Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 23, 2022
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 23, 2022
The Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission convened at 6:00 PM on June 23, 2022, at City Hall to hold a public hearing and workshop. The agenda included a Section 106 review, several case hearings for demolition, replacement, and new construction, and workshop discussions on proposed projects. The Commission approved minutes, determined contributing status for two properties, approved a new construction design with conditions, and provided guidance for revisions to a major addition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kevin Sellner (East Fifth Street) addressed the Commission on case HPC22-10 (1730 N. Market Street). He argued that the proposed new construction did not comply with historic design guidelines regarding mass, style, and height, and urged the Commission to act as a check on staff and require consistency with the existing Oddfellows buildings. No other citizen comments were received during the public comment period.
Discussion Items
Section 106 Review – 54 Monocacy Boulevard Staff presented a proposal for a 36‑foot utility pole and wireless antenna in the public right‑of‑way. The Commission concurred with staff that the project is not within the viewshed of the Frederick Town National Register Historic District due to intervening trees and topography. The Commission authorized Vice Chair to sign a letter recommending that the applicant verify with the Maryland Historic Trust that no archaeological resources are affected. (Motion carried unanimously.)
HPC22-10 – 1730 N. Market Street (Level 1 New Construction) The applicant proposed a four‑story multifamily building on Lot 203 of the former Oddfellows Home. Commissioners noted the design had evolved from previous workshops and generally supported the location and massing, though concerns about the parking deck at grade and pedestrian scale were noted for future level‑2 review. Staff recommended approval with conditions. The Commission approved level‑1 with three conditions: site access from Market Street is excluded until final site plan approval; tree removals are excluded; surface parking shall be limited to the north side and reduced to the minimum required by code. (Motion carried unanimously.)
HPC22-301 – 33 E. Patrick Street (Alter Parapet Cap and Railing) The applicant requested a metal cap on the parapet and a new roof railing. After discussion, the Commission approved the metal cap subject to a revised drawing showing the anchor does not penetrate the stone cap and that liquid adhesive is used. The request for a railing extension was denied because the attachment to brick could damage historic masonry and no alternative attachment was shown; the replacement of existing railing in kind was deferred to staff‑level review. (Two separate motions: cap approved with conditions, railing extension denied; both unanimous.)
HPC22-441 – 47 S. Carroll Street The applicant requested a continuance to July 14, 2022. Motion carried unanimously.
HPC22-447/449 – 221 W. Patrick Street (Partial Demolition and Replacement) The applicant sought post‑demolition approval for a deteriorated rear frame structure and porch. The Commission first approved the demolition (subject to a replacement plan) and then approved the replacement plan, which replicates the former one‑story frame addition with a porch. Conditions require all exterior wood to be painted or stained with an opaque finish, and product information for the porch ceiling to be submitted for staff review. (Motions carried unanimously.)
HPC22-548 – 604 N. Market Street (Partial Demolition – Stoop) The applicant explained that the front stoop was damaged in an auto accident and proposed a new side‑access brick stoop. The Commission first determined that the property is a contributing resource to the Frederick Town Historic District. Per the land management code, action on the demolition request was deferred to a subsequent meeting. (Motion finding contributing resource carried unanimously.)
HPC22-558 – 150 W. Patrick Street (Partial Demolition) The applicant requested demolition of the rear wing roof, chimneys, and porches to accommodate an addition. The Commission found the property to be a contributing resource. Action on demolition was deferred; the replacement plan was discussed in the workshop. (Motion finding contributing carried unanimously.)
Continuances Two applications at 210 E. 2nd Street (HPC22-556 and HPC22-445) were continued to July 14, 2022, at the applicant’s request. (Motion carried unanimously.)
Workshop Discussion – HPC22-499 – 129 E. Patrick Street (Rehabilitation) The applicant proposed converting an attached brick garage into an ice cream shop, with a wood‑framed infill, double Dutch doors, three equal windows, and a revised awning. Commissioners praised the adaptive reuse and symmetrical design. Minor details on lighting, signage, and window repairs remain; staff indicated the application could be placed on a consent agenda once finalized.
