Cecil County Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

1 July 2003

Present: Cairns, Ed & Sally; Dixon, Mike; Edwards, Ron & Audrey; Malin Jesse; Simpers, Nancy; Sennstrom, Eric

Call to Order

Chairman Ed Cairns called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Nancy Simpers to approve minutes of 3 June 2003 meeting, seconded by Ron Edwards.  HDC voted unanimously to approve minutes.

Old Business

Chairman Ed Cairns queried the Edwards on whether they had visited the Winter/Brown House and the Woodlawn property as a follow up to the pre-applications.  Ron Edwards stated that they had not yet been able to visit these properties.  Ron Edwards indicated that Audrey and he will make every effort to visit both locations.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that the HDC needs to make contact with Sylvia Green whose property is adjacent to the previously designated Octoraro Mansion.  Director Sennstrom stated that in response to the HDC's request, he called Trish Brown in an effort to ascertain additional information on the Winter/Brown house.  Ms. Brown was unable to provide additional elucidation on her pre-application.  The HDC indicated that the architectural attributes of the house are sufficient for the nomination to go forward and requested that Director Sennstrom initiate the nomination process.  Director Sennstrom informed the HDC that a pre-application has been received from the Oldfield Mansion.  The HDC perused the pre-application and requested that Director Sennstrom send a nomination form to the property owner.  Audrey Edwards stated that she needs a nomination form to give to the owners of the Cross Keys Tavern.

New Business

Chairman Ed Cairns discussed the revised pamphlet from the 3 June meeting.  The consensus of the HDC was that the revised document was satisfactory.  Chairman Ed Cairns indicated that the pamphlet would be better designed if a photograph was placed on the front.  Mike Dixon stated that the Historical Society has plenty of photographs to choose from and is willing to make them available to the HDC for the selection process.  Ron Edwards inquired as to the primary purpose of the pamphlet.  Chairman Cairns indicated it is to act as an aid in the certificate of appropriateness process.  Discussion ensued regarding the pamphlet's form and content.  Motion made by Nancy Simpers to approve the pamphlet, seconded by Jesse Malin, HDC voted unanimously to approve the pamphlet.

Chairman Ed Cairns queried Director Sennstrom on the Anchorage rezoning application.  Director Sennstrom indicated that the owners of the Bed & Breakfast are requesting a zoning change on the property to go from the Southern Agricultural Residential (SAR) district to the Business General (BG) district.  He indicated that due to the lack of a quorum at the 6/30/03 Commissioners hearing on the application, the request has been continued to 15 July 2003.  Discussion ensued regarding the property and the rezoning application.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that although the property does not have a local designation, the HDC should weigh in on the matter at the Commissioners hearing in opposition.  Audrey Edwards stated that the property is on the national register and that the Cecil Historical Trust tried to persuade a previous property owner to designate the property without success.  Mike Dixon made a motion to have Chairman Ed Cairns attend the Commissioners hearing on 15 July to present the HDC's opinion in this matter, seconded by Nancy Simpers, HDC voted unanimously in favor of motion.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that on 9 July 2003 the New Castle County HDC will be having a public hearing.  He thinks it would be a good idea to attend and see how other jurisdictions handle issues such as demolition requests.  Nancy Simpers inquired as to the location.  Chairman Ed Cairns indicated it will be at the New Castle County Government Center on Reads Way.  Mike Dixon asked about brownfields.  Director Sennstrom provided a brief summary of the law and its intent.   Jesse Malin indicated that the power plant at the Spectron superfund site is designated for demolition.  Chairman Ed Cairns asked if there is anything of historical value on site.  Jesse Malin answered in the negative, the power plant has had many modifications over the years, nothing else of significance.   Chairman Ed Cairns noted that the National Trust is having a conference in Denver, there does not appear to be much of relevance to the HDC on the agenda. 

Chairman Ed Cairns stated that the HDC also received a revised form for a Certificate of Appropriateness.  Ron Edwards inquired about the building permit process.  Director Sennstrom provided a brief overview of the process.  Ron Edwards stated that the form looks good, however, it may need revision as the process moves forward.  Motion made by Ron Edwards to adopt the Certificate of Appropriateness, seconded by Nancy Simpers, HDC voted unanimously to approve form.

Nancy Simpers questioned whether anybody had any historical knowledge regarding the old church at Town Point.  Mike Dixon stated it has a lengthy history.  Nancy indicated that there is no plumbing.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated the owners should be encouraged to apply for historic designation.  Nancy Simpers will talk to the real estate agent about designation.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

Next meeting: 5 August 2003