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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - June 13, 2024

Historic Preservation Commission — Thursday, June 13, 2024

BodyFrederick, Maryland

SessionHistoric Preservation Commission

DateThursday, June 13, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:54:52

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Can I call to order the June 13th, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission?

0:14

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.

0:21

The Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission uses the guidelines adopted by the mayor and the board of aldermen and the Secretary of the Interior Standards of the Rehabilitation published by the U.S.

0:31

Department of the Interior National Park Service.

0:33

And these guidelines are applied to each and every case.

0:46

Our HPC administrative assistant is Tansi Creighton in the front.

0:51

We have historic preservation planners Christina Martin Koske and Sarah Hoffeditz, our assistant city attorney, Iris Anon, and then the Commissioners.

1:04

I'm sorry.

1:08

Robert Van Renz is missing for tonight.

1:11

Paul Fitzgerald and Ann Hart.

1:14

If everyone who would like to speak tonight or has a case before the commission could please stand to be sworn in.

1:26

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?

1:35

If so, answer I do.

1:38

Thank you.

1:42

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.

2:14

And our chair has arrived.

2:18

Shall I give you a minute?

2:19

Yeah, please.

2:20

Okay.

2:23

Um I don't unfortunately have the statement of eligibility on this sheet.

2:30

Give me just a second.

2:31

Okay, sorry.

2:47

It is the purpose.

2:50

Sorry.

2:51

It is the purpose of the historic preservation commission to safeguard the historical and cultural heritage of this.

2:59

How far did you get?

3:00

I'm sorry.

3:00

I read through the statement of purpose on the eligibility of Commissioners.

3:04

Sorry.

3:05

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.

3:14

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.

3:22

It is presumed if a commissioner makes no statement at this time that they have done so and are prepared to vote on the agenda this evening.

3:29

That being said, are there any commissioners with statements of eligibility?

3:35

All right, seeing none.

3:42

Yes.

3:42

Steph has two announcements.

3:45

First, um, I want to just welcome the public and encourage everybody to attend our June 19th, uh Juneteenth celebration.

3:54

Uh again, that's going to be June 19th.

3:56

It's going to be uh we're going to be doing uh an emancipation building historic marker dedication that's going to be on West All St.

4:02

Street.

4:02

Again, the uh event starts at 10 o'clock, and we hope the public will uh join us.

4:07

Um the second final announcement is welcoming our newest commission member, Lisha Fortune.

4:12

Uh her experience from the National Park Service and then carpentry will be a huge asset to the commission, and so um I want to uh give her a warm welcome and uh thank you for joining um our team.

4:24

Thank you.

4:30

All right, thank you.

4:33

Uh moving on to minutes from the May 23rd, 2024 hearing and workshop.

4:46

Commissioners, any concerns or um anything need to be changed or added to the hearing the minute minutes from those hearings and workshops hearing and workshop.

5:00

Yes.

5:01

Mr.

5:01

Chairman.

5:02

I know the discrepancy on items seven, eight, and nine.

5:08

List the votes as four to one when there was only four commissioners present.

5:13

So I did not go back and review the record to verify the count.

5:19

But it certainly wasn't four to one.

5:24

If I can figure out how to word the motion, I would move to approve the minutes.

5:32

Staff reviews the uh record of the meeting and verifies the vote for seven, eight, and nine, which I believe should be four to z not four.

5:59

Can we accept it with that condition or do we have to send it back to the I just want to make sure we're proceeding in this?

6:13

All right, then in that case then any further questions.

6:20

All right.

6:21

All in favor, please raise your hand.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████47%

Urban Design██████████████████████23%

Architectural Design█████████9%

Procedural███3%

Solar Energy███3%

Building Codes██2%

Public Comment██2%

Public Engagement██2%

Accessibility██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - June 13, 2024

The Historic Preservation Commission of Frederick, Maryland, met on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting was broadcast live on Channel 99. Commissioners Robert Van Rens (Chair), Paul Fitzgerald, Anne Hart, and Iva Saller were present, along with staff and legal counsel. The meeting included a public hearing, approval of minutes, a demolition review, four cases to be heard, and a workshop session with three items. Key decisions included approval of several rehabilitation projects and denial of a permanent demolition request, with conditions for temporary removal.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the May 23, 2024 Hearing and Workshop were approved unanimously after correcting the vote count on items 7, 8, and 9 from 4-1 to 4-0.
Administrative Approval Report: Staff entered 33 administratively approved cases into the record.
Demolition Review (HPC24-562DR) – 585 Himes Avenue: The Commission voted unanimously not to pursue individual historic designation for the 1965 building, as research found no significance beyond age.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the public comment periods.

Discussion Items

HPC24-008 – 54 E. Patrick Street (Repoint/Paint Masonry)

Applicant Mike Stultz (Spinners Contracting) sought post-work approval for repointing using a ready-mixed concrete patch and painting of the east elevation. Staff recommended denial of the concrete patch and painting of unpainted brick, but approval of repointing with lime-based mortar and painting of the previously painted center section with Romabio mineral paint, plus parging of the east side base.
The Commission discussed the need for test patches, correct mortar color, and gentle cleaning methods. A motion to approve the repointing, painting of the center section, and parging with conditions passed unanimously. A separate motion to deny the post-work masonry repairs (but not require removal) also passed unanimously.

