Historic District Commission Agenda 7-3-2024

Gregory Smith, Chair Vernell Doyle

Lloyd Yavener, Vice Chair

Brianna Candelaria

Michael Lushbaugh

Ann Aldrich Justin Bedard

Wayne K. Keefer, BOCC Rep

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND

AGENDA

July 3, 2024

Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Washington County Administration Complex, 100 West Washington Street, Room 2001, Hagerstown, MD 21740

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

MINUTES

1. Minutes of the June 5, 2024 meeting *

OLD BUSINESS

1. Review Historic Tax Credit Brochure/Website Updates

OTHER BUSINESS

1. Correspondence

a. Historic Bridge Review: US 522 over Potomac and CSX (15982)*

2. Staff Report

a. Staff Reviews *

b. By-Laws Update Review *

c. Design Guidelines link updates

CLOSED SESSION

To discuss potential candidates to be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners for appointment to the Historic District Commission to fill an upcoming vacancy.

ADJOURNMENT

UPCOMING MEETING

1. Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 5:30 p.m. Workshop Meeting

2. Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

*attachments

The Historic District Commission reserves the right to vary the order in which the cases are called. Individuals requiring special accommodations are requested to contact the Washington County Planning Department at 240313-2430 to make arrangements no later than ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Notice is given that the agenda may be amended at any time up to and including the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY

June 5, 2024

The Washington County Historic District Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Washington County Administration Complex, 100 W Washington Street, Room 2001, Hagerstown, MD.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Commission members present were: Greg Smith, Chairman, Justin Bedard, Vernell Doyle, Ann Aldrich, and Brianna Candelaria (arrived at 7:08 pm) Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator and HDC Staff member

Mr. Ronnie Martin and Mr. Adam Merrbaugh were also present at the meeting.

MINUTES

Motion and Vote: Ms. Aldrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2024 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard and unanimously approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Demolition Permit 2024-02384, 22637 Cavetown Church Road, Smithsburg

Ms. Jenkins presented a demolition permit for existing structures located at 22637 Cavetown Church Road. As part of the Comprehensive Town Growth Area Rezoning in 2014, this property was changed from a residential zoning designation to Business Local designation, per the property owner’s request. A preliminary consultation (concept plan) has been submitted to the Department of Planning & Zoning for this property.

Ms. Jenkins stated there is a house, barn, garage and several sheds currently located on the property. The barn appears to be in good condition while the house shows some deterioration on the outside. The main house has had extensive additions and changes to the exterior, except for the windows Members viewed a collection of recent photographs of the structures taken by Ms. Jenkins.

Staff recommends against support of the demolition permit at this time. Staff also recommends that the property owner initiate the Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) review process and pursue a viable site plan alternative to avoid demolition. If demolition is eminent, the property owner should provide an addendum to the MIHP inventory and the updated documentation should include revisions to the materials, status updates on the buildings including photos, as well as a more thorough analysis of the buildings, and the property owner should have the buildings evaluated for salvageable and hazardous materials.

Discussion and Comments: Mr. Martin stated that the roof and windows need to be replaced. There was a lack of maintenance through the years by the previous owners who could not afford the upkeep. Mr. Martin is willing to salvage any usable materials from the structures. Mr. Martin repeatedly expressed his concern regarding liability issues if someone gets injured while these structures are waiting for demolition. Motion and Vote: Mr. Bedard made a motion to recommend against support of the demolition permit at this time with the stipulation that the owner proceed with the Maryland Historic Trust project review process and provide information to staff regarding the salvage options as discussed for the barn and any

salvageable materials at the house. If those two processes are completed prior to the Planning Commission’s July 1st meeting, staff would complete the permit review process and release the demolition permit at that time The motion was seconded by Ms. Candelaria and unanimously approved.

