HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MARCH 1, 2023
Ms. Victoria Smith called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Barbara Brown, David Holman, Samantha Hollomon, Michael McDowell, Rebecca Murphy, and Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Lynda Thomas (Town Clerk) and guests.
Ms. 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.
Ms. Smith asked if there were any questions, comments, or additions to the minutes of the meeting of February 1, 2023. Ms. Holloman moved to approve the minutes as presented, was seconded by Mr. Holman, and carried unanimously.
The items on the consent calendar were as follows:
- BP230019 – Palmer, 304 Park Row – Sign;
- BP230028 – Ricketts, 200 High Street – Sign;
- BP230025 – Olinick, 500 High Street – Roofing replacement.
Mr. Holman moved to approve the following as presented.
- BP230019 – Palmer, 304 Park Row – Sign;
- BP230028 – Ricketts, 200 High Street – Sign;
- BP230025 – Olinick, 500 High Street – Roofing replacement.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and passed unanimously.
Old Business
The next item on the agenda was BP230002 – Hoatson, 324 Cannon Street – Window, siding, and porch roof replacement. Mr. Holman recused himself. Mr. David Hoatson was present for the application. At the last meeting, the Commission asked Mr. Hoatson to consider saving the siding. He spoke with the contractor and reported that they would have to assess the damage while they were working on the siding. Mr. Hoatson reported that he would save as much of the original wood as possible and replace the unsalvageable with ‘like wood material’ and asked to use Hardie Plank with matching color on the sides of the house.
The Commission agreed that replacing the front siding with ‘like wood material’ and use Hardie Plank on the sides with matching color.
Ms. Murphy made a motion to approve BP230002 – Hoatson, 324 Cannon Street – Window, siding, and porch roof replacement; to replace the front siding of the house with wood and the two (2) sides and back of the house can be replaced with Hardie Plank siding and the color will match. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDowell and passed unanimously.
New Business
The next item on the agenda was BP 230021 – 123 High LLC, 215 S. Water Street – Fence, brick path, deck. Mr. Holman recused himself. Mr. Gregory Moore was present for the application. Work will consist of replacing the sidewalk with roof leaders to drain water away from the structure into the gardens and replace brick with historic looking brick, replace the deck with a wood like material, remove the pergola and lattice and put up a six (6) foot fence and replace the roof to the building next door, remove the PVC fence and replace with a wood fence.
Ms. Murphy made a motion to approve BP 230021 – 123 High LLC, 215 S. Water Street – Fence, brick path, deck, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Holloman and passed.
The next item on the agenda was BP230027 – Dietz, 117 N. Queen, Addition. Mr. Holman recused himself. Mr. Tom Dietz was present for the application. Work will consist of an addition on the side of the current structure, create a 2nd floor addition on the rear of house and remove a non-functioning chimney in the rear of the house. The fence will be removed to install a new fence to match the neighbor’s fence. Structural work will be done to level out floors, window will be replaced and Hardie Plank and painted to match the rest of the house.
Ms. Brown made a motion to approve BP230027 – Dietz, 117 N. Queen, Addition with the addition of removal of rear chimney and a vertical trim board, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Holman and passed unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP230029 – Blue Heron Contracting, 114 S. Cross – Addition. Mr. Torr Howell was present for the application. Work will consist of additional space and exterior renovations. The addition will take four (4) parking spaces from the parking lot area and include a second-floor space.
Mr. Holman made a motion to approve BP230029 – Blue Heron Contracting, 114 S. Cross – Addition, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Murphy and passed unanimously.
Town Attorney Christopher Drummond, Esquire, presented Historic District Commission rules and procedures. He stated that the Commission is subject to the open meetings act. A quorum of the Commission should not gather unless a meeting has been announced. If the members accidentally show up at the same place/event, deliberation should not be ongoing. All information that is on the agenda or maybe on a future agenda is not to be discussed outside of a properly called meeting.
Mr. Drummond reviewed that an executive session is to be placed on the agenda that if the Commission intends to hold an executive session to discuss private matters such as acquisition of property, personnel issues, negotiations, and advice of counsel. An executive session may also be called during a meeting if needed. In an executive session, decision cannot be made during an executive session. All decision must be made in open session.
Mr. Drummond stated that the Commission is also subject to the Maryland Public Records Act. All documents, email, texts, recordings are public record and can be subject to being disclosed upon request. If an issue goes to the circuit court, all evidence can be called into question.
Mr. Drummond noted that if someone is communicating to a member of the Commission to complain, sway, lobby or influence the outcome of a vote should be forwarded to Kees de Mooy.
Mr. Drummond reviewed conflicts of interest according to the Ethics Code of the Town of Chestertown. A commission member must recuse him/herself when that person has a financial interest. Familiarity of the case or project does not require someone to recuse themselves but should announce they have background information into the project but no financial interest.
There being no further business, Ms. Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:52 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Holloman and passed unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk Vicky Smith, Chair