HPC24-476 – 124 S. Carroll Street (Partial Demolition)

Owner Joanie Jenkins requested permanent removal of historic train gear from the former grain elevator. Structural engineer reports indicated the gear posed a safety hazard. Staff recommended denial of permanent removal but support for temporary removal with a condition to submit a reinstallation or replacement plan.
The Commission denied the permanent demolition application unanimously, then approved temporary removal for safety reasons, requiring an HPC application for the gear's future (reinstallation, replica, or other plan) and safe storage until a permit is issued.

HPC24-515 – 256 S. Carroll Street (Solar Panels)

Agent Andrew Clark (Renewable Energy Corporation) proposed installing 10 solar panels on the flat roof, with electrical equipment on the south side. Staff recommended approval with conditions: panels installed flush to roof and conduit color-matched.
The Commission approved the application unanimously with the condition that panels be "flat against the roof" and conduit color-matched.

HPC24-516 – 104 W. All Saints Street (Habitat for Humanity Rehabilitation)

Agent Timothy Bain represented an amendment to replace historic windows that were required to be retained under a prior approval. Staff found the proposed replacement windows matched the historic pattern and recommended approval.
The Commission approved the application unanimously.

Workshop Agenda

HPC24-343 B&O Properties Lot 7 (Level 1 Review)

Applicant Michael Swanson presented revised designs for new construction, focusing on roof line, materials, and massing. The Commission provided feedback: simplified roof pitch and metal roof were well-received; concerns included the double-wide garage doors and the need for a more traditional design. The applicant will return for a hearing on June 27.

HPC24-504 – 543 N. Market Street (Rehabilitation)

Agent Johnny Reimer proposed lowering the front and side doors by 8.5 inches and replacing stoops to improve accessibility. The Commission discussed transoms, door styles, and stoop depth. Guidance was given to consider a recessed door, historic transoms, and railings. The applicant will coordinate with city engineering and submit a revised application.

HPC24-518 – 107 S. East Street (Level 1 Submission)

Architect Robert Spongeller presented a detailed proposal for a 250-unit residential building with retail along Carroll Creek. The design featured multiple volumes, courtyards, and a stepped massing to relate to the Dela Plain Arts Center. Commission feedback included: the need for a more articulated retail base, greater setback from the Dela Plain, a two-story retail volume instead of a single-story strip, and a more traditional brick-and-punched-window facade. The East Street frontage options were discussed, with preference for a stepped orthogonal approach. The applicant will refine the design for a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

Approved: HPC24-008 (with conditions), HPC24-476 (temporary removal only), HPC24-515 (with conditions), HPC24-516 (unanimous).
Denied: HPC24-476 permanent demolition.
Guidance Given: HPC24-343, HPC24-504, HPC24-518 for further development.
Next Steps: Applicants for workshop items to return with revised plans; HPC24-518 to present Level 1 again.

Meeting Transcript

Can I call to order the June 13th, 2024 meeting of the 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 the board of aldermen and the Secretary of the Interior Standards of the Rehabilitation published by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service. And these guidelines are applied to each and every case. Our HPC administrative assistant is Tansi Creighton in the front. We have historic preservation planners Christina Martin Koske and Sarah Hoffeditz, our assistant city attorney, Iris Anon, and then the Commissioners. I'm sorry. Robert Van Renz is missing for tonight. Paul Fitzgerald and Ann Hart. If everyone who would like to speak tonight or has a case before the commission could please stand to 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 sites, structures, and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. And our chair has arrived. Shall I give you a minute? Yeah, please. Okay. Um I don't unfortunately have the statement of eligibility on this sheet. Give me just a second. Okay, sorry. It is the purpose. Sorry. It is the purpose of the historic preservation commission to safeguard the historical and cultural heritage of this. How far did you get? I'm sorry. I read through the statement of purpose on the eligibility of Commissioners. Sorry. 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 a 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? All right, seeing none. Yes. Steph has two announcements. First, um, I want to just welcome the public and encourage everybody to attend our June 19th, uh Juneteenth celebration. Uh again, that's going to be June 19th. It's going to be uh we're going to be doing uh an emancipation building historic marker dedication that's going to be on West All St. Street. Again, the uh event starts at 10 o'clock, and we hope the public will uh join us. Um the second final announcement is welcoming our newest commission member, Lisha Fortune. Uh her experience from the National Park Service and then carpentry will be a huge asset to the commission, and so um I want to uh give her a warm welcome and uh thank you for joining um our team. Thank you. All right, thank you. Uh moving on to minutes from the May 23rd, 2024 hearing and workshop. Commissioners, any concerns or um anything need to be changed or added to the hearing the minute minutes from those hearings and workshops hearing and workshop. Yes. Mr. Chairman.

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