Historic District Commission Minutes – November 1, 2023

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Ms. Victoria Smith called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Barbara Brown, David Holman, Samantha Hollomon, Michael McDowell, Rebecca Murphy, Monica Sella, and Larry DiRe (Town Manager), Lynda Thomas (Town Clerk) and guests.

Ms. 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.

Ms. Smith asked if there were any questions, comments, or additions to the minutes of the meeting of October 4, 2023.  Ms. Murphy moved to approve the minutes as amended, was seconded by Ms. Holloman, and carried unanimously.

The items on the consent calendar were as follows:

1. BP230208 – Dissette, 201 High Street – sign;

Mr. McDowell moved to approve the following as presented. 

1. BP230208 – Dissette, 201 High Street – sign;

The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed unanimously. 

New Business

The next item on the agenda was BP 230204 – Wilson, 200 Cannon Street – windows and siding.  No representative was present for the application.

Ms. Holloman made a motion to table BP 230204 – Wilson, 200 Cannon Street – windows and siding, pending revision by applicant. The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and passed.

Ms. Holloman recused herself from meeting for the next item.

The next item on the agenda was BP 230218 – Hollomon, 100 S. Water Street – gate.  Samantha Hollomon was present for the application. Work will consist of installing a new gate, of new design that will be painted the same light grey as the house trim and slightly lighter than current gate and hardware will be painted black metal.

Mr. Holman made a motion to approve BP 230218 – Hollomon, 100 S. Water Street – gate, as applied. The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed.

Ms. Holloman returned to the meeting.

The next item on the agenda was BP 230219 – Hawkins, 122 N. Queen Street – landscaping.   T.J. Morris, Unity Landscape, was present for the application. Work will consist of renovating the backyard to effectively solve the drainage issues and enhance the overall aesthetic of the property.  Work to include re-grading the site and installing a small retaining wall with a French drain and a Dry well.  The existing paver patio and walkway will be renovated with new plantings. Mr. Morris noted that the original stone in the application has been changed to the traditional flagstone.  

Ms. Hollomon noted the shed on the drawing and asked if it was an existing shed and if so, would it remain.  Mr. Morris stated it was an existing shed and the homeowner has acknowledged interest in switching it out for a similar sized shed.

Mr. Murphy made a motion to approve BP 230219 – Hawkins, 122 N. Queen Street – landscaping, as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sella and passed.

Old Business

The next item on the agenda was BP230163 – Batchik, 206 Cannon Street, new construction.  Christopher Frank, Architect, was present for the application. Work will consist of building an approximately 5,500 square-foot single-family residence with two (2) accessory buildings, a pool, and an impervious paver driveway. Mr. Frank reviewed the changes made since the last meeting such as the height of the ridges, bringing the fascia down and part of the house down about half a story, significant changes to the roof.

Mr. Holman asked what the square footage of the structure would be.  Mr. Frank noted that the footprint was 4700 sqft and approximately 6500 sqft for the entire structure.

Ms. Nancy McGuire made public comments regarding BP230163.

Mr. Frank noted that State Highway Administration has approved the driveway.

Ms. Murphy recused herself from the meeting for the next item.

The next item on the agenda was BP230186 – Hutchison, Lot 2 Cannon Square, new construction.  John Hutchison was present for the application.  Work will consist of constructing a single-family dwelling. Landscaping will be presented at a later meeting. 

Mr. Holman moved to approve BP230186 – Hutchison, Lot 2 Cannon Square, new construction, as submitted with conditional approval based on final-end user submitting a landscaping and exterior lighting plan for approval.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.

Ms. Murphy returned to the meeting.

Mr. McDowell moved to table BP230185 – Armory, 509 Cross Street, demolition, until the college is ready to respond to concerns raised and questions posed at the last HDC hearing.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Holman and carried unanimously.

Public Comment:

Ms. Barbara Jorgenson read a letter dated October 31, 2023, signed by Barbara Jorgenson, Tom Kocubinski and Steve Mitchell into record.

Mr. Tom Kocubinski read a letter dated November 1, 2023, signed by himself, into record.

Discussion

Mr. Larry DiRe, Town Manager, reviewed the need for the HDC to schedule a special meeting to discuss the following administrative matters:  Training, Staff Reports, and Updating Guidelines.  The members will consult their calendars and email Ms. Smith dates that fit their schedules.

There being no further business, Ms. Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Holloman and passed unanimously. 

Submitted by:                                                             Approved by:

Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk                                       Vicky Smith, Chair

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AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

4:00 p.m.

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.

1. Minutes of previous meetings of October 4, 2023
2. Consent Calendar
   1. BP230208 – Dissette, 201 High Street, Unit 2, sign;
3. New Business
   1. BP230204 – Wilson Taylor, 200 Cannon Street, windows and siding;
   2. BP230218 – Hollomon, 100 S Water Street, gate;
   3. BP230219 – Hawkins, 122 N. Queen Street, landscaping;
4. Old Business
   1. BP230163 – Batchik, 206 Cannon Street, new construction;
   2. BP230186 – Hutchison, Lot 2 Cannon Square, new construction;
   3. Motion to Table – BP230185 – Armory, 509 Cross Street, demolition;
   4. Public Comment topic – Armory
5. Discussion
   1. Schedule a special meeting to discuss administrative matters
      1. Training
      2. Staff Reports
      3. Updating Guidelines
6. Adjourn