Permit 2024-02144, 4425 Main Street, Rohrersville

Ms. Jenkins presented a permit application for a 512 sq. ft. pool pavilion on a concrete slab with a 224 sq. ft. enclosure with rubberized sports floor to be used as an exercise room. The property is located at 4425 Main Street in the Rohrersville Rural Village and is outside of the Main Street survey area. The property is currently zoned RV (Rural Village). The proposed materials for the project will match the existing porch on the brick residence. The proposed pavilion will not be visible from the Rohrersville Main Street area or from Maryland Route 67. The new construction meets the applicable Secretary of Interior Standards as it is subordinate to the existing brick house and outbuildings with sufficient distance from those structures allowing for minimal impact to the spatial relationship of the existing historic buildings on the property; it allows for the form and integrity of the property and its environment to be retained; it meets the applicable Washington County Design Guidelines for new construction as it proposes to be compatible in form, design and materials with the existing structure; it is sited in a way to maintain the existing characteristics of the property and will minimally impact the viewshed; and it complies with the review criteria of Section 20.6 and 5D.5 of the Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the permit application.

Motion and Vote: Ms. Candelaria made a motion to support the approval of the permit application for the reasons stated above. The motion was seconded by Ms. Doyle and unanimously approved.

Review and Update of Historic Tax Credit Brochure

Ms. Jenkins provided copies of the current Historic Tax Credit brochure to begin discussions of updating the brochure. Staff will forward recommendations to the Public Relations Department to make the changes. Members agreed on the following changes:

• Too much text – keep it simple

• Better graphic design on the Tax Credits Programs page

• Focus on information that will entice citizens to want to learn more about historic preservation opportunities

• Have a better on-line presence for information

• Trifold instead of bifold brochure

• Impactful pictures

• Brochure should mimic the website

Consensus: Members agreed to have the Historic Tax Credit Brochure updated.

OLD BUSINESS

By-laws Update

Ms. Jenkins presented a draft copy of the updated By-laws and discussed the various changes or updates made to the previous document. She noted that the HDC agenda typically starts with New Business and then proceeds to Old Business. The County Attorney’s Office changed the order of business to start with Old Business and then proceed to New Business.

Motion and Vote: Mr. Bedard made a motion to approve the updated By-laws with the amended order of business to follow the current process in use. The motion was seconded by Ms. Aldrich and unanimously approved.

OTHER BUSINESS

Correspondence – Trileaf, Milestone Towers, 21536 Leitersburg Smithsburg Road

Ms. Jenkins stated that correspondence was received asking the HDC if they would like to be a consulting party for a new monopole cell tower in the vicinity of Leitersburg. Leitersburg is a National Register district and there is an HP overlay property nearby. Staff recommends the HDC become a consulting party for this particular project.

Consensus: The HDC would like to become a consulting party for this project.

Staff Report

• Staff Reviews - Ms. Jenkins provided a written summary.

• Staff received correspondence regarding an existing cell tower at Red Hill. There has been a change in the height of the installation of equipment on the tower, but no change to the height of the cell tower itself.

• A site plan has been submitted for a proposed Sheetz at Exit 1 in Williamsport. There will be a Section 106 review because the developer is requesting Federal funding for the project. A notice has been received by our office asking if the HDC would like to be a consulting party for this project. Staff recommends against being a consulting party because there are no historic sites directly adjacent to this property. MHT has already reviewed this project and determined there will be no adverse effects on historic structures.

• The Director of Public Works and the Director of Engineering will be available for a meeting with the HDC on August 7th for a presentation and discussion of bridges, specifically Price’s Bridge.

Preservation Month Recap

Ms. Jenkins distributed a spreadsheet showing the number of likes and impressions from Facebook comparing 2023 to 2024’s campaign. This was a very positive campaign with a lot of interaction from the public.

Appointments to Boards/Commission

Ms. Jenkins stated there has been a change to the process for making appointments to County Boards/ Commissions. The Commissioners have decided that each Board or Commission should conduct an interview with its top three choices and then send their recommendations to the County Commissioners. She also discussed the process for re-appointments and choosing interview questions, which must be approved by the County Attorney and the Director of Human Resources.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bedard and so ordered by the Chairman.

