The purpose of this chapter shall be to:
A.
Safeguard the heritage of the county by preserving areas and structures
which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic, political
or architectural history;
B.
Stabilize and improve property values in the area of historic districts
and strengthen the local economy;
C.
Foster civic beauty;
D.
Promote the use and preservation of historic districts for the education,
welfare and pleasure of the residents of the county;
E.
Develop an awareness among property owners of the value of preserving,
protecting and restoring areas of historical significance; and
F.
Enable the county government to identify and officially designate
structures and sites of historical and cultural importance to the
county, in order to make such structures and sites eligible for specific
benefits conferred by this chapter and other county ordinances and
policies which may be adopted.
A.
Under the authority of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland
and subsequent amendments, the following chapter governs the designation
and regulation of Historic Districts.
B.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon adoption and shall
be applicable to the territorial limits of Calvert County with the
exception of the territory of any incorporated town or municipality
in Calvert County.
C.
The provisions of this chapter may apply to those incorporated towns
and municipalities of the county by resolution of said incorporated
town or municipality.
The following definitions shall be construed to include the
future, the singular to include the plural, and the plural the singular.
The Calvert County Historic District Commission.
An area, designated by the Calvert County Board of Commissioners
as provided herein, containing significant features, woodlands, vegetation,
structures, sites, monuments, landmarks, farmland and archaeological
sites. The area shall be accurately described by a metes and bounds
description or a boundary survey and posted on the County Zoning Map.
The area shall include such property as is essential for historical
or environmental protection. Additional area may be included or added
if determined by the Commission to be of benefit or to enhance the
historic districted site.
A term used to identify an historic site or any item interpreted
as a structure, as defined in this section.
A required protective maintenance of historic districted
structures and sites. Minimum maintenance shall be interpreted to
be the minimum Building Codes currently enforced by Calvert County.[1]
That which does not alter the exterior features of a historic
site or historic resource within an Historic District. Exterior features
include the architectural style, design and general arrangement of
the exterior; the color, nature and texture of building materials;
and the type and style of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs
and similar items found on or related to the exterior of a historic
site or historic resource within an Historic District. Basically,
ordinary maintenance is that which will have no material effect on
the historical, architectural, cultural or archaeological value of
the historic site or historic resource within an Historical District.
This definition of ordinary maintenance applies, whenever appropriate,
to the appurtenances and environmental setting of the property, as
well as the building, structure or object itself. Specific items to
be considered as ordinary maintenance:
Repair or replacement of roofs, gutters, siding, external doors
and windows, trim, lights and other appurtenant fixtures with like
materials of like design.
Landscaping, except the removal of significant healthy trees.
Paving repair using like materials of like design.
Repainting of surfaces using the same or substantially the same
color.
A combination of material to form a construction that is
stable, including but not limited to buildings, stadiums, reviewing
stands, platforms, stagings, observation towers, trestles, bulkheads,
piers, wharves, sheds, coal bins, shelters, fences and display signs.
The term "structure" shall be interpreted as if followed by the words
"or part thereof." The term "structure" shall include natural and
manmade land formations and appurtenances and environmental settings.
"Appurtenances" is intended to include contributing buildings, outbuildings,
walkways and driveways (whether paved or not). "Environmental settings"
is intended to include trees, landscaping, open space and farmland.
