HDC Minutes 8-18-22

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AUGUST 18, 2022 The Meeting of the City of Dover Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 3:30 PM as an In-Person meeting in the City Hall Conference Room (anchor location) and virtually using the videoconferencing system WebEx with Chairman Czerwinski presiding. Other members present were Mr. Street, Mrs. Mason and Ms. Horsey (Note: The fifth Historic District Commission member has not been appointed following the completion of the term of Mr. McDaniel in 2020). Planning Office Staff members present were Mrs. Melson-Williams, Mr. Swierczek and Mrs. Mary Ellen Gray. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Horsey moved for approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Ms. Mason and the motion was unanimously carried 4-0. Voice Vote • Ms. Horsey -Yes • Ms. Mason - Yes • Mr. Street – Yes • Mr. Czerwinski - Yes ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 19, 2022 The Commission moved to defer the approval of the Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2022, until the next scheduled meeting. Motion by Mr. Street, seconded by Ms. Horsey to allow time to review the minutes. Voice Vote • Ms. Horsey -Yes • Ms. Mason - Yes • Mr. Street – Yes • Mr. Czerwinski - Yes COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS Summary of Applications for 2021 and 2022 Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that you will be looking at your sixth Applications of the year today. Most significantly, the Application that you looked at last month for the New Kent County Family Courthouse and Parking Garage project, that was granted by the Planning Commission Conditional approval of the Site Plan and the associated Architectural Review Certification at the Planning Commission June meeting. In 2021, we had a series of six (6) applications throughout the calendar year and most of them have made some progress towards either completion or getting

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AUGUST 18, 2022 started. Summary of Architectural Review Certifications for 2022 Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that this is the listing of Building Permit activity within the boundary of the Historic District. There has been a total of fourteen (14) applications through the end of July. Twelve (12) of them were approved by Staff or did not require Architectural Review Certification because they were an interior project. Two (2) of them required the Historic District Commission: the fence at 506 S. State Street and the drainage project at the Peoples Church property at 46 S Bradford Street. There were four (4) interior renovations, two (2) exterior building projects, and a mix of fences, sheds, sign, and some administrative type Permits. Ms. Mason mentioned she was trying to find 201 West Loockerman Street, Dove’s Restaurant which is supposed to be a restaurant. She noticed that nothing had been completed and was curious of the status. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied that she believed it was on the northwest corner of Loockerman Street and Governors Avenue. It was interior renovations work for a tenant fit-out of a kitchen for a restaurant and second floor office. She did not have any updates. A Permit was issued in February. They have 6-months to continue to act on the Permit and the Permit can be extended. Ms. Mason also asked about the building on the corner of S. New Street and asked if the Permit had expired. Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that it was the building with the fire at 235-239 W. Loockerman Street; and there has been no Permits issued. It was taken to City Council as a Dangerous Building consideration on Monday evening. City Council declared it Dangerous and gave a timeframe of the end of the month for the property owner to take steps to either demolish or repair the building. If steps are not taken, then the City has a process that will be followed to address that building. Chairman Czerwinski asked about 304 S. State Street and if this was the building missing the façade. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied correct. He also asked that it was approved by Staff for the façade replacement. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied it was and they also did an update at one of the Historic District Commission Meetings about that project. The Permit information was shared with the Commission in April. Chairman Czerwinski mentioned that the only thing he was told was the building is being worked on. It is an awful big project for just Staff Approval. Mr. Street asked if they were changing the façade? Mrs. Melson-Williams replied no. They are reconstructing the front façade wall of the building and other interior structural support work. The new wall is to replicate the brick wall with window openings and the reinstallation of cast iron window headers and other detailing. Some of the material was salvaged by the current building owner who was the original contractor. This was shown on the plan for reinstallation. Department of Planning & Inspections Updates Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that we do have a new Planning Director Mary Ellen Gray who joined the City Staff on July 18, 2022, as the Director of Planning, Inspections and Community Development. She comes from a background as previously Assistant Director in Kent County and most recently as the Planning Director of the City of Newark, Delaware. She resides locally in Camden, Delaware. We welcome her and are happy to have her on board leading our Department. 2

