Westminster Historic District Commission
Agenda for Next Meeting  |  Minutes of Previous Meetings

Historic District Zoning
Tax Credits for Historic Rehabilitation
Other Financial and Educational Resources for Historic Preservation Projects
Holiday House Tour

MINUTES

August 7, 2003

On the evening of August 7, 2003 at 7:00 p.m., Chairman Camlin called to order the meeting of the Westminster Historic District Commission (HDC or Commission).  Chairman Camlin; Members Stevens, Walters, and Thomas; and Technical Planner Fisher were present.  The Chairman opened the meeting with a "Statement of Authority" for the HDC. 

The minutes of the May 1, 2003 meeting was approved as amended by a consensus of the Commission.

No public hearings were scheduled.

Under new business the Commission discussed the possibility of holding a Historic Homes Workshop.  Ms. Stevens briefly described a workshop recently conducted in Kentucky that focused on maintenance of historic homes and included a hands-on class.  Chairman Camlin asked whom the Commission could invite to headline the workshop.  Mr. Fisher responded that the City could invite a well-recognized preservation professional.  The Commission then brainstormed potential topics for discussion at the workshop sessions, including maintenance, repair, filling out forms, and preservation vocabulary.  The Commission decided that the workshop should be marketed regionally, while the HDC retains sole sponsorship.  The Commission then decided to target May 2004 as the workshop date.  Staff was directed to explore potential locations for the workshop.

The Commission then discussed logistics for the 2004 Holiday House Tour, including locations, parking, and the timetable for tour preparation.  The Commission scheduled a general interest meeting for the Willis/Court Street neighborhood at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2003 at City Hall.

There was no old business discussed.

Under Report of the Director of Planning and Public Works, Mr. Fisher stated that the Mayor and Common Council have scheduled an appointment to the Commission at their meeting of August 25, 2003.  Mr. Fisher then presented draft website content for the Commission to review.  Mr. Fisher and the Commission also discussed procedures for sending promotional flyers to new owners of historic homes.

Under Report of the Chairman, Chairman Camlin briefed the Commission on the structural assessment for the Union Street Community Center.  Chairman Camlin stated that the live load capacity of the floors is well below what the building code requires.  He also stated that the 7-foot ceilings do not meet current codes, that no fire stops exist within the structure, and that the roof is structurally unsafe.  He reported that the Maryland Historical Trust agreed with the proposed demolition of the structure.  He noted that the plans have been revised to include larger double-hung windows and modified porch-posts and gingerbread.  Ms. Stevens requested that the Trust’s written findings be placed in the Commission’s files.

There were no Citizen Comments.

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Erik Fisher,
Secretary