HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
DECEMBER 2, 2015
In the absence of a Chair, Mr. Ames called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and asked if there was a motion for an acting-Chair. Mr. Busler moved to appoint Mr. Ames as acting-Chair, was seconded by Ms. Golden and carried unanimously. In attendance were Commission members Rob Busler, Susanne DeBerry Cole, Veronica Golden, Nancy McGuire and Ed Minch, Kees de Mooy, Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.
Mr. Ames stated that the Chestertown Historic District Commission takes its authority from Chapter 93 of the Code of the Town of Chestertown and operates under the Historic District Design Guidelines that were adopted by the Mayor and Council of Chestertown on October 7, 2002 and revised March 7, 2012.
Mr. Ames asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of November 5, 2015. Ms. McGuire moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Golden and carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar items were as follows:
BP2015-158 – Historic Society of Kent County, 301 High Street – Steps;
BP2015-160 – Fish Whistle/Jeffery Carroll, 98 Cannon Street – Sign;
BP2015-168 – Doug Ashley, 227 High Street – side door replacement;
BP2015-169 – Carla Johnson/Tidewater Trader, 300 S. Cross Street- roof.
Ms. McGuire moved to approve BP2015-158 from the Historic Society of Kent County at 301 High Street for steps as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
All other items were removed from the Consent Calendar.Ms. Mulligan stated that in reference to BP2015-160 for the Fish Whistle at 98 Cannon Street for a sign, the applicant has not submitted drawings to date. Ms. Cole moved to table BP2015-160 for lack of information, was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP20125-168 from Doug Ashley at 227 High Street for a side door replacement. Ms. Golden asked the about the existing door. Mr. de Mooy explained that the existing door was a deteriorated half-light wooden door and the proposed door was metal. Ms. Golden asked if the door could be seen from the public way. Ms. Mulligan stated that the door was not visible from the public way. Ms. Golden moved to approve the application as submitted as it was not visible from the public way, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-169 from Carla Johnson/Tidewater Trader at 300 S. Cross Street for a roof replacement using either standing seam metal or asphalt shingle. Mr. Ames read the application into the record. Ms. Carla Johnson and Mr. George Kennedy were present for the application. Ms. McGuire asked the age of the building. Mr. Johnson stated that the building dated back to 1902 or 1903. Mr. Busler stated that there was a photo of the train station building showing asphalt shingles in the record. Mr. Kennedy stated that the existing roof is wood shingle adding that the original roof could have been pressed tin. Ms. Johnson stated that she would prefer to install asphalt shingles if the Commission would allow it. Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2015-169 for a roof replacement with asphalt shingles and the motion was seconded by Mr. Minch. The vote tied with Mr. Ames in agreement to approve, Ms. Cole, Ms. Golden and Ms. McGuire opposed. Therefore, the motion failed.Mr. Kennedy stated that he had provided samples of metal roofing and architectural shingles for the Commission to review.
Ms. McGuire moved to approve a standing seam metal roof for 300 S. Cross Street, was seconded by Ms. Golden and carried with five (5) in favor, Mr. Busler opposed.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-162 from the Town of Chestertown at 200 High Street to install new clock hands on the clock tower at Stam’s Hall. Ms. Mulligan explained that her boss, Mr. Ingersoll, was able to gain access to the clock tower and said that the glass face was in good condition and it was encased with metal, rather than wood. She said that the application had been changed for the replacement of the clock hands only. Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2015-162 as presented with the changing of the clock hands only, was seconded by Ms. McGuire and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-165 from Chichester Landvest and Russell Richardson for demolition of the property located at 328 Cannon Street. Mr. Ames read the application into the record. Mr. Richardson was present for the application and explained the layout of the proposed new site. He said that there was a title report provided by Funk & Bolton, P.A. and a report from Ms. Joanne Baker of Torchio Architects about the historic significance of the building.Mr. Richardson stated that his plan for the property at this time was to demolish the building, add more parking in the rear, and make the former location of the building into a lawn. He said that he would like to cooperate with neighboring owners with improvements to the street, adding that he was also the owner of 332 Cannon Street. He said that removing blight from the street could only improve the area.Mr. Richardson stated that the United Church of Deliverance had abandoned this building several years ago and it was difficult to track down anyone affiliated with the church when attempting to purchase the property. He said that the building was structurally unsound and that he would not even walk in the back section of the building it was so bad. Ms. Golden asked how Ms. Baker came to the conclusion in her letter that the building has “no record of individuals, events, activities or developments that shaped the history or reflect important aspects of our history”. Mr. Richardson stated that Ms. Baker did her own research and called the Historic Society of Kent County and was told that there was nothing on record for that building.Ms. Cole stated that Mr. Richardson spoke with a staff member at the Historic Society who was mistaken about the property, noting that there was a committee who did have information on this neighborhood, and perhaps this building. She said that she would like some time to research and report back to the Commission. Mr. Richardson stated that he would be happy to comply with additional time and offered to have a copy of the title search forwarded to Ms. Cole at her office. He also suggested a visit to the site.Mr. Richardson stated that as the building stands, there was an exposed block exterior addition on the rear, and no insulation in the building. He said that it would not pass today’s standards of inspections and was not in any condition to restore.Ms. McGuire stated that the rhythm of a block was important and if the building was torn down and left as lawn it would change the rhythm of the street. Mr. Richardson stated that he was only trying to improve the street and would like to incorporate street trees and work with neighbors for an appealing block.
The next item on the agenda was from Richard Roy and Bonnie Roth for Lot 4 at 405 Cannon Street. They were seeking a concept review for a carriage house. Mr. Roy, Mr. Peter Heller and Mr. Alden Yetman were present for the application. Mr. Roy stated that he resides at Scott’s Point condominiums and was in a contract to purchase lots 3 and 4 and 405 Cannon Street. He said that he would like to build a carriage house on Lot 4 with a residence on the second floor and he would use the first floor for boat and trailer storage. He presented concept sketches.Mr. Roy stated that he and his fiancée, Ms. Roth, also purchased Lot 3 and said that they would like to build a single family residence on that lot in the future. Concepts were presented of the proposed style of that structure. Mr. Yetman stated that the general idea was to have all the properties tie in to the streetscape at 405 High Street and that the houses would resemble one another, without being “cookie cutter” houses.Ms. McGuire stated that as presented, the carriage house appears more as a stand-alone garage than a carriage house because it was not connected with a main house.Ms. McGuire stated that this block of Cannon Street was all residential and having a garage with the proposed 28’ width would have a large impact on the block. Mr. Busler stated that there was a single story garage just two doors down that was large in scale and was only one story.Mr. Busler stated that the project would make more sense to him if lots 3 and 4 were built out at the same time, or if those two (2) lots became one. He said that he would not support this particular submittal of garage with an apartment on a stand-alone lot.Mr. Roy asked if the Commission would support the project if the carriage house had a more residential look to it. The Commission agreed that would entertain reviewing such a concept.Mr. Roy stated that he would review the project incorporating a more appropriate look based on the comments of the Historic District Commission.
There being no further business, Ms. Cole moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by: Town Clerk Chair Jennifer Mulligan Alexa Silver