HRAB 11-17-92 Meeting MinutesSummary of 11/17/92 Meeting
Attendance
Members: Ray Ewing
Judith Swiger
Lee Taylor
Gary VanMeter
John Venskoske
Staff: Ron Lilley
Agenda items:
1. Proposed procedural changes for developments affecting historic resources.
The matters of routine HRAB review of development affecting significant historic
sites and listing the especially significant sites in the Comprehensive Plan were
discussed. Members were supportive of being a regular review agency. Staff
noted that an ordinance change would not be required to institute that, but that
the necessary steps would be pursued by the staff.
Approaches to establishing a list of especially significant historic properties were
discussed in light of the Nov. 4 Planning Commission input on the issue. The
thought of listing only those properties whose owners would not object to being
listed was reconsidered when it was pointed out that such a voluntary scheme
would probably not achieve much additional protection. Members decided that
writing to the property owners to determine what level of objection there would
be to such a list would help everyone know how to handle the issue. Staff was
asked to draft a letter along those lines, with a positive tone about historic values,
which members could review at the December meeting.
It was agreed to try to get Maral Kalbian to present her recommended list of
especially significant sites at the December meeting.
2. Plaque Program design contest
The findings about the 'Equestrian Forge" company were well-received. Staff was
asked to check with that company about the limitations on the level of intracasy a
design could have, for purposes of informing design contestants.
The following design parameters were agreed upon:
- the size should be between 50 and 80 square inches
- the wording should be "Frederick County Historic Site"
There was general consensus that the contest should be limited to Frederick
County school system students based on the expectation that there would be a
good number of good quality entries.
It was also generally agreed that the HRAB should pass along their top five
choices to the Board of Supervisors for final judgement. There would be first,
second, and third place prizes of $100, $50, and $25, respectively, as long as the
Board of Supervisors approved that money coming from the County's "Historical
Marker" reserve fund. The possibility of an additional award for the final design
producer, such as a smaller -scale version of the plaque mounted on a small
marble block, was well-received. Staff was asked to look into that possibility
further.
Staff was asked to draft an information sheet about the contest for review at the
December meeting.
3. Legislative Contact for Virginia Preservation Alliance.
Staff was assigned as the contact point for this.
4. Other
a. Using Maral Kalbian for technical expertise on a contract basis was considered
worth pursuing. Given the funding limitations and expected work load, it was
generally agreed that contracting for 50 hours of assistance for a 12 month period
should provide a reasonable level of assistance. Staff was asked to follow that up
with the Planning Department Director.
b. Staff presented some findings about the EDC's involvement with promotion of
historic resources for tourism/economic development purposes. It was agreed
that having EDC Director June Wilmot at a meeting to explain their involvement
more completely would be helpful.
c. Bettye Chumley's resignation letter was announced and suggestions about
possible replacements for her at -large seat were solicited.
d. Ray Ewing noted that it would be helpful to have a copy of changes to the
Comprehensive Plan since 1989 relating to historic resources. Staff agreed to
provide that.