Westminster Historic District Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY Monday, October 21, 2019, at 3:00 PM 56 West Main Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room A special meeting of the City of Westminster Historic District Commission was held at 56 West Main Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on October 21, 2019, at 3 PM. I. Call to Order Chair Kristen McMasters read the statement of authority into the record. Chair Kristen McMasters, Vice-Chair Dean Camlin, Commissioner Steven Colella, and Commissioner Kevin Wagman were present. City staff Andrea Gerhard, Andrew Gray, and Samantha Schlitzer were also present. II. Approval of Minutes Vice-Chair Camlin moved to approve the meeting summary for September 4, 2019, noting that William Winchester did not reside at 78 Winchester Avenue, as stated by Mr. Calderone. Commissioner Wagman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III. Old Business Chair McMasters introduced New Business Item A – Section 106 Review of Modifications to Telecommunications Equipment at 2 College Hill Drive (Sprint). Ms. Gerhard provided background information with a staff recommendation that the Historic District Commission review the information and provide feedback or questions regarding the proposal. She provided a copy of the letter sent to the applicant after the last meeting, and the applicant’s response stating that the size cannot be changed due to functionality. Chair McMasters stated that Section 106 does not have authority to halt a project completely, but gives the Commission ability to point out historical value that may be lost or altered. If the project cannot be mitigated by design in terms of size, the Commission requests the applicant to re-evaluate the mitigation by design proposal to include color camouflage of the equipment.  Commissioner Colella clarified that the viewscape will be negatively impacted; however, the water tower itself is not an historic structure. Ms. Gerhard stated that staff can draft a letter indicating the applicant provide appropriate camouflage options without changing the size of the equipment. Chair McMasters requested a motion to draft a letter to the applicant on behalf of the Commission thanking them for consideration of mitigation by design, and welcoming mitigation by color camouflage. Commissioner Colella moved, seconded by Commissioner Wagman. The motion passed. Commissioner Wagman added that if the applicant provides adequate color camouflage mitigation, City Staff has authority to approve the application without further action from the Commission. The other Commission members agreed so that the applicant was able to proceed with the project in a timely manner. Chair McMasters opened Old Business Item B – National History Day Planning. She reiterated the background of the event, stating that the Historical Society of Carroll County (HSCC) is working with the Carroll County Public Library (CCPL) for the event planning. She stated that competition judging is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2020 and requested if any Commission members would like to be a local judge. She noted that the Penguin Random House Book Fair will also be held that day and HSCC and CCPL were working with them to cross-promote. Finally, Chair McMasters inquired if City Staff would be interested and available to participate as a local judge. IV. New Business None. V. Historic District Commission and Public Comments Ms. Gerhard reported that at the meeting of the Mayor and Common Council on Monday, October 28, 2019, two new members would be appointed to the Historic District Commission. She then noted that several members have indicated they are unable to attend the regularly scheduled November meeting of the Commission, and that a special meeting may be called later in the month if necessary. Although the Commission has traditionally not met in December, she asked if members were available if there were completed façade improvement applications to review. Chair McMasters asked City Staff to provide the applications to Vice-Chair Camlin to review prior to the applications coming before the Commission. This would shorten the length of time that the applicant was waiting for a decision from the Commission. Vice-Chair Camlin agreed to the suggestion if Staff also agreed. Chair McMasters reported on her meeting with the new owners of the Opera House property on East Main Street. She stated that the owners were not receptive to the offer of historic tax credits for the property renovation. VI. Adjournment Page 2 of 3 Vice-Chair Camlin made a motion to adjourn. The Commission adjourned at 4:08 PM. ___________________________________ Kristen L. McMasters, Chair Westminster Historic District Commission Page 3 of 3