HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
APRIL 3, 2019
Chairwoman, Alexa Silver called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Owen Bailey, Jeffrey Coomer, 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 March 6, 2019. Mr. Coomer moved to approve the minutes of March 6, 2019 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Ms. Silver recused herself from the discussion and voting on the Consent Agenda as one of the applications was for her property.
The Consent Calendar for April 2019 was as follows:
- BP2019-33 – Peoples Bank, 100 Spring Street – Roof;
- BP2019-39 – KIT Team, LLC., 236 Cannon Street – Exterior Landscape/Trash Enclosure;
- BP2019-41 – Silver, 111 Maple Avenue – Fence Replacement.
Ms. Ritchie moved to approve the Consent Calendar as proposed.
- BP2019-33 – Peoples Bank, 100 Spring Street – Roof;
- BP2019-39 – KIT Team, LLC., 236 Cannon Street – Exterior Landscape/Trash Enclosure;
- BP2019-41 – Silver, 111 Maple Avenue – Fence Replacement.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Bailey and carried with 5, in favor, Ms. Silver recused.
The next item on the application was BP2019-05 from Chris Gordon and Sally Faulkner at 206 Philosophers Terrace for an addition to their property currently under renovation. Ms. Jennifer Lieber, owner’s agent, stated that this application basically added a second floor to the structure and that the same materials approved for the original renovation will be used for the addition. She said that the footprint of the house will not change. The second story will be raised to allow for full head height and will expand over the kitchen area (in the back) to allow for a master bed and bath. She showed renderings to the Commission.
Ms. Ritchie asked about the atrium area proposed for the front of the structure. Ms. Lieber stated that the idea was for a sunroom where the entry to the original house was located.
Mr. Bailey moved to approve application BP2019-05 for an addition to 206 Philosophers Terrace as submitted as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines, was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2019-30 for the Verizon Building at 119 Washington Avenue for a fence and placement of an oil tank. A representative for the application was not present. Ms. Silver recommended moving this item to the end of the agenda. The Commission agreed.
The next item on the agenda was BP2019-38 for 98 Cannon Street Riverside Restaurant at 98 Cannon Street for a 12’ wide deck on the south side of the property which will run the entire width of the existing restaurant. Mr. Max Ruehrmund, architect, was present for the application. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that the waterside deck will be enlarged by 3’ in width to straighten the existing deck and will connect to the south deck. He said that the proposed northern deck that was planned for a crab deck will come in at a different phase.
Mr. Coomer asked how the deck will tie into the building. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that the deck lined up with a concrete retaining wall with a series of horizontal decking. There would be a new main entrance from the parking lot side.
Mr. Coomer moved to approve 2019-38 for a deck addition on the south side of the building at 98 Cannon Street, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the application was BP2019-42 from Alex Edge of Edge Construction for the Dutko residence at 230 N. Kent Street for a roof replacement. Mr. Edge stated that the homeowner would like to remove the slate roof and replace it with architectural asphalt shingles. Mr. Minch asked if the roof was original. Mr. Edge stated that he thought the roof was original, but he could not be certain. He said that the roof has a fair amount of leakage and it was continually staining the ceilings, noting that he has been patching the ceiling for years, even working with the former homeowner. Mr. Minch asked if the existing copper ridge caps would be retained. Mr. Edge stated that he could try to salvage the copper ridge caps and would reinstall them if he could.
Ms. Silver stated that removing slate roofs was not encouraged but she understood how expensive it was to replace slate. Mr. Edge stated that he has been working on the roof for many years and it was time for replacement. He said that he attached photos of neighboring houses with the application, all of which have architectural shingles. Mr. Minch asked if architectural slate shingles were considered for installation. Mr. Edge stated that the cost was much more expensive for an architectural shingle that mimicked the look of slate. Mr. Edge stated that the architectural shingles would be gray in color. The porch roof would also be replaced in architectural shingle.
Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve BP2019-42 for a roof replacement at 230 N. Kent Street to remove the slate roof and replace it with Certainteed Landmark architectural shingles as submitted, with the understanding that the copper caps are to be salvaged, if possible, due to the fact that most surrounding homes of the same age have architectural shingle roofs so it would not impact the look of the neighborhood, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2019-40 from KIT Team, LLC for renovations to 337, 337½, 339, 341 High Street. This application was specific to the 337 High Street portion of the building. Mr. Christopher Frank of Hammond Wilson Architects was present for the application, along with Jay Yerkes of Yerkes Construction.
Mr. Frank stated that the building for this application is the former Lemon Leaf on the first floor; the upper two floors were residential apartments. He said that this proposal would convert the second floor to a private dining room and banquet facility. Mr. Frank stated that there was a small addition in the alley which would be the only change to the footprint. He said that the rear portion of the building was falling apart, the decks need to be replaced, and he hoped to install single pane doors to allow light into what will be a banquet facility.
Mr. Frank stated that the alley addition had a flat roof tied into a section of roofing on the second-floor that will be remain flat in order to store the mechanical equipment, as there was no area next to the building to do so. The balcony will be removed at the rear of the building and the stairways will be reworked. Mr. Frank stated that an elevator will be added in the building which will take customers up to the private dining rooms, one of which has a bar and porch overlooking High Street.
