HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
DECEMBER 1, 2021
Mr. Kurt Smith, Chair, called the Historic District Commission meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Barbara Brown, Rob Busler, Rebecca Murphy, Alice Ritchie and Vicki Smith, Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator) 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 stated that he would like to move old business and combine and move new business forward, hearing the applications from Mr. Hutchison last. Ms. Brown moved to approve the changes to the agenda, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
Mr. Smith asked if there were additions or corrections to the minutes of the Historic District Commission meeting of November 3, 2021. Ms. Smith moved to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2021, meeting as presented, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar contained the following items:
- Consent Calendar
- BP2021-165 – Schmidt & Kanto, LLC, 511 High Street – Roof;
- BP2021-168 – Gilpatrick, 226 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-172 – Jones and Jones Properties, 105 Cannon Street – Exterior maintenance;
- BP2021-173 – Coomer, 405-C Cannon Street – Railings;
- BP2021-175 – Coveney, 222 N. Kent Street – Roof;
- BP2021-177 – Heck, 111 Court Street – Roof;
- BP2021-180 – Olinick, 530 High Street – Roof
Mr. Busler moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:
- BP2021-165 – Schmidt & Kanto, LLC, 511 High Street – Roof;
- BP2021-168 – Gilpatrick, 226 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-172 – Jones and Jones Properties, 105 Cannon Street – Exterior maintenance;
- BP2021-173 – Coomer, 405-C Cannon Street – Railings;
- BP2021-175 – Coveney, 222 N. Kent Street – Roof;
- BP2021-177 – Heck, 111 Court Street – Roof;
- BP2021-180 – Olinick, 530 High Street – Roof.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Brown and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-174 from Schmidt & Kanto at 321 High Street for façade renovations. William Kanto (owner) and Mr. Max Ruehrmund (architect) were present for the application. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that that the work was on the front façade. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that moving the electrical wires underground was something that they had investigated but it was too expensive. Mr. Smith stated that he was uncertain that wire relocation was under the purview of the Commission. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that the other work was improving the finishes and gutter system, cleaning the brick and shingles, installing new storefront glass and threshold improvements. He said that shutters would be added back to the windows. Ms. Murphy asked how the wire issue affected the timing of the proposed work. Mr. Ruehrmund stated that if moving the wiring was approved, it would happen at the beginning of the project but is dependent upon the power company’s schedule.
Mr. Ruehrmund stated that the windows and the door to the left will be replaced. The windows proposed were wood and aluminum clad and the door would be a wooden door like what exists.
Ms. Brown moved to approve BP2021-174 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-176 from Matthew Wilson of Valley View Services, LLC. for exterior renovations at 403 N. Kent Street. Mr. Wilson was present for the application and described the scope of work in detail. Ms. Ritchie asked when the house was built. Mr. Wilson stated that he thought it was built in 1920. Mr. Wilson stated that the house already has vinyl siding installed and from what he could tell the only thing underneath is exterior sheathing board. The windows would be United 7400 series replacement windows in vinyl. Mr. Smith stated that vinyl siding and windows are never approved by the Historic District Commission. Mr. Wilson stated that vinyl was already on the house and what he was proposing, although vinyl, is an upgrade. Ms. Brown asked if Hardiplank was considered. Mr. Wilson stated that because of the work involved in the overall project, Hardiplank was out of his budget.
Mr. de Mooy asked if the applicant was willing to table the application so he could look at the siding and windows. Ms. Brown moved to table the application for exterior work and for the applicant to work with Mr. de Mooy for compliance, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
Mr. Wilson asked if he could have approval for the HVAC and roof replacement. Mr. Wilson stated that the HVAC will be installed over a vinyl platform. Mr. de Mooy suggested using a metal platform instead of vinyl. Ms. Brown moved to approve roof replacement and HVAC unit as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-166 from Christiana Giron at 307 Washington Avenue for a pool and shed. Ms. Giron was present for the application. Ms. Giron stated that there was currently a chain link fence that she was proposing to replace with a 6’ wooden fence. The garage materials will be a concrete slab with an architectural shingle roof and lap siding, and that the shed was not visible from the front façade at all, only the rear alley.
Ms. Ritchie stated that there would be a good deal of excavation for the pool and garage. Mr. Smith stated that there should be archaeological monitoring. Ms. Giron stated that this house was built in 1945. Ms. Murphy stated that this was based upon what was in the land record, not the age of the house. Ms. Brown stated that the contractor should be advised that if anything is disturbed during the dig, there should be people on site to document anything that may be of historic value. Ms. Giron stated that she would be happy to have someone come and observe during the dig, adding that the pool would only be 6’ at the deepest. Mr. de Mooy stated that he would send a list of archaeologists along to Ms. Giron.
Ms. Brown moved to approve BP2021-166 as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Murphy and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2021-164 from KRM Development for new construction at 102 Hilda Hopkins Way (Lot 7). Mr. John Hutchison (architect) was present for the application. Ms. Murphy recused herself from the application. Mr. Hutchison stated that there were comments at last month’s meeting on the design. He said that he has material samples that he would drop at Town Hall if anyone wanted to see them, but he was proposing 7” Hardiplank smooth face lap siding, 7” Hardiplank horizontal shingle siding, and Nickel Groove vertical siding by Boral. Timberline architectural asphalt roofing shingles in a dark gray would be used to match the solar panels. Metal roofing was 1” field lock with a thin seam. The porch was open but they were proposing a fence with a gate and an Intex composite railing system to the front door so the owners could contain their dogs. He said that he used a similar system on a house on Water Street and it was of nice quality.
