Historic District Minutes 6-20-19

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION June 20, 2019 The Regular Meeting of the City of Dover Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 3:30 PM with Vice Chairperson Ms. Horsey presiding. Members present were Mr. Street, Ms. Horsey and Mr. Czerwinski. Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Mason were absent. Planning Office Staff members present were Mrs. Melson-Williams, Mr. Hugg and Mr. Swierczek. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Czerwinski moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Street and the motion was unanimously carried 3-0. Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Mason were absent. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2019 Mr. Czerwinski moved for approval of the meeting minutes of April 18, 2019, seconded by Mr. Street and the motion was unanimously carried 3-0. Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Mason were absent. COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS Summary of Applications for 2018 Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that there have not been any changes. She does not believe the fence will happen at 401 South Governors Avenue because another tenant has taken up that property rather than the Doggy Daycare that originally sought the Fence Permit. The only application for 2019 is the Downtown Mural Project. The mural project on the property at 109-113 W. Loockerman Street is not being pursued at this point and time. The other mural on the back of Mitten and Winters is continuing to progress. Summary of Architectural Review Certifications for 2019 Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that with the Summary of Applications there were 11 applications. Eleven (11) permits through the end of May consist of interior renovations, exterior, roof and Demolition Permits and signage. The Delaware State University Foundation is now the owner of 203 S. State Street also known as the Parsonage Building. Mrs. Horsey asked if they were renting the building. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied they are the owners. Mr. Hugg replied that to his understanding it was a donation for tax purposes. It was a gift. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that the only thing they have received is a Sign Permit. Department of Planning & Inspections Update Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that this afternoon there will be the City of Dover Historic District Workshop Event at 4:00 p.m. Included in your packet were two updated events: the Historic Preservation Symposium on June 26, 2019 and Delaware Department of Transportation Public Workshop on the Bradford Street Streetscape Enhancements Project on June 24, 2019.

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION JUNE 20, 2019 NEW BUSINESS Review of Permits Referred to Commission. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that there was no review of Permits formally referred to Commission. The office received one inquiry regarding a sign project. Staff had a meeting with the property owner and sign company representative to discuss better options than their initial permit submission. Another asked questions regarding an electronic message sign in the Historic District. The initial recommendation is it is likely it would be referred to the Commission should the application come in. Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Update on FFY2018 CLG Grant Application Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that Staff provided a draft copy of the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan to the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) as part of the Grant. They have the opportunity to review and comment on the plan. They are also aware of the Workshop that is being held today that is also in conjunction with the Grant. The Office received the Grant Application for FFY2019 that will start July 1, 2019. She mentioned the similar highlights of the application. The application is due July 15, 2019. The letter announcing the grant funding opportunity identifies that the City is eligible to apply for $9238 which is then matched by the City 60/40 and it would be $6159. The match does not have to be cash; it can be in kind. Mrs. Melson-Williams’ initial thought for what the grant activities could be would be to go back to looking to hire a consultant to work on the Design Standards and Guidelines. If the Commission members have any other ideas, she asked them to let her know. Mr. Czerwinski asked Mrs. Melson-Williams if she had enough resources. Mrs. Melson- Williams replied that it would be going out for a consultant. Looking at the schedule could be a little interesting because they will be wrapping up the Comprehensive Plan about the same time. The application is due July 15, 2019. Technically, the Grant year starts on July 1st and ends on June 30th the following year. Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that other types of eligible Grant activities include: Historic property surveys, National Register Nominations, other types of Preservation Planning assistance, and outreach efforts. There is also funds for training for Staff and/or Interns. Money was placed in the City budget request for the match. The Final Reading for the budget will be held on Monday, June 24, 2019. Mr. Hugg asked about the eligible amount. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied that they are eligible for the amount based on population which is the minimum and beyond that it is based on the amount that has to be regranted. It is then divided up proportionally which is explained in the grant guidelines. The base award for the City of Dover would be $5000. The base award for New Castle County and the City of Wilmington would be $7000. This year’s grant is between $2000- $4000 which covers portion of her staff time to work on the Historic Preservation Chapter, printing and mailing related to the workshop event. The Grant is due before the next Historic District Commission meeting. 2

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION JUNE 20, 2019 Project for Dover’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan a) Update on Project Activities b) Review of Working text Draft #1 – Chapter 6: Historic Preservation Update on Project Activities Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that Planning Staff have been actively working on text writing of all the chapters and have set a goal to have a full draft of the plan for Staff Review in the next two weeks. As a follow up to that, ultimately there will be a draft of the entire document released at some point this summer to then start the formal review process that it will have to entail. Mrs. Melson-Williams as previously mentioned the Historic Preservation Chapter that was included in your packet titled “Copy for Workshop Review.” This is the same text that was submitted the Historic Preservation Office for their comment through the Grant program. This is an opportunity for the Historic District Commission members to read the chapter as we have looked the goals and recommendations rather extensively for this chapter. If you have any questions Staff would like to hear them. This will be available for members of the public that come to the workshop. Mr. Street moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Czerwinski and unanimously carried 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 3:55 PM Sincerely, Maretta Savage-Purnell Secretary 3