Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - January 23, 2025

The Frederick Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a public hearing and workshop on January 23, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The hearing included approval of minutes, administrative reports, and decisions on several applications. The workshop provided preliminary review and guidance for six upcoming projects. No public comments were made during the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• No consent items were presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

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

Discussion Items

Hearing Portion (6:00 PM – 6:46 PM)

• Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the December 12, 2024 hearing and workshop minutes.
• Administrative Approval Report: Staff reported that 17 applications were approved administratively in the past month.
• HPC25-7DR – 536 Wilson Place (Demolition Review): Staff determined the circa 1937 dwelling was not individually eligible for historic designation due to alterations and lack of significant associations. The commission voted unanimously not to pursue a historic preservation overlay application.
• HPCR-25-4 – 179 W. All Saints Street (Extension Request): The applicant requested a six-month extension for a previously approved project. A prior extension had been granted administratively; the commission approved this extension unanimously.
• HPC24-702 – 127 E. 6th Street (Continuance): The item was postponed to the next meeting due to lack of a commission quorum.
• HPC24-796 – 350 E. 3rd Street (Rehabilitation): The applicant proposed demolishing a non-historic rear staircase, filling the void with vinyl railing, and replacing front steps and railing. Staff recommended approval. The commission approved unanimously, noting the existing vinyl railing predated guidelines.
• HPC24-804 – 200 E. Patrick Street (Amendment for Lighting): The applicant sought to add artistic uplighting to the Frederick Conference Center Hotel. Staff recommended approval after the applicant reduced lighting output by 80% to diminish intensity. The commission approved unanimously, citing compatibility with guidelines.
• HPC24-813 – 103 S. Carroll Street (Window Replacement): The owner sought to replace eight original six-over-six metal windows with one-over-one metal windows for uniformity after a fire. Staff recommended denial because guidelines require preserving historic windows. However, the commission voted unanimously to approve with a deviation, reasoning that only eight of 76 windows were affected, the elevation was non-prominent, and uniformity was appropriate. They added a condition that window openings must not be enlarged.

Workshop Portion (7:00 PM – ~8:45 PM) – Preliminary Reviews

• HPC24-800 – 500 N. Market Street (Rehabilitation): The applicant discussed roof repairs, masonry work, door replacements, and a new side door for trash removal. Staff guided the applicant to provide a structural engineer's report, use traditional materials (wood siding), and submit product literature. The applicant agreed to retain and repair second-floor wood windows rather than replace them.
• HPC24-810 – 40 S. Carroll Street (Public Art): The applicant proposed installing a 14-foot stainless steel sculpture along Carroll Creek Linear Park, approved by the Public Arts Commission. Staff found no conflicts with guidelines. The commission offered no objections and directed staff to process the application.
• HPC24-817 – 53 E. All Saints Street (Rehabilitation): The applicant plans to convert a former industrial building into a brewery. Discussions covered new entrances, skylights, corrugated metal roofing (standing seam preferred), and fencing. Staff requested updated drawings, product literature, and details on mechanical equipment. The commission encouraged preserving historic features like the arched opening.
• HPC24-732 – 168 W. All Saints Street (Public Art/Mural): The applicant sought to install a mural on the west elevation of the historic dwelling, representing African American educators. Staff noted masonry repairs were needed first. The applicant agreed to update the scope of work to request power tools. The commission urged a test patch for chemical paint removal.
• HPC24-824 – 101 W. South Street (Rehabilitation): The applicant is repairing fire damage to a historic schoolhouse. Staff praised the organized application. The commission approved the proposed door replacement (wooden, matching original design), window replacements, and roof repairs. They conditionally allowed chemical paint removal (test patch required) and power tool use for masonry repairs. The applicant will submit updated elevation drawings.
• HPC24-825 – 38 E. 6th Street (Rehabilitation): The owner discussed converting a second-story door to a window or infilling with brick. The commission preferred infill with a recessed outline to retain the historic opening. The owner also considered repairing existing vinyl windows rather than replacing them. Staff advised using non-pressure-treated wood posts for the porch. The owner will submit revised plans.

Key Outcomes

• Votes (all unanimous):
  • Approved December 12, 2024 minutes.
  • Approved not to pursue historic designation for 536 Wilson Place.
  • Approved six-month extension for 179 W. All Saints Street.
  • Approved rehabilitation at 350 E. 3rd Street.
  • Approved lighting amendment at 200 E. Patrick Street.
  • Approved window replacement at 103 S. Carroll Street with deviation and condition.
• Postponed: 127 E. 6th Street demolition review continued to the next meeting due to lack of quorum.
• Workshop Guidance: Applicants for 500 N. Market, 40 S. Carroll, 53 E. All Saints, 168 W. All Saints, 101 W. South, and 38 E. 6th were directed to submit revised plans, product literature, and additional documentation by the resubmission deadline of Monday, January 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM. These cases are expected to return for formal hearing at the February 13, 2025 meeting.