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

November 6, 2003

On the evening of November 6, 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, Thomas, and Goodell; and Technical Planner Fisher were present.  The Chairman opened the meeting with a "Statement of Authority" for the HDC. 

The minutes of the September 4, 2003 and August 7, 2003 meetings were approved as presented by a consensus of the Commission.

Under old business, Chairman Camlin reviewed prior discussion about updating the 1977 Survey of Historic Structures.  Chairman Camlin stated that he would like an updated, comprehensive survey of all properties in the historic district.  Ms. Walters stated that the Commission could survey the properties using a checklist of historic features common to Westminster.  Mr. Goodell suggested that the completed checklists could serve as a basis for a consultant to formally update the survey.  Ms. Walters suggested that property owners could be sent a copy of the completed survey for their property, accompanied by information about HDC programs and historic district zoning.  Ms. Stevens stated that the checklists should contain the information gathered in the 1977 survey before Commission members re-survey.  Chairman Camlin stated that a comparison to the data collected in 1977 could be the focus for the updates.  The Commission decided to begin the update with a training survey session in February.  Ms. Stevens will prepare a draft checklist for review at the January meeting of the Commission.

Mrs. Thomas gave an update for the 2004 Holiday House Tour.  Seven homeowners have committed to the tour.  The Commission discussed the opening of the Courthouse and opportunities for publicity.

Under Report of the Director of Planning and Public Works, Mr. Fisher stated that letters promoting the historic programs offered by the Commission had been sent to recent homebuyers in the City’s historic district.  Mr. Fisher then introduced the new Preservation Colleagues program from Preservation Maryland.  The Commission deferred membership in Preservation Colleagues for one year.

Under Report of the Chairman, Chairman Camlin stated that he would be teaching a class on Thursday evenings during the spring semester.  The Commission directed staff to explore alternative meeting dates for the spring.  The Commission decided to schedule the January meeting of the Commission for Thursday, January 15, 2004 to avoid a conflict with New Year’s Day. 

There were no Citizen Comments.

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. by consensus of the Commission.

Respectfully submitted,

Erik Fisher

Secretary