21 July 2009 | Approved: 15 September 2009
Chair Bob Booher called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm and welcomed new official Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) member, David Stopak, ex-officio HPC members, Sandy Klingenberg and Ed Roberts. Other HPC members present: Bob Booher, Chair, Margot Bohan, Mimi Styles. Member Bohan agreed to take minutes for the meeting.
Approval of Agenda/Adoption of Minutes
The agenda proposed by the Chair was reviewed, modified, and then adopted by the members. Minutes of the regular HPC meeting of June 16, 2009 were approved unanimously subject to certain changes requested by members. The changes were to be made by Member Neumann.
Review of Projects
There were no projects to review.
HPC Annual Award Criteria
Bob agreed to send Margot the latest electronic version of the draft annual HPC award criteria that the HPC approved such that she can clear off on it, and this topic can be removed from the monthly HPC agenda.
Mimi brought the bronze plaque for the 2009 Award winners to this month’s meeting. Bob agreed to present the award the following weekend on the HPC’s behalf.
HPC-PC Work Sessions
Bob updated the HPC commissioners on the status of HPC/PC work sessions re: integration of preservation into town planning and determining measures appropriate to manage size and characteristics of construction.
Review Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions (MAHDC) Report
As a result of our meeting on Sept. 16, 2008 with Susan West Montgomery, the Circuit Rider, Outreach Coordinator of the MAHDC, a report was compiled re: the status of the Washington Grove HPC. At this month’s meeting, HPC members discussed this report which contains many recommendations to modify existing processes and improve effectiveness and communication with residents. It was concluded that we have had many of the recommendations on our monthly agenda; this report simply reinforced many things we’d planned to do. We will continue to revisit recommendations at future meetings and noted the recommendations may be helpful for new HPC members to review upon joining the commission.
New Member Volunteer Ideas
Ed volunteered to record via camcorder and to photograph the Grove environs, both natural and man-made, to begin an archive of “snapshots in time.” The concept of recording what the town looks like on a regular (every 10 years?) basis has the potential to become a reference document for HPC & PC reviews. Bob suggested a first step would be to take photos of the public space and then follow up by updating the existing archive of house pictures. Those houses deemed poorly photographed or those renovated since previous photos would be the obvious first house picture candidates. Before/during/after construction photos would also be a good idea.
Bob suggested we think for the next month discussion about additional items we can have volunteers pursue.
Council Report
Councilor Favret was not in attendance, so there was no official Council report.
Informally, David Stopak asked for feedback from HPC members about the Casey 6&7 plans and the need for the Mayor and Town Council to take action.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, the meeting was duly adjourned at approximately 10:10 pm. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2009, starting at 7:30pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.