HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
Alexa Silver, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Ted Gallo, Barbara Jorgenson, Nancy McGuire, Ed Minch and Alice Ritchie, Kees de Mooy, Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.
Ms. Silver 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. Silver asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of August 3, 2016. Ms. Jorgenson moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
The first item on the agenda was BP2016-84 from Christian Havemeyer for a door canopy at 113 S. Cross Street. There was no body to present the application so it was moved to the end of the meeting.
The next item on the agenda was BP2016-88 from Hugh Wyble and Shore Regional Health for a shed at 126 Philosopher’s Terrace. Ms. Silver read the application into the record. Mr. Scott Burleson, Executive Director of Shore Regional Health Medical Center at Chestertown was present for the application. He said that the proposed 10’ x 16’ barn style wooden shed would have colors of tan and black to match the building with asphalt shingle roofing.
Ms. Ritchie moved to approve BP2016-88 from Hugh Wyble and Shore Regional Health for a shed at 126 Philosopher’s Terrace as shown to be located in the rear of the property as it is not visible from the street and that it met the Historic District Guidelines for accessory buildings, was seconded Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
Ms. Jorgenson recused herself from the next application as it pertained to her residence.
The next item on the application was BP2016-02 from David Bowering and Barbara Jorgenson at 209 Washington Avenue for the addition of a pergola and a patio renovation with brick pavers. Ms. Silver read the application into the record. Ms. Barbara Jorgenson was present for the application. Ms. Jorgenson stated that the posts that would be used for the pergola were purchase from an architectural salvage shop in Delaware. Ms. Jorgenson stated that the pergola will not be visible from Washington Avenue but the people in the new academic building will be able to see it as they can see over their 7’ high fence. The other adjacent neighbor had a similar pergola in their yard. Ms. McGuire asked if the stairs would change. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she did not think there would be a change to the stairs, although they may be painted.
Mr. Gallo moved to approve BP2016-92 for a pergola and brick pavers as the application was in keeping with the Historic District Guidelines, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2016-93 from Charles and Kathleen Paff at 203 Washington Avenue for exterior renovations. Ms. Silver read the application into the record. Ms. Lisa Webb was present for the application. Ms. Webb stated that the changes proposed were to remove a window and reconfigure the doors in in order to create bathroom on the first floor. All changes were toward the back of the property. The siding on the rear façade of the building would be changed to Hardiplank and painted to match the vinyl siding on the rest of the house. Ms. Webb stated that no part of the renovation was visible from the street.
Ms. McGuire moved to approve BP2016-93 from Charles and Kathleen Paff at 203 Washington for exterior renovations of a window removal on the side façade to allow for an interior bathroom, change in doors on the rear façade as outlined in the application, and to install Hardiplank siding on the rear wall to the right of the door, a vertical board to separate the Hardiplank from vinyl siding along the site, as it was in keeping with the Historic District Guidelines, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2016-97 from Noreen Lagoy at 106 S. College Avenue for a roof on the house and shed. Ms. Silver read the application into the record. Ms. Lagoy was present for the application. Mr. Gallo moved to approve BP2016-97 from Noreen Lagoy at 106 S. College Avenue for a roof on the house and the shed, was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2016-99 from Carol Mylander at 208 Washington Avenue for a circular drive. Ms. Silver read the application into the record. Ms. Mylander was present for the application. Ms. Mylander stated that she has already received permission from the State Highway Administration for the second cut for the driveway as right now they have to back into Washington Avenue and there was not enough parking for all four (4) units in her apartment building.
Ms. Silver stated that her only concern was that there were no other circular driveways on that street. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she did not think that people would see the circular part of the driveway due to the plantings in the front of the property.
Mr. Minch moved to approve BP2016-99 from Carol Mylander for a circular drive at 208 Washington Avenue as per the drawings submitted, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2016-100 from TL Rentals and Justin Taylor for exterior renovations at 425 High Street. Ms. Silver read the application into the record. Mr. Taylor was present for the application.
Mr. Taylor stated that the vinyl replacement windows in the building were in terrible condition and he would like to replace them with Anderson 200 series windows with insulated glass and a grille that was fixed on the outside of the window.
Ms. McGuire stated that the windows that are in place were installed without permission of the Historic District Commission. Mr. Taylor stated that he was not aware that windows were not installed without a permit nor had anyone advised him of that before purchasing the building.
Ms. McGuire presented the applicant with a copy of the Design Guidelines and said that it was imperative that he become familiar with them if planning to do work in the Historic District as the Commission was bound by the Guidelines.
Ms. McGuire asked if it was possible that the Historic Society would have photographic evidence of what type windows were original to the building. She said that the vinyl windows would have never been approved.
Ms. McGuire stated that 6-over-6 divided lite window would not have been used on this building. A more appropriate window would be 1-over-1 or 2-over-2. Mr. de Mooy and Ms. Mulligan looked through Town records to see if there were photographs of the building with the original windows. Although a photo could not be found of this property, the other pressed brick buildings in Town had 1-over-1 windows.
Mr. Taylor stated that they were planning to keep the original storefront windows and door on the front façade. He said that the other doors on the building were not original and were actually doors that would be used on an interior of a building.
Mr. Taylor stated that the EPDM rubber roofing would cover the existing roof so that it appeared to be the only roof on the rear addition. He said he was not certain if all of the different roofs on that section of the building would be removed.
