Public Hearings - Kent County Historic Preservation - Brunner, Sucha

A public hearing was held today at 9:45 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Government Center, Chestertown, Maryland for the purpose of discussing application made by Michael Brunner and Jean Sucharewicz to voluntarily designate property located at 12754 Still Pond Road, Still Pond, MD as a Local Historic Site and to list the site in the Kent County Register of Historic Places.

County Commissioners Roy Crow, Ronald Fithian, and William Pickrum, were in attendance as well as Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, Gail Owings, Director of Planning, Carla Martin, Community Planner, five interested citizens, and one member of the media.

Commissioner Crow read the Notice of Public Hearing into the record.

Correspondence dated May 3 received from Elizabeth Morris, Chairman, Planning Commission, advising that this application was approved at its May 3 meeting. Their decision was based on the following points:

- The application complies with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan to preserve the cultural, historical, and archeological resources of Kent County.
- The property exemplifies the historic heritage of the County and has significant character, interest, and value to the community of Still Pond.
- The property possesses distinctive architectural characteristics.

Ms. Martin reported that Mr. Brunner and Ms. Sucharewicz, with the help of Walter Bowie, have done excellent work on the research and renovation to date on the home. She noted that the original portion of the structure dates back prior to 1843. She stated that during restoration, plaster was removed from a wall and a date and signature was found belonging to Col. Thomas Hepbron of the 1812 Kent County Militia.

Mr. Brunner stated that one of the main reasons for adding the house to the Kent County list of historic sites is to guarantee preservation of the work that he and Ms. Sucharewicz put into the house. They are trying to make it appear as it was originally. He stated that some of the siding on the house was rescued from a local chicken house that had similar siding to the original house.

Several questions were raised by the audience and answered by Ms. Martin.

There was no one in attendance who wished to speak for or against this application.

A motion was made by Commissioner Pickrum, seconded by Commissioner Fithian and made unanimous by Commissioner Crow to passed to approve the application made by Michael Brunner and Jean Sucharewicz to voluntarily designate property located at 12754 Still Pond Road as a Local Historic Site and to list the site in the Kent County Register of Historic Places.

This hearing was taped for reference and adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND


Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved:
Roy W. Crow, President