HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
JULY 6, 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, David Holman, Michael McDowell, 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 regarding the agenda. Mr. Smith stated that he would like to move old business to the end of the agenda. Ms. Murphy moved to accept the agenda incorporating Mr. Smith’s changes, was seconded by Ms. Smith and carried unanimously.
Mr. Smith asked if there were any questions or comments of the minutes of June 1, 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:
- BP2022-70 – Envision Wealth Planning, 314 Park Row – Sign;
- BP2022-79 – Chew, 108 E. Campus Avenue – Driveway installation;
- BP2022-80 – Washington College – 300 Washington Avenue (Reid Hall) – Exterior Renovations
- BP2022-82 – Maloney, 200 Mount Vernon Avenue – Exterior Renovations;
Ms. Murphy moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:
- BP2022-70 – Envision Wealth Planning, 314 Park Row – Sign
- BP2022-79 – Chew, 108 E. Campus Avenue – Driveway installation;
- BP2022-80 – Washington College – 300 Washington Avenue (Reid Hall) – Exterior Renovations
- BP2022-82 – Maloney, 200 Mount Vernon Avenue – Exterior Renovations;
The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried with four (4) in favor, Ms. Brown recused.
The next item on the agenda was BP2022-81 from Washington College at 106 S. Water Street for exterior renovations. Mr. Stan Yeakel of Washington College was present for the application. He said that they would be doing brick pointing, rebuilding the back garden gate, reshingling the outside wall on the front and back sides of the building, reconstructing shutters, installing column bases on the front porch, reworking the front porch rail and removing one dead and one badly pruned sycamore in front of the property. The other trees will be pruned. There is a flat roof that puddles and they would like to repair or replace it in kind.
Mr. McDowell asked why the wall had the shingle like roof on top of it. Mr. de Mooy stated that this was a common detail. Mr. John Hutchison (architect) was in the audience and agreed, stating that it was a common detail and was used as cap for the wall.
Mr. de Mooy stated that the gate and roofing is in kind and the roof repair was maintenance. The trees are outside of the purview of the Historic District Commission. He said that the shutters are being replicated in kind.
Mr. de Mooy stated that repointing should be done by a professional in historic preservation and there was more detail needed about the brick pointing, bases on the columns and railings.
Ms. Murphy moved to approve BP2022-81 in part for the replacement of the gate, shutters and roof wall in kind, was seconded Ms. Smith and carried unanimously.
The applicant will return with bases for the columns, repointing, and railings.
The next item on the agenda was BP2022-11 from Genevieve McWilliams at 200 Court Street with updated drawings for the exterior of the building. Ms. Murphy recused herself from the application citing a conflict of interest. Mr. John Hutchison (architect) was present for the application. Mr. Hutchison stated that he brought this submission before the Commission previously, but there had been additional interior design performed which impacted the exterior facades of the building.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the design has not changed on the site plan at all, but a condenser unit will be added in the recess along the courthouse property line. A mini-split unit would be installed.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the courthouse side of the property had the most exterior changes due to reworking the interior and need for egress. The finished floor of the building was below grade. He showed areas where new masonry openings were being created and areas which will be toothed back in with matching brick. He showed renderings of the finished product using Andersen 400 series windows in black or similar in material. Mr. Hutchison stated that bedrooms need an egress window and that is what was driving the arrangement.
Mr. Hutchison stated that front elevation awning had changed to a curved awning which will be constructed of steel.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the side elevation on the alleyway showed one wall as brick but after further research it was discovered to be completely rotted out and a wood frame wall will be rebuilt in its place with siding proposed, stating that that it will be a nice contrast. The wall was the same height as previously shown.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the rear elevation fenestrations were changed on the windows and skylights, and he showed a rendering of what was proposed. Muntins in the doors have been omitted as he thought that it made the windows looked too busy. A skylight was added to the flat roof in the kitchen
Mr. Hutchison stated that there were existing steps that go to the courthouse lawn and said that they would be abandoned and filled int, as it was a public way. He said that he was working with the County on that detail of the building.
Mr. McDowell asked how much of the original brick would be retained. Mr. Hutchison outlined what was original brick and what was brick veneer on the existing structure. Mr. Hutchison stated that the upper windows will have a lentil, but the first floor windows will be brick. Boral shiplap siding will be used for the additions.
Ms. Smith stated that the overhang of the front porch was very modern in nature. Mr. Hutchison stated that was intentional to show an industrial aesthetic as the original building was used as a blacksmith shop. Mr. Hutchison showed the previously approve awning for the front entrance. which was a steel “C” glass channel.
Ms. Brown moved to approve the modifications as submitted for BP2022-11 with the applicant to return if there were any changes to the submittal, was seconded by Mr. Holman and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Ms. Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:45p.m., was seconded by Ms. McDowell and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer McCann Kurt Smith
Town Clerk Chair