Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 24, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 24, 2025
The Historic Preservation Commission met on July 24, 2025, to conduct a public hearing and workshop. The meeting included the election of officers, approval of prior minutes, review of three demolition review requests, consideration of four rehabilitation and amendment applications, and a workshop on a proposed addition at 401 N. Market Street. The Commission voted on several items, with key decisions regarding demolition reviews and project approvals.
Consent Calendar
- No consent items were presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public provided testimony during the citizen comment period.
Discussion Items
- Election of Officers: The Commission re-elected Robert Van Rens as Chair and Paul Fitzgerald as Vice Chair for a one-year term, both by unanimous votes of 4-0.
- HPC25-261DR – 430 Pine Avenue (Demolition Review): Staff recommended not to pursue a Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) for the industrial property, citing lack of historic significance. After discussion, the Commission voted 3-1 (Commissioner McMahon opposed) to not initiate an HPO designation.
- HPC25-338DR – 33 Thomas Johnson Drive (Demolition Review): Staff similarly recommended against HPO designation for the 1975 warehouse building. The Commission voted 4-0 to not pursue HPO designation.
- HPC25-374DR – 348 Park Avenue (Demolition Review): Staff recommended against HPO designation for the circa 1923 dwelling. During discussion, Legal Counsel clarified that a demolition certificate for partial demolition applies to the entire building, allowing full demolition within three years. The Commission expressed concerns about the demolition review process and the shrinking historic district. The motion to not pursue HPO passed 4-0.
- HPC25-171 – 104 Clarke Place (Solar Panels): The applicant proposed roof-mounted solar panels on a rear shed. Staff recommended approval as the panels would not be visible from the street. The Commission approved the proposal 4-0.
- HPC25-180 – 164 W. All Saints Street (LED Address Panel): The applicant sought a 31.5-inch backlit LED address panel on a rear fence. Staff recommended approval with conditions: panel size no more than 24 inches and no LED backlighting. The Commission approved with conditions 3-1 (Commissioner Hart opposed).
- HPC25-182 – 401 N. Market Street (Amendment to Demolition): The applicant proposed a reduced scope of demolition (partial instead of full) for the rear garage/warehouse of a contributing resource. Staff recommended approval subject to a replacement plan. The Commission approved the amended demolition 4-0.
- HPC25-187 – 164 W. All Saints Street (Smart Lock Keypad): The applicant requested a smart lock keypad on the front door. Staff recommended approval with a condition that the lock not feature a keypad, citing guidelines. After discussion, the Commission granted a deviation due to the discrete design and approved the installation 4-0.
- Workshop: HPC25-160 – 401 N. Market Street (Additions/Rehabilitation): The Commission discussed a proposed addition to the rear of the building, including a front elevation setback, height increase, garage door design, and materials. Staff and commissioners advised using materials more compatible with historic guidelines (e.g., clear glass instead of opaque, wood-like garage doors, smooth fiber cement trim). The applicant was asked to provide revised drawings addressing setback, height differentiation, and material choices. No vote was taken; the workshop was informational.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: July 10, 2025 hearing/workshop minutes approved 4-0.
- Demolition Reviews: Three properties (430 Pine Ave, 33 Thomas Johnson Dr, 348 Park Ave) were found not individually eligible for HPO designation; no HPO applications will be initiated.
- Solar Panel Approval: HPC25-171 at 104 Clarke Place approved as presented.
- LED Sign Approval: HPC25-180 at 164 W. All Saints Street approved with conditions (24-inch max, no LED backlighting).
- Demolition Amendment Approval: HPC25-182 at 401 N. Market Street approved subject to a replacement plan.
- Smart Lock Approval: HPC25-187 at 164 W. All Saints Street approved with a deviation for a discrete keypad design.
- Workshop: No formal action; the applicant will refine the design based on commission feedback and submit revised plans for further review.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the July 24, 2025 hearing of the Frederick City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. The 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 City Historic Preservation Commission uses the guidelines adopted by the mayor and city council 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 part of each and every case. All cases are duly advertised in the Frederick News Post in accordance with Section 301 of the Land Management Code. I will call your attention if anyone wants a printed agenda. I believe there's copies over on the side table by the door. For introductions tonight for the commission here, my name is Paul Fitzgerald serving along with Eva Saller and Hart and Ed McMahon. The uh city staff is represented by Division Manager of Historic Preservation Planning, Miss Christina Martin Koske, along with Historic Preservation Planners Sarah Hoffedz and Dan Lecky. And we're also served tonight with Assistant City Attorney Iris Anen. And filling in tonight as administrative assistant is Carrie Ann Eiler. All applicants and authorized agents and other members of the public who wish to speak tonight must be sworn in. If you would stand as you're able to. Are there any announcements tonight? Just one. I um I'm pleased to inform everybody that City Council recently approved the appointments of Carol Kelly and Jonathan Levins to the Historic Preservation Commission. Their first meeting will be August 14th. Uh so we look forward to working with them. Thank you so much. Thank you. Moving on to approval of the minutes. Commissioners, if everybody's had a chance to review the commended minutes. If there's any changes, corrections or motions. Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve the hearing minutes from July 10, 2025. Second the motion. Okay, motion is made and seconded to approve the minutes from July 10th. All in favor, raise your hand. Motion carries four to zero. Thank you. The first item under HBC business tonight is election officers that serve for a one-year term. Uh I will state before we move in to elections that uh Commissioner Van Renz could not attend tonight, but he did communicate with uh Mr. Martin Koskey by email that he is interested in uh staying on as uh chairman if if so elected. So I would uh enter his nomination, I'll accept his nomination for the chair. And uh I'll ask the commissioners if there's any other nominations for chair without objection of close the nominations. All in favor of Mr. Van Renz as serving as chairman of the commission, please raise your hand. And the nomination is carried forward to zero. I also need to elect a vice chairman, and I'll open the floor for any nominations for vice chair. I nominate Paul Fitzgerald for vice chair. Any other nominations? Can we repeat the same nomination? What's that? No other nominations. All in favor of Paul Fitzgerald serving as the vice chair, please raise your hand. And the nomination carries four to zero. Thank you very much. It's a pleasure. Thank you. Next under HBC business is case HBC 25-261 DR for a demolition review.
openpublica.com