Mr. Hutchison stated that Andersen 400 series double hung windows and awnings would be used as shown in the drawings. He said that there were only two areas of decorative lighting, the garage, back and front doors. The garage lights would be a gooseneck fixture and door lights were bronze (photos were shown). Mr. Hutchison stated that carriage style garage doors were proposed but he did not have the exact model to show the Commission.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the solar panels proposed would be a southeast orientation and he showed a panel plan. He said that he was working with Sunrise Solar on this part of the project. There was a total of 38-40 solar panels proposed and he showed renderings of how they would look on the roof. The panels were SunPower 360 which were standard, and would be placed horizontally.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he was asking for conditional approval for landscaping with final approval once construction is finished. He said that the fence was a known factor and showed where the gates would be placed and how the fence would be laid out, adding it was almost identical to the fence on Lot 5. There would be a brick sidewalk to the open porch and front door where herbaceous bushes would be planted along with one or two larger trees (species not selected). The driveway will be gravel or concrete. A brick patio will be constructed in the back.
Mr. Busler asked if the same colors would be used for the siding. Mr. Hutchison stated that he thought the same color range would be used with lighter and darker shades applied. Mr. Hutchison stated that the different use of siding would reduce the overall scale of the house visually.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he was seeking approval so that the contracts can be signed by the potential owner to move forward with the build.
Mr. Busler moved to approve application BP2021-164 as submitted to date, with the understanding that landscaping specifics or any changes would come back for review, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was BP2021-186 from KRM Development for new construction at 428 Cannon Street (Lot 1). Mr. John Hutchison (architect) and Ms. Clare Joseph (prospective buyer) were present for the application. Mr. Hutchison stated that this is a corner lot in the development. There was a large transformer on the corner and a sidewalk will be installed on Kent Street which is why the lot line was pushed back. He said that this project fronted both Cannon Street and Kent Street. The three main components of the building were the main house, side screen porch, and garage in the back facing the alley. There was a projected fence line shown from the front of the house past the screen porch and returning to the garage. Landscaping would be on the front façade with small trees and herbaceous plantings. A full landscape review would be presented later in the project.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the foundation will consist of brick piers on the front porch and parged piers on the side porch. There will be a wood frame with wood composite decking on the porches. There is a single master suite proposed for the first story along with a dining room, kitchen, living room, bathroom, laundry, front hall and front piano room. A gas fireplace will be installed. The second story has two bedrooms and a reading room with a shared bathroom.
Mr. Hutchison stated that the front elevation has a standing seam metal roof on the front porch with architectural shingles on the structure. Hardiplank siding with 7” exposure and Andersen 400 double hung windows were proposed. Boral trim would be used throughout. Carriage style doors were proposed for the garage. Mr. Hutchison stated that this was a narrow lot and interior spaces needed windows that worked in each room and look appealing on the exterior. He said that he gave relief to the elevation so that there was not a continuous wall as the structure was long.
Mr. Hutchison showed 3D renderings of the exterior from all sides. He said that the fence in the front would be low and then go slightly taller at the side property lines. He said a basketweave style fence was being considered for the property.
Ms. Ritchie asked if this house lined up with the others on Cannon Street. Mr. Hutchison stated that this house would be set back just a bit from that of the Hiron House on Cannon Street. He said that it matched more in line with the Kent’s house (the first built in the development) but they were all within 1’-2’ of one another. He said that the house was in line with Lot 4 (which has been approved by the HDC). He said that the mass of the buildings was similar all along the street.
Mr. Hutchison stated that he spoke with KRM regarding archaeological monitoring during excavation of all the lots and if anything is ever uncovered they will address it at that time. Mr. de Mooy stated that he will forward the list of archaeologists he has to Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Holmes.
Mr. Busler moved to approve the application BP2021-186 as submitted with the applicant to return with any changes, was seconded by Ms. Smith and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Ms. Ritchie moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan David Foster
Town Clerk Mayor
*************************************************************************
AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
DECEMBER 1, 2021
4:00 p.m.
- Minutes of previous meeting of November 3, 2021
- Consent Calendar
- BP2021-165 – Schmidt & Kanto, LLC, 511 High Street – Roof;
- BP2021-168 – Gilpatrick, 226 Calvert Street – Fence;
- BP2021-172 – Jones and Jones Properties, 105 Cannon Street – Exterior maintenance;
- BP2021-173 – Coomer, 405-C Cannon Street – Railings;
- BP2021-175 – Coveney, 222 N. Kent Street – Roof;
- BP2021-177 – Heck, 111 Court Street – Roof;
- BP2021-180 – Olinick, 530 High Street – Roof;
- Old Business
- New Business
- BP2021-166 – Christiana Giron, 307 Washington Avenue – Pool and Shed;
- BP2021-174 – Schmidt & Kanto, 321 High Street – Façade Renovation;
- BP2021-176 – Matthew Wilson/Valley View Services, LLC, 403 N. Kent Street – Exterior renovation
- Adjourn