Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - September 12, 2024
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Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - September 12, 2024
The Frederick Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) met on September 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall to conduct a public hearing and workshop. The meeting included swearing in of participants, announcements, approval of minutes, administrative reports, and consideration of several demolition, rehabilitation, and new construction applications. The commission also reviewed a National Register nomination and approved the 2025 HPC schedule.
Announcements
- The demolition review application for 301 Grove Boulevard (HPC24-657DR) was withdrawn, requiring no further action.
- The applicant for HPC24-477 (1730 N. Market Street, Level 1) could not attend; the workshop item will be reviewed at the September 26, 2024 HPC workshop.
- On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the City's Planning Department will host a community event regarding a new initiative to research and document sites associated with slavery, partially funded by the Maryland Historic Trust and in partnership with the African American Resources Cultural Heritage Society of Frederick County. The event will be held at the City Annex Building (140 West Patrick Street) at 6:00 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The August 22, 2024, hearing and workshop minutes were approved unanimously.
HPC Business
- Administrative Approval Report: 26 applications were reviewed administratively in August 2024; the report was entered into the record.
Discussion Items
- HPC24-769DR – Request for Demolition Review – 503 Fairview Avenue: Staff determined the garage structure, built circa 1970, retains historic integrity but lacks architectural significance and association with events or persons. The commission voted unanimously not to pursue an historic preservation overlay designation for the garage.
- CLG Review of Kemp Property National Register Nomination – 1761 Eagle Rock Lane: Staff presented a draft nomination for the Kemp property, which includes the 1780 Peter Kemp House, a circa 1980 tenant house, and outbuildings. The nomination identifies significance under Criteria A (agriculture and religion) and C (architecture). The commission voted unanimously to support the nomination and prepare the recommendation form for the chair and mayor.
- Approval of 2025 HPC Schedule: The schedule was presented, accounting for public notice requirements, holidays, and calendar coordination. The commission voted unanimously to approve the 2025 schedule.
Cases to Be Heard
- HPC24-591 – 123 W. 2nd Street – Rehabilitation: Applicant Suzanne Beal proposed a small rear addition (2'10" x 7'2") for a bathroom, using an existing door and cement board siding. Staff recommended approval with a condition that the roof color be galvanized, green, or red. The commission approved the application unanimously with that condition.
- HPC24-695 & HPC24-696 – 136 W. 4th Street – Demolition and Rehabilitation/Addition: Commissioner Anne Hart recused. The partial demolition (225 sq. ft. of roof) and replacement plan were reviewed. Staff found the demolition would not alter the building's contributing status to the historic district. The replacement plan includes a rear addition, new windows, and a porch. The commission approved the partial demolition conditioned on approval of the replacement plan, and approved the replacement plan with conditions: revising drawing HPC3 to show the second-story window not partially infilled, and specifying porch decking color as slate gray, oyster, or coastline.
Workshop Items
- HPC24-720 – 155 B&O Avenue – Level 2 Review: Applicant Michael Gordon proposed five four-story townhomes on a site near the historic preservation overlay boundary. Discussion focused on materials (cultured stone veneer, standing seam roof color, fiberglass doors, composite decking), fencing (42-inch wood picket fence recommended), cluster mailbox location, and HVAC unit placement. The commission requested additional details on the paneling system, awning feature, and lighting locations. No vote was taken; the applicant will submit revised plans by September 30, 2024, for the October 10, 2024, hearing.
- HPC24-702 & HPC24-714 – 127 E. 6th Street – Demolition and Level 1 Review: The applicant proposes complete demolition of the dwelling and garage to construct eight townhomes. Staff and the applicant's architectural historian debated whether the dwelling (associated with 19th-century businessman Benjamin F. Winchester) is a contributing or non-contributing resource, or of unusual importance. The commission leaned toward finding the dwelling contributing but not of unusual importance, and the garage non-contributing. Public comments strongly opposed demolition, citing historic value and neighborhood character. No vote was taken; the commission will vote on contributing/non-contributing status at the next meeting, followed by a decision on demolition approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 127 E. 6th Street (Winchester House): Several neighbors spoke in opposition to demolition. Jim Wagner (121 E. 6th Street) presented photos showing the garage's condition and argued the property retains integrity, referencing historic maps. Daniel Fabulous (123 E. 6th Street) expressed interest in restoring the house if it were marketed historically. Another resident criticized the replacement plan as out of character and urged preservation, noting the loss of green space and light. Additional speakers argued the house's evolution from single-family to multi-family reflects urban history and should not diminish its significance. Written comments were also submitted.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous votes: Approval of minutes, administrative approval report, 2025 HPC schedule, demolition review decision for 503 Fairview Avenue, support for Kemp Property National Register nomination, approval of 123 W. 2nd Street rehabilitation, and approval of 136 W. 4th Street demolition and replacement plan.
- Workshop items: No votes taken; continued to future meetings. For 155 B&O Avenue, revised plans due September 30, 2024, for October 10 hearing. For 127 E. 6th Street, the commission will determine contributing/non-contributing status at the next meeting, followed by a demolition decision.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. We apologize for the delay. I'd like to begin the September 12th, 2024, Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission hearing and workshop. 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 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. Moving on to introductions, on my right, I'm sorry, my left, the audience's right is the HPC Administrative Assistant, Tansi Creighton. Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald, myself, Commissioner Robert Van Renz, Commissioner Ann Hart, and Commissioner Alyssa Fortune. And then moving further over, uh Historic Preservation Planners Christina Martin Koskey and Sarah Hoffenitz and Assistant City Attorney Iris Anon. Anyone who has business before the Historic Preservation Commission this evening or wishes to be heard, 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. Please be seated. 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 the 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 site 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. That being said, are there any commissioners with statements of eligibility? All right. Seeing none, let's move on to announcements. Staff, do we have any announcements this evening? Yes, we have uh several announcements actually. The demolition review application for 301 Grove Boulevard, which is uh case number HPC 24-657, has been withdrawn, and so because of that, there's no further action required by the Historic Preservation Commission. Also, uh, the applicant for HPC 24-477 at 1730 North Market Street, which was originally scheduled for a workshop tonight. Um, was unable to attend, so the application will be reviewed at the September 26th HPC workshop. Um, and because this is a workshop item, no action is needed from the commission, no continuance or anything. So it's just being put on the next meeting. Uh, my last announcement is to just uh note that on Tuesday, September 24th, the city's planning department will be hosting a special community event uh regarding a new initiative to research and document sites associated with slavery. The project is partitioned uh is partially funded by the Maryland Historic Trust and is being conducted in partnership with the African American Resources Cultural Heritage Society of Frederick County. At the event, we plan to share our early research efforts. However, we are also seeking public input and guidance on how to direct future research. Again, this event will be held September 24th at the City Annex Building at 140 West Patrick Street at 6 p.m. And the public is welcome to attend and encouraged to attend. Please call the planning department with any questions. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to the approval of minutes regarding the August 22nd, 2024 hearing and workshop minutes. Are there any commissioners with statements or requests for revisions? Mr. Chairman, I move to approve the hearing and workshop minutes for August 22nd, 2024. I'll second. All right. All in favor, please raise your hand. That passes unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to HPC business. First, the administrative approval report. Excuse me, I would like to enter the entire administrative approval report into the record and note that uh 26 applications were reviewed administratively in the month of August.
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