Gregory Smith, Chairman

HistoricBridgePAReviewForm June11,2024

Ms.ElizabethHughes

StateHistoricPreservationOfficer

MarylandHistoricalTrust

100CommunityPlace

Crownsville,MD21032-2023

DocumentationofNoEffect/NoAdverseEffectDetermination(undertheProgrammaticAgreementfor SHA'sHistoricHighwayBridgesinMaryland)

Project:US522BridgeNo.2104300overPotomacRiver&CSXTransportationRemedialRepairs

FundingSource:FederalMasterNumber:15982

Descriptionofworkproposed:

ProjectNumber:AZ328A2E21 B04300

Bridgeremedialsubstructureandsuperstructurerehabilitation,includingconcretepiers,steelbeams, bearings,andrivetedconnections.Theproposedworkincludesrepairingvariousbearings,installing multiplebeam-endretrofitstovariousbeams,replacingvariousmissingrivetsanddeterioratedbracing members,removingdeterioratedsoffit(i.e.thedeckunderside)forms,grindingsmoothsteelmember gouges,epoxyrepair,andvarioussubstructure(i.e.abutmentandpier)concreterepairsasrequired.All workwilltakeplacewithinexistingSHAright-of-way.Toreachthebridgepiers,accesstoNPSproperty mayberequiredandwillbecoordinatedseparately.

County:Washington

EffectDetermination:NoAdverseEffect

ActionsTaken:

SHAArchitecturalHistorian:MattManning

7.5"TopographicMapName:Hancock(WV)

BridgeNo.2104300(WA-VI-053)isa2500-foot-spanWichertdecktrussthatspansthePotomacRiver andtheC&OCanalNationalHistoricalPark(WA-VI-148)southofHancock.Thebridgeiscategorized asanEligibleHistoricBridgeunderSHA'sprogrammaticagreementregardinghistorichighwaybridges inMaryland.TheC&OCanalNationalHistoricalParkwaslistedontheNRHPin1966.Theproposed workinvolvesstructuralrepairstothebridgeitself,andallworkwillbeconfinedtoSHAright-of-way. Therepairswillnotintroduceelementsoutofcharacterwithexistingconditions,andtheAPEdoesnot includetheC&OCanal.

Ms.ElizabethHughes

US522BridgeNo.2104300overPotomacRiver&CSXTransportationRemedialRepairs Page2

Therepairswillfollowthebestpracticesforconcreterepairstotheabutmentsandpiersandforin-kind replacementfordeterioratedmembersandconnectionsforsteelbridgesasoutlinedinSHA's ManagementPlanforHistoricHighwayBridges.Theminorrepairsarelimitedtothosenecessaryto keepthebridgeingoodconditionandwillnotalterthedesignorcharacterofthebridge.The rehabilitationwillnotcauseadverseeffectstoarchitecturalhistoricproperties,andnoadditional architecturalinvestigationsarerecommended.

SHAArchaeologist:KaseyMiller

Twoarchaeologicalsurveyshaveincludedthelimitsofdisturbance(LOD)andnositesarerecorded there,howevertherearesitesrecordedoneithersideoftheLOD(18WA3and18WA4).TheLODis limitedtotheexistingbridgestructure,andwillinvolvenogrounddisturbancetoterrainthathasnot alreadybeenmodifiedbyroadconstruction.Giventherelativelyminornatureofthework,andthelack ofnewgrounddisturbanceinvolved,theproposedprojectlackstheabilitytoimpactintactorpotentially significantarchaeologicalresources.Nofurtherarchaeologicalworkiswarranted.

