MINUTES

EIGHT HUNDRED AND FOURTY SEVENTH MEETING

TUESDAY – MARCH 8, 2022 – REGULAR – 6:00 P.M.

 

*This meeting was conducted virtually through Zoom*

 

Convened: 6:00 P.M.                                                Adjourned 6:59 P.M.

 

Commissioners Present:                             Staff Present:

Robert Kluckhuhn, Chair                                                     

Margie McCeney, Vice-Chair                       Brooke Quillen, HDC Coordinator, ECD

Councilmember James Kole                         Monta Burrough, Planner II, ECD                           

Karen Lubieniecki                                         Robert Love, Director, ECD

Marlene Frazier                                              Josh Mitchum, Planner II, ECD

Patrick Davis                                                  Darnell Butler, Communications Department

Gregory Sweitzer                                          

                                                                                                                                                           

Commissioners Absent: Two (0)

Citizens Present:  Approximately eight (8)

 

Chairman Kluckhuhn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and read the Opening Statement.

 

            Chairman Kluckhuhn acknowledged former City Councilmember Mr. Edward Ricks recent passing, adding that his dedication and commitment to the City of Laurel is irreplaceable and he will be missed by many.

 

Chairman Kluckhuhn asked for a roll call. Seven (7) Commissioners answered present, constituting a quorum.

 

Chairman Kluckhuhn asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes from the Regular HDC meeting held on February 8, 2022. Ms. McCeney requested the additional number of applications received by staff in 2021 be added to the minutes.

 

On a motion by Ms. McCeney seconded by Ms. Fraizer, the minutes were approved on (6) six affirmative votes with Mr. Davis abstaining from the vote since he was absent.

 

HDC-2022-0095 for 1105 Montgomery Street, submitted by Chris Erdle, the applicant is seeking approval to repair and replace existing front porch floorboards.  The applicant is doing emergency repair due to vehicle damage to front porch.  The applicant will be repairing and replacing existing floorboards with a TimberTech – slate gray Azeh porch floorboard.  The existing front porch are gray wooden floorboards.

The owner was present.

On a motion by Ms. Lubieniecki, seconded by Councilmember Kole, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes.

 

HDC-2022-0089 for 23 Post Office Avenue, submitted by Richard Wang, the applicant is proposing to amend their previously approved request to replace the existing rear yard fence of the property. The Applicant was approved for a 5’ tall fence in the rear yard and is now proposing a 6’ fence, an increase of 1’ in height. The applicant is not proposing a change in the previously approved style, which was an unpainted, board-on-board wood fence. Applicant is proposing the installation of new vinyl shutters on the first floor of the property. The shutters will be black colored, and measure approximately 14.5’’ X 49’’.

            The applicant was present. He explained the enclosed yard is for the future owners and possible pets.

On a motion by Ms. McCeney, seconded by Mr. Davis, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes.

 

HDC-2022-0090 for 25 Post Office Avenue, submitted by Richard Wang, the applicant is proposing to install new black-colored shutters on the first and second floors of the property in louver style and comprised of vinyl material. Eighteen (18) shutters will be installed. The applicant notes that the proposed shutters will match the same look as the ones found on the second floor of the neighboring 23 Post Office Avenue. The applicant is proposing to install a new six (6) foot tall fence with a gate. The style will be an unpainted board-on-board wood fence that will adjoin the existing fence that runs from the rear yard to the left-side yard. The applicant is proposing to install a new four (4) foot tall fence with a gate. The style will be an unpainted board-on-board fence that will adjoin the existing fence that runs from the rear yard to the left-side yard.

The applicant was present. Staff stated the mention of the 4 ft. fence was mistakenly put on the staff report for 23 Post Office Avenue, however it is correctly noted on the agenda and application for 25 Post Office Avenue.

On a motion by Ms. McCeney, seconded by Mr. Sweitzer, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes with the correction to the staff report.

 

HDC-2022-0088 for 595 Main Street, submitted by Cameron Manesh, the applicant will be refacing the existing monument sign.  The sign is located at the front entrance of the site.  The new sign will be placed on aluminum material.  The sign will read “Patuxent Place Apartments”, the business website (www.patuxentplace.com) and the phone number (301-674-5032).  The sign is 98 inches by 26 inches or approximately 17.69 square feet.  The current sign is aluminum and the same dimension of the new sign.

