Historic Preservation Commission Hearing & Workshop - January 25, 2024
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Historic Preservation Commission Hearing & Workshop - January 25, 2024
The Historic Preservation Commission met on January 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM at City Hall in Frederick, Maryland, to conduct a public hearing and workshop. The meeting included the approval of minutes, a hearing on a sidewalk and coal chute cover replacement, and a workshop discussion on masonry repointing and painting. No public comments were received.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 11, 2024 hearing and workshop were approved unanimously without discussion.
Discussion Items
- HPC24-04 – 10 S. Market Street (Bilco Door Replacement): Applicant Anthony Owens (agent for Taft) proposed replacing an existing metal panel covering a former coal chute or cellar entrance with either a new steel plate or a concrete infill, along with sidewalk repairs. Staff noted the existing feature is not historic and the work does not damage the building's integrity. The applicant favored concrete to eliminate future tripping hazards and water leakage issues that had damaged the underlying masonry foundation. Commissioners discussed the historic nature of the opening and agreed that documenting it with photographs before covering would be appropriate, but found no preservation objection to either option. Chairman expressed preference for a stainless steel plate if metal were chosen for durability.
- HPC24-08 – 54 E. Patrick Street (Masonry Repointing and Painting) – Workshop: Applicant Mike Stultz (Spinner's Contracting, agent for owners Ronald & Patricia Smith) proposed repointing brick and painting the entire building with a breathable masonry paint. Staff reported that the building, originally built in 1764, is one of the oldest in Frederick. The applicant had already used an acrylic-based concrete patch to repoint large areas on the side, which staff strongly criticized as inappropriate for historic soft brick. The guidelines require lime-based mortar that is softer and more vapor-permeable than the brick; the acrylic product is harder and impermeable, likely causing future brick deterioration. Commissioners stressed the need to remove the improper mortar with the help of a historic masonry specialist before any painting of unpainted masonry could be considered. Painting of wooden elements (windows, doors, shutters) does not require HPC approval. The commission did not approve the current scope of work and directed the applicant to engage a qualified historic mason to assess and remedy the repointing issues, then return with a revised plan.
Key Outcomes
- HPC24-04: Approved unanimously (4–0) with both options (concrete infill or steel plate) allowed; applicant must provide additional documentation (photographs of the coal chute) to staff before proceeding. If a steel plate is chosen, staff recommends using stainless steel for longevity.
- HPC24-08: No formal decision; the application was continued to a future meeting. The commission advised the applicant to: (1) contact the manufacturer of the acrylic mortar for removal guidance, (2) hire a historic masonry specialist to evaluate the wall and develop a plan to remove the inappropriate mortar and repoint with lime-based mortar, and (3) revisit the painting proposal only after masonry issues are resolved. Staff will provide resources for finding a qualified contractor.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the January 25th, 2024 hearing of the Historic Preservation Commission. 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 the board of aldermen and the Secretary of the 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. I'll start with introductions. Shannon Piles, our administrative assistant, Commissioner Blair Wilson. This is Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald and Commissioner Ann Hart. And from the city staff, we have Christina Martinkowski and I'm sorry, it's not Michael Frye. Iris, what's your last name? Iris Annan. Iris Annan. Hello. Would all applicants and authorized agents and members of the public who wish to speak tonight be sworn in? Could you stand if you are able? 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 sites, structures, and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. Do we have any announcements? Yes, Steph has one announcement. So no action, no continuance needed. We'll just take that off the agenda. Thank you. Okay. Moving on to the approval of minutes for the January 11th, 2024 hearing and workshop. Uh for January 11th, 2024. I second. Thank you. So I think we can move to the cases to be heard. We're gonna start with HPC 2404 at 10 South Market Street. Yes, I want to enter the entire staff report in the record. The applicant proposes to replace a metal panel covering a former coal chute or cellar entrance and perform sidewalk repairs. The applicant proposes two options to replace the metal panel. Either a new steel plate or to just replace it with concrete. Replacing moving forward with the staff comments. Replacing the cut the cracked concrete sidewalk surrounding the metal plate with new concrete falls within the minor rehabilitation list and does not specifically require HPC or approval. So staff has no specific comments on on that element of the scope of work. Staff finds that the historic coal shoot and cellar entrance features has been removed and that the existing seal plate covers cover offers little architectural value. Staff finds replacing the metal panel uh or installing concrete over the former entry does not damage the historic integrity of the resource. It doesn't actually impact the building itself. Specifications concerning the insulation will require further documentation from the applicant to be reviewed by the the city's engineering department, but the commission's review of this application is limited to the uh implementing the design guidelines, not any safety concerns or anything along along those lines. And with that, I'll take any questions. Then could the applicant please come forward? If you could introduce yourself. Good evening. What was your question? If you could introduce yourself, please. Anthony Ellis.
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