Sincerely,

SteveArcher AssistantDivisionChief EnvironmentalPlanningDivision

Attachments

cc:Ms.IreneEnweze

Ms.KaseyMiller

Mr.MattManning

To po Qua d: HANCO CK County: Washin gto n Scal e: 1:10,000

Proj ectL ocation

Nati onal Re gister o f Historic Pl aces

MHT Preservati on Easem ents

Maryl and In ve nto ry of H isto ri c Prope rtie s Maryl and Historical Trust Archaeo logy Survey

Reso ur ces M ap

US 52 2 Brid ge No 21 04300 ove r Potom ac R iver & CSX Bri dge Rem edi al Repai rs AZ 328A2 E-2 1-B0 4300 4/4 /24 To po Qua d: HANCO CK County: Washin gto n Scal e: 1:10,000

Chesape ake a nd Ohi o Canal Na tio nal Park, NR-12

Larrabee , 1962 (M O4 1) Te xtBe dell , 2011 (WA155)

S-23-039 Preliminary-Final Plat II0179 Approved 26-Jul-23 Historic Review Activity 05/22/2024 thru 06/21/2024 Open Date Date Assigned Location Description

Task Name Comments

2024-00467

Non-Residential Addition-Alteration Permit I700 Approved 01-Feb-24 14-May-24 19964 COOL HOLLOW ROAD HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740

CREATE ONE 4.51 ACRE LOT WHICH IS LOT 3 WITH REPLAT OF LOT 1 WHICH IS THE REMAINING LANDS

SP-16-034.R01 14206 DALEY ROAD

2,000 SQ. FT. ONE STORY ADDITION ON CONCRETE SLAB TO LEFT SIDE OF EXISTING SHOP TO BE USED FOR WORKSPACE AND STORAGE, COVERED FRONT PORCH, (4) OVERHEAD DOORS, HEATED FLOOR DALEY DRIVE AUTO SALES

2024-01567 Residential AdditionAlteration Permit V023 Review 05-Apr-24

S-24-014 Subdivision Replat III071 Waiting for Final Paper Copies 19-Apr-24 21-Jun-24 S-02-004 13202 SAINT PAUL ROAD, LOT 1

1,120 SQ. FT. FINISHED SPACE SINGLEWIDE MOBILE HOME REPLACEMENT, NO DECKS OR PORCHES, FRONT AND REAR STOOPS AS REQUIRED BY CODE, MODEL: NORRIS 1996 N01020875TN

2024-02144 Residential New Construction Permit III020; III140 Approved 02-May-24 23-May-24 20313 LOCUST GROVE ROAD ROHRERSVILLE, MD 21779 SEPTIC REPLAT AND .21 AC CONVEYANCE AMONG ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS.

SP-24-016 Site Plan II0160 Revisions Required 02-May-24 02-May-24 LOR 4425 MAIN STRET

512 SQ. FT. POOL PAVILION ON CONCRETE SLAB WITH 224 SQ. FT. ENCLOSURE WITH RUBBERIZED SPORTS FLOOR TO BE USED AS AN EXERCISE ROOM, ROOF RAFTERS

HALL

22-May-24 Days in Review: 8

Status Status Date No Comments Received 06-Jun-24 Passed - Info 06-Jun-24 Days in Review: 739042

Historic District Commission Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historic District Commission Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review HDC Reviewed at the 6/5 meeting and supported approval, letter added to documents and sent to customer.

Task Name Comments

Historic District Commission Updated by Script from EPR.

Historic District Commission Request the addition of the site plan note to indicate there are historic resources WA-II-160

Task Name Comments

Historical Review

Reviewed at HDC Meeting 6/5/24; HDC requested customer initiate Section 106 Project Review with MHT and also provide written salvage plan. Once those 2 items are complete staff can release the permit. If not completed ahead of the Planning Commission meeting 7/1/24; staff will present the permit for their review as well per demolition policy.

LOR 22637 CAVETOWN ROAD DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES ON PROPERTY TO INCLUDE 3,856 SQ. FT. TWO STORY DWELLING AND FILL IN FOUNDATION HOLE, BARN AND OUT BUILDINGS

TWO OTHER COMMERCIAL/DRIVE THRU RESTAURANTS.