Mr. Frank stated that the original 337 High Street property burned in a fire in 1898 and when it was rebuilt it was done so with an alley on each side in order to avoid another fire. In 1922 the front portion of the building was expanded to include porches. The warehouse addition was built in 1928. Mr. Frank stated that this was a contributing building in the Historic District, and he said that the owners are pursuing Federal and State tax credits and are working with the Maryland Historical Trust in addition to the Historic District Commission on the project. He requested the Commission give some input on design as they move through this phase and then receive permissions from the Historic Trust.
Mr. Frank stated that the 337 High Street portion of the project encompassed renovation of the first floor dining room and an expanded kitchen, a single story addition in the courtyard, converting the second floor residential apartment into a private dining/bar space with ADA toilet rooms, converting the second floor warehouse into a banquet facility, constructing a rear covered balcony, stairway and exits, and renovation of the third floor apartment. There will be elevator service to all floors. A new staircase will be added for access to the second-floor banquet hall. Mr. Frank showed slides of existing conditions. Access from High Street will be available by an existing staircase to a second and third floor tenants and corridor connections will be made for safe entrance and exit.
Mr. Frank stated that the rear facade reconfiguration consisted of new doors and high windows. The existing brick steps will be reworked with the covered balcony. New openings will be made to the back of the building on the second floor to allow natural light into the banquet facility. Mr. Frank stated that trusses span over the entire banquet room. A small area will be removed between the original building and storage addition which will allow for mechanical equipment storage he discussed earlier. Metal roofing will be installed over the entire roof.
Mr. Frank showed renderings of the structure from the front and rear. There would be a vestibule area at the back of the alley to the elevator. There were no significant improvements planned for the front façade. He said that work was done with tie-rods and as a result there was a small kickout at the bottom set of windows where the second story porch joins the main structure. He said that something may have to be done to fix that and he would return to the Commission if it would change the look of the building. Mr. Frank stated that he was researching the original design of the porches as he thought they may have been open sleeping porches in the past.
Mr. Yerkes stated that when he was working on the interior he found an old wood building façade facing 337½ (the alley way). He said that there were windows and a door that were part of the building that caught fire in 1898. He said that the person who was working on the building after the fire took a burned piece of wood and nailed it in the ceiling for them to find. He said that sometimes contractors will leave such things in a way to tell the history of a building.
Mr. Frank showed where the gable end wall would be built in order to allow for the mechanical equipment on the roof.
Mr. Frank stated that there was an existing door on the side of the building facing 335 High. He said that there was discussion of turning the side entrance the main entrance by widening it to 3’ and adding sidelights. Mr. Frank stated that windows on the side of the structure have been framed with wood or block and he was uncertain if he could reopen them due to fire code. Mr. Frank stated that the chimney would be removed, and cementitious siding will replace the vinyl siding in the back.
Mr. Frank stated that he was also working with the Maryland Historical Trust for approvals and said it is possible that they may change some materials. He said that a more traditional approach could be taken when rebuilding the rear addition but said he would like to use hewn timbers with a cable rail. He asked if the Commission would be willing to entertain the cable railing system. Ms. Silver stated that she would like to see how the cable rail would look next to the proposed beer garden. Mr. Minch asked if the idea was to tie in the four properties. Mr. Frank stated that he did not want to make the buildings too similar. He said that each building would have different type of siding, although the proposed cable rail would be like The Retriever’s court yard railing.
Mr. Frank stated that he was looking at removing the portion of the banquet hall at the end of the alley way and using a glazed glass and staggered the fire wall. He said that since the courtyard was so deep, he thought the glazed wall with light from the banquet hall may draw people in. Mr. de Mooy asked the distance from the street to the back of the alley. Mr. Frank stated that it was at least 60’ to the bump out at the end of the alleyway.
Mr. Frank stated that they would likely seal or paint the block in the rear of the building. He said that he would have to see what the Maryland Historical Trust would approve.
Ms. Silver asked how far along this proposal was with the Maryland Historical Trust. Mr. Frank stated that the proposal to Maryland Historical Trust was still being written. He said that he would agree to come back to the Commission if changes were made to what was proposed
Mr. Yerkes stated that for the front of the building he would like permission for the vestibule addition and the placement of the elevator. He would like conceptual approval for removal of the double-hung window and insertion of glass, making it a draw from the street, with lighting from the banquet hall visible through these windows. Mr. Frank stated that he would want the door centered and he would play with the height of the roof in order to articulate the glazing. Mr. Minch stated that it might be good to mimic glass from the first-floor façade. The Commission agreed that this was a good concept.
Mr. Minch moved to approve the vestibule addition as drawn, with the applicant to return with specifics for the door and glazing, a change in size to the side door in the alley from 2’6” to 3” and the sidelight addition with a 2’ deep fabric canopy, and approval of the elevator, was seconded by Mr. Coomer and carried unanimously.
Mr. Bailey moved to approve the back section of the building to include removal and replacement of the current back railing and stairs, replacement siding in Boral true exterior shiplap and a metal roof, addition of a single ¾ light door, small windows and two small single-light doors for the kitchen on the first level , large single-light glass doors and windows with a canopy roof and balcony on the second level, and to return with a materials list for the railing, columns and decking on the second floor, and mechanical placement on the rooftop, was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
The last item on the agenda on the agenda was BP2019-30 for Verizon. Ms. Mulligan stated that Mr. de Mooy spoke with the representatives of Verizon for the application which called for vinyl fencing. Ms. Silver stated that someone should be present to discuss the application as vinyl fencing is not approved in the Historic District. Mr. Bailey moved to table the application for the May Historic District Commission meeting, was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Bailey moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Alexa Silver
Town Clerk Chair