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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-1-26MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 1, 2026 The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 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 (arrived at 6:15 pm) 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; Jennifer Kinzer, Deputy Director; and Debra Eckard, Office Manager. MINUTES Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2026 regular meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS HTC-25-003 —102 West Irvin Avenue Ms. Jenkins presented a tax credit application for chimney repair on the Bikle House located at 102 W. Irvin Avenue in Hagerstown. The applicant submitted photographs and the invoice for expenses. The total expenses were $30,757. Ms. Jenkins reviewed the expenditures and did not find any discrepancies between the invoiced work and previous work descriptions. All the expenses appear to be qualified rehabilitation expenses. Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion approve the tax credit application and to accept the total expenses as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Milam and unanimously approved. HTC-26-001— 403 North Prospect Street Ms. Jenkins presented a tax credit application (Parts 1 and 2) for the conversion of the former Moller Organ Works building to apartments. This project is pursuing both Federal and State tax credits as well. A Part 3 application will be presented when work is complete. Discussion and Comments: Members had no comments on the presented materials. RZ-26-001— Danielle Durnin¢ — Text Amendment Ms. Jenkins reminded members that a draft letter was sent to them via email in response to the proposed text amendment regarding "small box variety stores". Receiving no comments from members, Ms. Jenkins submitted the letter to staff to be made part of the official record. Ms. Jenkins noted that MHT received a copy of the text amendment and had no comments either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed amendment. She stated she could find no other instance of a buffer around a historic resource that hasn't had public hearing for that purpose. Ms. Jenkins explained that Cascade has been inventoried on several occasions; however, the applicant believes that the inventory needs to be updated because the area of significance in Cascade does not include the property of concern. Ms. Jenkins explained the applicant intends the text amendment to apply specifically to the Rural Village zoning designation, however, as written it would apply to all rural zoning categories. Ms. Jenkins noted that Fort Ritchie has an MHT easement and is the closest historic resource to the proposed development site. Staff have concerns regarding the proposed 1000-foot buffer. Staff believe that buffering of a property based on its historic aspect is an inappropriate solution to limit specific land uses. Typically, the conflict of land uses with historic resources is handled through design review and guidelines found in the Zoning Ordinance. Discussion and Comments: There was a brief discussion regarding the HDC's review of properties within the Rural Village core areas versus those properties outside the core/inventoried areas. Mr. Bedard expressed his opinion that if the text amendment is approved, it could set a precedent which could have unintended consequences. OLD BUSINESS Historic Properties Grant Ms. Jenkins announced that the draft Historic Properties Grant program documentation has been sent to the County Attorney's office for review for legal sufficiency. It has been updated with language for the enabling portion of the program. Discussion and Comments: Ms. Aldrich asked if historic churches would be included in the Program. Ms. Jenkins believes that historic churches in the County, not within any municipality, would be included. We may include municipalities in the future. Consensus: HDC members wish to move the proposed program forward to the County Commissioners. Design Guidelines for Historic Structures Update or Separate Guidance for Ruins Ms. Jenkins reminded members that Ms. Aldrich requested that staff review other jurisdiction's guidance for citizens regarding ruins and their potential reuse on properties. No design guidelines have been found regarding ruins; however, this could be completed as a local guidance document. Ms. Jenkins stated that the current Design Guidelines were adopted in 2022 and should be updated soon. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Yavener expressed his opinion that a guidance document is a good idea. Ms. Jenkins noted that the current design guidelines do not address building code regulations; staff will discuss this with the County's building inspectors. Ms. Aldrich suggested a workshop with local contractors and structural engineers. There was a brief discussion regarding tax credits or other monetary incentives for the retention of historic ruins. OTHER BUSINESS Correspondence • Programmatic Agreement Update —SHA — Staff has no concerns with the agreement; it appears that the changes are minimal. No comments received from members. • CLG Legislative Items from MHT — Ms. Jenkins noted there is a growing need statewide for housing which includes non-traditional dwelling sizes. The County has adopted a text amendment for Accessory Dwelling Units which can be found in the County's Zoning Ordinance. • Request for Comment—AP2026-009, 17423 DaWrong Lane —Staff submitted comments for this request stating there were no historic resources that would be