HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 7, 2018
The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Jeffrey Coomer, Ted Gallo, Barbara Jorgenson, Ed Minch and Alice Ritchie, Kees dc Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests. In the absence of a Chairman, Mr. Coomer moved to appoint Mr. Minch as Acting Chair. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
Mr. Minch 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. Minch asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of October 3, 2018. Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve the minutes of October 3, 2018 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Coomer and carried unanimously.
Mr. Minch asked if there were any objections to the items on the Consent Agenda, they being:
- BP2018-122 – Ruth Wilson, 102 E. Campus Avenue – Basement window replacement;
- BP2018-123 · Skippy’s Riverside Gifts, 227 High Street – Sign.
Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as the applications were in keeping with the Historic District Design Guidelines:
- BP2018-122 – Ruth Wilson, 102 E. Campus Avenue – Basement window replacement;
- BP2018-123 · Skippy’s Riverside Gifts, 227 High Street – Sign.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Coomer and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-87 from Chris Gordon and Sally Faulkner for a renovation and addition at 204 Philosopher’s Terrace. Mr. Miles Barnard of South Fork Studio Landscape Architecture and Ms. Jennifer Lieber, owner’s agent, were present for the application.
Mr. Barnard stated that demolition of the house at 204 Philosopher’s Terrace has occurred and at this meeting the applicants were presenting the final plans for the renovation, addition, and landscaping to the Commission for review. Ms. Mulligan stated that the there is an application before the Planning Commission for a lot-line removal in order to make this property into one lot.
Mr. Barnard stated that there is one driveway existing, with a steep driveway, which went to the front of the house at 206 Philosopher’s Terrace. He said that driveway will be removed and a new driveway entrance will be created on the south end of the 204 Philosopher’s Terrace lot, near where the proposed garage will be located. He said that this driveway will have much less of a slope than currently exists. He said that as part of the renovations, the existing front door will be relocated to the proposed addition. He said that the entrance will have a combination of blue stone, boulders, etc., and steps through the front yard.
Mr. Barnard stated that part of the submission showed existing conditions and photographs from the other side of the showing similar driveway designs and construction. Ms. Jorgenson asked what material will be used for the driveway. Mr. Barnard stated that the driveway will likely be asphalt, similar to other driveways on the street.
Mr. Barnard stated that there will not be any issues with standing water as drainage will go to the front of the property and other water issues will be addressed onsite at the rear of the property.
Mr. Barnard stated that there was existing fencing which tied into the corner of the property and around the back will be replaced with 6′ privacy fencing. There will also be fencing across the back parking area tying into the corner of the garage to separate the driveway area from the garden through a gate. He said that there was no fencing planned for the side of the house by the open field owned by the college but there will be 4′ high fencing on the rest of that side of the property and all existing chain link fencing will be removed and replaced.
Mr. Barnard stated that significant improvements have been made to the backyard, which cannot be seen from the street. He said that there will be vegetable gardens, a water feature such as a pond and/or pool, a woodland edge heavily planted with native trees and shrubs for privacy and habitat garden shed and pool house, He said that some items may require additional permits, for which he would return at a later date when the plans are finalized.
Mr. Barnard stated that drainage through the site runs through the rear of the property and nothing would be built in that area other than perhaps a rain garden to mitigate the water runoff.
Ms. Lieber stated that she reviewed the plans for the renovation and addition at the September meeting. She said that the garage will have a second-floor room above connected to the main house through a foyer. There will be a stone gable front and other finishes to mimic the existing house at 206 Philosopher’s Terrace.
Mr. Minch asked if the room above the garage was meant to be an apartment or part of the house. Ms. Lieber stated that it was part of the house with the only entrance through the foyer of the main house where the stairs are located. There is no exterior access to that room. She said that right now it was shown on the plans as unfinished.
Ms. Ritchie moved to approve the new construction and renovation as proposed for BP2018-87 as they are consistent with the Design Guidelines in size, scale and materials, was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-121 from Peter Rice at 129 N. Queen Street for window replacement. Mr. Rice was present for the application and submitted the schematics for the vinyl windows he proposed for the side and rear of the house, noting that Trimline wooden windows were proposed for the front façade.
Mr. Rice stated that he has been renovating the house slowly and said that a window replacement was necessary, noting that the existing windows have broken panes and were rotting around the wood. He said that there were twenty-two (22) windows in all. The front six (6) facing Queen Street will be wooden windows and the rest of the house are proposed to be vinyl windows. Mr. Rice stated that he currently has storm windows, but they were also in bad shape. He said that his electric bill is over $500.00 per month, most of which was due to the existing single pane windows being inefficient.
