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Record of Proceedings

City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Workshop - April 14, 2022

Historic Preservation Commission — Thursday, April 14, 2022

BodyFrederick, Maryland

SessionHistoric Preservation Commission

DateThursday, April 14, 2022

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:11:17

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0:13

Welcome back, everybody.

0:14

Um, I would like to call to order the April 14th, 2022 workshop of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission.

0:23

Uh, again, a reminder that listening devices are available should anyone require them.

0:30

Um, anyone who's going to uh well, I should say all applicants or authorized agents or members of the public who wish to speak tonight.

0:39

Um, please stand to be sworn in.

0:46

Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the responses given in statements made in this hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission will be the whole truth?

0:56

If so, answer I do.

0:58

Thank you very much.

0:59

Be seated.

1:00

I'm going to call HPC 22-210 regarding the property at 10 West Church Street.

1:07

Um like to invite the applicant to come forward and if you would please introduce yourselves.

1:24

Okay.

1:25

Microphones on.

1:26

And it's nice to be back in front of you guys in person this time.

1:29

I think the last time was um through uh Zoom or online.

1:35

My name is Peter Brehm.

1:36

I'm president of the consistory of the Evangelical Reform United Church of Christ, which is the governing body for the congregation.

1:43

Wonderful welcome.

1:45

Um let's see.

1:47

Martin Koskey, this is your baby this evening.

1:51

Um how would you like to proceed?

1:54

This is a little bit of a different environment for us.

1:57

It is, so we're a bit winging it, but I did talk to the applicant a little bit to come up with a game plan.

2:02

So I think we're gonna, I'm gonna do a quick introduction to the project.

2:05

We're gonna um there's basically two sections of the project, the roofing aspect and then the the siding elements.

2:13

So we're gonna talk about the the roofing project, um, give my presentation, and then I'm gonna let the applicant speak so they can kind of give you some more background information, and then we'll have a discussion on that.

2:25

When we feel that's resolved, we'll move forward with the siding.

2:29

That way we won't have so much back and forth between the different aspects of the project.

2:35

So I'll enter the entire staff report in the uh the record.

2:38

This application.

2:41

This application addresses the following rehabilitation work to the steeple at Trinity Chapel to replace the slate on the lower section of the tower with a synthetic, excuse me, a synthetic slate from EcoStar Majestic Slate to cover the existing siding and quarter and boards on the belfry and clock levels of the tower with a PVC material to fabricate and install a new PBC porthold panels to temporarily remove the city clock and to replace the bases of the corner finials.

3:16

Real briefly, I do want to go over the the history and significance of this feature and the site in general.

3:23

Much of the structure at Trinity Trinity Chapel dates to 1881.

3:28

However, the Stone Tower is original to the 1764 construction.

3:36

A steeple was incorporated on top of the Stone Tower in 1807.

3:40

And this feature was designed and built uh by Steven Steiner, uh, who lived between 1767 and 1829.

3:48

He was a prominent citizen and town council member.

3:51

Uh, his home still uh stands on West Patrick Street.

3:55

The design of the steeple uh was most likely influenced by the famed architect uh Sir Christopher Wren.

4:02

Uh and the four-sided town clock is located within the tower.

4:07

So I briefly want to go over what the guidelines provide for your parameters for review uh when we're talking about the the slave roofing project.

4:16

Slate roofs can often be repaired, and this treatment uh should be pursued and discussed um at workshop to see if uh uh repair is possible.

4:28

Um slate roof that are beyond repair can be replaced in kind, or the commission may consider the use of synthetic slate on a case-by-case basis.

4:37

The replacement project must match the historic feature in terms of size, color, texture, finish, and shape.

4:44

The overall pattern of the tiles uh also need to be replicate, also replicate the historic.

4:51

The front of Trinity Chapel is currently covered in slate tile.

4:54

Photographs and other documents indicate that it is a historic roofing material, and at a site visit, staff observed that the tiles feature a dark gray color, which were laid in a plain pattern.

