Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - February 12, 2026
Frederick Historic Preservation Commission Hearing and Workshop - February 12, 2026
The Frederick Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) met on February 12, 2026, for a combined hearing and workshop. The commission reviewed five cases and conducted a workshop for a new construction proposal. Key actions included approvals for signage, partial demolition, and a major addition with conditions, a continuance for a controversial rear addition, and approval of a roof color change.
Consent Calendar
- The commission approved the hearing and workshop minutes from January 22, 2026, by a vote of 5-0.
- Staff acknowledged the administrative approval report for 14 projects reviewed in January.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ann Ryan (Frederick Housing Solutions Task Force) spoke in support of affordable housing options like single-room occupancy (SRO) units, emphasizing the need for housing for residents earning under $25,000/year.
- Brian Weinstein (neighbor at 113 East 7th Street) opposed the proposed addition at 111 East 7th Street, arguing it violates several HPC guidelines regarding scale, size, and compatibility with the historic neighborhood.
- Sam Hunter (resident at 109 East 7th Street) also opposed the project, stating it does not add value to the neighborhood and raises concerns about past issues with the property.
- A letter of support from Vincent Rogers (Frederick County Director of Housing) was read into the record, endorsing the 111 East 7th Street project as a response to the need for attainable housing.
Discussion Items
- HPC 25-210 (216 Patrick Street): Application for new signage (gold letter sign, aluminum logos, and projecting sign) for the Banyan. Staff recommended approval. The applicant, Stacey Kayola, confirmed no external lighting beyond existing. The commission approved with a condition that no external lighting is added, motion carried 5-0.
- HPC 25-238 (11 East 7th Street): Request to demolish a non-historic wooden staircase attached to the rear porch. Staff found the removal would not impact historic integrity. The commission approved contingent upon an HPC-approved replacement plan, motion carried 5-0.
- HPC 25-283 (437 North Market Street): Replacement plan for a third floor and rear addition, with modifications to the north elevation. Staff recommended approval with conditions (recessed brick infill, product literature, final structural drawings, and door schedule). Commissioner Carol Kelly expressed concern that the project goes beyond adaptive reuse, but Commissioner Ed McMahon and others supported it as a good adaptive reuse. The motion carried 5-0.
- HPC 25-369 (111 East 7th Street): Proposed two-story rear addition to create a large apartment (potentially used as SRO-style affordable housing). Extensive debate ensued regarding the addition's size, scale, and compatibility with the neighborhood. Some commissioners, including Paul Fitzgerald, argued the addition is too large and out of scale. The applicant, Jessica Underwood, requested a continuance to explore funding and potential revisions. The commission voted 5-0 to continue the case to March 12, 2026.
- HPC 26-5 (222 East Third Street): Amendment to change approved standing seam metal roof color from green to medium bronze. Staff recommended denial as bronze is not a supported color. The applicant, Thomas Tate, indicated openness to black. The commission approved a modified motion allowing the existing approved green, red, galvanized, or black (as a deviation) to be submitted for staff approval, motion carried 5-0.
Workshop: New Construction at 248 South Carroll Street
- The applicant presented a proposal for a two-and-a-half story dwelling with a detached garage on a vacant lot. Staff noted concerns about the building's height (34 feet 11 inches) relative to the adjacent historic property, the lack of windows on the north elevation due to fire code, and the need for a shed roof porch instead of a hipped roof. Discussion also covered driveway screening, deck materials, and landscaping. The applicant agreed to provide clarifications and updated product literature for a future hearing.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: HPC 25-210 (216 Patrick Street) with condition; HPC 25-238 (11 East 7th Street) contingent on replacement plan; HPC 25-283 (437 North Market Street) with conditions; HPC 26-5 (222 East Third Street) as modified.
- Continued: HPC 25-369 (111 East 7th Street) to March 12, 2026.
- Next Steps: Applicant for 248 South Carroll Street to resubmit updated materials for the March 26, 2026 hearing.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the uh February 12th, 2026 hearing and workshop of the Frederick Historic Preservation Commission. Before we get started, if anyone wants a printed copy of the agenda, there's copies over by the door on the table. I believe there is also a sign-up sheet. If you want to sign up to speak tonight, you you don't have to sign up sheet, but it helps to clarify uh your name, make sure we get it accurate in the record. Also, if there's any um if anyone has any trouble uh hearing in certain parts of the uh the auditorium here, uh we do have listening devices up front here. If you uh want to see Tansy if you need a listening device, she can get one for you to help you uh if you have trouble hearing. The qualifications of the commission and 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 Interior standards for rehabilitation published by the U.S. Department of 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. I'm Commissioner Paul Fitzgerald, proudly serving here tonight along with Commissioners Ann Hart, Ed McMahon, Carol Kelly, and Jerry DeYoung. For the staff, we have Division Manager of Historic Preservation Planning, Christina Martinkowski, uh Preservation Planner Sarah Hoffedz, Assistant City Attorney Michael Fry, along with administrative assistant uh Tanzi Brockenberry. 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 to solemnly swear and affirm that the response is given. Statements made in this hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If so, answer I do. Thank you. It is the purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission to safeguard historical and cultural heritage of the City of Frederick by preserving sites, structures, or districts that reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological, or architectural history to stabilize and improve property values of such sites, structures or districts, to foster civic beauty to strengthen the local economy, and to promote the preservation and appreciation of such sites, structures, and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City of Frederick. That being said, are there any commissioners with statements of eligibility? Okay. Moving on with the agenda. Are there any any announcements tonight? Just one. A reminder to the public that April 1st is the deadline for historic preservation tax credits. If you have any questions, uh please call the planning department for more information. Commissioners, any changes or recommendations regarding the minutes for the workshop in the hearing. I move that we accept the hearing and workshop minutes from January 2nd, 2026. I second. All right, motion is made and seconded to approve the workshop and hearing minutes for January 22nd, 2026. All in favor, please raise your hand. Approval of the minutes. All right. Motion carries five to uh zero. Thank you. Under HPC business, we have administrative approval report. Yes, I want to enter the entire administrative approval report into the record and acknowledge that 14 projects were reviewed on the month of January by staff. Any comments or questions for the staff, Commissioners? All right. Uh no consent items or continuances are listed. We'll move on to cases to be heard. Are you you still getting hooked up, Carol? Are you having any issues? Okay. Okay. First case and the cases to be heard. HPC 25-210 at 216 Patrick Street. And this is Ms. Martin Koskey. Thank you.
openpublica.com