Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - February 10, 2022
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - February 10, 2022
The Historic Preservation Commission met virtually on February 10, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a public hearing, approval of minutes, two demolition reviews, a case for a ramp at 5 E. 2nd Street, and a workshop for two upcoming cases. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the workshop for HPC22-10 (1730 N. Market Street), several members of the public called in to oppose the proposed new construction on lot 203. They argued that the design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior Standards require preserving the open landscape integral to the historic Odd Fellows Home, and that the proposed four-story apartment building would eclipse the historic structures. Callers urged the commission to follow the guidelines and not approve the current plan. The applicant, Tim Kamas, responded that they are working with GMB Architects, understand the guidelines, and are committed to preserving the site. He noted that the zoning density was established before the HPO designation and that adequate public facilities reviews are conducted.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the hearing and workshop minutes from January 27, 2022.
- Administrative Approval Report: The commission approved the January 2022 administrative approval report, noting four administrative approvals during the month.
- Request for Demolition Review – 231 Washington Street: Staff reported that the garage was constructed between 1947 and 1964, had been modified, and showed no evidence of historic significance. The commission voted not to pursue a designation.
- Request for Demolition Review – 1507 Rosemont Avenue: Staff reported that the 1946 brick cottage is part of the Villa Estates Survey District, which was determined ineligible for the National Register in 2018. No individual significance was found. The commission voted not to designate.
- HPC22-39 – 5 E. 2nd Street (Frederick Arts Council): The applicant proposed a pressure-treated wood landing and ramp at the front entrance of a contributing resource. Staff recommended approval with conditions that pressure-treated wood be limited to elements in direct contact with the ground and that all new wood elements be painted or stained with a solid opaque color. The applicant agreed to these conditions. The commission approved the application unanimously.
- Workshop: HPC22-10 – 1730 N. Market Street: After public comments, the applicant provided an update. No vote was taken; the item will return for a future hearing.
- Workshop: HPC22-34 – 112 E. 7th Street: The applicants (John and Marissa Temple) presented a rehabilitation project including a rear addition, window infill and alterations, replacement windows, doors, railings, and front porch columns. The commission discussed the use of wood vs. metal railings, wood vs. limestone sills, and aluminum-clad vs. wood windows. Staff recommended wood windows and wood sills, but the applicants sought alternatives for durability. Commissioners expressed mixed views on limestone sills. The applicants agreed to use wood railings and to provide a brick sample. No vote was taken; the item will be revised and brought back for a hearing.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved (unanimous).
- Administrative approval report approved (unanimous).
- Demolition review at 231 Washington Street: No designation pursued (unanimous).
- Demolition review at 1507 Rosemont Avenue: No designation pursued (unanimous).
- HPC22-39 (5 E. 2nd Street): Approved with conditions (unanimous).
- Workshop items: No decisions; both cases will return for further review and public hearing.
Meeting Transcript
Historic preservation commission. Tonight's meeting will be conducted virtually due to the ongoing health emergency. Members of the Commission, staff, and applicants will all be attending the meeting remotely. The complete proceedings will be televised on Channel 99 in the city's website. Public comment will be accepted on each agenda item. Those wishing to make public comment will be asked to call 301 600 1213 during the staff presentation of the item that they would like to make comment on. Your call will be answered in the order that it was received and will be transferred to the live feed of the meeting accordingly. Each person wishing to make public comment must state their name and general address, and then they will be sworn in by the chair before providing testimony. For applicants, please join the meeting while the case immediately before your item is being discussed. When we call your presentation after the staff report, please announce your name as well as those members of your team present this evening. At that time, I will read the oath, and each member of your team should state their name and signify I do. Thereafter, all members of the team not speaking should mute their microphones. After your item has been voted on, we ask that you promptly leave the meeting. The technical qualifications of the commission and staff are on file with the City of Frederick and hereby made a part of each and every case tonight. The City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission uses the guidelines adopted by the mayor and board of aldermen and the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. These guidelines and standards are hereby made a part of each and every case and are applied as appropriate. All cases were duly advertised in the Frederick News Post in accordance with Section 301 of the Land Management Code. It is the purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission to safeguard the historical and cultural heritage of the City of Frederick by preserving sites, structures, or districts that reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological, or architectural history, to stabilize and approve property values of such sites, structures, or districts, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy, and to promote the preservation and appreciation of such sites, structures, and districts for the education welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. I'll now take the official role of commissioners this evening. Commissioner Alby. Commissioner De Picro. Commissioner Hart. Commissioner Hart present. And Commissioner Soller. Commissioner Soller, present. In order to be eligible to vote on an application, a member of the Commission must have made the requisite site visit and attended any and all meetings at which such application was discussed. In the event that a member is absent from any such meeting, the member must have reviewed the minutes and listened to the tape recording thereof in order to vote on the application and must enter into the record an oral written statement that he or she has reviewed the minutes and listened to the tape recording. At this time, I will ask if there are any members of the commission that have a statement of eligibility or need to recuse themselves from any case this evening. Also in supporting us this evening are Lisa Morasek Murphy and Christina Martinkowski from the planning department and Scott Waxter from the city's legal department. At this time, I will conduct a swearing in of staff. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the responses given and statements made in this hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth? If so, answer I do. This is Lisa Morazick Murphy, I do. This is Christina Martin Koske, I do. Thank you. And with that, we will move on to announcements. Any announcements this evening. Okay. There are no announcements, so we'll move on to the approval of minutes from the January 27th, 2022 hearing and workshop. Any commissioners wanting to make any edits to the hearing minutes or workshop minutes or willing to make a motion. This is Commissioner Bailey, and I move that we approve the January 27th hearing and workshop minutes. This is Commissioner Hart. Thank you. That's a motion by Commissioner Bailey. Second by Commissioner Hart. This is Commissioner Bailey, and I vote aye. Commissioner Hart. Commissioner Hart, aye. And Commissioner Soller.
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