City of Gaithersburg Historic District Commission met Aug. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Session of the Historic District Commission was called to order at 7:30 PM with Chair Dean Ventola presiding.
| Attendee Name | Title | Status |
| Dean Ventola | Chair | Present |
| Marc Feinstein | Commissioner | Present |
| Chris Kirtz | Commissioner | Present |
| Mary Jo LaFrance | Commissioner | Absent |
| John Roddy | Commissioner | Present |
| Robert Love | Alternate Commissioner | Present |
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session held July 25, 2018
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0] FOR: Dean Ventola, Chris Kirtz, John Roddy, Robert Love ABSTAIN: Marc Feinstein ABSENT: Mary Jo LaFrance
3. DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEWS
A. DEMO-17239-2018: Demolition of building more than 50 years old at 700 Conservation Lane in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone
Planner Berger provided a Staff presentation. The building at 700 Conservation Lane on the Izaak Walton League property was a vacant one (1)-story Ranch style building that was constructed circa 1960. It was located on the northwest corner of Conservation Lane and Muddy Branch Road just south of the NIST property. The property was zoned MXD (Mixed Use Development). It was not historically designated, either individually or as part of a district.
The demolition permit came before the HDC in accordance with Sec. 24-231 of the City Code, which requires buildings slated for demolition that are more than 50 years old to be reviewed by the HDC for architectural and historical importance in accordance with Sec. 24- 226.
According to the applicant, the Izaak Walton League, a conservation nonprofit, previously rented out the property but no longer wished to be a landlord. The applicant also noted the property needed repairs. The applicant expressed a willingness to salvage materials such as windows, appliances, bathroom fixtures, light fixtures, and the heating system.
The HDC had the option to either direct the City Manager to issue the demolition permit, or if the building had the reasonable probability of being designated in accordance with Sec. 24- 226, it could have instructed the city manager to withhold issuance of the demo permit for up to six (6) months.
The building was not listed in the Historic Preservation Element of the Master Plan, nor was there a Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties form completed for the building. Staff contended the building lacked architectural significance and had undergone a number of exterior changes. It was of a simple design and construction and was not unique to the City, state, or nation. Limited research revealed the subject building was not the site of a significant, single historic event.
Ken Busche of Area Construction Group and Izaak Walton League Executive Director Scott Kovarovics were present.
No one in the audience wished to speak.
Vice Chair Roddy asked if anyone had inquired about moving the property. Mr. Kovarovics said no.
All commissioners expressed support for demolition.
Motion was made that DEMO-17239-2018, MXD (Mixed Use Development), Demolition of building more than 50 years old, be approved with one (1) condition:
1. The applicant shall have all salvageable building materials and appliances removed before demolition.
RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Marc Feinstein, Commissioner SECONDER: Chris Kirtz, Commissioner FOR: Ventola, Feinstein, Kirtz, Roddy, Love ABSENT: Mary Jo LaFrance
4. HISTORIC AREA WORK PERMIT REVIEWS
A. HIST-8011-2018: Reconstruction, addition, and shed improvements at 102 Chestnut Street in the R-90 (Medium Density Residential) Zone
Planner Berger provided a brief Staff introduction. The subject property was a two (2)-story, Queen Anne style residence that was constructed in 1902. It was zoned R-90 (Medium Density Residential) and was contributing to the Chestnut/Meem Historic District.
The applicants, Philip and Megan Wessell, submitted HIST-8011-2018 requesting the HDC approve the reconstruction, rear addition, and shed improvements to the subject property. The rear of the residence suffered damage in June when a red oak tree fell on it.
Staff supported the projects as they met the Chestnut/Meem Historic District Guidelines and the City Code.
The applicants, Philip and Megan Wessell, provided a presentation. Mr. Wessell said the house has received a number of additions to the rear constructed with different materials. He said the tree damaged required a complete rebuild, and he wanted to use the opportunity to increase the living space, improve the aesthetics, add a covered rear porch, and meet modern code standards.
The addition would expand the footprint by four (4) feet, and the patio would extend a further 15 feet. The proposed rear gables would extend to the rear to flush with rear of the house. The windows, posts, and other design elements were to match the existing. The new siding will be built of a cementitious siding and match the lap profile of the existing aluminum siding.
The applicants also sought to add a door to the shed and replace the windows and doors.
