21 October 2003 | Approved: 18 November 2003
HPC members present: Bob Booher, Chair, Chris Kirtz, Ed Mroczka, and David Neumann.
The October 21, 2003 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission began at 7:00 p.m. with the approval of the agenda. The Chair asked David Neumann to take minutes.
Old Business
Minutes of the August 2003 Meeting:
The postponed approval of the minutes of the August meeting was completed.
Amendment of the Historic Register boundaries of Washington Grove:
We discussed the idea of amending the TWG Historic District boundaries to provide some additional protection for the Town in the future. Bob Booher pointed out that addition of the East Field to the boundaries would not afford that area much protection, but that we should examine what such an amendment would entail. David Neumann volunteered to contact the MHT. It should be noted that the September minutes read as follows on this subject:
- The Commissioners discussed the issue of amending the National Historic Register Application. As the original application of 1978-79 did not include the area now know as the "Casey" tract, which had historically been part of the original area of Washington Grove until its sale, it was felt that the application should be reconsidered to include this rural farm area of the Grove. David Neumann moved that we investigate amending the Historic District to include the rural farm area originally belonging to the entire tract from which the Washington Grove was created. This motion was seconded by Chris Kirtz and unanimously approved. As a first step we agreed that the Maryland Historic Trust should be contacted to determine what such an amendment process would entail. The chair explained that an expert was available to perform the research needed. It was agreed that funds probably existed in the Town budget to cover a contract to provide the necessary written assessment or report to the HPC.
The Appleby demolition:
The Appleby demolition was touched on because at the September meeting we discussed the importance of photographic documentation. It was decided to contact Jerry Trescott to do an oral history and historic evaluation of the Rynex house and its immediate surroundings. The vote was unanimous.
Design Guidelines:
Bob Booher said that he would contact Larry to discuss the status and see what still needed to be done.
Rules of Procedure:
The Discussion of the Rules of Procedure were postponed.
Reporting to the Town Web Site Coordinator:
The need to post review on the Town Web site was discussed. We decided again that the entire review should be posted and the old reviews would be posted. At the September meeting we discussed how the permit reviews or certificates of review would be indexed on the Town Web site. It was decided:
- that they be indexed by the property address, but that they be listed on a Web page by date. Thus the page would contain two columns: date and address. The order would be by date. When someone clicks on the address of a review, then that review would come up for the user to read.
- The names and contacts of the members of the Commission should be updated. The HiP organization that preceded the HPC should be sent to the background and the addresses and details should be amended.
The minutes of the meeting need to be mailed to Bill Saar, the Town Web Site coordinator. David Neumann said that he would contact Bill Saar.
New Business
Reporting Reviews to the Town:
It was decided that the member of the HPC writing a review should also write a summary that he/she would send to the Town Clerk for inclusion in the Bulletin. Ed will provide the Town Clerk with a head-up due to the need for space in the Bulletin. It is hoped that the summary can be sent to the Town Clerk by the end of the first week of the month following the HPC meeting at which the review was discussed.
Heritage Committee:
There was some discussion of the Heritage Committee’s materials. The question was asked, whether they should be archived in the Town Office/Archive. Clare Cavicchi needs to be consulted.
There was some discussion of the responsibilities of the HPC with respect to the Town Archives. This question arose at the previous meeting in connection with the setting of procedures and rules for copying material from the Town Archive.
Adjourned Work Session until after Historic Area Reviews.
Public Review Session
- Larry French for the move of a shed at 201 Brown Street. The shed is currently near Grove Road and will face Grove Road after the move. Review written by Ed Mroczka.
- Marie Amalie Begood for a project at 3 Daylily Lane that did not require review. Nature of project: metal storage shed. Reviewed by Chris Kirtz.
Approval of Minutes:
Approved minutes of Sept. 16, 2003. Chris Kirtz moved and Ed Mroczka seconded. Unanimous approval. Approved minutes of August 26, 2003. Chris Kirtz moved and Ed Mroczka seconded. Unanimous approval. Note that that meeting was held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Changes to the Ordinances of the Town of Washington Grove:
Changes to the ordinances as proposed by the Town Planning Commission were discussed. It was found that the definition of "basement" in Section 4 of Article IV was unclear. The definition of "building height" was also ambiguous possibly due to the English. There was no discussion of the rationale for establishing a particular building height. Discussion also focused on the definition of a dormer and the requirement that it be no more than ten feet wide. From the standpoint of historic preservation we would encourage dormers to avoid raising of roofs. The discussion went on into many details. The HPC will wait to discuss the ordinances as proposed by the Town attorney to the Council.
Next Meeting:
The Commission examined the calendar and decided that its next meeting would be on the third Tuesday in November, on November 18. The chair moved that we adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.