Historic District Commission Minutes – June 7, 2023

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

JUNE 7, 2023

In the absence of a Chairman, Ms. Rebecca Murphy, Vice Chair, called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members David Holman, Samantha Hollomon, Michael McDowell, Monica Sella and Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Lynda Thomas (Town Clerk) and guests.

Ms. Murphy 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. Murphy asked if there were any questions, comments, or additions to the minutes of the meeting of May 3, 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:

1. BP230089 – Johnson, 300 South Cross Street – sign;
2. BP230098 – Spangler, 226 Cannon Street, replacement fence;
3. BP230102 – MainStreet, 112 S. Cross Street – lighting;
4. BP230113 – Sugar Doodles, 315 High Street – sign;

Ms. Hollomon noted that BP230113 did not comply with the seven (7) day application requirements.  Ms. Murphy stated that she was correct but because the sign was already up and the applicant worked really hard to be open for the Tea Party, and it would likely be approved anyway that the decision was made to put it on the consent calendar.  Ms. Hollomon stated that she would abstain from the vote since she had not had enough time to review it.

Mr. McDowell asked about the aesthetics of the Sugar Doodles sign.  Mr. Holman asked if the new sign was in the same footprint as the old Dunkin Donuts sign.  Ms. Murphy stated that it was.

There was a discussion that the sign was already up and that it should be addressed tonight.  The applicant noted that the sign was not up.  Shore Sign hung a sign sample to take a picture for the permit application, then removed the sign sample.

Mr. McDowell made a motion to table BP230113 from the consent calendar. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hollomon. After a brief discussion, the motion passed.

Ms. Hollomon moved to approve the following as presented. 

1. BP230089 – Johnson, 300 South Cross Street – sign;
2. BP230098 – Spangler, 226 Cannon Street, replacement fence;
3. BP230102 – MainStreet, 112 S. Cross Street – lighting;

The motion was seconded by Mr. McDowell and passed unanimously.

New Business

The next item on the agenda was BP 230074 – Wander, 202 Mount Vernon Avenue – solar array.  No representative was present for the application.  Work will consist of installing solar on the roof in the rear of the house with an option on the front of the house if HDC approves.

Ms. Sella and Ms. Hollomon had concerns and needed additional information to make sure the elevation guidelines were met.

Mr. Holman made a motion to approve BP 230074 – Wander, 202 Mount Vernon Avenue – solar array, conditionally for exhibit 1, with panels on the rear of the house as long as the elevation and height is as described in the application with confirmation from Kees deMooy. The motion was seconded by Ms. Holloman and passed.

The next item on the agenda was BP230076 – Buchholz, 225 Washington Avenue, solar array. Mr. Andrew Clarke from Renewable Energy Corporation was present for the application.  Work will consist of installing solar panels on the south facing side of the house. The mount will be 3.35” from the roof.

Ms. Hollomon made a motion to approve BP230076 – Buchholz, 225 Washington Avenue, solar array, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sella and passed unanimously.

 The next item on the agenda was BP230090 – Kent, 416 Cannon Street – skylights. Mr. Robert Kent was present for the application. Work will consist of installing three (3) skylights to a newly constructed house. It was noted that the skylights will be visible from Hilda Hopkins Avenue but not from Cannon Street.

Ms. Hollomon asked if the applicant had presented this installation to the neighbor noting that the light from the skylight on the first-floor install could be unwanted by the neighbor.  Mr. Kent stated that the neighbor does not have windows on that side of the house.

Mr. Holman made a motion to approve BP230090 – Kent, 416 Cannon Street – skylights, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hollomon and passed unanimously.

 The next item on the agenda was BP230096 – White Swan, 231 High Street – lighting and shutters. Ms. Hollomon recused herself. W. P. Harding was present for the application. Work will consist of installing lights in the yard area in the rear of the building and installing shutters on the second floor to match the first-floor shutters.

Mr. McDowell made a motion to approve BP230096 – White Swan, 231 High Street – lighting and shutters, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sella and passed. Ms. Hollomon recused from the vote.

 The next item on the agenda was BP230099 – Jones, 105 High Street – door change. Mr. Patrick Jones was present for the application. Work will consist of removing late model double hung windows and installing a French door unit in rear of house.

Mr. Holman made a motion to approve BP230099 – Jones, 105 High Street – door change, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDowell and passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was BP230100 – Triad Ventures, Inc., 201 High Street – retractable ladder. Mr. Patrick Jones was present for the application. Work will consist of installing retractable fire escape ladders.

Ms. Hollomon made a motion to approve BP230100 – Triad Ventures, Inc., 201 High Street – retractable ladder, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sella and passed unanimously.

There being no further business, Ms. Hollomon moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:31 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Holman and passed unanimously. 

 Submitted by:                                                             Approved by:

Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk                                       Rebecca Murphy, Vice Chair

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AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

JUNE 7, 2023

4:00 p.m.

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.

1. Minutes of previous meetings of May 3
2. Consent Calendar
   1. 230089 – Johnson, 300 South Cross Street – sign;
   2. 230098 – Spangler, 226 Cannon Street, replacement fence;
   3. 230102 – MainStreet, 112 S. Cross Street – lighting;
   4. 230113 – Sugar Doodles, 315 High Street – sign;
3. New Business
   1. 230074 – Wander, 202 Mount Version Avenue – solar array;
   2. 230076 – Buchholz, 225 Washington Avenue – solar array;
   3. 230090 – Kent, 416 Cannon Street, skylight;
   4. 230096 – White Swan, 231 High Street – lighting & shutters;
   5. 230099 – Jones, 105 High Street – door change;
   6. 230100 – Triad Ventures, 210B High Street – retractable ladder;
4. Adjourn