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AUGUST 18, 2022 Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned there is also an HVAC replacement project that is going on in City Hall. They are currently working on the other side of the building. She will keep you updated on meeting locations in the building. Updates on Studies Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that the Downtown Strategic Master Plan is underway with the Mosaic Development Partners working the Downtown Dover Partnership. She will refer the Commission to the Downtown Dover Partnership’s website for the latest postings about the Master Plan project. They have done a lot of data gathering and conversations. We have another presentation next week at the Stakeholder level. The Study is on track to come to resolution this Fall. Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned the other Study is the Dover Air Force Base Compatible Use Study. There is a Project Website that can also be found on DelDOT’s page. DelDOT is one of the co-sponsors of the project Study. The Study is focused on the five-mile area around Dover Air Force Base. There will be more workshops in the Fall as they look at some specific areas around the Base for appropriate usage and how to plan for their future. There are things we need to do from a land use prospective with the Zoning Ordinance and other ways to help protect the economic and long-term viability of the Dover Air Force Base being here in Central Delaware. Review of Permits Referred to Commission HI-22-06 Referral of Permit #22-1298 at John Bell House, 43 The Green Referral by the City Planner to the Historic District Commission for Review of Architectural Review Certification for a Permit Application #22-1298 for construction of an accessory structure (restroom and storage) at the John Bell House. The property is zoned RGO (General Residence & Office Zone) and subject to the H (Historic District Zone) and SWPOZ (Source Water Protection Overlay Zone). The property is located east of South State Street on the southeast side of The Green. The owner of record is the State of Delaware. The property address is 43 The Green. Tax Parcel: ED-05-077.09-05-28.00-000. Council District 4. Mrs. Melson-Williams gave a summary of Application HI-22-06. The applicant is proposing construction of an accessory structure (restroom and storage) at the John Bell House to the rear (south) of the building on The Green. Mrs. Melson-Williams presented information from the Building Permit #22-1298 and the proposed project plan drawings set. The building is a frame building with wood lap siding and cedar shingles for roof. It is two areas: accessible restroom and separate larger storage room space each with separate entry door. The project is requesting that the rear yard setback of 5-feet be reduced to 2- feet to allow better positioning of building and limit its visibility from The Green. There was a previous application back in 2013 for a similar but smaller building that the HDC reviewed and approved. Staff finds that the project and materials meet the Design Standards and Guidelines, and that the reduction of the rear yard setback is appropriate. Representatives: Mr. Tom Summers (Manager of Cultural Resource Section at State Park CONREC); Mr. Bill Miller (Construction Project Manager-State Park-DNREC); and Melody Abbott (Archaeologist at State Parks – DNREC). 3

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AUGUST 18, 2022 Chairman Czerwinski asked if the area was already excavated (archaeology). Ms. Abbott replied that majority of the section where the building is located has not been excavated. They are planning to excavate. Ms. Horsey asked about previous archaeological testing at the site and when will it take place? Ms. Abbott replied that she hopes in the fall. For more test pits and then also observation during construction. Mr. Miller stated that from a construction we would like to star this Fall. Chairman Czerwinski asked what the colors were. Mr. Miller replied everything is designed to match the Bell House as closely as possible (finishes, shingles, and door hardware). Ms. Horsey asked where you were able to get the materials? Mr. Miller replied that we deal with contractors that are able to get material from Aspire. It is not as popular as more modern siding, but they are there when you need it. Plus, it is a small project. Ms. Horsey moved for approval of HI-22-06 Accessory structure at John Bell House Review of Architectural Review Certification for Permit #22-1298 for construction of an accessory structure (restroom and storage) at the John Bell House as submitted to include Staff recommendations. The motion was seconded by Mr. Street and approved 4-0. Voice Vote Ms. Mason - Yes Mr. Street - Yes Mr. Czerwinski – Yes Ms. Horsey -Yes OLD BUSINESS Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that there were no updates. Implementation of 2019 Comprehensive Plan Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that there were no updates. The Department of Water and Wastewater has a Wastewater Master Plan that may be in the hands of the consultant, and they are working on several water projects like the State Street watermain replacement. Ms. Horsey asked where the water project starts. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied it will start at Division Street and goes north. They are currently working on the bids and there will be a lot of outreach. Ms. Mason asked if it was on the east or west side. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied that she did not know. 4

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AUGUST 18, 2022 Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that they are also working on a new well location in Silver Lake Park. A drawdown will happen in the Fall (October) for Silver Lake. Ms. Horsey asked about the maintenance of the cemetery (Lakeside Cemetery) and being proactive with bank maintenance. She asked about the Silver Lake Board that use to be the overseer. Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned there is a Silver Lake Commission that is staffed through the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation. She was not sure of how regularly they meet. If you have any questions, she will refer the Commission to the Parks and Recreation Staff who was very proactive with the Lake. Mary Ellen Gray arrived at the meeting and was welcomed and there will be a Meet and Greet after the meeting with her. Ms. Horsey moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Mason, and unanimously carried 4-0. Voice Vote to Adjourn the Meeting Ms. Mason-Yes Mr. Street – Yes Mr. Czerwinski – Yes Ms. Horsey -Yes Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM Sincerely, Maretta Savage-Purnell Secretary 5