KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
PLANNING AND ZONING

            The Kent County Planning Commission met on Tuesday, September 19, 2006, in the Second Floor Meeting Room, at 400 High Street, Chestertown, Maryland, with the following members in attendance: Elizabeth H. Morris, Chairman; F. Joseph Hickman; Rev. Ruben Freeman; Patricia Langenfelder; Marcy Brown; Gail Owings, Planning Director; Amy Moredock, Environmental Planner; Carla Martin, Community Planner; and Elizabeth Carroll.  Also in attendance: Eric Sennstrom, Cecil County Planning and Zoning, and Martin Sokolich, Talbot County Planning.

            Public in attendance:  Ms. Macintyre, Kent County News; Kate O’Donnell, Interested Citizen; and John Seidel, Chestertown Historic Commission.

LEGISLATION TO ALLOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VOLUNTARY HISTORIC DISTRICTS

IN KENT COUNTY

Having had an opportunity to hear comments at the County Commissioners meeting this morning and also having had time to review the staff report, Chairman Morris invited the Planning Commission to discuss the proposal.

The gentlemen from Cecil County and Talbot County noted it takes approximately two to four months to establish a district.  They require no application fee.  Mr. Sennstrom noted that their Historic District Commission works with other Historic Districts Commissions in the County.  Some members are active with the Cecil Historical Society.  Mr. Sennstrom further explained their process to preserve various structures with private resources and government. 

In Talbot County, Mr. Sokolich advised that they have run into safety issues where people have demanded buildings should be torn down because of neglect and deterioration.  There is a need to sell the preservation idea to the public, however it cannot be mandatory.  To preserve structures there needs to be deed restrictions protecting the existing building and view sheds.  Staff asked if they have considered covenants similar to those required the by Agricultural Preservation regulations.  Both Talbot and Cecil Counties have requested their planning departments to forward any demolition applications to the historic commissions to verify there are no restrictions on the parcel.  Tax credits are a means to preserving structures.  Discussion continued between Planning Commission and staff.

John Seidel, a member of the Chestertown Historic Commission, noted a designation is required in order to qualify for State or Federal rehabilitation tax credits.  He explained the procedure and requirements of being a “CLG” Certified Local Government.  Discussion followed.

            After several comments by the Planning Commission, the Board reviewed the draft document page by page, making several changes.

            Following review and discussion, Mr. Hickman made a motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the County Commissioners recommending the establishment of a voluntary Historic Preservation Ordinance and Commission.  He noted the Comprehensive Plan encourages the preservation of the county’s historic, archeological and cultural resources and the proposed ordinance is one way of implementing the Comprehensive Plan.  He also recommends the Historic Preservation Commission be a pro-active group providing public education and awareness to the community.  The motion was seconded.  The vote carried by a 5-0 vote, with Mr. Sutton abstaining from voting since he was not present until the end of the review.  (A copy of draft document is attached to the original minutes.)

            There being no further business, Chairman Morris adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

 

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Elizabeth H. Morris, Chairman

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Elizabeth Carroll, Secretary