Chestertown moves to change regulations in historic district

CHESTERTOWN — Chestertown council member, Meghan Efland, at their latest meeting with Mayor David Foster on July 22, called for a discussion with their Historic District Commission over regulations.

The Historic District Commission regulations determines, for instance, what kinds of windows can be put on a historic building. They can decide what sort of materials may be used, or, for example, what siding can be implemented to maintain the historical authenticity of the neighborhood.

The council unanimously decided that although they cannot veto the Historic District Commission’s decisions, nor desire to, they can change the rules and regulations to which they base their decisions.

Foster was adamant he is not in anyway looking to change something that has already been decided by the Historic District Commission.

But there are concerns he has with these current regulations.

For example, lead paint is a concern for him, especially on those old windows.

The regulations right now allow the homeowner to put in storm windows, but won’t allow for brand new windows designed to look old, to be placed. Foster said there’s a high level of difficulty if someone wanted to put in energy efficient windows in their historically old home.

Foster pointed out that shouldn’t be, “I think it [new windows] would be a health and an energy benefit.”

Efland added that roofing material has advanced as well since the regulations were written.

The council’s not going to change the regulations in the dark of the night behind the Historic District Commission’s back. Efland suggested they sit in on a meeting and talk to them about some of the changes they’d like to see.

Right now, an Historic District Commission ruling only gets appealed at the circuit court level.

Council member Tim O’Brien said that’s not the way most counties operate. Most counties, he said, have an appeal process within the town structure.

O’Brien, consulting legal over this issue, said as long as the Chestertown Planning Commission and Historic District Commission appeal to the same entity, they wouldn’t have to go through the circuit court any longer.

Right now, there is an Historic District Commission ruling over the Chestertown Armory that is being appealed in the circuit court.

The council does not want to interfere with cases like that. They all seemed to agree with Efland, expressing their aim is to make these regulations more readable to the community.

“I feel like it’s a lot of responsibility for that group. To have what’s modern and up-to-date and to see whatever other towns are doing, I think is important,” she said.

O’Brien noted that Town Manager Larry DiRe, who was absent from the meeting, has found funding to make an internal Historic District Commission appeals process possible in the near future.

For residents interested in Historic District Commission rulings, regularly scheduled meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in Town Hall unless otherwise announced. Their meetings are also online on the town website.