City of Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission met March 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) of the City of Annapolis held its regularly scheduled public hearing on March13, 2018 in the City Council Chambers. Chair Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Commissioners Present: Chair Kennedy, Vice Chair Leahy, Collins, Zeno, Finch, Phillips
Staff Present: R. Laynor-Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Sally Nash
Chair Kennedy introduced the commissioners and staff. She stated the Commission’s purpose pursuant to the authority of the land use articles and administered the oath en mass to all persons intending to testify at the hearing.
C. Announcements
Ms. Laynor announced that the Naval Academy approached her regarding the Section 106 Review of an upcoming project scheduled to take place at the Halsey Field House specifically the roof of the field house will be replaced in kind. As part of the roof work, they will be adding some insulation that would raise it up 5”. She said that some of the windows and overhead doors will also be replaced. She concluded that the work is being done as part of the deferred repairs due to water penetration problems.
Chair Kennedy announced that there will be a special hearing of the HPC on March 22, 2018 regarding a mural installation at 110 Dock Street.
D. Approval Of Minutes
January 9, 2018, January 9, 2018 Second Meeting and January 25, 2018 Meeting Minutes Vice Chair Leahy moved to approve the January 9, 2018, January 9, 2018 Second Meeting and the January 25, 2018 meeting minutes as written. Ms. Zeno seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously in a vote of 5-0. (Kennedy abstained from the vote.)
E. Violations
Vice Chair Leahy asked about the status of the violation on the corner of South and Cathedral Streets work. Ms. Laynor noted that the applicant was scheduled to have a meeting to present the plans for the addition but as result of the recent court case relating to the plans, the applicant did not attend the meeting so the case was referred back to the Office of Law for handling.
F. Consent Docket
1. 153-155 Prince George Street – Chris Underwood – Reconfigure front porch and add new steps with railing. (Approved as submitted)
2. 11 S. Action Place – T. Averill Architect LLC – Construct a two car garage addition to the existing house with a roof top deck, and exterior staircase from the roof deck to grade level. (Approved as conditioned in the staff report)
4. 95 Shipwright Street – Peter C. Miller/Fourth Street Design Studio Inc. (Approved as submitted)
Vice Chair Leahy moved to approve the applications for 153-155 Prince George Street and 95 Shipwright Street as submitted and 11 S. Acton Place as conditioned on the Consent Docket. Ms. Zeno seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously in a vote of 6-0.
G. New Business
3. 122 Main Street – Bo Koch/Builder Guru Contracting – Install awning, sign, planters, sidewalk café furniture and benches at storefront.
Mr. Jason Vettori introduced the applicant team and explained that the project consists of the signage, sidewalk café furniture and the awning as well as the additional light on the side door.
Ms. Hannah Dar discussed the preliminary design phase of the café embodies the historical nature of Annapolis noting that everything brought in the store relates to the local surroundings of the area. She discussed the exterior signage noting that the wood logo sign would be the most appropriate for the location and it would be unique for the location. The logo sign is smaller so it would be unobtrusive for the area. The exterior furniture was chosen to be neutral in color intended to highlight the historical fabric of the brickwork while not taking away from the architectural element of the façade. She discussed the materials proposed for the project that is intended to highlight the historic nature for compatibility to the area.
Ms. Sandra Williams, Manager, responded to a question regarding maintenance of the store and grounds, stating that it is routine to maintain the store. She noted that there is a timer set to remind staff to clean store as well as the outside area.
Staff: Ms. Laynor restated her written staff report and recommends approval of the application as conditioned in the staff report dated March 9, 2018. Public: Chair Kennedy opened the public testimony at 7:43 pm and no one from the public spoke in favor or opposition to the application so Chair Kennedy declared the public hearing closed at 7:44 pm.
Commissioners: Vice Chair Leahy noted that the umbrellas were removed to alleviate the possibility of clutter. He noted that he is satisfied with the placement of the awning because it doesn’t cover the entire front of the building. Ms. Phillips expressed concern that the café furniture seems dense which adds to the visual clutter and Vice Chair Leahy says that the application does not have any context as it relates to the clutter. Ms. Zeno concurs. The applicant amended the applicant to remove the planters and a table to alleviate some of the clutter.
The HPC recessed at 7:57 pm and reconvened at 8:04 pm.
The following Commissioners made a site visit on this application.
Name:
Finch, Collins, Zeno, Phillips, Leahy, Kennedy
Chair Kennedy accepted the following exhibits into the record.
