HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
AUGUST 1, 2018
Alexa Silver, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Owen Bailey, Jeffrey Coomer, Ted Gallo, Barbara Jorgenson, Ed Minch and Alice Ritchie, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Ms. Silver 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. Silver asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of July 11, 2018. Mr. Coomer moved to approve the minutes of July 11, 2018 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
The first item on the agenda was BP2018-21 from KIT Team/Yerkes for an update on the Washington College Food Lab project at 236 Cannon Street. Mr. Jay Yerkes of Yerkes Construction was present and stated that the project was given approval in March 2018, but he agreed to return to the Commission to discuss the wood garage door in the rear of the building if it could not be salvaged. Mr. Yerkes stated that the garage door must be replaced but he could not find a wood door that came with a warranty as this is a conditioned building. Mr. Yerkes stated that nobody seemed to know if the garage door is original, but he suspected that it was not. He said that the door is beyond repair, noting that it had been fixed shut and Bondo was used to hold it together. Mr. Yerkes stated that a door of this size with rails that match, while keeping with the scale of the existing door and operable, could only be found in metal. Mr. Yerkes stated that the garage door would replicate what exists with the bottom and top panels solid and a series of glass panels in the center.
Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve a metal replacement garage door for the rear of 236 Cannon Street as submitted as the existing door does not appear to be original and the replacement metal garage door is in keeping with the character of the building and the neighborhood, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-82 from Rebecca Flora at 218 Mt. Vernon Avenue for demolition of a shed and a screen porch on the rear of the house. Ms. Flora was present for the application.
Ms. Jorgenson asked if the shed was original. Ms. Flora stated that this was a small toolshed in the rear that was not original to the house. She said that there was a carport that was added at some point. Ms. Flora stated that she anticipated returning in the future for permission to lengthen the gravel drive, so they can enjoy that portion of the yard where the carport is located.
Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve demolition of the shed as it was not a contributing building, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Ms. Silver stated that there was a small sunporch to the rear of the house and the application was extend it out by 20’. Ms. Jorgenson asked about materials for the project. Ms. Flora stated that it was basically hardiplank, deck boards, and a standing seam roof with metal screening.
Mr. Gallo moved to approve the addition of the screen porch as submitted, as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
Ms. Ritchie stated that she was unable to attend the next meeting, which would be held on September 5, 2018.
There being no further business, Mr. Bailey moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:21 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Coomer and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Alexa Silver
Town Clerk Chair