Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – September 14, 2023
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – September 14, 2023
The Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on September 14, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, two demolition reviews, a shed application, a fountain modification, and a continuance. All decisions were reached unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The August 24, 2023, hearing and workshop minutes were approved unanimously.
- Administrative Approval Report: Thirteen administrative approvals from August 1–31, 2023, were approved unanimously.
- Consent Item HPC23-794 (707 N. Market Street): An addition at this address was approved as part of the consent agenda without objection.
Discussion Items
- HPC23-888DR – Demolition Review, 323 E. 2nd Street: Staff reported that the rusticated concrete block dwelling (built between 1922–1930) is a contributing resource to the 2021 Project Historic District National Register nomination but does not individually meet designation criteria. The Commission voted unanimously not to initiate a historic preservation overlay application.
- HPC23-914DR – Demolition Review, 506 Culler Avenue (Garage): Staff found that the mid-20th century concrete block garage is not associated with significant events, persons, or distinctive design, and does not meet criteria for individual designation. The Commission voted unanimously not to pursue a designation application.
- HPC23-539 – Shed at 137 W. South Street: Applicant Kazia Forrest proposed a prefabricated shed measuring 8 ft by 6 ft in the rear yard. The primary issue was the proposed T111 siding with a faux wood grain texture, which is prohibited by the design guidelines. After discussion, the Commission approved the shed with conditions: revised documentation for siding materials must be reviewed and approved by staff. Acceptable options include LP traditional lap siding without texture or, if the textured siding cannot be replaced, adding battens to simulate a board-and-batten appearance. The motion carried unanimously.
- HPC23-774 – 7th Street Fountain Modification: The applicant (Leanne Cruz, Downtown Partnership) sought to modify a previously approved park project (HPC22-134). Changes include a 19-foot tall stainless steel and copper sculpture and artistic pavement. Staff found no inconsistencies with guidelines. The Commission approved the application as submitted unanimously.
- HPC23-792 – Continuance for 103 E. 3rd Street (HVAC): The applicant requested a continuance to the next meeting on September 28, 2023. The Commission granted the continuance unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All votes were taken unanimously (5-0).
- The Commission did not initiate designation for either 323 E. 2nd Street or 506 Culler Avenue garage.
- The shed at 137 W. South Street was approved subject to staff review of siding materials.
- The 7th Street Fountain modification was approved as submitted.
- The HVAC case at 103 E. 3rd Street was continued to September 28, 2023.
- No citizen comment was offered.
Meeting Transcript
Thursday, September 14th, 2023 session of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. 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 Interior's 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. To begin with introductions, on my left, the audience's right. We have our administrative assistant Shannon Piles, and we have Commissioner Blair Wilson, Commissioner Eva Soller, myself, Commissioner Robert Van Renz, Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald, Commissioner Ann Hart, and then Historic Preservation Planners Lisa Mrochik Murphy, Christina Martin Koskey, Assistant City Attorney Michael Fry, and our aldermanic liaison, Donica Zomczek. Anyone who has business before the Commission this evening, please rise and be sworn in. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the 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, 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 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 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 that if a commissioner makes no statement at this time, 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? Seeing none, I will move on. City staff, any announcements this evening? One announcement. So when we get to that item, the the vote will be for a continuance. Thank you. I'm sorry, continued to what date? I think. I'm sorry, September 28th. September 28th. Thank you. All right. Let's move on to approval of minutes. The August 24th, 2023 hearing and workshop minutes. Commissioners, any questions or concerns about the minutes. All right. I'd like to make a motion that we accept the hearing minutes of the historic preservation commission meeting from August 24th, 2023. Thank you. I second. All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please raise your hand. All right, that passes unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to HPC business. We have administrative approval report. Okay, like that enter the entire administrative approval report into the record and note that we have 13 administrative approvals in the month of August. All right, Commissioners. Any questions or concerns about the administrative approval report. All right. I'll make a motion to approve the administrative approval of report from August 1st through August 31st, 2023. Thank you. I second. All right. Moved and seconded.
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