AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
AUGUST 4, 2021
Mr. Kurt Smith, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Barbara Brown, Rebecca Murphy and Victoria Smith, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mr. Smith 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. Smith asked if there were additions or corrections to the minutes of the Historic District Commission Meeting of July 7, 2021. Ms. Brown moved to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2021, meeting as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
Mr. Smith asked for a moment of silence for Ed Minch.
There were several items on the Consent Calendar as follows:
- BP2021-109 – Smith, 208 N. Queen Street – Rear Roof Replacement;
- BP2021-110 – Lotharius, 104 Church Alley – Deck/Pergola and Gates;
- BP2021-112 – Braun, 229 N. Kent Street (Unit 2) – Front Door;
- BP2021-113 – Van Name, 108 Spring Street – Rear Roof Replacement;
- BP2021-117 – Plaxon, 606 High Street – Roof;
- BP2021-118 – Hebron Properties, 306 Cannon Street – Roof and sign;
- BP2021-124 – Hogans Agency, 100 Memorial Plaza – Remove Stairs
Ms. Smith moved to approve all consent calendar applications as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
Mr. John Hutchison (architect) was present for BP2021-70 for changes in material to the foundation at 109 S. Water Street. Mr. Hutchison stated that the material planned for the foundation has been changed to Glen Gary 52dd brick, which would be painted a lighter color to provide a contrast between new and old. He said that the new foundation would not read as old brick, but it also wouldn’t look brand new either. Ms. Brown moved to approve the application as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Smith and carried with three (3) in favor, Ms. Murphy abstained.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-111 to install a door where a window once existed and add a window to the side of the building at 241 High Street. Mr. Michal Dickinson (contractor) was present for the application and explained the changes. Ms. Murphy moved to approve the application as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-114 for an inground pool at 215 S. Queen Street. Mr. Ben Herr (contractor) was present for the application. Mr. Herr explained that the pool was designed to have an automatic cover, eliminating the need for a fence in the plans, adding that he may return for a fence at a future date. Ms. Murphy moved to approve as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
The next item was BP2021-121 for exterior renovations at 210 Washington Avenue. Ms. Begley (owner) was present for the application. She explained that she just bought the property and the need for replacement windows on the third floor was because she discovered that existing windows were either non-existent or painted shut and the only thing keeping out the weather was the storm windows. Ms. Murphy moved to approve the application as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Smith and carried unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was BP2021-116 exterior renovations at 200 High Street. Ms. Paula Beale (architect) was present for the application. She said that there were five (5) residential apartments on the second floor of this property and the first floor had a commercial use. She said that the changes she was proposing would meet fire code and IBC building codes.
Ms. Beale stated that an entirely new HVAC system will be installed and the existing units poking through the side of the building will be removed. The siding will be patched in those areas. Existing windows are single glazed, none of them match and she did not think many were original to the building. The new wooden windows would be double glazed. The owner proposed 2/2 windows for the first and second floors and 6/6 windows for the third floor dormers. Ms. Beale stated that the plans showed a couple of windows removed entirely. Ms. Beale stated that a dormer would be added to the back roof to facilitate egress for a bedroom in one of the apartments.
Ms. Beale stated that there is currently only one exit stair, and she was proposing to add a 7’ wide corridor on the second floor of the building and installing a steel egress stair.
Ms. Beale stated that the small rear yard would become the staging area for mechanical equipment which would be hidden by a wooden fence. She proposed a brick walkway to tie all the elements together.
Ms. Beale stated that all doors would be replaced with painted fiberglass doors, adding a keyed lock and panic hardware to the exit doors. Ms. Beale stated that the standing seam roof in the back was in bad shape and structural work may be required to fix it. She said that one of the roofs is corrugated metal and they would replace it. She said that she was suggesting shingles replicating wood shakes for all the roofs.
Ms. Smith moved to approve the application as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Ms. Brown moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Smith and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Kurt Smith
Town Clerk Chair