Old Town Local Advisory Committee

Approved: 042919 Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for the Old Town College Park Historic District November 27, 2018 City Hall – Council Chambers LAC Members Present: Richard Biffl, Chairman; Nigel Key; James McFadden, Vice Chairman; Bob Schnabel LAC Members Absent: Hassan Tariq City staff present: Miriam Bader, Senior Planner; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary. Guests: Tom Gross, Planner, M-NCPPC; Linton Sherrard, contractor; Yao Zheng, owner; Shuting He, resident; Chao Ze, resident The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mr. Biffl, Chairman. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and it was noted that an addition was made to include the Calvert Road School Day Care Project. Mr. Schnabel made a motion to approve the agenda with the amended changes. Mr. Key seconded the motion. With no other objections, the agenda was approved. 2. The draft minutes from the October 3, 2018 meeting were reviewed. A few minor changes were noted by Mr. Schnabel and Mr. Gross. Mr. Schnabel made a motion to accept the minutes with the amendments. Mr. Key seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. 7400-7404 Rhode Island Avenue, Yao Zheng, owner The City of College Park issued a stop work order for the window replacement as the buildings are in the historic district and a HAWP was not submitted prior to the work being done. Mr. Sherrard, contractor, for the owner, Mr. Zheng, discussed the window replacement already in progress at the two buildings. Neither Mr. Zheng nor Mr. Sherrard were informed by the seller that the buildings were in an historic district. The LAC committee members also noted that information about the historic district status of Old Town is provided on the College Park website and it is the buyer’s responsibility to obtain this information. The City website also states that Old Town is a County designated Local Historic District and signage is in place around the historic area. The committee also noted that a historic district sign is located in front of 7400 Rhode Island Avenue. Mr. Sherrard’s company was contracted to do the window replacements and each window has been custom made due to the various window sizes. Mr. Gross stated that after reviewing the HAWP that had been submitted after the work order was received, staff would be inclined to deny the work order. He explained that there are certain criteria that need to be followed for repairs and replacements that come from  guidelines issues through the Secretary of the Interior which are meant to preserve the historic fabric and retain the physical integrity of the building. The HAWP is not reflecting in kind replacement windows. Mr. Sherrard asked if interim work could be performed to protect the buildings from the weather until a new HAWP could be submitted with the correct materials. After discussion amongst the LAC members, Mr. Biffl made a motion to recommend to the HPC to deny HAWP for 7400-7404 Rhode Island Avenue and to allow a temporary exemption to the stop work order to allow temporary necessary work to the windows to prevent damage and to make the building safe. Mr. Key seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 4. Calvert Road School Day Care Project. After reviewing the letter received and the attached pictures, Mr. Schnabel made a motion that the LAC would like to participate as a consulting party on this project. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 5. Mr. Schnabel mentioned that Lyle Magnusson’s garage has been taken down and inquired what had happened to the trusses and studs. He had been encouraged to contact Community Forklift. Since it was not made a condition of approval, there would be no reason to inquire of Mr. Magnusson. Mr. Key made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.