Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – February 24, 2022
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – February 24, 2022
The Frederick Historic Preservation Commission held a virtual public hearing and workshop on February 24, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The commission approved three applications, provided comments on a Section 106 review, and discussed three workshop items. Commissioners present: Robert Van Rens (Chair), Paul Fitzgerald (Vice Chair), Anne Hart, and Iva Saller. Staff included Christina Martinkosky, Lisa Mroszczyk Murphy, and legal counsel.
Announcements
- HPC22-19 (421 N. Bentz Street) was postponed because the applicant failed to post the required public notice by the deadline; no action could be taken.
- The chair reminded commissioners to submit their annual ethics reports; only one had been received as of mid-week.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the February 10, 2022, hearing and workshop were approved unanimously (5-0).
Discussion Items and Key Outcomes
Section 106 Review – 25 East 2nd Street (Telecommunications Facility)
- Staff recommended that the commission respond with a letter requesting to be a consulting party, asking for wider photo renderings, demonstration of alternatives for the equipment cabinet, and authorization for the chair to sign. Commissioners supported the recommendation and noted the significance of the Grace Reformed Church as a historic resource. Commissioner Alby added a request for clarification on installation methods and ground disturbance. The motion to authorize the letter passed unanimously (5-0).
HPC22-34 – 112 East 7th Street (Rehabilitation)
- Applicants Marissa & John Temple proposed a rear addition, window modifications, door replacements, new light fixtures, and porch railings. Staff supported the project with several conditions, including retaining the historic second-story rear porch railing and door, not widening window 15 on the rear elevation, and repairing existing window sills. Commissioner Bailey moved to approve with those conditions; Commissioner DePetro seconded. After discussion, the motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Saller opposed because she supported the applicant's proposal to widen the rear window and use limestone sills.
HPC22-52 – 325 North Market Street (Repointing)
- Applicant Ernie Payne, represented by Samantha Blandford, proposed selective repointing with power tools and lime-based mortar. Staff recommended approval subject to test panels: one for cleaning and hand-tool repointing on the facade, and one for power-tool use on horizontal joints only on side/rear walls. The applicant's mason described their technique with an angle grinder and putty knife. Commissioner Bailey moved to approve with the test panel conditions; Commissioner Alby seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
HPC22-72 – 358 East 3rd Street (Parking Area)
- Applicant Dennis McKinney proposed an asphalt or concrete parking area with curb cut on the front of a double house. Staff noted the property is on the edge of the historic district where industrial uses are present, and adequate green space would remain. Commissioner Alby moved to approve, citing the location and retained green space; Commissioner Saller seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Workshop Items (No Votes)
The commission also reviewed three applications in workshop format for future hearings:
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HPC21-1449 – 11 South Bentz Street: After-the-fact replacement of a porch stoop. Staff noted the block is characterized by three-rail wood stoops. The applicant had installed pressure-treated wood and proposed metal pickets for safety. Commissioners advised against metal pickets and encouraged a wooden solution to maintain character; the siding replacement was deemed acceptable. The applicant agreed to consider wood pickets.
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HPC22-77 – 59 South Carroll Street (Sky Stage): Proposed addition of a restroom structure with polycarbonate walls and corrugated metal roof, screened by a six-foot fence. Staff supported due to the non-contributing status of the fire-damaged building and industrial context. Commissioners requested a rendering or material sample for the hearing. The fence height was discussed; staff to verify zoning allowances.
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HPC22-78 – 43 East South Street (Level 1 New Construction): A four-and-a-half-story multifamily building behind the historic fertilizer works. Staff found the location, massing, and materials compatible. Commissioners appreciated the design and noted the building would be set back and partially screened. No additional information was requested for the level one review; the applicant will proceed to a hearing.
Meeting Transcript
Everyone and welcome to the February 24th, 2022 meeting of the City of Frederick 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 and on 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 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 may before your item is being discussed. When we call for 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 the 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 are hereby made 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 improve 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 and welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. I will now take a roll call of Commissioners. Commissioner Albe. Commissioner Alby present. Commissioner DePetrio. Commissioner De Petro present. Commissioner Hart. Commissioner Hart, present. Commissioner Sollard. Commissioner Soller, present. And I am Commissioner Bailey, and I am 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 thereafter in order to vote on the application, and must enter into record an oral written statement that he or she has reviewed the minutes and listened to the tape recording. At this time, I'll ask if there are any commissioners that have a statement of eligibility or need to recuse themselves from any case this evening. This is Commissioner Alby, and um I'm entering into the record that I have reviewed the uh past hearings and workshops that are relevant to this evening's agenda and prepared to vote. Thank you, Commissioner Alby. Any other commissioners? Commissioner DePetro, I I too uh missed the last meeting, but I did review the minutes and listen to the workshop, particularly on the case that I think we're hearing this evening. Thank you, Commissioner DePetro. Also in supporting us this evening are Lisa Morosak Murphy and Christina Martinkowski from the planning department and Scott Waxter from the city's legal department. At this time, we will conduct a swearing in of staff. Do you solemnly swear 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 Murazik Murphy. I do. And this is Christina Martinkowski. I do. Thank you. Are there any announcements for this evening? Uh, this is Christina Martin Koski again. I do have one announcement. Uh HPC 22-19 at 421 North Bend Street cannot be heard tonight because the applicant failed to post the public notice uh at by the required deadline.
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