Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Public Hearing - March 9, 2023
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Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Public Hearing - March 9, 2023
The Frederick Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on March 9, 2023, at 6:00 PM in City Hall (101 North Court Street). The meeting included routine approvals, a determination on a garage's contributing status, a continued case, and approval of a brick painting application. Commissioners present: Robert Van Rens (Chair), Paul Fitzgerald (Vice Chair), Ann Hart, and Iva Saller. Staff included Gabrielle Collard, Christina Martinkosky, Sarah Hoffeditz, Lisa Mroszczyk Murphy, and others.
Announcements
- The historic preservation property tax credit deadline for work completed in 2022 is April 1, 2023.
- The City of Frederick is seeking one alternate member for the Historic Preservation Commission.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The hearing and workshop minutes from February 23, 2023, were approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, second by Commissioner Saller).
- Administrative Approval Report: Staff noted 16 administrative approvals were issued in February 2023.
- HPC23-137 – 11 W. Patrick Street (Amendment): Consent agenda item for door replacement. Commissioner Hart clarified the door is a non-historic replacement. The consent agenda was approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, second by Commissioner Hart).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Peter Samuel (neighbor at 102 W. 3rd Street) spoke on HPC23-16 (105 W. 2nd Street garage demolition). He stated the garage is structurally unsound per an engineer's report, preserving it would require near-complete reconstruction (80% new), and imposing that on the owners would be a severe financial penalty. He supported the demolition application.
Discussion Items
- HPC23-16 – 105 W. 2nd Street (Partial Demolition): Staff presented a finding that the garage, built between 1930 and 1947, is a contributing resource to the historic district but not of unusual importance. The front retains historic character, but the rear and side walls have been heavily altered. The Commission discussed and voted unanimously (motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, second by Commissioner Saller) to find the garage a contributing resource but not of unusual importance. No action on the demolition itself was taken; the Land Management Code requires a second hearing before voting on demolition of a contributing resource.
- HPC23-147 – 25 E. South Street (Masonry Repairs): Staff announced the case could not be heard due to failure to post public notice; no action taken.
- HPC23-149 – 112 N. Market Street (Painting Brick Wall): Staff recommended approval to paint a rear brick wall that was the target of graffiti. The wall is a post-1960 non-historic addition, faces a narrow walkway adjacent to a modern parking structure with a mural, and the painting is appropriate for stabilization and aesthetic reasons. Applicant Tony Checchia (agent for his parents, the property owners) spoke, thanking the city for assistance and noting prior graffiti incidents. The Commission approved the application unanimously (motion by Commissioner Saller, second by Commissioner Hart).
Key Outcomes
- February 23, 2023 minutes approved.
- Consent agenda approved (including HPC23-137).
- The garage at 105 W. 2nd Street determined to be a contributing resource to the historic district but not of unusual importance. A subsequent hearing will be required to decide on the demolition request.
- Application for painting the brick wall at 112 N. Market Street approved.
- No citizen comment was offered, and no workshop was held. The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I would like to call to order the March 9th, 2023 hearing of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. Should you require a listening device, 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 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 HPC Administrative Assistant, Shannon Piles, and then we have Commissioners Eva Sower, Paul Fitzgerald, myself Carrie Alby, Miss Ann Hart, and then we have historic preservation planners, Lisa Morazic Murphy, Christina Martin Koskey, Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Michael Fry, and Aldermanic Liaison, Miss Donna Kuzemchek. 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. 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, please answer I do. 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, a commissioner must have made the required site visit and attended any and all meetings at which that 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. In the absence of a statement of eligibility from a commissioner, it will be assumed that they have met the requirements to vote. That being said, are there any commissioners with statements of eligibility? Okay. Let's see. Do we have any announcements from staff this evening? Yes, a couple announcements. My usual reminder that the historic preservation property tax credit deadline is coming up on April 1st, and that's for work that was completed in 2022. We have some brochures over at the side table, or you can always check out the planning, the preservation page on the city's website for more information or reach out to our office. And the city is also looking for one more member for the Historic Preservation Commission. There's an alternate member position available. Again, you can reach out to the planning department or check the commission's page on the city website. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Murphy. And I also have one announcement. Ms. Martin Koske, do you have any announcements this evening? I did. So I just want to note that HPC 23-147 at 25 East South Street cannot be heard tonight because of failure to post public notice. So no action can be taken tonight. Thank you, Ms. Martin Koskey. If there are no other announcements, we'll move on to the approval of minutes. Um for the February 23rd, 2023 hearing and workshop. Do any commissioners have any concerns or requests for revisions or would they like to make a motion? Madam Chair, I move to approve the hearing minutes for the Historic Preservation Commission as well as the workshop minutes for February 23rd, 2023. Thank you, Commissioner Fitzgerald. There is a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Seconded by Commissioner Sower.
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