Old Town Local Advisory Committee

Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for the Old Town College Park Historic District February 5, 2020 Davis Hall LAC Members Present: Richard Biffl, Chairman, James McFadden, Vice Chairman, Bob Schnabel, Nigel Key LAC Members Absent: Hassan Tariq Staff Present: Tom Gross, Planner Coordinator, Historic Preservation Section, MNCPPC; Tyler Senior Planner, Historic Preservation Section, MNCPPC; Terry Schum, Planning Director, City of College Park Also present: Joan Carol Poor, Resident; Robert Swanson, Resident; Sarah Layton, Richmond Properties, via telephone The meeting was called to order at 7:35p.m. by Mr. Biffl, Chairman. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Schnabel motioned to accept the agenda. Mr. Key seconded. Motion carries 4-0-0. 2. With Ms. Bader’s absence, the August 27, 2019 minutes were not available for review and approval. The October 30, 2019 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Key motioned to accept the minutes with the amended spelling change. Mr. Schnabel seconded. Motion carries 4-0-0. 3. 4707 Howard Lane, College Park The house was built and the residents moved into it in 2017. The screened porch has been causing issues with dust, dirt, and cold air. The residents are requesting to add sliding glass windows on the porch and converting it to a sun room. Wall underneath the windows will be Hardie plank solid squares and will blend in with the front and sides of the house. The knee wall will be 36 inches. There is no support issue. Rails will be gone and lattice will be staying. The existing floor will remain the same. There were suggestions to do casement windows or double hung windows; the owners politely refused indicating a hardship in opening those styles of windows. Mr. Key made a motion to recommend approval of the HAWP for 4707 Howard Lane with inclusion of architect rendering to HPC. Mr. McFadden seconded. Motion carries 3-0-1. 4. 4611 College Avenue, College Park The ATO fraternity house has submitted a HAWP for replacement of the slate roof with “slate-like” shingles. The current roof is Vermont slate. Mr. Schnabel stated that he looked at the roof and it appeared that the shingles could be repaired and not replaced. Ms. Layton stated that internal work had been done in the house from a leak and the next step was to repair the roof. Costs were a factor in the roof repair. The committee stated that other fraternity and sorority houses have made the request for roof replacement with  non-slate tiles and the request has been denied. In following past practices, Mr. Key made a motion to recommend to deny the HAWP for replacing the roof with “slate-like” tiles. Mr. Schnabel seconded. Motion carries 4-0-0. 5. Briefly discussed City Hall Development plan and addition of parking lot. The parking lot is on adjoining University of Maryland property and will expand an existing parking area. The review of the parking lot plans will take place during the Mandatory Referral process. LAC would like to review the plans for the proposed parking lot. Mr. Key made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. Motion carries 4-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00p.m. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.