Historical Review

This demolition was reviewed by the HDC at the June 2024 meeting. HDC members voted to not support in lieu of e106 review being completed and a salvage plan provided. If those criteria were met, staff would be able to release the permit ahead of any additional Planning Commission meeting. The customer has provided a barn donation letter and the contractor has provided a salvage plan. Contact through e106 process indicated that MHT would not be involved until after a project has local approvals. Staff reached out to MHT to determine the order of operations for e106 with regards to this project or future preliminary consultations. This contact indicated that in this case, the outcome would likely not require additional MHT consultation due to the previous findings in the 2013 documentation. This correspondence indicating the eventual outcome of the process as well as the customers outreach to MHT through e106 fulfills the intent of the HDC's recommendation. Staff is therefore releasing this permit as it has met that intent of the HDC's recommendation.

Task Name Comments

Historic District Commission Related demo permit 2024-02384 is scheduled for review by the HDC at the June 5 meeting. Providing the Concept Plan for the HDC as this documentation is also listed as information for their review in the Design Guidelines.

Task Name Comments

Historic District Commission Property contains ruins of 2 previously documented historic resources. There is a high likelihood of archaeological resources and a phase 1 is recommended at minimum. Adding this comment to the PC.

WASH CO PC AT THEIR 5/6 MEETING. Days in Review: 1

Task Name Comments

2024-02497

Non-Residential Addition-Alteration Permit I265; I875 Review 22-May-24

2024-02511 Residential New Construction Permit Review 23-May-24 24-May-24

SP-22-002 18417 HENSON BLVD

5,000 SQ. FT. ONE STORY ADDITION ON CONCRETE SLAB TO BE USED FOR STORAGE OF AIRCRAFT RELATED EQUIPMENT CURRENTLY LOCATED AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE ADJACENT 15,000 SQ. FT. FBO HANGAR RIDER JET CENTER

- Info 24-May-24 Days in Review: 0

28-May-24

S-00-071 13816

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, UNIT 101, LOT B,

2,125 SQ. FT. FINISHED SPACE TWO STORY DUPLEX ON CONCRETE SLAB, INTEGRAL 1 CAR GARAGE, COVERED FRONT PORCH, COVERED REAR PATIO, FRAME CONSTRUCTION, PREENGINEERED ROOF TRUSSES

GHATTAS ENTERPRISES, UNIT 101, LOT B

2,125 SQ. FT. FINISHED SPACE TWO STORY

28-May-24

2024-02733 Non-Residential New Construction Permit I004 Approved 07-Jun-24

2024-02777 Residential AdditionAlteration Permit Review 11-Jun-24 12-Jun-24

S-00-071 13816

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, UNIT 100, LOT B

DUPLEX ON CONCRETE SLAB, INTEGRAL 1 CAR GARAGE, COVERED FRONT PORCH, COVERED REAR PATIO, FRAME CONSTRUCTION, PREENGINEERED ROOF TRUSSES

GHATTAS ENTERPRISES, LOT B, UNIT 100

SP-22-016 16730 NATIONAL PIKE "STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER"

INSTALLATION OF A 168 SQ. FT. PREMANUFACTURED GUARD SHACK ON SOUTHWEST SIDE OF NATIONAL PIKE BUILDING #1 TO BE USED AS OFFICE SPACE AND ADA COMPLIANT BATHROOM NATIONAL PIKE LOGISTICS CENTER, BUILDING 1

LOR 14518 MARYLAND AVENUE

REPLACE EXISTING WHEEL CHAIR RAMP WITH 90 SQ. FT. OPEN DECK TO FRONT OF DWELLING, COMPOSITE DECKING, (2) SETS OF STEPS TO GRADE

Historical Review

Historic resources on MIHP at this property were previously demolished. Work is being done next to an existing building on n/s of runway 9/27 that has seen many instances of site work in the past. No demolition proposed either. No HDC review required.

