Acting Chairman Ed Minch called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Owen Bailey, Ted Gallo, Barbara Jorgenson and Alice Ritchie, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mr. Minch 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. Minch asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of May 2, 2018. Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve the minutes of May 2, 2018 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Gallo and carried unanimously.
There were four items on the Consent Calendar as follows:
BP2018-44 – Barn Life, 335B High Street – Sign
BP2018-57 – Fleming, 633 High Street – Handicap Ramp
BP2018-58 – Bradshaw, 117 Court Street – Gutters and Brick patio
BP2018-60 – Wilson, 102 E. Campus Avenue – Gutters and Roof Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve the consent calendar as it was submitted as the following applications were in accordance with the Design Guidelines:
BP2018-44 – Barn Life at 335B High Street for a sign;
BP2018-57 – Fleming at 633 High Street for a handicap ramp;
BP2018-58 – Bradshaw at 117 Court Street for gutters and brick patio;
BP2018-60 – Wilson at 102 E. Campus Avenue for gutters and roof.
There being no further business, Ms. Ritchie moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
Ms. Mulligan stated that the next regular meeting date fell on the 4th of July and asked what date suited the Commission to reschedule. After discussion, the Commission decided that the July meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 11th at 5 p.m.
Ms. Mulligan stated that Mr. DiPasquale asked for time to show the Commission the improvements to his property at 206 N. Queen Street. Mr. DiPasquale stated that he did not think the Commission typically saw work after it was finished and he wanted to show them what he had done. He gave a slideshow presentation of the new porch railings on the first and second floor of his house and corbel additions on the roofline. The Commission thanked Mr. DiPasquale for taking the time to come back and commended him for the good work on his home.
Mr. Gallo moved to approve BP2018-56 as submitted for hardiplank siding on the sides and rear of the building, which was amended to include Jeldwen wood two-over-two windows on the sides and rear facades, asphalt shingle roof on the new rear addition, and with the understanding that the applicant will return to the Commission for approval on the front porch, doors and the main roof if it is not salvageable, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
Mr. Beres stated that the shutters were not original to the house. Mr. Minch stated that the house may not have had shutters when it was built, suggesting that the Kent County Historical Society may have a photo of the house in its original form.
Ms. Jorgenson asked what doors would be used. Mr. Beres stated that the doors have not been decided upon to date. Ms. Jorgenson stated that the Commission liked to see wooden doors. Mr. Beres agreed, noting that the rear door may have to be something other than wood for his daughter to allow for handicap access.
Ms. Jorgenson asked if there were plans for the front porch. Mr. Beres stated that he was still investigating the needs of the front porch and would save as much of it as he could. He said that the railings would have to be replaced but he was hoping to save the posts. He said that he would return to the Commission for approvals on the porch when he had plans.
Ms. Jorgenson asked what was behind the asbestos shingles. Mr. Beres stated that he assumed wood plank siding was original to the house and he would try to salvage for the front façade. He said that most of wood he uncovered under the asbestos was rotted and cracked on the side he removed because the asbestos had been badly damaged. There was a window on one side of the house that was closed in and he would like to reopen that space to allow more light into the house. Mr. Minch stated that although Mr. Beres assumed the shingles were asbestos and he might want to have it tested as that is not always the case.
Ms. Jorgenson asked about the roof. Mr. Beres stated that the roof is metal and he would like to salvage the roof, if possible, and paint it but he has not been able to perform a full investigation of the roof. He said that the new addition would have asphalt shingles. Mr. Minch stated that if the roof was not salvageable, Mr. Beres should return to the Commission for approval of what he proposes for replacement. Mr. Beres stated that he would like to replace the roof with an asphalt shingle roof but he would return for an approval.
Mr. Beres stated that there was asbestos siding on the sides of the house and he would like to remove that and replace it with Hardiplank siding. He said that he would use the good wood he could salvage under the asbestos from the sides of the house and move it to the front of house in an effort to restore the original façade.
Ms. Jorgenson stated that the house was built in 1908 but there was no information on when the addition was constructed. Mr. Beres stated that he has no information on the rear addition but it was not original. Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve the demolition of the rear addition as described in the application as it was not part of the original structure, was seconded by Mr. Gallo and carried unanimously.
Mr. Minch asked if the original windows would be retained on the front façade. Mr. Beres stated that he thought he would be able to save the front windows, which were original to the house. He said that the windows on the sides and rear were vinyl and he would like to replace them with two-over-two Jeldwen Series 3500 Wood Windows so that all of the windows would match. The windows on the front façade are two-over-two.
Ms. Jorgenson stated that she would like to hear about the portion of the application dealing with demolition first. Mr. Beres stated that the rear addition was not original to the house and the floor was falling in. The only window in the addition is vinyl. He said that the ceiling was low and the room has the hot water and other mechanicals for the house. He said that a portion of the addition was below ground. The floor was rotten and he already jacked up the back part of the house to stabilize it.
Ms. Jorgenson asked if the property included the driveway in the photos to the left of the building. Mr. Beres stated that there was no driveway at this property.
Ms. Beres stated that this was not the first time that they have renovated a house in Chestertown, noting houses on Queen Street and Cannon Street and, most recently, a house in Kennedyville.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-56 from Mike and Tracey Beres for a rear demolition of an addition and exterior renovations at 516 High Street. Mr. Minch read the application into the record. Mike Beres and Tracey Beres, owners, were present for the application as was their daughter, who would be living in the house.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Gallo and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Alexa Silver
Town Clerk Chair