable without loss of integrity to the site if necessary in the future. Staff believes this application is consistent with Section 5D.5 of the Zoning Ordinance and applicable County Design Guidelines and Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Staff recommends approval of the permit application for the reasons outlined above. Discussion and Comment: Mr. Dorsey explained that he wants to remove multiple temporary storage containers on the property to make the property look better. Motion and Vote: Mr. Smith made a motion to recommend approval of the permit as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard and unanimously approved. Non -Residential Addition -Alteration Permit (2025-05780) — 8505 Fahrney Church Road (WA-II-055) Ms. Jenkins presented a permit application for the San Mar Children's Home and Mechanical Institute located at 8505 Fahrney Church Road. The HDC will be reviewing only the demolition portion of the permit at this time. The permit application involves building renovations, expansion of the parking lot and updated site circulation. The applicant has provided updated DOI documentation of the structure and a narrative regarding the reasoning for the demolition. The majority of the demolition permit application requirements have been met or exceeded; therefore, staff are recommending support of the application with the following recommendation to the applicant: 1) When completing the interior and exterior renovations of the building, materials should be salvaged as much as possible. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to support approval of the demolition portion of the permit as presented with staff's recommendation to salvage as many materials as possible. The motion was seconded by Ms. Candelaria and unanimously approved. Residential Demolition Permit (2026-00212) —13511 Maugansville Road (WA-1-252) Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit application for property located at 13511 Maugansville Road. The applicant is proposing to demolish a 3,256 sq. ft. dwelling and foundation. The applicant believes the property is unsafe for habitation. Ms. Jenkins noted there are issues that are visible on the exterior of the structure that would be costly to repair. One wall is bowing and separating from the interior walls and there are multiple points of failing brickwork. The roof appears to be prone to failure as configured due to aged, mixed materials. The structure does not appear to have historical, cultural, architectural or design significance as detailed in Section 20.5 of the County's Zoning Ordinance. The owner is open to the salvage of materials; however, in terms of exterior materials, these would be limited. Staff recommends support of the demolition permit as presented. Motion and Vote: Ms. Candelaria made a motion to support approval of the demolition permit as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Milam and unanimously approved. HTC-25-004.900 The Terrace, Hagerstown Ms. Jenkins presented a tax credit application for the replacement and repair of roof tiles on a historic dwelling located at 900 The Terrace. She reminded members that Parts I and 11 were previously distributed to them via email. MHT has reviewed and approved Parts I and 11. Ms. Jenkins will present Part III after MHT has reviewed and approved. OTHER BUSINESS Certified Local Government Annual Report Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Ms. Jenkins reminded members that each year the HDC is asked to provide the Certified Local Government program with a report based on questions required by the Federal government. A draft of the report was provided to members in the agenda packet for review. Members did not have any substantive comments; however, Ms. Aldrich and Mr. Milam will review their trainings to see if any of those qualify under the CLG program and were completed within the Federal fiscal timeline. Correspondence a. Smithsburg High School Telecommunications Tower Updated documentation was provided to members. MHT has determined there are no adverse effects on historic structures. The Commission had no further comments and concurred with MHT's determination. b. AP2025-034 206659 National Pike This was a request for comment from the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception application for a banquet/reception facility use and variance from the pavement requirement for off-street parking. Staff submitted comments on this appeal case. There are no changes proposed to the historic structures and the proposed facility will provide a viable use of the historic property. c. Invitation to Comment — 5404 Mondell Road Proposed Telecommunications Tower Staff submitted standard comments during the Section 106 review process. d. AP2025-031— 5404 Mondell Road Telecommunications Tower Staff submitted written comments and attended the public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals for the special exception request. The request was denied by the BZA. No further communication has been received since that denial. e. Invitation to Comment — 4220 Chestnut Grove