Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - September 28, 2023
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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - September 28, 2023
The Historic Preservation Commission of Frederick, Maryland, met on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting was broadcast live. Commissioners present included Robert Van Rens (Chair), Paul Fitzgerald, Anne Hart, and Iva Saller. Staff provided reports. The commission addressed a demolition review, two applications for 401 North Market Street, and a continuance request.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the September 14, 2023 hearing/workshop were approved unanimously.
HPC Business – Demolition Review (HPC23-947DR, 1631 Shookstown Road)
- Staff determined that a brick veneer garage at the property was at least 50 years old, triggering a review for potential historic designation. Staff assessed the structure as a typical small-scale auto-related outbuilding lacking significance in design, construction, or historical association. The commission unanimously voted not to pursue a designation application, citing that the criteria under Section 423 of the Land Management Code were not met.
Cases to Be Heard
HPC23-493 – Partial Demolition at 401 N. Market Street
- The applicant, Timothy Bain, requested partial demolition of a rear one-story brick garage and warehouse (dating from 1930-1947) attached to a contributing Second Empire-style commercial building (circa 1875). Staff recommended approval, noting the demolition would not affect the overall significance of the contributing resource. The commission unanimously approved the partial demolition, subject to approval of a permit application for the replacement plan.
HPC23-494 – Level 1 New Construction at 401 N. Market Street
- The applicant proposed a new four-story mixed-use building at the rear of the property, fronting West Fourth Street. The design features a brick facade, storefronts, double-hung windows, and a setback fourth level. The application had been discussed at workshops on June 8 and August 24, 2023. Commissioners praised the applicant’s responsiveness to earlier comments, noting the improved uniformity, materiality, and sympathetic scale. The commission unanimously granted level one approval in accordance with the plan set dated September 15, 2023, and project summary materials dated September 14, 2023.
HPC23-792 – 103 E. 3rd Street HVAC
- The applicant requested a continuance to the next meeting on October 12, 2023. The commission unanimously granted the continuance.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes from September 14, 2023.
- Voted not to pursue historic designation for the garage at 1631 Shookstown Road.
- Approved partial demolition at 401 N. Market Street (HPC23-493) with condition.
- Approved level one new construction at 401 N. Market Street (HPC23-494).
- Granted continuance for HPC23-792 to October 12, 2023.
No public comments were received.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Thursday, September 28th, 2023 session of the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. The technical qualifications of the Commission and staff are on file with the City of Frederick and are made a part of each and every case before the Commission. 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. Beginning with introductions this evening, starting on my left, the audience's right. We have HPC Administrative Assistant, Ms. Shannon Piles, Commissioner Blair Wilson, Commissioner Eva Soller, myself, Commissioner Robert Van Rennes, Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald, and Commissioner Ann Hart. And then we have historic preservation planners Lisa and Rotrick Murphy. Excuse me. And I see Ms. Martin Koskey is not with us this evening. Assistant City Attorney Michael Fry and our Aldermanagia is on Donica Zomczek. Anyone who wishes to speak on any case this evening, please rise and be sworn. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the response is 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 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 if Commissioner makes no statement at this time that 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, uh city staff, are there any announcements this evening? Um announcement, item number five, HBC 23-792 at 103 East Third Street. The applicant has requested a continuance to the next meeting on October 12th. So when we get to that item, that will just be a vote regarding the continuance. All right, thank you. All right, moving on to the approval of minutes. Um it from the meeting of September 14th, 2023. Commissioners, any request for um for corrections or modifications to the minutes. All right. Do we have a motion to accept the minutes from the 20 from September 4th, 2023? So I'll make a motion to accept the minutes from Historic Preservation Commission meeting held on September 14th of 2023. And I'll second. All right, moved and seconded. Any discussion. All in favor, please raise your hand. All right. And that passes unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to HPC business. Uh HPC 23-947DR, request for demolition review, 1631 Shookstown Road. Okay, this request for demolition review has been submitted per section 515 B of City Code for a garage with brick veneer at 1631 Shookstown Road. Based on map research and the structures, design and materials, staff was able to determine that the garage was in place by 1973, making it at least 50 years old. As a result, the commission must determine whether or not to make an application for the designation of the structure. It's a typical example of a small-scale auto-related residential outbuilding from the period. It does not exhibit a high level of significance in design or construction. And staff's assessment is that the structure does not individually meet the criteria for designation in section 423D of the land management code and recommends that the commission not pursue a designation application. All right, thank you.
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