HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
OCTOBER 4, 2023
Ms. Vicki Smith called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members David Holman, Samantha Hollomon, Michael McDowell, Rebecca Murphy, Monica Sella, and Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), 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 September 6, 2023. Ms. Murphy moved to approve the minutes as amended, was seconded by Ms. Hollomon, and carried unanimously.
The items on the consent calendar were as follows:
- BP230181 – Hahn, 214 Calvert Street, roof replacement;
- BP230189 – Hickman, 201 S Cross Street, skylight replacement;
- BP230194 – Sultana, 333 S Cross Street, sign;
- BP230202 – Sultana, 306 Cannon Street, sign;
Ms. Murphy moved to approve the following as presented.
- BP230181 – Hahn, 214 Calvert Street, roof replacement;
- BP230189 – Hickman, 201 S Cross Street, skylight replacement;
The motion was seconded by Ms. Hollomon and passed unanimously.
Ms. Hollomon recused herself from the following permits:
Mr. McDowell moved to approve the following as presented.
- BP230194 – Sultana, 333 S Cross Street, sign;
- BP230202 – Sultana, 306 Cannon Street, sign;
The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed.
Ms. Hollomon returned to the meeting.
New Business
Mr. Holman recused himself from the following permit.
The next item on the agenda was BP230190 – Reiling, 526 High Street, exterior renovation. David Holman was present for the application. Work will consist of replacing the siding, windows, sash and encasements, deck handrail on the house, and removing shed and rebuild with same design and location. Current 1/1 windows will change to 2/2 to match the area.
Ms. Hollomon made a motion to approve BP230190 – Reiling, 526 High Street, exterior renovation, as submitted with 2/2 windows and hardwood material for the front porch. The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed.
Mr. Holman returned to the meeting.
Ms. Murphy recused herself from the following permit:
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.
Ms. Hollomon made a motion to approve BP230186 – Hutchison, Lot 2 Cannon Square, new construction, as submitted with the understanding that landscaping and exterior lighting will be submitted separately in the future. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sella and passed.
This being the first review for BP230186, a second review will still take place.
Ms. Murphy returned to the meeting.
The next item on the agenda was BP230201 – Hahn, 214 Calvert Street, porch renovation. Mr. Hahn was present for the application. Work will consist of renovating the front porch and replacing windows.
Mr. Holman made a motion to approve BP230201 – Hahn, 214 Calvert Street, porch renovation, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDowell and passed.
Old Business
Ms. Murphy recused herself from the following permit:
The next item on the agenda was BP230160 – Hutchison, Lot 7 Cannon Street, new construction. John Hutchison was present for the application. Work will consist of constructing a 2-story single-family residence with front and back porches and an attached garage. Mr. Hutchison reviewed changes made since the first review.
Ms. Holloman made a motion to approve BP230160 – Hutchison, Lot 7 Cannon Street, new construction, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDowell and passed.
The next item on the agenda was BP230161 – Hutchison, Lot 4 Cannon Street, new construction. John Hutchison was present for the application. Work will consist of constructing a 2-story single family residence with 2 bedrooms (one bedroom with a loft), a patio, and a shed. Mr. Hutchison reviewed changes made since the first review.
Mr. McDowell made a motion to approve BP230161 – Hutchison, Lot 4 Cannon Street, new construction, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sella and passed.
Ms. Murphy returned to the meeting.
The next item on the agenda was BP230130 – Caringal, 336 Cannon Street, new construction. Ms. Nicole Caringal was present for the application. Work will consist of building a single-story structure for use as an office. Ms. Caringal reviewed changes made since the first review. The windows would be 2/2 and removed the transom windows. The door will be ¾ glass with ¼ bottom panel to match other doors down the street with a transom for additional light. Applicant will return for approval of landscaping and exterior sign.
Ms. Hollomon noted the board and batten siding and asked if they had considered changing to horizonal siding. Ms. Caringal noted she preferred the vertical siding to separate the office from the home on the street but agreed to change to the horizonal siding.
Ms. Hollomon made a motion to approve BP230130 – Caringal, 336 Cannon Street, new construction, as submitted with a modification to have horizonal siding. The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed.