5:00

And at a site visit, staff observed that the tiles feature a dark gray color, which were laid in a plain pattern.

5:04

The individual slate tiles appear to be small in scale, but the size of the tile isn't specified in the application, so it's unknown.

5:12

The guidelines encourage repairing existing slate loose whenever possible, and again, we should discuss this uh tonight.

5:18

But again, if total replacement is required, a faux slate roof may be considered on a case by case basis, and it would only be permissible if it matches the historic in terms of size, color, texture, finish, and shape.

5:31

Product literature was submitted for uh eco star majestic slate, a synthetic product.

5:37

The um applicant the applicant is proposing a midnight gray color, uh, and staff finds that the color is a good match to the existing roof.

5:47

The product also matches the texture and finish of the historic material.

5:51

The product is available in various shapes and sizes, but the details are not identified.

5:56

And staff cannot make an evaluation if the product matches these specifications.

6:01

Staff requests confirmation of the existing state uh slate tile.

6:06

Uh information is also needed on the proposed size and shape of the the uh synthetic slate and the proposed pattern for installation.

6:15

We just want to firm those details up.

6:17

And if the project can replicate the historic details in terms of size, color, texture, finish, shape, and patterning, then its use may be appropriate.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████66%

Building Codes█████8%

Architectural Design█████7%

Urban Design Compliance███5%

Urban Design███4%

Engineering And Infrastructure██3%

Historic Preservation Commission██3%

Procedural█2%

Public Safety█1%

Summary of Proceedings

City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Workshop - April 14, 2022

The Historic Preservation Commission held a workshop on April 14, 2022, to review three applications: the steeple rehabilitation at Trinity Chapel (10 West Church Street), a new duplex construction at 252 South Carroll Street, and the comprehensive rehabilitation of the building at 10 North Carroll Street. The commissioners provided feedback and guidance on materials, design, and preservation approaches, with decisions deferred to future meetings.

HPC 22-210: 10 West Church Street (Trinity Chapel Steeple)

The applicant, Peter Brehm, representing the Evangelical Reform United Church of Christ, proposed replacing the existing slate on the lower tower with synthetic slate (EcoStar Majestic Slate) and covering the belfry and clock level siding with PVC material. The project also includes temporarily removing the city clock and replacing finial bases.
Commissioners expressed strong preference for retaining historic materials where possible. They requested a second opinion and an estimate for real slate replacement, documentation of interior damage, warranty details, and evidence that the slate cannot be repaired. For the siding, concerns were raised about moisture trapping and the visual impact of PVC on the character-defining steeple. The applicant agreed to provide additional information.
Key Outcome: The application was continued to the May 12, 2022 meeting, with a submittal deadline of May 2. Commissioners may request another workshop if the proposal changes significantly.

HPC 22-238: 252 South Carroll Street (New Duplex)

Ron Hemby and Andrew Lockheed presented plans for a two-and-a-half-story duplex with brick and siding, double-hung windows, and a mansard roof. The building was initially set back eight feet.
Commissioners recommended reducing the setback to align with neighboring houses, breaking up the large shed dormer into smaller dormers, and using more traditional materials. They discouraged fiber cement siding (e.g., HardiePlank) and preferred wood or high-quality synthetic (e.g., Boral) for siding, and wood doors on the front elevation. The applicant agreed to adjust the design.
Key Outcome: The application will proceed to a hearing (likely May 12) after the applicant submits updated drawings and product information. No further workshop was deemed necessary.

