Westminster Historic District Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at 7 PM City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane I. Call to Order A. Statement of Authority - The Westminster Historic District Commission derives its authority from Chapter 164, Article 9A of the City Code, which is authorized by Maryland Code Annotated, Land Use Article, Division 1, Single Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning, Title 8, Historic Preservation. The qualifications of the Westminster Historic District Commission are on file at the City Administration Building, 56 W. Main Street; the file is open to the public. B. Roll Call 1. In attendance were Chair Kristen McMasters, Vice-Chair Dean Camlin, Commissioner Suzanne Albert, and Commissioner Kevin Wagman. 2. City staff: Andrew Gray, Bill Mackey, and Samantha Parthree were present. 3. Guests: Mayor Joe Dominick was present. Chair McMasters welcomed Commissioner Suzanne Albert, and thanked her for the willingness to volunteer on the Historic District Commission . II. Approval of Minutes A. Commissioner Wagman made a motion to approve the summary of the meeting on November 1, 2017. Vice-Chair Camlin seconded. The motion passed . III. Old Business A. None IV. New Business Item A - Update of the Standards for Renovation Westminster - Mr. Gray provided information on the background and purpose for the Commissions review of the standards. The Commission reviewed and edited the first section of the standards. Chair McMasters set a goal for the Commission to complete all changes in time for the Historic Tax Credit Program Training session on May 2. The Commission also requested that Mr. Gray send examples of standards from other Communities for their review. Item B - Tax Credits Under§ 143-6 of the City Code - Mr. Gray explained the background and purpose of the staff recommendation of the Historic District Commission not reviewing tax credit applications under this section of code due to the difficulties in determining the increase in assessed value of individual property and add the following language to the proposed Rules of Procedure for Historic Restorations and Rehabilitation Tax Credits. Proposed language - Staff has concerns about the ability to effectively review tax credits under§ 143-6 of the City Code. The Commission supports any staff request to the Common Council which may amend or remove this section and any part of the City Code that refers to this tax credit, due to the difficulty of determining the increase in assessed value for individual property. Commissioner Wagman made a motion to approve the Commission sending a recommendation to the Mayor and Common Council to eliminate the obligations of the Historic District Commission under Section 143-6, due to the difficulties in determining the increase in assessed value of individual property, and deleting the language from the proposed Rules of Procedure for Historic Restorations and Rehabilitation Tax Credits with respect to Section 143-6, following an amendment of the City Code. Vice-Chair Camlin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Item C - Introduction of the Rules of Procedure for Historic Restorations and Rehabilitation Tax Credits- Mr. Gray summarized the background and purpose for creating the Rules of Procedure with a recommendation that the Historic District Commission review the Rules of Procedure for Historic Restorations and Rehabilitation Tax Credits. Theses proposed rules will be returned to the Commission following an action, if any, with respect to§ 143- 6 of the City Code. The Commission agreed to review the Rules of Procedure in time for the Commission meeting on March 7. Item D - 2018 Historic Tax Credit Program Training - Mr. Gray presented the Tax Credit Program training flyer to the Commission for their review and approval. If approved, Mr. Gray will send the flyer to the Maryland Historical Trust, Carroll County Public Library, and use it in City-wide promotion. Commissioner Wagman made a motion to approve the flyer. Vice-Chair Camlin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Item E - 2018 Commission Membership to the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions - Mr. Gray summarized the staff memo which included information on the benefits that the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions provides and a recommendation to renew the Commission's membership with the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions. Vice-Chair Camlin made a motion to approve the membership renewal. Commissioner Wagman seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Page 2 of 3 V. Historic District Commission Reports & Public Comment Chair McMasters welcomed Mayor Dominick, who was attending as a member of the public. Mayor Dominick commented that he and the Common Council intend to increase the size of the Historic District in downtown, and they are looking for recommendations for where and how to begin the process. Chair McMasters suggested they begin with adding City-owned historic buildings as an example for the community. Chair McMasters then suggested targeting small groups of commercial buildings on Main Street. Vice-Chair Camlin agreed and also recommended that the historic Belle Grove Square neighborhood be added, since those residents have shown interest in the past. Mr. Mackey mentioned that City Hall was added under an easement with the Maryland Historical Trust when the State granted funding for historic improvements. He added that staff will create a draft ordinance to present to the Mayor and Common Council for review and comment before the Commission creates a formal map of properties. Vice-Chair Camlin requested the Mayor and Common Council revisit the expired term dates of the Commission members. Mr. Mackey stated this was currently under review. Mr. Gray commented that he is drafting updated applications for Historic Rehabilitation Property Tax Credits and for the Alteration or Construction in a Historic District in order for all applications to be consistent with other City applications such as the Application for Public Hearing Before the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Gray also presented the Commission with a binder containing 480 of the Westminster Historic District re-survey forms that were located in City files. Mr. Gray also presented a disk that contained photos that he will email the Commission. VI. Adjournment Commissioner Wagman made a motion to adjourn. Vice-Chair Camlin seconded. The Commission adjourned at 8:39 pm ~ ;( ~ftwJ/u4- ISen L. McMasters, Chair Westminster Historic District Commission Adopted April 4, 2018 Page 3 of 3