The next item on the agenda was BP230177 – Rhodes, 203 Philosophers Terrace, roof and siding replacement. Frank Rhodes was present for the application. Work will consist of replacing the siding, first floor windows, shutters and roof.
Ms. Murphy made a motion to approve BP230177 – Rhodes, 203 Philosophers Terrace, roof and siding replacement. The motion was seconded by Ms. Holloman and passed.
The next item on the agenda was BP230185 – Armory, 509 Cross Street, demolition. Mike Sosulski, Washington College President, was present for the application. Work will consist of the demolition of the structure, allowing viable sections of the structure to be preserved.
Mr. DeMooy gave an overview of the history of the Armory.
It was noted that this project was an economic hardship for Washington College to proceed without investors. The only way to move forward would be to find investors to build something useful for the town.
Mr. Sosulski noted that mold remediation cannot be guaranteed and no serious investor and/or insurance company would invest money into a project that cannot be guaranteed. He noted that the College would preserve and memorialize all salvageable parts of the structure.
Ms. Hollomon moved to approve the John Newman Armory at 509 S. Cross Street as a historically contributing structure, per the Historic District guidelines Chapter 2 item 7.13, given its year of construction 1931, falls within the range, the period of significance determined during the nomination to the Chestertown Historic District for the building on to the National Register of Historic Places. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDowell and passed.
Christopher Drummond, Esquire, suggested, due to the interest and the significant deliberations, to have Finds of Fact endorsed by the HDC in the case that appeals are filed.
Ms. Hollomon asked to have an updated structural and mold reports to see the current condition of the headhouse (front façade), main hall and additions. She noted that being on the historic registry, the college could have used federal funds that could have been applied for and used. She asked for any paperwork demonstrating their attempts to rehabilitate the building would be informative and useful.
Mr. Drummond asked about the cost difference of remediation/restoration versus demolition.
Mr. McDowell reflected the need for a cost difference of remediation/restoration versus demolition reports. He requested that Washington College pay to have an independent assessment of the mold and structure of the armory building, emphases that the reports be prepared specifically by an independent engineer and not by the college.
Ms. Murphy asked about the economics of the project and if the college had budget and cost estimates from the previous development efforts and asked for more clarity of the development team and access to the working Proforma to get an understanding of the sources and uses that have been identified for rehab and new construction scenarios. She asked for a report on the federal funding and tax credit applications.
Ms. Sella reflected the need for a cost difference of remediation/restoration versus demolition reports by sections of the building. She asked for reviews or studies on additional infrastructure that would be included in the construction, such as road or plumbing improvements and costs associated.
Mr. Holman reflected the need for a cost difference of remediation/restoration versus demolition reports.
Ms. Smith expressed environmental concerns, noting influence that the demolition, removal of debris and the bringing in of new construction would have on the environment.
Ms. Murphy asked about the correspondence on the ability to finance or underwrite the project.
The Commission gave the Public a chance to speak after the presentation. The following gave public testimony:
- Dicky Grieves
- Richard Keaveny
- Steven Mitchell
- Lynn Mitchell
- Barbara Jorgenson
- Tom Kocubinski
- David Sobers
- Gregory Moore
- Frank Rhodes
There being no further business, Ms. Hollomon moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk Vicky Smith, Chair
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AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
OCTOBER 4, 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.
- Minutes of previous meetings of September 6, 2023
- Consent Calendar
- BP230181 – Hahn, 214 Calvert Street, roof replacement;
- BP230189 – Hickman, 201 S Cross Street, skylight replacement;
- BP230194 – Sultana, 333 S Cross Street, sign;
- BP230202 – Sultana, 306 Cannon Street, sign;
- New Business
- BP230190 – Reiling, 526 High Street, exterior renovation;
- BP230186 – Hutchison, Lot 2 Cannon Square, new construction;
- BP230201 – Hahn, 214 Calvert Street, porch renovation;
- Old Business
- BP230160 – Hutchison, Lot 7 Cannon Street, new construction;
- BP230161 – Hutchison, Lot 4 Cannon Street, new construction;
- BP230130 – Caringal, 336 Cannon Street, new construction;
- BP230177 – Rhodes, 203 Philosophers Terrace, roof and siding replacement;
- BP230185 – Armory, 509 Cross Street, demolition;
- Adjourn