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Not in an HDC review area.

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Not in an HDC review area.

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Historical Review

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review This deck is under the 100sqft size threshold listed in Section 5D.5 Architectural Review for the Rural Village designation and therefore HDC review is not required.

Task Name Comments

2024-02829

Residential AdditionAlteration Permit II0441 Revisions Required 13-Jun-24 20-Jun-24 18126 LAPPANS ROAD FAIRPLAY, MD 21733 CONSTRUCT A 192' BY 21' ENCLOSED DOG KENNEL.

New

Permit V109 Review 13-Jun-24 14-Jun-24 LOR 17159 SPRECHER ROAD, PARCEL A

SQ. FT. ADDITION ON CONCRETE SLAB TO CREATE A LAUNDRY ROOM/DROP OFF AREA, OPEN PORCH TO LEFT OF ADDITION, 288 SQ. FT. INTERIOR RENOVATION OF FIRST FLOOR TO CONVERT EXISTING LAUNDRY ROOM INTO

ROOM, INTEGRAL THREE CAR GARAGE, COVERED FRONT PORCH,

Historic District Commission The majority of disturbance is to the rear of existing structures which are on the MIHP. Disturbance is largely limited to an area that has already been disturbed by existing dog runs. Requesting standard note addition.

Historic District Commission Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Historical Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

Antietam Overlay

Zone Review A02 is commercial land use review only. No HDC review required.

Antietam Overlay

Zone Review Updated by Script from EPR.

Task Name Comments

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I Name of Commission

The name of this organization shall be The Historic District Commission of Washington County, hereinafter referred to as the Commission.

ARTICLE II Authorization

The authorization for the establishment of this organization is set forth in Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of MarylandMd Code (2012), § 8-201 of the Land Use Article (“LU”)

ARTICLE III Membership

Section 1 The Commission shall consist of seven (7) members, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County. In addition to these seven (7) members, a member of the Board of County Commissioners shall serve as an eighth (8th) member of the Historic District Commission in an ex officio capacity concurrent with that member’s Board of County Commissioners official term The ex officio member does not count towards a quorum, and the member similarly lacks voting rights.

Section 2 The term of each member shall be three (3) years, or until his a successor takes office. The composition of the Commission shall be as specified in Article 20.1 (b) of the Zoning Ordinance.

Section 3 Members may, after a public hearing, be removed by the local legislative body for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term by the local legislative body.

Section 4 All members of the Commission shall reside in Washington County.

Section 5 Each member of the Commission shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

Section 6 All members shall serve with such compensation as the local legislative body deems appropriate.

ARTICLE IV Officers

Section 1 The Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from the appointed members of the Commission and may create and fill such other offices as it deems appropriate.

Section 2 The term of the Chairman shall be for one (1) year, with eligibility for reelection for no more than two (2) additional terms.

Section 3 The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Commission and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary procedure.

Section 4 The Vice-Chairman shall act for the Chairman in his absence.

ARTICLE V Election of Officers

Section 1 At the regular meeting in December of each year, the Commission shall elect from its membership a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, and these elected persons shall take office at the regular meeting in January.

Section 2 Nominations shall be made from the floor of the annual organizational meeting and election of officers shall immediately follow.

Section 3 A candidate receiving a majority vote of the entire membership of the Commission shall be declared elected and shall serve for one (1) year or until his successor shall take office.

Section 4 Vacancies in office shall be filled by the adopted election procedure at the first regular meeting of the Commission following notification of the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI Meetings

Section 1 Regular meetings shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. or at such other time as deemed appropriate by the Commission. In the event of a conflict with holidays or other events, a majority vote shall determine the alternate meeting date.

