HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MAY 5, 2021
Chairman Jeffrey Coomer called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Barbara Brown, Ed Minch, Rebecca Murphy, 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 April 7, 2021. Ms. Brown moved to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2021 meeting as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
There were several items on the Consent Calendar as follows:
- BP2021-53 – Denison, 118 Washington Avenue – Fence;
- BP2021-58 – Taylor, 408 Cannon Street – Fence;
- BP2021-59 – Phillips, 112 Washington Avenue – Gutter Replacement;
- BP2021-62 – Arnold, 209 N. Mill Street – Gutters
- BP2021-63 – Windsor, 206 Washington Avenue – Brick walkway;
- BP2021-65 – Coco’s Pet Center, 335 B High Street – Sign;
- BP2021-66 – Munson, 359 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-67 – Cronin, 504 Cannon Street – Stairs (back of house);
Ms. Murphy moved to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
- BP2021-53 – Denison, 118 Washington Avenue – Fence;
- BP2021-58 – Taylor, 408 Cannon Street – Fence;
- BP2021-59 – Phillips, 112 Washington Avenue – Gutter Replacement;
- BP2021-62 – Arnold, 209 N. Mill Street – Gutters
- BP2021-63 – Windsor, 206 Washington Avenue – Brick walkway;
- BP2021-65 – Coco’s Pet Center, 335 B High Street – Sign;
- BP2021-66 – Munson, 359 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-67 – Cronin, 504 Cannon Street – Stairs (back of house);
The motion was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-10 from Julie Santoboni at 302-304 Park Row for the addition of metal railings on the second floor balconies. Ms. Santoboni was present for the application. Mr. de Mooy stated that this project has been going on for several years and this application is to replace a screen structure on the second floor balcony with a railing system. He said that the black metal railing is a solution to meet the building code as the existing height does not. Ms. Santoboni stated that she would like to exclude the two (2) vertical bars shown in the photo (over the railing) as there would no longer be screens added, so there was no need for it. Ms. Santoboni stated that she was also adding ceiling fans that would not be visible from the street. Mr. Smith moved to approve BP2021-10 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-60 from Todd and Anne Kellstrom at 212 W. Campus for a roof replacement and skylights to be added to the back of house. Ms. Kellstrom was present for the application. Mr. Coomer stated that there was an existing skylight, and they were reconfiguring the roof, adding that he thought the improvements made to the property to date are remarkable. Ms. Kellstrom stated that the property backs up to Shore Distributors and would not be visible from the street. Mr. de Mooy stated that this was a non-contributing structure. Ms. Murphy moved to approve BP2021-60 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-61 from Allstate Builders and Robert Hayes at 106 N. Water Street for a change in roof material and new gutters. Mr. George Edge of Allstate Builders was present for the application. He said that there was a metal-shingled mansard roof in place, but metal replacement shingles are no longer available. He said that the proposed asphalt shingle was the same style of roof approved on 216 Washington Avenue. The gutters will go around the mansard roof as the existing built-in gutters were failing. Ms. Brown moved to approve BP2021-61 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was BP2021-70 from Les McKeown at 109 S. Water Street for a renovation and addition. Mr. John Hutchison (architect) was present for the application as was Les McKeown (owner) and Jay Yerkes (contractor). Ms. Murphy recused herself from the application citing a conflict of interest.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the building was situated on South Water Street with the adjacent property belonging to Washington College (across from the President’s house). He said that this was the end of a series of townhouses where all the attached properties have already expanded their property closer to the water. He said that a variance would be required for the addition as it is a non-conforming lot.
Mr. Hutchison stated that this end unit would match up with the other townhouse properties and there would be an offset for the addition of 1.5’ from the original building. He said that the addition rotated the exterior of the building by 90º and mimicked it. He said that the additions on the townhouses do not share party walls.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the drawings show existing, what will be demolished, and what is proposed. He said that the ground level on the waterside (which is below ground on Water Street) has a non-original porch and it will be demolished. He proposed to have a mud/laundry room and pad for parking, along with a workout room in that area. The first floor will be a kitchen expansion and enclosed porch, adding that what currently exists was in deteriorating condition. He would demolish the porches and add a master suite with a deck on the second floor. The third floor would be an office space.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the existing roof form would be replicated and made perpendicular on the addition. The roof would be standing seam metal. He would salvage the dormers on the third floor and the double hung windows associated with them, using them on the new addition. He said that the dormers match the adjacent building.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he would use Hardiplank siding and Anderson 400 double hung patio doors and windows. Aluminum siding exists on the side façade of the house and they were hoping to replace that with wood siding and insert a window being removed from the back wall to the side addition on the first floor to match the windows on the second floor facade.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the exposure of the siding would end before the foundation and although the proportions would be the same, he was not planning to extend the brick foundation. He showed 3d renderings of the proposal.
Mr. Hutchison stated that a veneer brick chimney over wood framing was proposed on the addition for a propane fireplace flue. He said that this property and the Custom House would almost appear as bookends with the proposed gable end.
Mr. Minch asked if the third story deck has a flat roof. Mr. Hutchison stated the proposed roof was a 2/12 shallow pitched standing seam roof. Mr. Hutchison stated that the composite railings were approved on North Water Street for a rear deck expansion he did.
Mr. Coomer stated that he thought the design was sympathetic without trying to fool someone into believing it was original.
Mr. de Mooy stated that when Wilbur Ross’ father lived at Widehall he owned all the townhouse properties, and his wife had the adjoining structures torn down when he was away but left the basement foundations. He said that there have been many additions to the properties over the years and this was an elegant solution for the end building.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he was working on construction drawings and it was possible that there may be slight changes to the proposal and that he would return to the Commission for approvals if changes were made.
Mr. Minch moved to approve BP2021-70 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Ms. Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Jeffrey Coomer
Town Clerk Chair