Exhibit Types:
HPC Application date stamped January 25, 2018 with attachments
Staff Memorandum dated March 7, 2018
Revision Submittal Information Form dated February 23, 2018
Revision/Submittal Form dated February 28, 2018
Applicant Hand Out – Exterior Concept Package
Revised Furniture Proposal Handout from Applicant
Vice Chair Leahy noted that whereas the amended application for 122 Main Street complies with HPC guidelines C.1, C.12, D.32, D.36, D.37, moved conditional approval subject to the City Clerk’s approval for the sidewalk café furniture and approval by DPW for safety and this is delegated to staff for administrative approval. Ms. Phillips seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously in a vote of 6-0.
5. City Dock Harbormaster’s Building, Noah Hillman Garage/Gorman Street, Anne Arundel County Courthouse/8 Church Circle, Arundel Center/44 Calvert Street and Naval Academy Main Gate @ Randall & King George Streets – Install Bike Rack Stations (10 Bike Systems).
Chair Kennedy added that this application is a partnership between the City and County for a bike share program. The exact locations for the bike racks have not been identified as yet but she wanted to get the application process started in order to stay on the time schedule.
Dr. Nash explained that this is an application for a bike share program between the City and the County who has contacted Zagster. Zagster is a nationally known bike share company and has offered a pilot project to bring ten (10) bike racks with ten (10) bikes each for a total 50 bikes to the County and the City. The locations have not been completely identified as yet but most of the bikes will be located within the City. She described how the bike share program will work explaining that patrons rent a bike from a station and can return it to any legal bike rack within the City. The bikes will be equipped with a GPS system.
Staff: Ms. Laynor restated her written staff report and recommends approval of the application as conditioned in the staff report dated March 9, 2018. Public: Public testimony opened at 8:25pm and those speaking on the application are noted below.
Name; Address:
C. Chris Ledoux; 215 Severn Avenue
No one else from the public spoke in favor or opposition to the application so Chair Kennedy declared the public hearing closed at 8:29 pm.
Commissioners: The HPC reviewed the application for site selection and provided the applicant with specific feedback. Ms. Zeno noted that the pictures will allow a better context of the site specifically whether the bike rack will fit on the site. The HPC noted that the Arundel Center specifically Whitmore Park has sufficient capacity for a bike rack. The Church Circle/Courthouse location would be a problematic. The Harbormaster location would have adequate capacity for a bike rack. St. John’s College has the capacity for a bike rack. Noah Hillman Garage would be a good location if the racks were downsized. Ms. Collins raised the liability concern for the City with bikes, pedestrians and cars competing on the streets/sidewalks in the historic district. The Barry Gate Space-Naval Academy, the HPC suggested staying outside of the Federal property. Main and Francis Streets would both be problematic. The small Park on West Street would be a good location for a rack. Vice Chair Leahy concurred with Ms. Collins comments regarding bikes, pedestrians and cars on the same streets in the historic and asked Dr. Nash how this will be addressed. Dr. Nash responded that the license agreement does not require City Council approval but she had discussed notification with the Mayor/City Manager so she sent an email to City Council as well as Transportation Committee for feedback and the feedback was very supportive. There was a bike share stakeholders meeting held to discuss concerns and there will be a public meeting in front of the Transportation Board giving the public the opportunity to discuss their concerns. Vice Chair Leahy noted that the signage on these racks is “considerable” and asked if the color scheme be coordinated with the Way Finding signage. Dr. Nash responded that Zagster will provide the image for the sign and a corporate sponsor advertisement on the signs as well as on the bikes. Ms. Phillips suggested that the applicant look for locations that will reduce the visual clutter. The HPC will await further information on this application. The applicant waived the 45 day right to a decision.
Chair Kennedy accepted the following exhibits into the record.
Exhibit Types:
HPC Application dated February 12, 2018
Staff Memorandum dated March 9, 2018
Historic Annapolis Karen Theimer-Brown-Email dated March 13, 2018
H. Other Business
Chair Kennedy received an email from Maria Broadbent regarding a grant for green infrastructure in downtown requesting a letter of support from the HPC.
Ms. Phillips moved to support the grant application subject to review of the submission and circulation of the letter to HPC for review/approval. Ms. Collins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously in a vote of 6-0.
J. Adjournment
With there being no further business, Ms. Phillips moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 pm. Ms. Collins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously in a vote of 6-0.
https://www.annapolis.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03132018-1345
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