The applicant was present. There was discussion among the Commissioners and applicant regarding the colors and style of the sign. The Commissioners had concerns about the proposed sign being too modern for Main Street and not matching the individual business signs & awnings that already exist. They requested the applicant redesign the sign that will blend in more with the building and surrounding signs

On a motion by Mr. Sweitzer, seconded by Mr. Lubieniecki, the application was tabled on (6) seven affirmative votes, with Mr. Davis voting “No”.

 

HDC-2022-0091 for 207 Eleventh Street, submitted by Deborah Metter, the applicant is seeking retroactive approval to remove and replace the roof. Applicant has removed and replaced the existing roof with a Virginia Slate, grey in color, architectural shingle roof.  The previous roof was a light gray, three (3) tab roof.

The applicant was present.

On a motion by Ms. McCeney, seconded by Ms. Lubieniecki, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes.

 

HDC-2022-0094 for 26 Post Office Avenue, submitted by Lin Chun Seeley, the applicant is seeking approval to construct and install a new fence.  The Applicant will be installing fencing in the front and left side of the property.   The fence in the front will be 3.5 feet picket fence – painted white.  The fencing along the right side of the property will be a 6 feet dog-ear fence.  The fence will remain its natural color.

The applicant was present.

On a motion by Mr. Davis, seconded by Ms. McCeney, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes.

 

HDC-2022-0096 for 616 Prince George Street, submitted by Karim Whalen, the applicant is seeking approval to install a fence.  The new fence will be changing from a gothic point to an alternate gothic fence.   The fence is in the rear.  The applicant would like to raise the fence height in the rear corner to 5.5 feet to 6 feet tall along Seventh Street and the alley.

            The applicant was present. There was discussion with the Commissioners and staff regarding the visibility of vehicles traveling from Prince George Street or the alley onto Seventh Street. Mr. Sweitzer added he travels the route on Prince George Street every day and doesn’t think there will be an issue.

On a motion by Councilmember Kole, seconded by Mr. Davis, the application was approved on (6) six affirmative votes, with Ms. Fraizer abstaining from the vote.

 

HDC-2022-0100 for 320 Montgomery Street, submitted by Suma Penrose, Applicant is proposing the replace and remove the existing front entrance door and side windows.   The new entrance door and side window will be placed where the existing front entrance and side windows are located.  The existing entrance door is fiberglass and color is burgundy.  The new entrance door will be steel and the color will match that of the existing door.  The new entrance door window will have a rectangular window instead of an oval window. The new side windows will be full length, current side windows are about half length, the color will remain a cream color. Applicant is removing and replacing the existing shutters.  The existing shutters are wood, and the color is black.  The new shutters will be black vinyl and the same dimensions, similar style. The applicant is proposing to remove and replace three (3) existing windows, from aluminum with wood frames to white vinyl on the first level, in the front of the house.

            The applicant was present.

On a motion by Ms. McCeney, seconded by Ms. Lubieniecki, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes.

 

HDC-2022-0098 for 333 Laurel Avenue, submitted by Anita Munn, the applicant is seeking approval to install a new driveway and parking pad on the property. Both the driveway and parking pad will be located in the rear of the property, coming off of the alleyway running perpendicular to the lot. The driveway is proposed to be 16’ X 13’, comprised of the same crushed stone permeable material to be used for the parking pad. The parking pad is proposed to be 16’ X 36’ in size, comprised of crushed stone permeable material in 24’’ X 24’’ X 24’’ tiled sections.

The applicant was present. There was discussion regarding this type of permeable paving. It was noted that this could be a good alternative to residents who wish to use gravel. Councilmember Kole added he has experience with this material and the grids help protect the ground however it is not 100% in keeping the gravel in the grids.

On a motion by Ms. McCeney, seconded by Ms. Lubieniecki, the application was approved on (7) seven affirmative votes.

 

Staff Approvals:

The Commission requested to add a note regarding the work that was started without approval in case a tax credit application is applied for at 422 Prince George Street.

 

Other Business:

Ms. McCeney asked staff to check into a complaint she submitted to the mylaurel app on 2/3/2022 for a property on Eighth Street that just shows “assigned” with no updates. Mr. Sweitzer asked staff to check into a structure with flags that is located at 612 Prince George Street. Chairman Kluckhuhn reminded Commissioners the mylaurel app is still the best way to get complaints in with the City.

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:59 p.m.

 

Minutes Approved:  Brooke Quillen                    Date:  4/19/2022