Road Telecommunications Tower The standard request for information for this type of project was made on January 13`^ by staff. No reply has been received. f. AP2025-030 — 4220 Chestnut Grove Road Telecommunications Tower Staff did not submit comments regarding this proposed tower because it is located against a ridge and will not be highly visible from the road. This appeal was approved by the BZA. g. Request for Comment— 10944 White Hall Road Telecommunications Tower Staff have requested the standard information for this type of project; no reply has been received. h. Request for Comment— 3413 and 3417 Rohrersville Road Telecommunications Tower Staff submitted comments on December 41h. No updates have been provided. There is a site plan in progress. An appeal was granted for this project by the Board of Zoning Appeals. i. Request for Comment — 7116 Houser Road Telecommunications Tower Staff requested the standard information in October 2025. The consultant indicated there was work in progress as of January 141h. No site plans or appeals have been filed with Washington County. j. Section 106 Consultation: 1-70 Bridges over Licking Creek Staff did not submit any additional comments. There would be very minimal areas of potential effects. k. Consultation Request — 16220 Wright Road — New ICE Baltimore Processing Facility Documentation has been provided by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS is seeking comments or changes to the APE. Staff noted this is an existing building that has undergone the County's site plan review process. DHS's opinion is there are no adverse effects to historic resources. MHT has performed its review and concurs there is no adverse effect on historic resources. Discussion and Comments: Ms. Jenkins noted that this structure, when constructed, would not have come before the HDC for review because it is in the urban area, not a typical area that the HDC would review or make comments on. Mr. Bedard asked if a Section 106 review was completed for the construction of the warehouse when it was built. Ms. Jenkins stated that the warehouse was constructed by a private developer; no Federal or State permits were required. The property is currently zoned IG (Industrial General) which allows for the warehouse use as well as correction/detention facilities. Mr. Bedard noted that any adverse effects should have been cited when the modern warehouse was constructed. Ms. Jenkins stated that the existing structures across the street on Wright Road were documented. This structure is currently imploding on itself. The springhouse still exists; however, there does not appear to be any significance to the structure that would make it qualify for the National Register of Historic Places. Ms. Jenkins noted that the other resources mentioned in DHS's letter cannot be seen from the existing warehouse. Mr. Milam made an inquiry regarding the lighting and fencing for the warehouse and its visibility from Williamsport. Ms. Jenkins stated that visibility from Williamsport was not mentioned in the documentation. Lighting would most likely be downward facing. She also explained that since the Federal government has purchased the property, no local ordinances will apply. The HDC is not charged with looking at the use of the property; this is for the typical Section 106 review of historic structures. The HDC concurs with DHS's and MHT's review of the property that there are no adverse effects on any historic resources. Staff Report • A written report was provided to members in the agenda packet. • Update of Town adoption of MOUs for Tax Credits o The MOUs for the Towns of Boonsboro and Sharpsburg are completed. o Smithsburg has finished its process; approval is needed from the BOCC. o Funkstown did not have a quorum at the meeting at which the MOU was presented. We are waiting for them to approve at another meeting. o There has been no response from Hancock or Clear Spring. Grant Program for Historic Structures — The County Attorney is currently reviewing the draft. Financial Disclosures — All financial disclosures have been returned to staff. Preservation Month 2026 — coming up in May; posts with pictures did very well; following are a few ideas previously discussed to highlight this year: o May 301h is the Campaign for Historic Trades Window Workshop; 8 am to 4 pm; $20 per person, maximum is 1S people; held at the Saylor House o Emphasize ordinary maintenance during Preservation Month. Members need to decide what should be included as ordinance maintenance. o Highlight salvage positives such as 20313 Locust Grove — deconstruction of a resource instead of demolition. o Emphasize sustainability and deconstruction o Adaptive reuse of historic resources o Photos and videos of the members' favorite historic resource o Interview Bikles for historic tax credit highlight ADJOURNMENT Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard, unanimously approved and so ordered by the Vice -Chairman. UPCOMING MEETING The next meeting of the Historic District Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. An. 1 Respectfully Lloyd Yavener,