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.
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.