Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - March 23, 2023
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Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - March 23, 2023
The Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing and workshop on March 23, 2023, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered four cases: demolition of a garage at 105 W 2nd Street, partial demolition and rehabilitation at 148 B&O Avenue, and masonry repairs at 25 E South Street. Commission members present included Chair Alby, Vice Chair Fitzgerald, and Commissioners Wilson, Burns, Van Rens, and Hart. Staff included Historic Preservation Planner Christina Martinkosky and Assistant City Attorney Michael Frye.
Consent Calendar
- March 9, 2023 Hearing Minutes: Approved unanimously with a correction to site visit minutes noting Commissioner Van Rens was absent from the site visit. The motion carried 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- HPC23-16 (105 W 2nd Street): Neighbor Peter Samuel expressed support for demolition, stating no neighbors believe the garage can be saved. Anthony Muscato, representing the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, opposed demolition, arguing the garage is a contributing resource and its loss would damage the historic streetscape; he also questioned the staff’s reliance on only two neighbor emails.
Discussion Items
- HPC23-16 (105 W 2nd Street): Application for demolition of a wood-frame garage built between 1930-1947, found to be a contributing resource. The structural engineer’s report noted substandard construction, decay, and lack of foundation. Staff recommended approval contingent on approval of a replacement plan (HPC23-017). Commissioners debated whether neglect caused deterioration and whether repair was feasible. Chair Alby and Commissioners Fitzgerald, Burns, Van Rens, and Wilson favored demolition, citing the building’s poor condition and the inadequacy of original construction. Commissioner Hart opposed, citing lack of evidence that repairs were explored and concern about demolition by neglect.
- HPC23-113 (148 B&O Avenue): The Commission first voted unanimously to find the entire dwelling (stone house with rear wood-frame addition) a contributing resource but not of unusual importance. This discussion was brief.
- HPC22-1081 (148 B&O Avenue): Partial approval of rehabilitation work including new metal roof, skylights, HVAC, propane tank, and cellar door. Staff recommended approval with conditions: rake boards of non-pressure-treated painted wood; metal roof finished in red, green, or galvanized (flat panel standing seam); final color submitted for staff review. Applicant Angela Flook agreed to the conditions. After clarifying that roof panels must be smooth and flat, the motion passed unanimously.
- HPC23-147 (25 E South Street): After-the-fact approval for cellar door, parging, door hardware, and exterior light. Staff recommended approving only the rear light; rejecting the cellar door (pressure-treated wood not standard), masonry repairs (Portland cement-based parging incompatible with historic stone), and front door hardware (modern style and keypad). Applicant Mike Grewe explained challenges: cellar door needed to be walkable; parging was done to stop water intrusion. Commissioners expressed concern that Portland cement would trap moisture and cause long-term damage. They proposed having the applicant consult a historic masonry expert and continue the masonry portion to the April 13, 2023 hearing. The Commission voted unanimously to deny the front door keypad and hardware; approve the cellar door, rear light, rear door hardware, and approve front door hardware conditional on staff review of replacement.
Key Outcomes
- HPC23-16: Approved demolition of the garage at 105 W 2nd Street (6-1, Commissioner Hart opposed), contingent on approval of a replacement plan.
- HPC23-113: Found 148 B&O Avenue a contributing resource (unanimous). Decision on partial demolition deferred to later date (workshop discussed replacement plan).
- HPC22-1081: Approved rehabilitation at 148 B&O Avenue with conditions (unanimous).
- HPC23-147: Denied front door hardware/keypad (unanimous); approved cellar door, rear light, rear door hardware, and conditional front door hardware (unanimous). The masonry repairs (parging) were continued to the April 13, 2023 hearing, with the applicant directed to obtain a historic masonry expert’s assessment by April 3, 2023.
Workshop
- HPC23-113 (148 B&O Avenue): Workshop discussion focused on the proposed partial demolition of the rear wood-frame addition and replacement plan. The addition is original but structurally compromised (walls pulled away, no foundation, extensive rot). Applicant Angela Flook intends to replace it with a similar-sized addition to house laundry and half bath, but raised height for code compliance and headroom. Commissioners encouraged her to submit scaled plans and noted the replacement must not make the building non-contributing. No formal vote was taken; the demolition application will come back for a decision.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the March 23rd, 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, Ms. Shannon Piles. This evening we have Commissioners Wilson, Burns, Fitzgerald, Alby, Van Rens, and Hart. And with us from the staff, we have Historic Preservation Planner Christina Martinkowski and Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Michael Frye. And I think that's it for tonight. 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, 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 able 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 this evening? Okay. Moving on to our agenda. Yes, just one. I just want to note that the historic preservation tax credit applications are due on April 1st. And if you have any questions, contact the planning department. Excellent. Thank you, ma'am. Moving on to the approval of minutes. This evening, we have the March 9th, 2023 hearing minutes and the March 9th, 2023 site visit minutes. Commissioners, are there any revisions necessary? Um any comments or does anyone have a motion? Um one revision to the site visit minutes. Um reflect the fact that I was not present at the site visit. Duly noted, thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Van Renz. Um Mr. Fry, does that mean that we cannot vote on uh to approve the site visit minutes until the revision is made? I I believe you you can approve with that edit noted. Thank you very much. Are there any other revisions requested? Seeing none, I move that the commission approve the March 9th, 2023 uh HPC hearing minutes. Is there a second? A second. Seconded by Commissioner Burns. Any discussion. Seeing none, all those in favor, please raise your hand. And that is unanimous.
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