Section 2 A quorum shall consist of four (4) members of the Commission. A motion to approve any matter before the Commission, or to recommend approval of any request requiring action by the Board of County Commissioners, shall require affirmative votes of a majority of those present and voting. Whenever a quorum is not present at a regular or special meeting, those present may adjourn the meeting or may hold the meeting to discuss the matters on the agenda without taking any action on those or other matters. This section shall apply to public hearings as well as to all meetings.

Section 3 A member shall be disqualified from any matter under consideration by the Commission that may affect that member’s personal or financial interest. A member may announce disqualification when an applicant, either directly or through another party, has privately sought to influence that member’s action in a matter before the Commission.

Section 4 Special meetings may be called by the Chairman with concurrence of the majority of the Commission. It shall be the duty of the Chairman to call a special meeting, when requested to do so by a majority of the Commission. The Chairman shall notify all members of the Commission three (3) days in advance of such special meeting. Special meetings shall be held at such times and places as determined by a majority of the members.

Section 5 Both Regular and Special meetings may occur by video conference, available and accessible to the public and in accordance with the following provisions, herein. Such meetings are permissible where the Chairman deems inclement weather or other circumstances make meeting in person impractical or unsafe. In such circumstances, the Commission must provide sufficient notice to the public that the next-scheduled meeting will occur by video conference, to allow public participation and observation. The discretion to hold virtual Regular or Special meetings rests with the

Chairman If a meeting is held virtually, the contents of such a meeting must be documented in the Minutes of the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 56 All meetings or portions of meetings at which official action is taken shall be open to the general public.

Section 67 Unless otherwise specified, Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings at the meetings of the Commission.

Section 78 Any provision of these rules not governed by State or County law may be temporarily suspended by a favorable two-thirds vote of all members of the Commission, which vote shall be entered in the minutes.

Article VII Order of Business

Section 1 An agenda shall be prepared and shall be approved by the Chairman for all regular meetings. The agenda, along with any supporting documents, shall be sent to all Commission members by no later than the Thursday preceding the regular Wednesday meeting. Agendas for special meetings shall be prepared as deemed necessary by the Commission.

Section 2 The order of business, set forth on the agenda, shall be:

A. Call to Order

B. Roll Call

C. Reading of the Minutes of the previous meetings and action thereof

D. New Business

E. Unfinished Business

C.F. Other Business

D.G. Communications and bills

E.H. Reports

F. Unfinished Business

G. New Business

H. Other Business

I. Adjournment

Section 3 A motion from the floor must be made and passed in order to dispense with any item on the agenda.

ARTICLE VIII Hearings

Section 1 In addition to those required by law, the Commission may hold public hearings when it finds that they will be in the public interest.

Section 2 Notice of the time and place of such hearings on matters of general public interest shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in Washington County, but not earlier than three weeks prior to the hearing. For matters of limited public interest, notice shall be given in such manner as deemed appropriate by the Commission.

Section 3 The matter before the Commission shall be presented in summary by a member of the staff and parties of interest shall have the right to be heard.

Section 4 A record shall be kept of those speaking before the Commission at such hearings and a transcript or recording of all comments shall be made.

ARTICLE IX Amendments

Proposed amendments to Tthese By-bylaws may be amended made by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Commission provided such amendment is proposed at a prior meeting and made available to all Commission members, in writing, at least three days prior to the meeting at which it is to be considered. Finally approval of amendments to these bylaws requires resolution from the Board of County Commissioners.

ARTICLE X Recordation

A copy of these By-laws and any amendments thereto shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Washington County within ten (10) days following the date of adoption.

Commented [AW2]: Pursuant to PR-22, a commission may not amend its own bylaws without approval of the BOCC. Accordingly, I’m changing this language to reflect that the HDC can propose bylaw amendments but they must still be approved by a BOCC Resolution.

ARTICLE XI Repealing Clause

All previously adopted By-laws and all amendments thereto are, upon adoption of these By-laws, repealed.

ADOPTED: This _______ day of _______________, 20___

BY:___________________________________ Chairman