HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
AUGUST 3, 2022
Mr. Kurt Smith, Chair, called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission Members Barbara Brown, Rob Busler, David Holman, Rebecca Murphy and Victoria Smith, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer McCann (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mr. 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.
Mr. Smith asked if there were any questions or changes regarding the agenda. Ms. Murphy moved to accept the agenda as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
Mr. Smith asked if there were any questions or comments of the minutes of July 6, 2022. Ms. Brown moved to approve the minutes as presented, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The items on the consent agenda were as follows:
- BP2022-84 – Rice, 129 N. Queen Street – Porch roof replacement and door;
- BP2022-94 – Vann, 103 Riverside Terrace – Roof replacement
Ms. Smith moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:
- BP2022-84 – Rice, 129 N. Queen Street – Porch roof replacement and door;
- BP2022-94 – Vann, 103 Riverside Terrace – Roof replacement.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2022-97 from 123 High, LLC. at 123-125 High Street for window replacement. Mr. Greg Moore (owner) was present for the application. Mr. Moore stated that he removed the exterior stairway and removed the door to the second floor. He said that the door would be replaced with a window as originally designed. Mr. Moore stated that some of the windows are not original to the house and the mullions looked out of place on the architecture. He said that he would like to remove the storm windows and keep the original architectural detail around the windows. He said that the new windows would set into the original detail. He was not replacing the dormer windows. Mr. Moore stated that there were three (3) narrow windows in the alley, approximately 14” wide and he would like to keep them as they were, noting that they did not have mullions.
Mr. Holman asked what windows specifically would be used. Mr. Moore stated that the windows would be Andersen Wood Wright windows. Mr. Busler clarified that the proposal was for all windows to be Anderson Wood Wright, 2-over-2 windows, with the exception of the narrow windows in the alleyway and the dormers. Mr. Moore stated that some of the windows on the back of the structure would remain as well, but the windows would be uniform in appearance.
Ms. Brown stated that the work on this building looked amazing and this was a gift to the Town.
Ms. Murphy moved to approve BP2022-97 as submitted for replacement windows, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2022-100 from Kent Cultural Alliance at 101 Spring Avenue for a solar array. Mr. Richard Stoltzfus of Sunrise Solar presented. He said that the panels would be on the rear of the building and black in color. Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2022-100 for a solar array at 101 Spring Street as presented, was seconded by Mr. Holman and carried unanimously.
Ms. Elizabeth Watson, Strategic Planner, was present to discuss the strategic planning process that was underway for Chestertown by the Mayor and Council. She said that over fifty organizations to date have been sent packets for information. She said that the official survey will be on nine different topics and found on Survey Monkey with a deadline of mid-September. She said that the survey should be done as a group when submitted. Ms. Watson stated that one additional question that was added to the packet she had today was to explain what, if anything, is holding back an organization from fulfilling their mission.
Ms. Watson stated that the next Comprehensive Plan update was scheduled for 2025 and this was an opening to help to inform this update. She said that the Historic District Commission has the opportunity to educate the community on their different processes.
Ms. Murphy asked if all areas can be addressed in the survey. Ms. Watson stated that every area can be addressed by the Commission and any and all ideas are appreciated. Ms. Watson stated that this survey would be answered as a whole by the Commission.
Mr. Smith asked the timeframe for the survey. Ms. Watson stated that the questionnaire would be sent out to all organizations on August 15th, and they were asking for responses by mid-September. Mr. Smith stated that he thought there could be some preparatory work performed beforehand by the Commission. Ms. Watson stated that there would be a retreat sometime in October and then public comment would be accepted.
There being no further business, Ms. Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:23 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer McCann Kurt Smith
Town Clerk Chair