Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – August 14, 2025

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a public hearing and workshop on August 14, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting covered demolition reviews for properties inside and outside the historic district, several rehabilitation applications, and workshop discussions on two major projects. Commissioners voted on contributing resource determinations and approved several applications with conditions.

Consent Calendar

• Administrative Approval Report: 25 projects were reviewed and approved by city staff in the past month. The report was entered into the record.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 301 Grove Boulevard: Two members of the public spoke. Gwen Kinsey (210 Grove Boulevard) argued that the property owner’s removal of the stone facade was an evasion of the law and urged the commission to assess eligibility based on the original condition. Eric Jenkins (610 Rosevont Avenue) testified that the contractor told him the stone was removed to then apply for a demolition permit. Both supported a finding of eligibility and stronger preservation tools.

Discussion Items

• HPC25-385DR – 301 Grove Boulevard (Demolition Review): Staff reported that the property, originally identified as potentially eligible, had its stone facade removed, significantly damaging historic integrity. Staff recommended not to designate. Commissioner McMahon strongly disagreed, arguing the building still retains significance and that the action evaded the ordinance. After a motion to designate failed (3-4), no overlay was pursued.
• HPC-25-406DR – 20 Monocacy Boulevard (Demolition Review): Staff found the motel property did not meet significance criteria. The motion not to designate passed unanimously.
• HPC-25-201 – 38 E. 2nd Street (Rehabilitation): Approved with conditions including a test patch for cleaning, limited power tool use, lime-based mortar, and railing posts installed on the marble step (not sidewalk pavers).
• HPC-25-202 – 35 E. 6th Street (Deck Replacement): Approved as a deviation from guidelines. The commission noted the deck is not visible from the street and the structure is non-contributing.
• HPC-25-203 – 66 E. South Street (Garage Door Replacement): Approved as a deviation. The applicant, a retiree on fixed income, requested a metal door. The commission found the alley location and limited visibility justified the deviation.
• HPC-25-209 – 358 W. Patrick Street (Partial Demolition): Found to be a contributing resource. The demolition and replacement plan will be on the August 28 consent agenda.
• HPC-25-212 – 500 N. Market Street (Partial Demolition): Found to be a contributing resource. The workshop discussion detailed the extensive structural issues discovered during renovation. The applicant plans to retain two masonry corners and reconstruct the rest in-kind. The commission provided design feedback on brick, lintels, windows, and cornice.
• HPC-25-218 – 226 W. South Street (Partial Demolition) and HPC-25-219 (Addition): The partial demolition was found contributing. In workshop, the commission recommended preserving the brick rear wall with a smaller opening (10 ft max) and converting the proposed deck to a covered porch. The applicant agreed to submit revised drawings by August 18.

Key Outcomes

• 301 Grove Boulevard: No historic preservation overlay will be initiated (motion to designate failed 3-4).
• 20 Monocacy Boulevard: No designation; demolition review proceeds without overlay.
• 38 E. 2nd Street: Approved with four conditions (cleaning test patch, power tool limit, lime mortar, railing post on marble step). Vote: unanimous.
• 35 E. 6th Street: Approved as deviation to replace deck in-kind without railings. Vote: unanimous.
• 66 E. South Street: Approved as deviation for metal garage door. Vote: unanimous.
• 358 W. Patrick Street: Found contributing resource. Vote: unanimous.
• 500 N. Market Street: Found contributing resource (unanimous). Workshop direction: revise drawings for August 28 meeting with details on brick, lintels (flat), windows (6-over-6 restoration), and cornice.
• 226 W. South Street: Found contributing resource (unanimous). Workshop direction: reduce ground-floor opening to ~10 ft, design a covered porch instead of deck, preserve existing siding, and submit revised plans by August 18.