Ms. Jorgenson asked why the applicant was proposing a fiberglass door in the rear. Mr. Taylor stated that in the rear of the building he did not think a door would have to be wood. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she would prefer a wood door.
Ms. McGuire asked if the brick was painted and Mr. Taylor stated that the building was painted, noting that part of the application was to paint.
Mr. Minch moved to approve BP2016-100 for exterior renovations including replacing the side door with a 6 panel wood door, the rear door with a 9 lite wooden door and an EPDM rubber membrane roof on the back addition as it is in keeping with the Design Guidelines, was seconded by Ms. Ritchie and carried unanimously.
Ms. McGuire asked if there was a way to handle the issue of the windows between meetings. Mr. Taylor stated that if the Commission was going to require wood windows would they have to do research on what existed or just agree to wood windows. He said that the Commission was assuming that records existed. Ms. Jorgenson stated that there was evidence of 1-over-1 windows on the other pressed brick houses in Chestertown.
Mr. Minch moved to approve BP2016-100 for replacement of vinyl windows with twenty-seven (27) 1-over-1 wood windows, was seconded by Ms. Jorgenson and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was a concept design for the Interpretive Center at the Marina. Mr. Chuck Patterson and Mr. Zachary Sekor were present from SM+P Architects to discuss the project.
Mr. Patterson stated that the Interpretive Center would house the marina supplies and information center, retail space, meeting facilities, showers and restroom facilities.
Mr. Patterson stated that there would be a gable roof on the property and they were trying to replicate something in keeping with the boathouse, noting that this was a challenging site as one side faced the Marina and the other faced a residential street. He said that they were trying to bridge the gap by creating a gateway between the two by incorporating a boardwalk pathway using ipe wood through the parking lot, front of the building and on to the street.
Mr. Patterson stated that a standing seam metal roof would be used on the building and the façade of the building facing Water Street would be a bleached cedar, with the other sides of the building sided with vertical metal siding more in keeping with an industrial use and look of a marina.
Mr. Secor stated that convenience items typical of a marina would be sold at the interpretive center but mainly historical facts and information about the Town would be in that area of the building. There would be retail space for rent in the portion of the building facing Water Street. Each restroom on the main floor would have 2 water closets, 2 sinks and 2 shower rooms. The second floor would house a large meeting space with cathedral ceilings and a covered patio opening up to decks on the waterside. There would be 2 additional restrooms on the second floor and storage. There would be 2 sets of stairs for circulation and an elevator.
Ms. Jorgenson asked the height of the proposed building. Mr. Sekor stated that the building was 42’ high. The neighboring building belonging to Mr. Creager was 35’ high to the top of the widow’s walk. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she thought the building, although quite attractive, was too massive and out of scale with where it was being placed. Mr. Secor stated that although the pitch on the roof could be somewhat shallower, if it was too shallow the building would not feel right.
Ms. McGuire stated that she would like to see a to-scale drawing with neighboring buildings shown. She said that landmark buildings, such as Mr. Creager’s house and the Hynson-Ringgold house, were close to this new building and it should take a step back from those in an attempt to allow them to continue to shine. Ms. McGuire stated that the roof was massive and asked if there was something that could be done to break it up, perhaps over the patio area.
Ms. Silver stated that the north side of the building adjacent to the cottage property felt solid and asked if larger windows could be used to break it up.
Ms. Jorgenson asked if the park area could be moved to the front of the building with parking beyond. She said that she thought green space in front of the building would make it more appealing. Mr. de Mooy stated that the architects were charged with the architecture of the building only and McCrone was working on the rest of the site plan. Mr. de Mooy added that there would be a reduction in overall parking when the site plan was finished. Mr. Patterson stated that something could be done in the area to diminish the views of the cars perhaps with native grasses.
Ms. McGuire asked if the building could be moved back toward the river at all. Mr. Patterson stated that they were just meeting the rear yard setbacks at this time on this lot. Ms. McGuire stated that the applicant can seek a variance. She said that if the building took a step back from where it is proposed it may not appear as such a dominant part of the block. Ms. Jorgenson stated that she agreed that the building should be moved back from Water Street.
Ms. McGuire stated that she also thought something should be done to shield the propane tanks that would be located on the site.
Mr. Minch stated that as a boater he appreciated his own bathroom and shower when spending the night at a marina. Mr. Secor stated that showers will be separate but sinks will be shared, explaining that when there is an event happening in Town the restrooms may be open to the public, whereas a key code will be given to the boaters for access to the shower facilities.
Ms. McGuire stated that she liked the appearance of the boardwalk entrance and asked if the bathrooms could be set back or wider spaces used where the restrooms were located to create more of an open feeling across the front of the building.
Ms. McGuire stated that the pergola was a nice idea but it needed to run across the entire length of the building.
Ms. McGuire stated that to summarize what has been discussed the architects should look to move the building closer to the river, lower the overall height of the building to be more in scale with neighboring properties, soften the roof, show a scaled drawing of the streetscape including the proposed building, and that no propane tanks be located above ground next to the building.
The last item was BP2016-84 from Christian Havemeyer for a door canopy at 113 S. Cross Street. A representative for the application was not present. Ms. Silver stated that this was a simple request for a canopy on a doorway that would match an existing canopy of a doorway on the other side of the building. Ms. McGuire moved to approve BP2016-84 as submitted as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Gallo moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Alexa Silver
Town Clerk Chair