Historic Preservation Commission Workshop – May 17, 2022
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Historic Preservation Commission Workshop – May 17, 2022
The Historic Preservation Commission held a workshop on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, beginning at 6:00 PM at City Hall. All four agenda items were originally scheduled, but one was postponed by the applicant and two others were not heard because the applicant was absent. Only one item—the proposed slate roof replacement at 401 N. Market Street—was discussed. No formal votes were taken; the commission provided direction to the applicant and set a deadline for additional information.
Discussion Items
- HPC22-321 – 401 N. Market Street (Shila Talattof, owner):
The applicant proposed replacing the existing slate roof, which includes a mix of hexagonal, rectangular, and diamond-shaped slates, with a uniform rectangular slate tile (9″×18″) to simplify the roof and reduce cost. Staff presented findings from the Frederick Town Historic District Design Guidelines, noting that street-facing elevations historically feature more decorative materials and that character-defining features (including the varied slate patterns) should be retained. The guidelines allow repair in kind and case-by-case consideration of synthetic slate, but cost is not a factor in the commission’s review.
The applicant explained that a full replacement with custom-cut slates would cost over $200,000, which she could not afford. She expressed a strong desire to keep a natural slate roof (not synthetic) and make the building look uniform.
Commissioners asked whether the existing roof could be repaired rather than fully replaced. They wanted to know the number or percentage of broken tiles and the feasibility of repairing only those sections. Several commissioners noted that the mix of slate shapes is a unique, character-defining feature of the building. The chair, Robert Van Rens, and others emphasized that retaining historic fabric is the commission’s first priority. Christina Martinkosky, staff, clarified that a simple in-kind repair (replacing broken slates with matching materials) could likely be processed administratively without a hearing.
The applicant acknowledged that repair would be less expensive but preferred a full replacement for aesthetic reasons. The commission encouraged her to first explore a repair option and provide a detailed assessment of existing condition.
Key Outcomes
- No formal vote was taken; the workshop was informational and advisory.
- The application for 401 N. Market Street was tentatively scheduled for the June 9, 2022 HPC hearing.
- The applicant was given until May 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM to submit additional information, specifically:
- A contractor’s assessment of the number and location of tiles needing repair.
- A clearer proposal for either repair in kind or a revised replacement plan that better matches the historic character.
- The other agenda items (HPC20-860 at 358 W. Patrick Street was moved to the next workshop; HPC22-258 and HPC21-1367 at 401 Linden Avenue were not heard because the applicant/agent did not appear) were tabled or postponed.
- Citizen comment was opened but no members of the public spoke. The meeting adjourned shortly after 6:43 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I would like to call to order the Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 workshop of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. All those applicants and authorized agents and members of the public who wish to speak tonight must be sworn in. Please stand if you are able. Thank you very much. You may be seated. Okay. Miss Martin Koskey, do we have any announcements regarding the workshop agenda this evening? Yes, Chair, I do. I do want to note that HPC 20-860 at 358 West Patrick Street has requested to move his application to the next workshop. So he updated his application, so you will also be receiving a revised updated staff report based on the new information they provided Excellent. Thank you very much. So then HPC 20 860 will not be on the workshop agenda this evening. So we'll move on to HPC 22 258 regarding the property at 401 Linden Avenue. Is the applicant present this evening? In the absence of the applicant, how do we proceed? It's uh I would, and I'll defer to Mr. Waxter, but why don't we just kind of put it on pause now and keep moving down the agenda? Um and hopefully he'll uh show up so he can be reviewed at the end of the agenda. Does that sound wonderful? Thank you, sir. Excellent. Um then I will automatically go uh for the the sake of process to HPC 21 1367. Uh also the property at 401 Linden Avenue. Is the applicant present? He is not. Okay, then we'll move on to HPC 22 321 regarding the property at 401 North Market Street. Um is the applicant present. Excellent. If you would please um come forward and be seated at the table. Um, Miss Martin Koskey, if you could um well, actually, first, if you would introduce yourself, please. Sure. And make sure you hi everyone. My name is Sheila Talatov. I'm a new owner of this building. Just recently bought it, like for two months. So very new to all of these. And I want to do some renovation for that building, make it beautiful, so that's why I'm here. Wonderful. Welcome. Um, so it's uh Miss Talotov. Talotov. Excellent. Um, Miss Martin Koski, um, if you would get us started, please. Yes, I would like to enter the entire staff report into the record. The advocate is proposing to replace the existing slate roof with a new slate roof featuring tiles that don't replicate the historic material. So the Frederick Town Historic District Design Guidelines provide the following parameters for review. There's a hierarchy of facades. Historically, a building's design reflected its location, the sighting, the setting, um, and the setting on the lot. Elevations facing the street typically were more elaborately designed and may have used richer, more decorative detailing than re elevations.
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