Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing - June 12, 2025
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Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing - June 12, 2025
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) met on June 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall, Frederick, Maryland. The meeting included a public hearing, approval of minutes, administrative reports, and three cases: a demolition of a shed, a post-work HVAC installation, and a roof replacement. The workshop portion reviewed a post-fire reconstruction at 111 S. Carroll Street. No citizen comment was received.
Announcements
- Staff welcomed new Historic Preservation Planner Dan Lecky and new Commission member Ed McMahon. Deputy Director Gabrielle Collard presented a certificate of appointment to McMahon.
- The withdrawal of case HPC25-116 (104 W. Fourth Street) was noted.
Approval of Minutes
- The May 22, 2025 hearing/workshop minutes were approved by a vote of 4-0.
Administrative Approval Report
- Staff reported that 32 applications were reviewed and approved administratively in the past month. The entire report was entered into the record.
Cases to Be Heard
HPC25-133 – 15 E. Fifth Street – Demolition of Shed
- Staff Report: The shed is a 2003 prefabricated structure, non-contributing to the historic district. Staff recommended approval of demolition, finding no compromise to streetscape integrity.
- Applicant: Jessica Weeman, homeowner, expressed appreciation for staff help and suggested that non-visible, non-contributing sheds should be administratively reviewed.
- Commission Action: The shed was unanimously (4-0) found to be a non-contributing resource. The demolition was then unanimously (4-0) approved.
HPC25-125 – 615 Chapel Alley – Post-Work HVAC Installation
- Staff Report: A wall-mounted mini-split HVAC unit was installed without prior approval. Staff recommended approval with conditions: ground-mount the unit at the rear, remove conduit from the front elevation, and paint conduit to match the building.
- Applicant: Thomas Kruklis, owner, apologized for the unpermitted work and requested the unit remain in place due to financial hardship, functionality, and minimal visual impact. He offered to paint conduit.
- Commission Discussion: Members considered the unit’s placement, heat buildup, and impact on the alleyway. The front conduit was the primary concern. A motion was made to approve with conditions: relocate conduit to the side or rear, paint to match, and allow the unit to remain or be relocated as needed, subject to staff review. The motion passed 4-0. The applicant was advised to coordinate with code enforcement on a timeline.
HPC25-127 – 130 E. Fourth Street – Roof Replacement
- Staff Report: Proposed TPO roof on a flat rear section and corrugated metal roof on a shed roof. Staff recommended approval of TPO and a standing seam metal roof (not corrugated) to match guidelines.
- Applicant: Shane McGruder, estimator for PJ’s Roofing, requested approval of the corrugated metal as a cost-saving measure, noting it is invisible from the street and would match the galvanized finish of existing flashings.
- Commission Discussion: Some members supported the corrugated metal due to low visibility and the presence of other roofing materials on the building. A motion to approve the TPO and corrugated metal as proposed passed 3-1 (Commissioner Fitzgerald opposed).
Workshop Agenda
HPC25-69 – 111 S. Carroll Street – Post-Fire Reconstruction
- Purpose: Workshop only; no vote taken. The applicant proposes replacing the roof structure, gable siding, and reinstating two dormers on the main stone building (original Frederick County Farmers Exchange).
- Staff Feedback: Inconsistencies in plans were noted. Key points included:
- Roof: Standing seam metal roof is acceptable; one roof turbine (not two) to be reinstalled.
- Chimney: Only one chimney remains; staff suggested not rebuilding the second chimney, which the commission agreed with.
- Windows: Proposed four-pane windows were deemed less appropriate; applicant agreed to use six-pane windows to match original. Rear dormer window addition was discussed and accepted.
- Siding: Corrugated metal siding proposed for both dormers and rear gable; front gable to be repaired with wood. Commission accepted corrugated metal for rear gable, with a 2.5-inch profile.
- Gutters: K-style gutters were proposed but deviate from guidelines; half-round gutters are preferred. Applicant will consult with insurance.
- Next Steps: Applicant must resubmit revised plans by June 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM for consideration at the June 26 hearing. Staff will provide the schedule.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved (4-0).
- Administrative report entered into record (32 applications).
- HPC25-133: Shed found non-contributing; demolition approved (4-0).
- HPC25-125: HVAC unit approved with conditions: conduit relocation, painting, staff review (4-0).
- HPC25-127: TPO and corrugated metal roof approved (3-1).
- HPC25-69: Workshop discussion; applicant to resubmit by June 16 for next hearing.
Meeting Transcript
June 12th, 2025 meeting of the Frederick Historic Preservation Commission hearing. I'll call your attention on the table over by the door. There's a copy of the agenda if anybody wants to follow along with tonight's agenda. There's a lot of feedback here. Are we hear me okay? All right. The uh technical qualifications of the commission and the staff are on file with the City of Frederick and are made part of each and every case before the commission. The Frederick Historic Preservation Commission uses the guidelines adopted by the mayor and the board of actually that's the council, City Council. And the Secretary of 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. For introductions tonight. The uh division manager of historic preservation planning, Ms. Christina Martinkowski, Historic Preservation Planner, Sir Hoffedz, and newly on board Dan Nacke. Iris Annan. And Councilor Liaison, Donna Kazamczyk, along with administrative assistant Tanzi Create. All applicants and authorized agents and members of the public who wish to speak tonight must be sworn in. If you would please stand as you're able. Thank you. In order to be eligible to vote on an application, the commissioner must first have made the required site visit and attended any and all meetings at which such an application was discussed. In the event a commissioner is absent from any such meeting, Commissioner may satisfy the attendance requirement by reviewing a record of that meeting. It is presumed that if a commissioner makes no statement at this time, 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? Okay. Is there any announcements tonight from the staff? Quite a few announcements. Under HBC businesses, a vote would need to be made to approve or deny that request. Also, um I have three announcements. First, I want to acknowledge that HPC 25-116 at 104 West Fourth Street has withdrawn their application. This was um done after public notice, and so that's why it's still on the agenda. But that item one um will not be reviewed tonight. That's item number three. Also, I want to acknowledge and celebrate our newest uh historic preservation uh planner, Dan Lecky. Um he started um this week with the city, so I want to welcome him and you'll be working with him hopefully starting at our next meeting. Uh finally, I want to um welcome uh our um deputy director of uh planning, uh Gabrielle Collard to make an announcement. Thank you. Thank you very much. Good evening, everyone, Gabrielle. Um it is an exciting evening of of new new blood. Um, and in that vein, I wanted to take the opportunity to welcome our new commission member at McMahon. Um the mayor has um initiated a new process for welcoming our commission members on all of our planning commission zoning board of appeals, HPC um in issuing a certificate of appointment and appreciation uh for your service on the planning or HPC. I've got to get my right my room in the historic preservation commission. Um it is a um a noble uh duty you all do serving in this capacity. Um I know working with the planning commission most frequently. Uh sometimes it can be tedious and long evenings and a lot of reading and a lot of research, and the um initiative to step up and fulfill that role as a volunteer is commendable to all of you, and we welcome you very much. And on behalf of staff, um it is very much a privilege and a great responsibility we have to provide the technical recommendations that help you make those decisions. So it really is um much appreciated on our behalf. I'm sure on the public who you are assisting through their projects on and on behalf of the the administration and the mayor. So welcome.
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