LAYTONSVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES
December 17, 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: Ruspi, Shortley, and Howes were present. Commission Member Prats, and Alternate Commission Member Hendricks were not present.  

Attendance :

The meeting was attended by Ms. Sarah Lane and Mr. Brian Davila.

Minutes :

Chair Wenger asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes. A motion to accept the minutes of the November 19, 2007, was made by Commission Member Ruspi and seconded.  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 :

Member Ruspi informed the HDC that she had been looking over the various information materials which Ms. Sterling had provided the HDC at a previous meeting. She had found pertinent information regarding inventory; preservation plans which outline for the community the overall goals of the historic preservation, and available grants. There are available training sessions expected during 2008 which would be of interest to the HDC members. Member Ruspi has volunteered to attend one of the training classes, and other members may wish to attend as well.

An additional meeting of the HDC will be held on January 14, 2008, as a working session to continue working on the HDC guidelines.

Contributing Resources: Chair Wenger informed the HDC that the Mayor has requested them to nominate a home, establishment, or piece of land as a contributing resource. A discussion followed regarding on which properties the HDC should focus. A preliminary list included: Weaks-Bean House; Barber House; Bill Harvey (Stan Mills) House; Voight House; Ayton White House; Houck House; Hawkins (Sneider) House and St. Bart’s. The HDC will research available data to establish which homes may meet the criteria necessary and which homes have already been established as contributing resources. Preliminary investigations will be carried out before a site will be nominated.

New Business :

Ms. Sarah Lane, residing at 21416 Laytonsville Road, informed the HDC of her intention to install storm windows and door to her home. Chair Wenger suggested that this would be a good occasion to review this potential application as an “At the Desk” approval process. Chair Wenger advised Ms. Lane to submit all necessary information relevant to the proposed application (i.e. sample pictures of the chosen windows and door, including type of material to be used; copy of plat; and picture of the house) before the next meeting of the HDC scheduled for January 21, 2008. The HDC members will review all information, and the item will be placed on the agenda of the January meeting. Chair Wenger informed Ms Lane that the residents of the town will still have their opportunity to comment and/or object to the application. In the event there are no objections, the decision may be taken at the January meeting. Should an objection be received, the application would be discussed at a formal HDC hearing. Ms. Lane was agreeable to this proposal.

Mr. Brian Davila, residing at Rolling Ridge, Brink Road, informed the HDC of his plans to upgrade the house’s windows and provided an update of the current maintenance of the house. Chair Wenger informed Mr. Davila that due to the significant contributing resource of the house, the standards relevant to replacing current material of the home would be highly valued and reviewed. She requested Mr. Davila to provide all necessary documentation and samples in order for the HDC, and suggested that the HDC might review the information during their next meeting on January 21, 2008.

Adjourn :

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,


Nadine Tarwater