Frederick HPC Meeting Summary - November 13, 2025

The Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Frederick convened on November 13, 2025, for a combined hearing and workshop session. The meeting began with the adoption of the October 23rd minutes, the appointment of Jerry DeYoung as a full voting commissioner, and the administrative approval of 28 minor modifications. The hearing portion addressed several demolition reviews involving the determination of contributing status, followed by public comments and approvals. The session concluded with a workshop reviewing Level 1 amendments and replacement plans for new construction and rehabilitation projects, focusing on design compatibility, material deviations, and mitigation strategies for historic structures.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the October 23, 2025 meeting minutes (Motion carried 6-1).
• Appointment of Commissioner Jerry DeYoung as a full voting member, having previously served as an alternate.
• Administrative approval of 28 minor modifications and amendments, including sign replacements and window repairs.
• Unanimous approval of three items under the consent agenda (HPC 25-336, HPC 25-327, HPC 25-322) to approve without separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizen Comment: A member of the public attended the meeting to address the lack of public comment opportunity for items previously approved under the consent calendar (Items 5 and 7). Staff clarified that these items were routine administrative approvals not requiring a public hearing.
• Staff Clarification: Staff noted that updated aerial photographs were provided for HPC 25-320 to correct an accidental mixture of solar panel application photos.

Discussion Items

• HPC 25-574 DR (300 B Scotty's Bus Lane): Commission discussed the eligibility of a 1964 commercial building for historic designation. Staff recommended no designation due to lack of historic association or integrity. A commissioner inquired about whether the site was for partial or total demolition for a youth center, noting conflicting information. The scope was clarified to cover only Lot B, excluding adjacent Lot A.
• HPC 25-405 DR (1003 West Patrick Street #13): Commission reviewed a storage building built in 1973. Staff noted significant alterations, including a false decorative facade and siding changes, leading to a finding of ineligibility for historic designation due to loss of integrity.
• HPC 25-314 (103 East 7th Street): Staff recommended approving a security camera on the rear masonry wall (installed in mortar) but denying a keypad deadbolt on the front entry door, citing guidelines that restrict keypads to rear/secondary elevations. The applicant confirmed the keypad had already been installed. The commission approved the camera with conditions regarding installation location and denied the keypad.
• HPC 25-321 (228 East Sixth Street): The applicant requested to replace front porch wood decking with TimberTech composite. Staff recommended approval contingent on the product avoiding a "fake wood grain" finish. The applicant presented a wire-brush finish sample and discussed the use of 16-foot boards to minimize exposed cut ends. The commission approved the use of composite or natural wood (specifically mahogany) provided it features a true tongue-and-groove profile and avoids faux textures.
• HPC 25-330 (165 West All Saint Street): The applicant sought approval for a six-foot solid board fence with the "beauty side" facing the inner yard on a 40-foot section adjacent to a neighbor's chain-link fence. Staff guidelines require the beauty side to face outward. The applicant argued that stick-building the fence against the existing chain-link fence made adhering to the guideline impossible without removing the neighbor's fence. The commission granted a deviation from the guidelines due to site constraints, approving the fence with the condition that gate heights match the fence height.
• HPC 25-331 & 25-333 (115 East Fifth Street & 229 East Third Street): The commission determined both properties to be contributing resources to the Historic District. Staff confirmed their status based on their period of significance and architectural value, consistent with the National Register nomination.
• HPC 25-335 (223 West South Street): Application to replace corrugated metal roofing and deteriorated trim on a rear detached garage with cementitious (Hardy) siding. Staff recommended wood trim per guidelines. Commissioners discussed the flexibility required for secondary structures in non-visible alleyways. The commission approved the deviation to use cementitious trim, noting it would not compromise the streetscape.
• Workshop: 137 North Market Street: Post-workshop review of work done without a permit following a fire. The applicant replaced six or seven windows with vinyl and replaced a portion of vinyl siding. Commissioners emphasized the need for wood windows and appropriate siding materials where feasible. The commission requested a detailed resubmission identifying specific windows and siding areas, verifying original materials, and providing product literature for replacement wood windows with true/simulated divided lights.
• Workshop: Level 1 Amendment (1730 North Market Street): The applicant proposed amendments to a previous Level 1 approval for a multi-family development on the former Oddfellows site. Changes included converting two large multifamily buildings into townhomes, increasing the number of townhomes, and removing a tennis court to create more green space. Commissioners discussed massing, scale, and the visual buffer from historic structures. A commissioner raised concerns about the "huge wall" of the large buildings, while the applicant explained the design breaks up the facade and uses step-backs to deflect views. The commission expressed general comfort moving forward pending Level 2 review.
• Workshop: Partial Demolition & Addition (115 East Fifth Street): The commission discussed the demolition of the roof and rear wall of a historic rear L-configuration on a small, vernacular log dwelling to facilitate a two-story addition. Staff noted the high level of demolition and potential impact on the structure's integrity. The applicant proposed a "bridge" connection to minimize impact on the original house but acknowledged the roof removal was necessary. Commissioners debated the necessity of the connection and the visual scale of the proposed addition. Discussion included shifting the connection point to preserve more of the historic L shed roof and replacing a non-historic dormer window with a door. The commission expressed concern about the addition's scale relative to the tiny historic house but acknowledged the need for modern living space.
• Workshop: Addition (229 East Third Street): The commission reviewed a replacement plan for the removal of a non-historic sunroom and a historic second-story porch to build a new two-story addition. Staff noted the loss of the historic porch was unfortunate but supported the use of the existing foundation. The applicant proposed a new inset porch and specific window configurations. Commissioners discussed the size of the addition relative to the main house, the retention of the existing porch roof structure, and the window design on the back elevation. The commission requested clarifications on deck materials, product literature for doors and shutters, and lighting fixtures.

Key Outcomes

• Decisions & Votes:
  • Designations Not Pursued: The commission voted 7-0 to not pursue historic preservation overlays for 300 B Scotty's Bus Lane (HPC 25-574 DR) and 1003 West Patrick Street (HPC 25-405 DR), finding them not individually eligible for designation.
  • Contributing Status: The commission voted 7-0 to find 223 West South Street (HPC 25-335), 115 East Fifth Street (HPC 25-331), and 229 East Third Street (HPC 25-333) as contributing resources to the historic district.
  • Approvals with Conditions:
    • HPC 25-314: Approved rear camera installation (installed in mortar/ceiling); denied front entry keypad.
    • HPC 25-321: Approved porch decking replacement with composite or wood (mahogany) avoiding faux wood grain.
    • HPC 25-330: Approved fence construction with a deviation allowing the beauty side to face inward for 40 feet.
    • HPC 25-335: Approved garage trim replacement with cementitious siding, deviating from the wood requirement.
• Workshop Directives:
  • 137 North Market Street: Applicant must resubmit by December 1st with a detailed scope of work, floor plan identifying replaced windows and siding, verification of original materials, and product literature for wood windows.
  • 1730 North Market Street: Applicant to submit revised documentation by December 1st, addressing naming consistency and landscape plans.
  • 115 East Fifth Street: Applicant must resubmit by December 1st to refine the demolition plan (potential shift of connection point to preserve roof), scale of the addition, rear wall preservation, materials, and HVAC/lighting plans.
  • 229 East Third Street: Applicant must resubmit by December 1st with clarifications on porch deck materials, window configurations, shutters, and lighting fixtures; product literature required for all new materials.
• Next Steps: All workshop items are scheduled to return for a formal hearing on December 11, 2025, pending receipt of required documentation by December 1st at 11:00 AM. Commissioner DeYoung abstained from the vote on HPC 25-335 due to familiarity with the applicants.