HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MARCH 3, 2021
Chairman Jeffrey Coomer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Barbara Brown, Ed Minch, Rebecca Murphy, Alice Ritchie, Kurt Smith and Victoria Smith, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mr. Coomer 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. Coomer asked if there were additions or corrections to the minutes of the Historic District Commission Meeting of February 3, 2021. Mr. Minch moved to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2021 meeting as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
Items on the Consent Calendar were as follows:
- BP2021-12 – Hurst, 101 N. Queen Street – Iron Railing;
- BP2021-13 – Lerro, 108 S. Kent Street – Chimney Removal;
- BP2021-15 – Macleod Law Group, 110 N. Cross Street – Sign.
Ms. Ritchie moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
- BP2021-12 – Hurst, 101 N. Queen Street – Iron Railing;
- BP2021-13 – Lerro, 108 S. Kent Street – Chimney Removal;
- BP2021-15 – Macleod Law Group, 110 N. Cross Street – Sign.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-16 from Pamela White for new construction at 222 S. Water Street. Ms. Pamela White, owner, and Mr. Chris Fuller, architect were present for the application. Mr. de Mooy stated that this lot was non-conforming, and the applicant was proposing an elegant solution to build a single-family home.
Mr. de Mooy stated that the demolition of the original structure took place some time ago. Mr. Coomer stated that this was a 2-part hearing, but he was hoping that both parts would be addressed at this meeting. He would structure the conversation for the first and second hearings.
Ms. White stated that this was an unusual lot, but they did their best to make the most of it. Mr. Coomer asked the Commission if there were any questions regarding the site plan. Mr. Fuller stated that this would be a very narrow house and they were still deciding on the color palette leaning toward blues and grays. Mr. Smith stated that the original house was a darker color and he thought it worked well along the street.
Mr. Minch stated that the solar panels located on the side of the house will show on the side façade. Mr. Fuller stated that the panels would be solar shingles with a low profile. Mr. de Mooy stated that this house was a new construction so the solar panels are not an issue like it would be with a contributing structure. Mr. Coomer stated that solar shingles will minimize the appearance and although visible, they are not on the actual front façade of the structure.
Mr. Smith asked if the townhouse development would obscure some of the roof facing the direction of the solar panel once they are constructed. Ms. Ritchie stated that she thought the Commission denied solar panels on the carriage house next door to this property, which was built just a few years ago. Ms. Murphy stated that the fact that the solar panels are integrated into the roofline makes a difference as they would not show the same way that a raised panel would.
Mr. Coomer stated that none of the drawings called out the proposed height of the house. Mr. Fuller stated that the height limit is 38’ above the grade plane and this proposed is a 2½ story house 33’8” in heigh. He said that the house will be slightly higher than the red house next door.
Mr. Coomer asked where the mechanical equipment would be stored. Mr. Fuller stated that there would be a condenser unit under the back of the deck and along the side of the property by the red house. All utilities would be electric.
Mr. Fuller stated that the floodplain was at 7’ and the bottom of the structure was 3’ above the floodplain.
Mr. Coomer asked if there was any question on window and door placement. Mr. Coomer stated that he liked the cable railing, adding that it blended well with the neighboring house.
Mr. Coomer asked if there would be any trees removed as part of the build or if they have considered landscaping. Mr. Fuller stated that there was already a tree removed toward the rear of the lot as part of the demolition which they were planning to replace. The rest of the rear yard would be mostly grass along with some smaller plantings. The front of the house will have some plantings and they were planning a gravel drive.
Mr. Fuller stated asked if slight variations to the structure are permitted once this plan was approved. Mr. Coomer stated that the Commission should be looking at what is meant to be constructed, but if there were minor changes there should not be a problem if Mr. de Mooy reviews it. He said that amendments to the application can always be submitted if there were some larger changes. Mr. Fuller stated that where the bathroom is located the windows may be heightened and there would be skylights as well that did not show on all the drawings. The side elevation windows will match.
Ms. Murphy moved to approve the application as submitted for new construction at 222 S. Water Street, including change to the windows on the side structure of the house and the solar panels as they were shingles rather than raised solar panels and this was new construction, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Ms. Ritchie moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Smith and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Jeffrey Coomer
Town Clerk Chair
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AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MARCH 3, 2021
5:00 p.m.
- Minutes of previous meeting of February 3, 2021
- Consent Calendar
- BP2021-12 – Hurst, 101 N. Queen Street – Iron Railing;
- BP2021-13 – Lerro, 108 S. Kent Street – Chimney Removal;
- BP2021-15 – Macleod Law Group, 110 N. Cross Street – Sign
- New Business
- BP2021-16 – White, 222 S. Water Street – New Construction