LAYTONSVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

July 16, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call:

The regular meeting of the Laytonsville Historic District Commission (HDC) was called to order by the Chair, Ms. Wenger, at 7:40 p.m. Commission Members Howes, and Shortley were present. Vice Chair Jill Ruspi was absent. The Mayor, Charles Oland, swore-in Mr. Dan Prats as an alternate a member of the HDC.

Attendance:

The meeting was attended by Ms. Phyllis Sterling, outgoing Recording Secretary, a guest, Ms. Susan West Montgomery, Circuit Rider for the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions, and Ms. Nadine Tarwater, incoming Recording Secretary.

Minutes:

Chair Wenger asked if there was a motion to accept the minutes of the June 18, 2007, meeting. The motion was made by Commission Member either Hues or ShortleyHowes and seconded by Commission Member either Hues or Shortley. The minutes were approved as presented.

Preliminary Statement by Chair

The reading of the preliminary statement was dispensed with since there were no cases on the agenda.

Old Business:

Brian Davila – Rolling Ridge: Chair Wenger indicated that Mr. Davila had not responded to the last communication sent, possibly due to absence on vacation. A site visit concluded that electricity was in, there was a secure fence, signs posted, windows either boarded or glass installed, the roof was being worked on, the gutters still needed work, but the house seemed stable and secure.

Update on Mr. Tom Wilkinson: Provided copy of recommendation from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). Mr. Wilkinson has submitted a new application for their review for a two-car garage, and submitted a statement regarding his garage which has been recorded in his file. The MHT provided some requirements which need to be incorporated in the final architectural submission before a final decision is made. The MHT has been provided with a copy of the HDC minutes of December 2005 so that they are aware of the Commission’s concerns and to maintain open communication between the MHT and HDC.

Memorandum from Stand Abrams: During a working session prior to the City Town Council Meeting regarding the possiblethe possibility of dissolving of the HDC in favor of creating an advisory board, Mr. Abrams, the town’s attorney, cited an unrecorded opinion for the City of Gaithersburg which stated that in the early 1990’s the Mayor and Council served as an advisory commission as opposed to maintaining a historic district commission. Mr. Abrams felt that this cited precedence. Chair Wenger sought confirmation from the HDC’san independent attorney that Law Maryland Rules (1-104)1.104 states that unrecorded opinions do not set precedence and that an advisory board could not be created based on Mr. Abram’s opinion.

New Business:

Mayor and Council: Requirements for Guidelines and General Maintenance: There had been a motion from the Mayor and Council to dissolve the Historical Council’s Advisory Committee and form an advisory board consisting of the Mayor and Council. This motion was later removed after some discussion. It was made clear that the HDC should continue, but the Mayor and Council indicated that changes needed to be made to zoning ordinances and the guidelines needed to be re-submitted and reviewed every xx number of years. (the town council then plans to only review individual changes as they are made in the future; The HDC was requested to create two sets of guidelines which would include contributing and non-contributing items with an indication to merging the two since it was thought that the HDC would deal more with new construction rather than re-construction (i.e. new garages, accessory buildings, new construction, etc.). There may be some requirements regarding landscaping issues. Although it is not the HDC’s intention to interfere with normal landscaping design, there is a concern that if this issue is not addressed in some capacity, the new trend towards “hardscaping” which is eliminating the yard and lawn completely and substituting it with cement, pavers, fountains, etc. would not be appropriate for our residential areas. The Historic District Property Owner Guidelines, which are ordinary maintenance definitions would be part of the package as well as other guidelines. The Mayor requested that the HDC further define ordinary maintenance; provide examples, spelling out painting houses, out building, stoop repairs, fences, handrails, defining what is absolutely not permitted (no fences over 3 feet; etc.). The HDC has 120 days to complete and submit the guidelines to the Council.

Inventories for record: Seven inventories have already been completed in the register and have been established as contributing. Our next project will be to start identifying further contributing resources (i.e. Bell House) has not been identified; the property of St. Bart’s. The Voight house; the Bean House should be researched; Maude’s house Bill Harvey’s house.

Decision was made to create a map of all historic properties in the area so that they can be more easily identified.

Identifying contributing and non-contributing: foundations doesn’t apply; block foundations approved; not more than 18 inches can show.

Mr. Scott Whipple at the MHT was consulted by Chair Wenger regarding possible suggestions on how the HDC could initiate improvements based on feedback received from the CityTown Counsel. Mr. Whipple provided good suggestions which included:

1. Creating a consent calendar used for “at the desk approval.” Applications which meet all the guidelines and which are reviewed and endorsed by all members signifying agreement that the guidelines have been met, are submitted in batches for regular meetings and obtain immediate approval.

2. The HDC should provide more information regarding its approval ratings (which currently is estimated to be at 99%).

3. Provide better two way communication between the CityTown Council and the HDC.

4. When creating guidelines provide examples instead of making definitive lists of acceptable or non-acceptable items.

Adjourn:

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nadine Tarwater