Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - July 28, 2022
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Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - July 28, 2022
The City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a combined public hearing and workshop on Thursday, July 28, 2022, starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included officer elections, a demolition review, several regular cases involving demolition, rehabilitation, and new construction, and two workshop items. Public comments were heard on one case, and a neighbor raised concerns about a proposed screen porch.
Consent Calendar
- No consent items were presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- HPC22-682 (232 E. 6th Street): Scott Miller and Karen Miller, neighbors at 230 E. 6th Street, expressed concern that the proposed screen porch roof line would be only about an inch from their kitchen window, potentially blocking natural light and incorporating the window into the porch enclosure. The applicant, Angel Fitzpatrick, clarified that the window would not be enclosed and that the protective plywood was temporary. No other public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- Election of Officers: Commissioner Carrie Albee nominated herself and was unanimously elected Chair. Commissioner Albee nominated Robert Van Rens for Vice Chair, who was also elected unanimously.
- HPC22-707DR – 1724 N. Market Street (Demolition Review): Staff reported two utilitarian structures (c. 1947 block structure and c. 1970 garage) on the site of the former David O. Thomas House had no historical or architectural significance and did not meet criteria for designation. The Commission unanimously agreed not to make an application for designation, after confirming no public comment was desired.
- HPC22-466 – 1730 N. Market Street (Roof Replacement): The applicant, Alex Cedarbaum representing the Maryland State Odd Fellows Home, proposed replacing original slate roofing with synthetic slate on three buildings, TPO on a flat portico roof, and riblock metal on a sunroom. Staff recommended approval for the slate and TPO but recommended standing seam metal instead of riblock. The Commission approved the application with the condition that the sunroom roof use flat seam or traditional standing seam metal, with product info submitted prior to permit. A commissioner asked about salvaging usable slate, and the applicant agreed to consider saving pieces for others.
- HPC22-548 – 604 N. Market Street (Partial Demolition): Staff recommended denial of demolition of a French stoop on a contributing 1860s dwelling, citing guidelines to preserve historic fabric. The applicant, Scott Stancill, explained the concrete stoop underneath was in poor condition and he preferred a side-access brick stoop like neighbors. After discussion, the Commission approved the demolition contingent on an acceptable replacement plan.
- HPC22-549 – 604 N. Market Street (Rehabilitation/New Stoop): Staff recommended denial of a proposed brick side stoop. The Commission debated materials and orientation. They approved the application with conditions: the new stoop must be concrete (no brick detailing) with a metal railing, side access. Vote was 4-0-1 (one abstention).
- HPC22-552 – 235A E. Church Street (Partial Demolition): Staff found the dwelling (built 1904-1911) to be a contributing resource but not of unusual importance. The Commission unanimously found it to be a contributing resource, a prerequisite for demolition review.
- HPC22-556 – 210 E. 2nd Street (Post-Work Approval for Demolition of Garden Shed): The Visitation Academy property, a contributing resource of unusual importance, had a garden shed (c. 1922-1930) that collapsed during construction. Staff recommended approval subject to a replacement plan (level two new construction). The Commission approved unanimously, noting the applicant had consulted historic preservation offices and salvaged materials.
- HPC22-682 – 232 E. 6th Street (Screen Porch Addition): Staff recommended approval with conditions regarding materials. The applicant agreed to staff's recommendations (white aluminum or painted wood door, standing seam metal roof, painted exterior wood). The Commission approved unanimously with those conditions.
- Workshop Item – HPC22-458 (215-217 W. Patrick Street – Rehabilitation): The applicant, Mr. Callan, requested to use composite decking and railing for rear porches, citing poor wood longevity and 300+ foot setback. Staff noted prior vinyl and composite installations on site. Commissioners debated material appropriateness; some favored wood or traditional composites. The item was continued to the August 11 hearing for further refinement of the material proposal.
- Workshop Item – HPC22-689 (118 E. 2nd Street – Stained Glass Window Installation): Bob Fitzsimmons presented a plan to install 12 historic stained glass windows (originally from a Pennsylvania church) into St. John the Evangelist Church, along with exterior protective storm windows with thermal breaks and argon gas. Staff noted the design guidelines allow replacement based on documentary evidence. Commissioners expressed strong support, noting the conservation of historic windows and energy efficiency. The application was recommended for placement on a future consent agenda.
Key Outcomes
- Officers Elected: Carrie Albee as Chair, Robert Van Rens as Vice Chair.
- 1724 N. Market Street: No designation applied; demolition may proceed without further HPC review.
- 1730 N. Market Street: Approved with conditions (sunroom roof must be flat seam or traditional standing seam metal).
- 604 N. Market Street (Demolition): Approved contingent on an acceptable replacement plan.
- 604 N. Market Street (Rehabilitation): Approved with conditions (concrete side stoop with metal railing, no brick).
- 235A E. Church Street: Found to be a contributing resource.
- 210 E. 2nd Street: Demolition approved subject to replacement plan approval.
- 232 E. 6th Street: Approved with conditions (door material, roof type, painted wood).
- 215-217 W. Patrick Street: Continued to the August 11, 2022 hearing for final material decisions.
- 118 E. 2nd Street: Workshop concluded; application expected on future consent agenda with additional documentation.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I would like to call to order the July 28th, 2022 hearing of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. Listening devices are available. If anyone would like one, please see Ms. Piles to your right. The technical qualifications of the Commission and the 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 to be heard this evening were duly advertised in the Frederick News Post in accordance with Section 301 of the Land Management Code. At this time, I would like to introduce the Commissioners and City staff. To your right, we have Ms. Shannon Piles, our HPC administrative assistant, and Commissioners Elizabeth Burns, Eva Sower, myself, Carrie Albee, and Robert Van Renz and Anne Hart. From the staff this evening, we have historic preservation planners Lisa Morozek Murphy and Christina Martin Koskey. And Assistant City Attorney Rachel Nesson, or I should say acting city attorney, excuse me. All 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. 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. In order to be eligible to vote on an application, it is presumed that a commissioner will have made the required site visit and attended any and all meetings at which such 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 the meeting. At this time, uh are there any commissioners with any statements of eligibility? Okay. With that, um, I would ask if city staff has any announcements this evening. Um announcement related to the two cases on the continuances portion of the agenda. They did not post the public notice sign, so there'll just be no action taking uh taken tonight on those cases. Thank you, Ms. Murphy. Uh next we'll move to the approval of minutes. Um there any commissioners that have any uh concerns or revisions regarding the July 14th, 2022 hearing and workshop minutes. Seeing none, I move that the commission approve the July 14th, 2022 hearing and workshop minutes. Is there a second? Second. Commissioner Van Renz has seconded any discussion on the motion. All those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Aye. And that is unanimous. Moving on to HPC business. This evening we are going to um vote on officers for the Historic Preservation Commission. Um, I appreciate my colleague deferring the election from the last meeting to this meeting so that I had an opportunity to be here. And I would like to nominate myself to serve in the role of chairman. But I would also welcome anyone who had an interest in serving in that role. Are there any other nominations? Okay. Hearing none. I move that Carrie Alby be elected to serve as HPC chairman for the coming term. Is there a second on the motion? I second. Seconded by Commissioner Hart.
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