Public Hearings - PUBLIC HEARING- Historic Preservation Kathy McGraw

July 29, 2008

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 Kathy L. McGraw to voluntary designate property located at 25789 Lambs Meadow Road, Worton, as a Local Historic Site and the 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, Carla Gerber, Community Planner, Davy McCall, Chairman, Historic Preservation Commission, Kathy McGraw, applicant, and two members of the media.

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

Ms. Gerber informed that the house has historical significance in Kent County. The Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission found the property to meet criteria in the ordinance and think that it should be designated as a historic site.

Ms. McGraw commented that it is important to preserve historic structures in the County. She stated that she is in the process of seeking the state historic site designation and will eventually seek a national designation. The structure, although beautiful, is currently in great disrepair and will be completely rehabilitated with Chester River Carpentry.

Mr. McCall stated that the County is fortunate that the current owners have sound plans to restore the properties. He stated that the property will be a great addition to the County’s inventory of 18th century houses.

Correspondence dated June 30 was received from Davy McCall, Chairman, Historic Preservation Commission, informing that at its June 24 meeting, the Kent County Historic Preservation Commission also reviewed the application of Ms. McGraw. After a brief discussion, the Historic Preservation Commission voted to make a favorable recommendation to the Commissioners based on the following:

- The structure is considered a significant pre-Revolutionary house in Kent County.
- It utilized high caliber construction which is not typical of rural houses.
- It has both a water table and belt course which is an unusual architectural feature for a house located on a farm.

The house was built by Charles Groome, who was a vestryman of I.U. Church.




Correspondence dated July 7 was received from Elizabeth Morris, Chairman, informing that at its July 3 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed application of Kathy McGraw to have “Hopeful Unity”, the structure located at 25789 Lambs Meadow Road designated as a Historic Site and listed in the Kent County Register of Historic Places. After brief discussion, the Planning Commission voted to make a favorable recommendation to the County Commissioners based on the following:

- The application complies with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan to preserve the cultural, historical and archeological resources of Kent County.
- The structure was built around 1770 and is a significant pre-Revolutionary house.
- The property has significant architectural and historic qualities.
- The structure is associated with Charles Groome who was an early vestryman of I.U. Church and was an influential resident of Kent County.

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

A motion was made by Commissioner Pickrum, seconded by Commissioner Fithian and made unanimous by Commissioner Crow to approve designation of this property as a historic site.

This hearing was taped for reference and adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved:

Roy W. Crow, President