Workshop Discussion – HPC22-558/504 – 150 W. Patrick Street (Partial Demolition and Rehabilitation/Addition) The applicant presented a plan to add a third story to the rear wing, replace porches, and add new windows. Commissioners expressed serious concerns: the proposed vinyl siding and windows are incompatible with the historic district; the removal of a one‑foot‑wide strip of brick along the west side would obliterate the historic wing’s form; the third‑story addition appears top‑heavy and should be set back; new windows on the west wall may violate building code fire‑separation requirements; porch materials should be wood, not aluminum. Staff recommended a major redesign that preserves the historic telescoping form and uses traditional materials. The applicant agreed to revise the proposal.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes of the June 9, 2022 hearing and workshop were approved.
- Section 106 letter authorized for 54 Monocacy Boulevard.
- HPC22-10 approved at level 1 with conditions (unanimous).
- HPC22-301 parapet cap approved with conditions; railing extension denied (unanimous).
- HPC22-441 continued to July 14 (unanimous).
- HPC22-447 demolition approved (unanimous).
- HPC22-449 replacement plan approved with conditions (unanimous).
- HPC22-548 found to be a contributing resource; demolition action deferred.
- HPC22-558 (150 W. Patrick) found to be a contributing resource; demolition and addition plan to be revised.
- HPC22-556/445 continued to July 14 (unanimous).
- Workshop guidance provided for 129 E. Patrick and 150 W. Patrick; applicants to submit revised designs.
Note: Several items on the workshop agenda (HPC22-549, HPC22-552, HPC22-487) were not reached due to time; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Everyone come to order, please. This begins the uh excuse me that I'm sorry, I have to look at the date. The June 23rd, 2022 session of the Frederick City Historical Preservation Commission. The technical qualifications of the Commission and its staff are on file with the City of Frederick and are made a part of each and every case before the Commission. The Frederick City 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 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service, and these guidelines are made a part of each and every case. All cases were duly advertised in the Frederick News Post in accordance with Section 301 of the land management code. Let's begin with introductions. Starting over here on my left on the uh on the audience's right. Um excuse me, administrative assistant uh Shannon Pyle. Uh Commissioner Elizabeth Burns, Iva Seller, uh Commissioner Jeff Pietro, uh I am Commissioner Robert Van Rennes, and then over here on my right, the audience's left. We have historic preservation planners Lisa Murphy, Christina Martin Koskey, uh Assistant City Attorney Rachel Neeson, and um Alderman Aglies on Donna Kazamchak. Oh anyone here with any members of the public here with business before the uh commission this afternoon, please or this evening, please stand to be sworn in. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that what that this represent that 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. Thank you. 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, and districts that reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological, or historical 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 site structure such sites, structures and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. In order to be eligible to vote on an application, a commissioner must have made the required site visit and attempted attended any and all meetings at which such an application was discussed. In the event that a commissioner is absent from any such meeting, the commissioner may satisfy the attendance requirement by reviewing the record of that meeting. It is presumed if a commissioner makes no statement at this time that they have done so and are prepared to vote on the agenda this evening. That being said, are there any commissioners with statements of eligibility? Commissioner Barns and I have read the meeting minutes and reviewed the recordings from the last couple of meetings that I have missed. Thank you. All right, with that, um I'll ask city staff if there are any announcements this evening. A couple announcements regarding the agenda. Um item number seven, HBC 22-441 at 47 South Carroll Street. The applicant has requested a continuance to the next meeting on July 14th. Um we have a copy of that request in the application file. And then also want to note that item number 10, HBC 22-458 at 215-217 West Patrick Street. Um, the public notice requirements were not met for this case, so the commission will not be able to take any action. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next, we'd like to move on to approval of minutes. Um regarding the June 9th, 2022 hearing minutes and workshop minutes. Are there any commissioners with statements or requests for revision? Hearing none, is there a motion? This is Commissioner Saller. Um, I move that we approve the minutes. Is there a second? Commissioner De Petra, a second. All right. Any discussion? All right, if we could uh raise hands. All of them all in favor, raise hands. All right. That's unanimous. Thank you. And then moving on to uh HBC business, the uh section 106 review for 54 Minoxy Boulevard. Yes, this is Christina Martinkowski.
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