Mr. Rice stated that he thought the replacement windows would make the house look attractive and be as identical as they can to the original windows (2/2), Mr. Minch stated that it was important that the framing of the new windows be in proportion to the existing windows. Ms. Jorgenson stated that the grills should be on the exterior of the windows. Mr. Minch asked if the vinyl windows proposed are all 2/2 windows. Mr. Rice stated that he thinks that the house had three (3) different stages of construction with many different styles of windows but he would like to have approval for 2/2 windows throughout.
Mr. Coomer moved to approve BI’2018-121 for Trimline Wood 2/2 windows on the front of the house at 129 N. Queen Street and Harmony Series 2/2 Vinyl windows on the sides and rear of the house with the grills on the exterior of the windows, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-124 from Peoples Bank at 100 Spring Street for a portico on the parking lot side of the building. Mr. Bill Ingersoll, Town Manager, presented the application for Peoples Bank.
Ms. Jorgenson stated that she was in favor of a covered entrance, but she did not find this proposal attractive. She said that she though the roof should be in a curved shape. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he did not think that this application would be questioned because it was a new building (25 to 30 years old) and the proposal called for materials that were in keeping with the Design Guidelines.
Mr. Minch stated that the roof was somewhat awkward, but he was not against the application, noting that he did not agree that a curve would be appropriate. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she thought the curve would look better than the drawings before them today.
Mr. de Mooy stated that the application could only be denied, denied with an invitation to reapply, or to approve the application, and that the Commission cannot redesign during their review.
Mr. Coomer moved to approve the application for a portico as submitted for Peoples Bank at 100 High Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gallo and it carried with three (3) in favor, Ms. Jorgenson and Ms. Ritchie opposed.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-126 from Bad Alfred’s at 313 Cannon Street for renovations to the High Street façade of the building. Mr. Al Cassinelli, owner, was present for the application.
Mr. Cassinelli stated that through Main Street and Ms. Kay Macintosh, a rendering of façade improvements was created for the High Street side of the building at 313 Cannon Street. He said that the Maryland Historical Trust indicated that the top half of the building has always been stucco. The building was a gas station years ago and the bottom half of the building was painted white. The bricks were not applied until 1967 and were added to make the façade even with the neighboring building (now Eastern Shore Interiors). The buildings are actually separate, with 18″ in between although the brick siding makes it appear as one building.
Mr. Cassinelli stated that the High Street side of the building is quite large, and a darker color was chosen to try to reduce the overall footprint. The two current signs will be changed to one larger sign reading “Bad Alfred’s”. There will be 4 copper colored gooseneck lamps installed over the signage. There will be “ghosted” imaging on the paint above the doors reading “entrance” and garage” which reflects photographs of how the building appeared in 1947. The glass door in the center of the building will be changed to a solid door.
Mr. Minch asked if the crown molding across the face of the building had been reduced in size. Mr. Cassinelli stated that the size was reduced and what exists is rotten. Mr. Joe Karlik, of Locust Grove Studios (architect) stated that he thought that there was a 6″ reduction in size to the molding and the brick was extended to meet it.
Mr. Minch asked if the bay windows would be rebuilt. Mr. Cassinelli stated that the bay windows needed major repairs. He said that there was a hole in the stucco in one of the bays which has allowed water to run through to the interior of the building. Mr. Cassinelli stated that he would like to use white PVC material for the molding, so it does not rot again. Mr. Minch stated that since the molding was wood, it should be replaced with wood. Mr. Jorgenson asked if the windows would be replaced. Mr. Cassinelli stated that an application for windows may come in the future but it was not in the budget at this point.
Mr. Gallo asked what was housed in the second floor of the building. Mr. Cassinelli stated that they are two (2) legal apartments, which were Section 8 housing when he purchased the building. He said that the apartments are empty now and repairs were needed.
Mr. Minch asked if there was a frame around the proposed sign. Mr. Karlik stated that there would be framing.
Ms. Jorgenson stated that paint was not in the Commission’s purview. Mr. de Mooy stated that while that was true, it should be noted that the introduction of ghosted lettering and star is permitted under the sign ordinance as the lettering was historically on the building. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she did have some hesitation about the ghosting because there was no other building on the block with it. Mr. Minch stated that the ghosting wasn’t permanently changing anything and could easily be painted over.
Mr. Coomer moved to approve the scope of work as submitted for BP2018-126 at 313 Cannon Street (High Street façade), with the understanding that wood trim be replaced with wood as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines for the Historic District, was seconded by Mr. Gallo and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-127 from Ron and Caren Saunders at 302 N, Kent Street for an addition. Ms. Tammy Brice of South & Main Designs and Mr. Bill Crowding of William M. Crowding Surveys, LLC were present for the application.
