HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
APRIL 7, 2021
Chairman Jeffrey Coomer called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Barbara Brown, Ed Minch, Rebecca Murphy, Alice Ritchie, Kurt Smith and Victoria Smith, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mr. Coomer 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. Coomer asked if there were additions or corrections to the minutes of the Historic District Commission Meeting of March 3, 2021. Ms. Ritchie moved to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2021 meeting as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
There were several items on the Consent Calendar as follows:
- BP2021-26 – Nugent, 208 N. Mill Street – Porch Roof (ratify repair);
- BP2021-28 – Seff, 212 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-29 – Cronin/Rosin Creek Collaborative, 506 Cannon Street – Roof (ratify emergency repair);
- BP2021-36 – McGuire, 103 S. Mill Street – Step Replacement
- BP2021-38 – Williamson, 123 Washington Avenue – Rear Deck
- BP2021-39 – Schmidt and Kanto, LLC., 321 High Street – Rear Ramp;
- BP2021-41 – Triad Ventures/Massoni Gallery, 203 High Street – Stair Railings;
- BP2021-42 – Swope, 102 Cannon Street – Garden shed;
- BP2021-44 – Tolbert, 202 N. Queen Street – Roof replacement;
- BP2021-50 – Lazo, 405D Cannon Street – Fence.
Mr. Smith moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
- BP2021-26 – Nugent, 208 N. Mill Street – Porch Roof (ratify repair);
- BP2021-28 – Seff, 212 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-29 – Cronin/Rosin Creek Collaborative, 506 Cannon Street – Roof (ratify emergency repair);
- BP2021-36 – McGuire, 103 S. Mill Street – Step Replacement
- BP2021-38 – Williamson, 123 Washington Avenue – Rear Deck
- BP2021-39 – Schmidt and Kanto, LLC., 321 High Street – Rear Ramp;
- BP2021-41 – Triad Ventures/Massoni Gallery, 203 High Street – Stair Railings;
- BP2021-42 – Swope, 102 Cannon Street – Garden shed;
- BP2021-44 – Tolbert, 202 N. Queen Street – Roof replacement;
- BP2021-50 – Lazo, 405D Cannon Street – Fence
The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2020-81 from the Lombardini’s at 221 S. Queen Street for revisions to the outdoor storage shed. Mr. Lombardini stated that the way the shed was designed would cause flooding onto the neighboring property in a hard rain. He said that to avoid that from happening he changed the roofline, adding that the square footage of the shed was decreased. The door was changed as was the window configuration on the shed building. Mr. Lombardini stated that he had intended to add a fence as described in the permit, but he was not sure that he was going to do that now, but that the property was already fenced in to protect the pool area.
Mr. de Mooy will follow up with the requirements for the pool.
Mr. Smith moved to approve the modifications to BP2020-81 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item was BP2021-31 for Steve Lotharius at 104 Church Alley to remove and replace window in different location. Mr. Lotharius stated that this commercial building was being remodeled into a single family home and to make the kitchen functional they would like to remove and replace a window so it would be positioned over the sink.
Ms. Brown moved to approve BP2021-31 as presented, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-37 from the Newman’s for exterior renovations at 329 High Street. Ms. Murphy recused herself from the application citing a conflict of interest. Mr. John Hutchison presented the application. Mr. Mark Newman, owner, stated that he was going to open a restaurant at the location. Mr. Hutchison stated that the applicants were going for Maryland Historic Trust Tax Credits.
Mr. Hutchison reviewed the history of the building. He said that sometime in the 1960s the original front brick façade was removed, and new brick façade was built. He said that the second and third floors are almost completely original.
Mr. Hutchison showed the existing conditions of the exterior of the building. He said that the third floor dormers are original, and the shingles were slate. The front brick façade and windows are not original. The original windows to the alley side of the building are preserved on the second floor. Mr. Hutchison stated that where the original and new brick meet on the building can easily be seen.
Mr. Hutchison described the proposed High Street and alley side renovations. He said that the original windows will be put back in place and the brick on the alley façade will be repointed. All masonry openings on the lower level (facing the alley) are currently bricked over and covered with mortar. On the areas where the original windows are no longer in storage, he would install new windows as close as possible to the original wood windows. The new windows will be a semi-custom wood window and painted.
Mr. Hutchison stated that since the brick was not original on the front of the building, they were proposing to paint it in a muted color as to not call attention to it. There was not enough information to replicate the front façade, but they were trying to reproduce it from photos that were found at the Historical Society of Kent County. Wood panel windows and the same style muntin as original would be used. An awning was originally on the building with supports in the middle of the sidewalk. While they were not interested in supports in the sidewalk, they would like to add the small roof over the storefront windows in standing seam with a simple corbel. Under the roof is an existing steel beam where a motorized system will be installed, making the awning retractable.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the second and third story original windows are stored upstairs and will be restored. There was a double door on the alley side that will be reinstalled. Mr. Hutchison stated that the chimney on the west elevation will be repointed. The chimney on the east side will be rebuilt and restored as the original brick cap had been damaged the bricks are piled up on the roof.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the alley façade shows that originally each window opening had arches, but at some point in time the arches were removed. They would like to return the arches to the building. The doors will be mahogany. The cinder block addition to the building and stairs were added at some point, the stair then again being replaced with a pull down stair. The original stairwell, however, still exists. Two apartments were proposed for this building and codes do not allow the original stair enclosure, as it is too narrow, and the roof is too steep. They were proposing to remove the stairwell and sheathe it with cementitious Hardiplank shingle siding. The doorway will be made a bit wider to allow for an egress stair and a steel canopy will be added.
