Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes-September 15, 2003

The regular meeting of the Laytonsville Historic District Commission (HDC) was called to order by Chair Sheree Wenger at 7:30 p.m. Commission members Howes, Techter, and Sterling were present. Jill Ruspi was absent. One resident attended.

Commission Member Merritt Techter made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 1 8, 2003, meeting. Commission Member Joann Howes seconded. The minutes were approved as presented.

Chair Wenger welcomed Joann Howes to the commission. *

Ms. Wenger indicated the need to appoint a vice chair and Merritt Techter volunteered to serve in this capacity.

Mr. Techter made a motion to approve the minutes of the joint Board of Appeals and Historic District Commission Hearing, held on September 8, 2003. Ms. Howes seconded. The minutes were approved as presented.

Ms. Wenger indicated that she has been in touch with the staff of the Gaithersburg planning department. The City of Gaithersburg uses a guideline during meetings to assist members of the commission in presenting motions and following rules of order. Ms. Wenger would like to implement a similar guideline to be used by this commission. She has also downloaded documents, from the City of Gaithersburg web site, relevant to their historic district guidelines. Copies of these documents were provided to each member and reviewed. The hand-cuts included the following:

• Historic Area Work Permit Application

• Historic Area Work Permit Standards

• Adjacent Property Owners Notification

• Historic Designation Application

The members discussed the HDC ordinance and the need to adopt guidelines and procedures to implement the ordinance. Areas of concern are:

• New Construction

• Color/Materials

• Maintenance

• Landscaping

• Conforming to Periods of Architecture

The members will further study the hand-outs and share any comments or concerns at the next meeting.

Ms. Wenger indicated that Mayor Oland has suggested the HDC recommend an alternate member. The Ordinance does not specifically require an alternate member. An alternate would serve in the absence of regular members. The Commission took no action on this proposal.

Commission Member Techter made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Ms. Sterling seconded. Motion approved.

Phyllis Sterling, Secretary HDC