The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a public hearing and workshop on January 26, 2023, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting covered three applications for certificate of appropriateness (two chain-link fence proposals were denied, one rehabilitation was approved) and a workshop discussion on a comprehensive rehabilitation project. The meeting began with a swearing-in of participants, approval of previous minutes, and a staff report overview.
Approval of January 12, 2023 Minutes – The commission unanimously approved the hearing and workshop minutes from January 12, 2023.
HPC22-602 – 216 E. Patrick Street (Frederick Airy No. 1067, Fraternal Order of Eagles) – Applicant Brian Bradfield represented the property owner. The scope included filling a louvered opening on the facade with brick, repairing/replacing remaining louvers, replacing six glass-block windows with aluminum-clad double-hung windows, removing security grills, and repairing rear doors. Staff recommended approval with a condition that street-facing infill retain the lintel and sill and be recessed. The applicant agreed. The commission voted unanimously to approve with that condition.
HPC22-1164 – 238 E. 6th Street (Dorothy Koutsos) – Applicant Dorothy Koutsos sought to install a 48-inch chain-link fence in the rear yard to replace a deteriorating wire fence. Staff recommended denial, citing Historic District Design Guidelines that limit chain-link fencing to recreational, institutional, or industrial sites. Koutsos argued the fence would not be visible from the street and would match an existing chain-link fence on the adjacent property. The commission discussed that the guidelines apply to all parts of the property, not just street-facing views. Motion to deny passed 4-1 (Commissioner Hart dissented).
HPC23-21 – 27 E. 6th Street (Eric Eckl) – Applicant Eric Eckl requested a 48-inch chain-link fence to replace an existing six-foot wooden fence that he stated was unsuitable for containing dogs (gate sagging, gaps). Staff again recommended denial under the same guidelines. Eckl emphasized the need for a secure gate. The commission noted that alternatives exist (e.g., modifying the wooden gate) and that chain-link is not appropriate for residential properties. Motion to deny passed 4-1 (Commissioner Hart dissented).
Workshop: HPC22-1081 – 148 B&O Avenue (Angela Flook) – The workshop covered a comprehensive rehabilitation of a historic wood-frame dwelling (first documented 1904). Discussion was organized by topic:
Oh boy. What's today? The 25th. 26th. The January 26, 2023 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 Alderman 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. At this time, I would like to introduce the Commissioners and City staff. To your right, we have Miss Shannon Piles, HPC Administrative Assistant. We have Commissioners Elizabeth Burns, Eva Sower, excuse me, myself, Commissioner Alby, Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald, and Commissioner Ann Hart. With the City of Frederick staff, we have historic preservation planner, Lisa Morazick Murphy. We have Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Scott Waxter, and we have an additional gentleman that I do not know. So yes, Mike Fry is one of the new assistant city attorneys. He'll be attending some of the HPC meetings. And so he's hanging up here tonight just to sort of understand it and get an acclimated. Wonderful. Welcome, Mr. Fry. 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. 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, to promote 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, a commissioner must 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 that meeting. Are there any statements of eligibility from the commission? Okay, seeing none. The application is due April 1st. That's for work that was completed in 2022. We have some information and brochures on the side table if you'd like to take those. Otherwise, you can get all the forms on our website and feel free to call the planning department with any questions. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Murphy. At this time, um, we will approve uh the January 12, 2023 hearing and workshop minutes. Um, are there any revisions or comments from the commission on the hearing and workshop minutes? Okay, seeing none, I move that the commission approve the January 12th, 2023 hearing and workshop minutes. Is there a second? I'll second. Seconded by Commissioner Hart. Is there any discussion? Okay, all those in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. And that is unanimous. Ms.