HPC 22-242 & 22-243: 10 North Carroll Street (Building Rehabilitation)

Marty Bates and Brian Allen presented two related applications: one for structural repairs to the second-story brick facade (HPC 22-242) and one for comprehensive rehabilitation (HPC 22-243), including wall repairs, window work, door restoration, and security devices.
For the facade, structural issues from a corroded beam necessitated removal and replacement of the brick. Commissioners accepted the need and encouraged salvaging bricks for other repairs. A test patch was requested for parging removal.
Extensive discussion on windows: The applicant proposed infilling some windows on non-public elevations and replacing others with aluminum-clad units. Commissioners generally supported infill on non-visible openings but insisted on wood windows for visible elevations, especially the south elevation facing the street. The applicant agreed to separate the window work into a new application to avoid delaying the permit for the rest of the work.
Other items: Door hardware upgraded to meet ADA requirements (lever handles) were deemed acceptable with minor modifications; security cameras were approved; a touchscreen doorbell was to be mounted in a mortar joint.
Key Outcome: The applicant will withdraw the window work from the current application and submit a separate application. The remaining work (facade, brick repairs, doors, etc.) is expected to go to a hearing on May 12.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome back, everybody. Um, I would like to call to order the April 14th, 2022 workshop of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. Uh, again, a reminder that listening devices are available should anyone require them. Um, anyone who's going to uh well, I should say all applicants or authorized agents or members of the public who wish to speak tonight. Um, please stand to be sworn in. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the responses given in statements made in this hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission will be the whole truth? If so, answer I do. Thank you very much. Be seated. I'm going to call HPC 22-210 regarding the property at 10 West Church Street. Um like to invite the applicant to come forward and if you would please introduce yourselves. Okay. Microphones on. And it's nice to be back in front of you guys in person this time. I think the last time was um through uh Zoom or online. My name is Peter Brehm. I'm president of the consistory of the Evangelical Reform United Church of Christ, which is the governing body for the congregation. Wonderful welcome. Um let's see. Martin Koskey, this is your baby this evening. Um how would you like to proceed? This is a little bit of a different environment for us. It is, so we're a bit winging it, but I did talk to the applicant a little bit to come up with a game plan. So I think we're gonna, I'm gonna do a quick introduction to the project. We're gonna um there's basically two sections of the project, the roofing aspect and then the the siding elements. So we're gonna talk about the the roofing project, um, give my presentation, and then I'm gonna let the applicant speak so they can kind of give you some more background information, and then we'll have a discussion on that. When we feel that's resolved, we'll move forward with the siding. That way we won't have so much back and forth between the different aspects of the project. So I'll enter the entire staff report in the uh the record. This application. This application addresses the following rehabilitation work to the steeple at Trinity Chapel to replace the slate on the lower section of the tower with a synthetic, excuse me, a synthetic slate from EcoStar Majestic Slate to cover the existing siding and quarter and boards on the belfry and clock levels of the tower with a PVC material to fabricate and install a new PBC porthold panels to temporarily remove the city clock and to replace the bases of the corner finials. Real briefly, I do want to go over the the history and significance of this feature and the site in general. Much of the structure at Trinity Trinity Chapel dates to 1881. However, the Stone Tower is original to the 1764 construction. A steeple was incorporated on top of the Stone Tower in 1807. And this feature was designed and built uh by Steven Steiner, uh, who lived between 1767 and 1829. He was a prominent citizen and town council member. Uh, his home still uh stands on West Patrick Street. The design of the steeple uh was most likely influenced by the famed architect uh Sir Christopher Wren. Uh and the four-sided town clock is located within the tower. So I briefly want to go over what the guidelines provide for your parameters for review uh when we're talking about the the slave roofing project. Slate roofs can often be repaired, and this treatment uh should be pursued and discussed um at workshop to see if uh uh repair is possible. Um slate roof that are beyond repair can be replaced in kind, or the commission may consider the use of synthetic slate on a case-by-case basis. The replacement project must match the historic feature in terms of size, color, texture, finish, and shape. The overall pattern of the tiles uh also need to be replicate, also replicate the historic. The front of Trinity Chapel is currently covered in slate tile. Photographs and other documents indicate that it is a historic roofing material, and at a site visit, staff observed that the tiles feature a dark gray color, which were laid in a plain pattern. And at a site visit, staff observed that the tiles feature a dark gray color, which were laid in a plain pattern. The individual slate tiles appear to be small in scale, but the size of the tile isn't specified in the application, so it's unknown. The guidelines encourage repairing existing slate loose whenever possible, and again, we should discuss this uh tonight.

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