No one from the public wished to speak on the application.
Commissioner Kirtz praised the applicants’ presentation and expressed his sympathy for the tree damage. He asked if the pitch of the porch roof could be steeper. Mr. Wessell said he attempted to design a higher pitch, but at 4/12 it is as steep as possible in order to meet the head height requirements under the beam.
Vice Chair Roddy was complimentary of the presentation and wished the applicants the best.
Chair Ventola agreed that the pitch of the covered porch roof appeared too low. He said the design of the covered porch should match the design of existing house. He suggested a shed roof, but Mr. Wessell explained the pitch would be too low. Chair Ventola suggested making it a hip roof to reduce the massing. He also suggested the applicants add more columns to the porch. He asked if the roof pitches would be adjusted. Mr. Wessell said they would not change. Chair Ventola asked for clarification of the width of the siding reveal. Mr. Wessell said he was open to any size, but he proposed seven (7) inches. Chair Ventola expressed his support for the siding material and the proposed changes to the shed.
Commissioner Feinstein stated his support for fiber cement siding. He inquired about the material of the low roof between the two (2) rear gables. Mr. Wessell said it would likely be extremely durable synthetic rubber (EPDM) and in a dark color. Chair Ventola suggested it be metal, and Commissioner Feinstein agreed. Commissioner Feinstein was in agreement with the comment on the porch posts.
Alternate Commissioner Love praised the applicants’ presentation and wished them well.
Motion was made that HIST-8011-2018, R-90 (Medium Density Residential), Reconstruction, addition, and shed improvements at 102 Chestnut Street, Historic Area Work Permit, be approved with three (3) conditions:
1. Applicants to work with Staff on final details of the plans before submission of the Residential Improvement Permit Application. 2. Applicants to reuse existing windows and decorative elements in the addition if the items are salvageable. 3. HDC grants the applicants the right to coordinate with the Staff on the addition of posts to the rear porch; pursuit of a different material on the low slope rear roof between the gables; and the option to change the type of porch roof.
RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Marc Feinstein, Commissioner SECONDER: Chris Kirtz, Commissioner FOR: Ventola, Feinstein, Kirtz, Roddy, Love ABSENT: Mary Jo LaFrance
B. HIST-8010-2018: Replacement roof diverters at 5 South Summit Avenue in the CBD (Central Business District) Zone Planner Berger provided a Staff presentation.
The B&O Railroad Station and Community Museum dated to circa 1884. The City-owned property was zoned CBD (Central Business District) and was individually designated. The applicant, K2M Design, submitted an application to replace the roof gutter diverters on both the north and south elevations of the railroad station and the north elevation of the Community Museum.
The existing roof diverters were built in 2009 when the existing slate roof was installed. According to the applicant, the roof diverters were installed incorrectly, which has led to rot of the wood sheathing at the eaves. The proposed diverters were to be similar in appearance to the design of the existing diverters. The new diverters were to have a more minimalist, upright appearance. They also were to be enclosed at the end. The new diverters were to more closely match the appearance of the diverters that were installed on the train station in a 1906 photo.
The diverters met the design guidelines for both Historic District Design Guidelines for the Brookes, Russell, and Walker Historic District and Individually Designated Historic Sites and the Gaithersburg Olde Towne District Design Guidelines.
Chair Ventola inquired about the location of the diverters in the 1906 photo and asked if diverters were present prior to 2009. Planner Berger said the buildings had gutters and was unsure why the City returned to diverters.
No one from the audience wished to speak on the application.
All commissioners expressed their support for the application.
Motion was made that HIST-8010-2018, CBD (Central Business District), Replacement roof diverters, Historic Area Work Permit, be approved with no (0) conditions.
RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Robert Love, Alternate Commissioner SECONDER: John Roddy, Commissioner FOR: Ventola, Feinstein, Kirtz, Roddy, Love ABSENT: Mary Jo LaFrance
5. FROM STAFF
Assistant City Attorney Johnson said an open meetings training will be on October 25, 2018, at the Maryland Association of Planning Commissioners meeting in Gaithersburg.
6. FROM COMMISSION
Commissioner Kirtz said on October 21, 2018, the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions would have a homes tour and reception in Washington Grove.
Vice Chair Roddy was complimentary of the Olde Towne Plaza splash fountain and noted it was well used by the community.
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:14 AM
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