The rear metal door will be replaced with a new metal door. The access door to the second floor access will be repointed. The window that was original and closed in will be restored as the original window is in the building. Mini-split heat and air conditioning units will be housed on the second floor roof. Two condenser units will be housed on the rear addition roof. The back will be reroofed in EPDM rubber roofing and the area with 3-tab shingle roofing will be reroofed with 3-tab shingles as MHT will likely require replacement with what existed.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the east façade was barely visible but the window which had been boarded in will be restored with the original window. The other existing windows will remain and have appliques applied to the interior.
Mr. Coomer stated that what was proposed was a significant enhancement to the building and asked what their timeline was for the renovations. Mr. Hutchison stated that the submittal will go to the Maryland Historic Trust in a couple weeks, and they should hear back from them within 45 days. He said that it was their goal to begin construction by summer. Mr. Coomer stated that it appears that they are staying true to the original fabric of the building.
Ms. Ritchie asked if the metal roof decorative panel was broken in certain parts. Mr. Hutchison stated that there were a couple pieces missing and they would like to make it whole again but there were many other pressing matters on the building that would be addressed first. Mr. Hutchison stated that a roof finial is also missing, and he would like to replace it at some point.
Ms. Nancy McGuire asked if the cast iron railing would be installed on the second floor. Mr. Hutchison stated that the intention was not to retain the railing.
Ms. Ritchie moved to approve BP2021-37 for exterior renovations as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously. The applicant will return if MHT requires revisions.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-43 by Carol Flynn at 105 S. Mill Street for chimney repair, storm windows, and to replace two (2) windows. Ms. Flynn was present for the application. She said that two (2) windows on the second story that need replacing as they are damaged and leak. One was in the rear of the building and the other on the side. She was proposing Andersen wood windows with fiber composite exteriors for replacement.
Ms. Flynn stated that there were three (3) chimneys on the building which needed to be sealed, have flashing added, and masonry repair and repointing. Chimney caps will be added to all three chimneys. She said that every effort will be made to match existing.
Ms. Flynn stated that the all windows on the second story original section of the house will have 3-track combination Larson aluminum storm windows added with the rail meeting the rail of the existing windows. The first story windows will have picture style Larson storm windows that will be a fixed single pane of glass.
Mr. Minch asked if the window rot in the frame will be replaced. Ms. Flynn stated that the rot in the frame will be repaired but the windows she proposed to replace were rotten and gets wet when it rains. Mr. Minch suggested keeping the sash and windows and storing them for the future if another homeowner wanted them.
Mr. Minch moved to approve BP2021-43 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was BP2021-45 from Sarah Landon and George Nilson for exterior renovations to the rear of the property at 615 Cannon Street. Mr. Max Ruehrmund, architect, was present for the application. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that this was a bungalow style house built sometime in the 1940s. The applicants would like to add a covered porch, therapeutic swim spa enclosed in a deck, and a ramp to an existing concrete patio. The covered porch affects the basement rear door which will be reconfigured into a single exit door. On the backside of the deck there was a low solid wall with vinyl siding (existing on house) and a lattice configuration above for privacy.
Mr. Ruehrmund stated that the reconfiguration of the house itself was driven by the fact that there is a small porch leading to an awkwardly arranged kitchen. The east and west elevation will have a raised roof to allow additional ceiling space. The new roof will have a skylight above the sink as there are no windows on one side of the kitchen. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that existing windows will be reused, although they are not original to the building.
Mr. Ruehrmund stated that the trellis pergola and covered porch would be constructed of wood. The railing system proposed was white aluminum along the spa/deck area and on the ramp down to grade. The trellis frame will also be white.
Mr. Ruehrmund stated that there were several steps to get into the main floor. There was an area where a lift will eventually be placed tucked in under the covered porch. The lift is not part of this application.
Mr. Coomer stated that there will not be much that is visible from the road. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that all that will be visible is the trellis and low wall on the one side, adding that there was an existing fence in that area.
Ms. Murphy moved to approve BP2021-45 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Ms. Ritchie moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Jeffrey Coomer
Town Clerk Chair
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AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
APRIL 7, 2021
5:00 p.m.
- Minutes of previous meeting of March 3, 2020
- Consent Calendar
- BP2021-26 – Nugent, 208 N. Mill Street – Porch Roof (ratify repair);
- BP2021-28 – Seff, 212 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-29 – Cronin/Rosin Creek Collaborative, 506 Cannon Street – Roof (ratify emergency repair);
- BP2021-36 – McGuire, 103 S. Mill Street – Step Replacement
- BP2021-38 – Williamson, 123 Washington Avenue – Rear Deck
- BP2021-39 – Schmidt and Kanto, LLC., 321 High Street – Rear Ramp;
- BP2021-41 – Triad Ventures/Massoni Gallery, 203 High Street – Stair Railings;
- BP2021-42 – Swope, 102 Cannon Street – Garden shed;
- BP2021-44 – Tolbert, 202 N. Queen Street – Roof replacement
3. Old Business
- BP2020-81 – Lombardini, 221 S. Queen Street – Revisions to Shed and Garage;
4. New Business
- BP2021-31 – Lotharius, 104 Church Alley – remove and replace window in different location;
- BP2021-37 – Newman, 329 High Street – Exterior Renovations
- BP2021-43 – Flynn, 105 S. Mill Street – Chimney repair, storm windows, replace 2 windows;
- BP2021-45 – Landon/Nilson, 615 Cannon Street – Exterior renovations to rear of property