HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
Chairwoman Alexa Cawley called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members John Ames, Rob Busler, Veronica Golden, Ed Minch and Nancy McGuire, W.S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.
Ms. Cawley 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. Cawley asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of August 5, 2015. Mr. Ames moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
Items on the Consent Agenda were as follows:
- BP2015-106 – Stoltzfus Brothers/Wallin, 117 N. Queen Street – Roof (ratify);
- BP2016-107 – Chesapeake Bank/Lemon Leaf, 337 High Street – Rear Roof (ratify);
- BP2016-109 – J&L Services, 359 Calvert Street – Windows;
- BP2015-116 – Lippincott/Davilio, 107 N. Kent Street – Fence;
- BP2015-118 – Sultana Foundation, 200 S. Cross Street – Roof;
- BP2015-120 – Champion Realty, 210 S. Cross Street – Sign
- BP2015-121 – Shrood Partners, LLC, 101 Spring Avenue – Rear Roof and Metal Door
Ms. Cawley stated that she would like to remove BP2015-120 from Champion Realty for a sign. Mr. Ames stated that he would like to remove BP2015-121 from Shrood Partners for a rear roof and metal door.
Mr. Busler moved to approve the following application as submitted as they were in keeping with the Historic District Commission Guidelines:
- BP2015-106 – Stoltzfus Brothers/Wallin, 117 N. Queen Street – Roof (ratify);
- BP2016-107 – Chesapeake Bank/Lemon Leaf, 337 High Street – Rear Roof (ratify);
- BP2016-109 – J&L Services, 359 Calvert Street – Windows;
- BP2015-116 – Lippincott/Davilio, 107 N. Kent Street – Fence;
- BP2015-118 – Sultana Foundation, 200 S. Cross Street – Roof;
The motion was seconded by Mr. Ames and carried unanimously.
The next application was BP2015-120 from Champion Realty at 210 S. Cross Street for a sign. Ms. Patsy Whiteley was present for the application. Ms. Cawley stated that sign proposed was made of high density urethane without a border and said that according to the guidelines, signs in the style presented should be constructed of wood with a raised wooden border. Ms. Whiteley stated that she would be happy to have the sign created in wood with wooden molding for the border. The projecting sign would be hung with a bracket just under the where the flag currently hangs in the photo of record. Mr. Busler moved to approve the sign for Champion Realty as drawn to be made of wood with a wooden border, was seconded by Ms. Golden and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-121 from Shrood Partners at 101 Spring Avenue for a rear roof and metal door. Mr. Jeff Conner, contractor, was present for the application. Mr. Ames asked Mr. Conner to elaborate on the metal door proposed in the application. Mr. Conner stated that a rusted metal door existed on the building. He said that the owner wishes to replace it with a similar metal door with a 9-light divider, noting that the side lights were leaded glass and he was going to make repairs to that section of the door. Mr. Conner stated that the back roof has a mixture of different shingles and the owner wanted to replace the rear roof with architectural shingles to match the front of the building.
Ms. McGuire asked what style windows were in the building. Mr. Busler stated that most windows on the building were 6-over-1 but there were other types of windows on the building. Ms. McGuire stated that she thought a single pane was more in keeping with the design of the building.
Mr. Ames moved to approve the application for a rear roof with shingles to match those existing on the front building and a single pane window on the metal door. The motion was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-98 from Diane Russell at 416 High Street for exterior renovations. Ms. Cawley explained that a letter was sent to Ms. Russell after the last meeting and although she has responded to some interior issues, she has not responded to the letter. Ms. Mulligan stated that she would like the Historic District Commission to table the application until the October meeting.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the porch flooring was tabled in this application and said what existed was fir. He asked what material the Commission would approve if the applicant wanted to suggest replacement porch flooring. Mr. Busler stated that tongue and groove mahogany should be accepted.
Ms. McGuire moved to table the portions of the application pending for BP2015-98, was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously. Mr. Ingersoll stated that if the applicant did not bring information for the next meeting, he would contact her directly.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-113 from Sacred Heart Church at 508 High Street for a canvas awning at the rectory. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the rectory building was not a historic building and a canvas awning was removable. Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2015-113 for a new awning on the side door of the rectory at Sacred Heart Church as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-110 from David and Cheryl Hoopes at 208 Mt. Vernon Avenue for composite deck flooring on their front porch. Ms. Hoopes stated that composite was not in keeping with the guidelines, rather the applicant should use a high quality wood. Mr. Busler stated that it appears that there is moisture in the joints of the existing floor. Ms. McGuire stated that all of the buildings on Mt. Vernon are contributing structures. Ms. Golden stated that she did not want to set a precedent for composite wood on front porches in Town. Mr. Ingersoll stated that if composite was going to be considered for approval, an actual sample should be brought before the Commission by the applicant.
Mr. Ames moved to approve BP2015-110 for replacement porch flooring in mahogany, with the understanding that if the applicants wished to pursue the composite material they should attend the next meeting to discuss the issue, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2015-119 from Taylor Loughry Construction and Fitch Properties, LLC for exterior renovations at 329 Cannon Street. Mr. Justin Taylor was present for the application. Ms. Cawley read the application into the record. Mr. Taylor stated the skylights requested would match the existing skylights on a lower rear roof. He said that he would add a wooden handrail in the style presented on the front porch not PVC as was on the plans. The existing fan vent would be replaced with an Anderson window matching the two (2) existing windows on the rear of the building. HVAC units would be installed and stored in the rear yard on an existing concrete patio.
Mr. Taylor had signage and lighting as part of the plans and after discussion regarding the material and scale proposed for the signage, it was decided that the signage and lighting would be pulled from the application and the applicant will meet with Mr. Ingersoll or Mr. de Mooy to discuss signage.
Mr. Busler moved to approve the following items as they were in keeping with the Design Guidelines for BP2015-119, Velux skylights to match the existing skylights on the rear of property as proposed, the handrails as submitted to be constructed of wood, paint or stain the railing on the side of the building, replace the rear fan with an Anderson window to match the other two (2) windows on the rear of the second floor, and to install the HVAC on an existing concrete pad in the rear of the building, was seconded by Mr. Ames and carried unanimously.
Ms. Cawley gave a PowerPoint presentation she prepared for the Commission that outlining the Historic Commission’s directives and procedures. She said that she would like to look more closely at the Guidelines for discussion in the future.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Alexa Cawley
Town Clerk Chair