affected. • Request for Comment — 7116 House Road Telecommunications Tower — Photo simulations have been provided and were reviewed by members. The simulated tower was not visible in any of the photos that were submitted. No further comments or information was requested unless the developer changes its plans. • Invitation to Comment — 5404 Mondell Road, Sharpsburg — This project has been formally withdrawn from Section 106 review. • Request for Comment —3417/3413RohrersvilleRoad Telecommunications Tower —This project is being heard by the Board of Appeals this evening for updated setback information. Following the Board of Appeals decision, if approved, the Section 106 review will still continue. • Consultation Request —16220 Wright Road — Proposed ICE Baltimore Processing Facility — MHT requested additional information from DHS to determine if a larger APE was needed for this proposed project. An updated packet was submitted with an APE of one mile. Other information included in the packet is as follows: ground disturbance associated with sewer improvements that will be required including trenching and replacement in kind; ground disturbance depth is consistent with previous grading, however, a higher fence is proposed which will require a deeper hole (4-feet) for the posts; no archaeological resources will be impacted; noise and traffic will not increase. Ms. Jenkins noted there was public concern regarding the relocation of Wright Road at its intersection with Hopewell Road. She explained the proposed plans for this relocation project which will include a Section 106 review if necessary. Ms. Jenkins reviewed the steps of the Section 106 process as listed by the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation. In this particular case, DHS is following all steps that are necessary and complying with these regulations. Ms. Jenkins noted that by increasing the APE, the Bowman property was considered. This property was deemed ineligible for listing on the National Register by MHT in 2019. Also discussed in the latest documentation from DHS was the Virginia Path, which nobody knows exactly where it is located. Ms. Jenkins noted this area is one of the most heavily modified industrial areas in the County. Staff do not believe that the new information warrants any changes from the HDC's original comments. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Bedard stated that the structure is already existing and, in his opinion, the proposed changes will not substantially alter or impact the area. He expressed his opinion that the area has been extensively graded, the grading has been deep, and the area heavily modified so if there was an archaeological site there that was eligible for the National Register prior to all this work, it would have been so heavily impacted that it would not have retained sufficient integrity to be eligible now. Ms. Jenkins can forward the HDC's consensus of no adverse effects unless project description changes. Staff Report • White Hall Road — Cell Tower —This project was reviewed in December 2025. A letter was sent to the consultant requesting additional information, which has not been received. This project is scheduled to be heard by the Board of Appeals on April 151n • Staff Reviews - A written report was provided to members in the agenda packet. Ms. Candelaria announced that Antietam Farm has been accepted on the National Register of Historic Places. • HP Yearly Letter Draft —A letter was prepared to send to citizens in the HP overlay zones updating them on the tax credits as well as other helpful information. A draft was sent to members; no comments were received. • CLG Report —The report was submitted on February 171n with updated member trainings listed. • Survey Funding Updates —A list of consultants was obtained from MHT. There are two individual sites interested in obtaining a MIHP inventory. Ms. Jenkins will contact the consultants to see if an MIHP inventory could be completed within the two month timeframe and at a cost that is within the restricted budget. • National Alliance of Preservation Commission Membership — The membership has been renewed and members should continue to receive emails for available trainings and workshops. Ms. Jenkins will schedule one or two workshops later this year for everyone. • Preservation Month 2026 Updates — o May 141h at 6 pm — Presentation by Preservation Maryland; Topic: Architecture; this will be held at the Hagerstown Library, 100 South Potomac Street o May 21" at 5:30 pm —John Frye Preservation Awards at Hub City Vinyl at 28 East Baltimore Street o Photos and blurbs for #tWashcolovehistoric are due April 24`h o CLG funded Window Workshop on May 301h at the Saylor House. This workshop is already full with a waitlist. Ms. Jenkins announced that as of July 1, 2026, the HAC will be merged with the HDC through a Bylaw change for the HDC. This decision was recently made by the County Commissioners. She explained there will be two openings (voting members) on the HDC at the end of June because Mr. Smith's and Mr. Lushbaugh's terms will expire and three openings for non -voting members. Applications and resumes can be completed on the County's website. The Frye awards will be budgeted as a line item under the Department of Planning & Zoning. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith, unanimously approved and so ordered by the Chairman. UPCOMING MEETING The next meeting of the Historic District Commission is scheduled for Wednesday May 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. I I� I ) Respectfully submitted, Lloyd Yavener, Chairman