Ms. Brice stated that a smaller addition to the rear of the house will be demolished and a new addition was proposed. The materials will be the same as exist on the house with wooden cedar shingle siding in white and architectural asphalt roofing shingles in blue. Ms. Brice stated that the existing addition is one-story. The new addition will be two-story with a larger footprint on the first floor.
Ms. Brice stated that there is a screened side porch, which is visible from the street, which is rotting and is included in the renovations. The applicants would like to close it in to create an all-season room. Ms. Brice stated that small panels will be added around the bottom and they would install double hung windows. Ms. Brice added that all the windows on this house are vinyl windows and they are proposing to use vinyl windows on the addition and the porch renovation.
Ms. Jorgenson asked if there were issues with setbacks. Mr. Crowding stated that there would be an application forthcoming for a 4′ rear-yard variance with the Zoning Board of Appeals. He said that the addition would be 21′ from the rear properly line instead of the 25′ required. He said that there was a garage just 1’ off the rear line of the property. Several of the houses in the area are 20′ to 21′ off the rear lines as well. Mr. Crowding stated the runoff would be reduced by 10% and managed onsite.
Ms. Brice stated that the house had a mixture of 4/4 and 6/6 vinyl windows. She said that the sunroom on the street side would have the same divided lights as the lower front windows.
Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve BP2018-127 for a two-story addition and renovation of the side porch as submitted, with asphalt shingled roofing to match the existing roof, wooden cedar shake siding and vinyl windows to match the existing vinyl windows on the house, noting that the sunroom windows will match the lower windows on the front façade as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gallo and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2018-128 from Bob Behr at 100 S. Queen Street for windows and an overhang. Mr. Behr was present for the application.
Mr. Behr stated that he would like to add two (2) windows to the back of the building and said that these windows would not be visible from the street. He also wanted to add a window on the side facing Evergrain Bakery which would be visible from the High Street sidewalk if someone was looking between the High Street buildings.
Mr. Behr stated that the other part of the application was to cover the side entryway door. He said that the weather beats on the door and it has sustained damage over the years. He would like to add a shed roof and add 2′ siding that would extend from the house down the sides of the door in order to protect the doorway. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she did not mind the shed roof, but she did not like the sides that were proposed as she found than unattractive and did not match anything in the surrounding area. She said that the door did not have a storm door. Mr. Behr stated the door was metal; it was the wood at the sides and bottom of the door that were rotting. Ms. Jorgenson stated that there was a roof over another door on the building and it didn’t have sides on it. Mr. Behr stated that door also had a porch and it was higher from the ground, unlike the door where he was having a problem with rot.
Ms. Ritchie asked if the door was used on a regular basis. Mr. Behr stated that the door was used all the time. Mr. Minch stated that he thought Mr. Behr’s application solved a problem in an unobtrusive way.
Mr. Coomer moved to approve BP2018-128 for windows and an overhang as submitted as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines for the Historic District, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried with four (4) in favor, Ms. Jorgenson opposed.
The last item on the agenda was BP2018-130 for a window at Cannon Street Studio Arts, 312 Cannon Street. Mr. Tom Lippincott, owner, was present for the application. Mr. Lippincott stated that this was the back barn on the property. He said he would like to add a window in the stairwell to get some light in as there were no windows on this side of the building. Mr. Lippincott stated that the application proposed a 24″ x 24″ window but he would appreciate if the Commission would consider allowing a 30″ x 30″ window instead. He said that windows on this building all have the grids between the glass and are casement windows. There were no windows on the side of the building where he intended to install this window.
Mr. Lippincott stated that some of the board and batten was rotting and he was going to replace it in kind in a piecemeal fashion.
Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve BP2018-130 for a 30″ x 30″ window on the back barn at 312 Cannon Street as submitted, as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines for the Historic District, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Gillo moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Coomer and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk Alexa Silver, Chair
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AGENDA
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 7, 2018
5:00 p.m.
- Minutes of previous meeting of October 3, 2018
CONSENT AGENDA
BP2018-122 – Ruth Wilson, 102 E. Campus Avenue – Basement Window Replacement
BP2018-123 – Skippy’s Riverside Gifts, 227 High Street – New Sign
OLD BUSINESS
BP2018-87 – Gordon/Faulkner, 204 Philosopher’s Terrace – Renovation and Addition
NEW BUSINESS
BP2018-121 – Peter Rice, 129 N. Queen Street – Window Replacement
BP2018-124 – People’s Bank, 100 Spring Street – Portico
BP2018-126 – Bad Alfred’s, 313 Cannon Street – Exterior Renovations to High Street Façade
BP2018-127 – Saunders/South & Main Designs, 302 Kent Street – Addition
BP2018-128 – Bob Behr, 100 S. Queen Street, Windows and Overhang
BP2018-130 – Lippincott/Cannon Street Studio Arts, 312 Cannon Street – Window addition on back barn