June 26th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Frostburg Historic District Commission is charged with the preservation of historic structures and the surroundings within the designated district in order to safeguard the heritage of the City, stabilize and improve property values, strengthen the local economy, and foster civic beauty.  Public meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Conference Room located at 59 E. Main Street in Frostburg.  Citizens and all interested persons are encouraged to attend.

The Historic Preservation Overlay District, as defined in Frostburg’s Zoning Ordinance, outlines the procedure for the Application for Permission to Alter a Site or Structure, which states:

Before construction, alteration, reconstruction, or demolition of any site or structure or portion thereof as defined in Section 4.1.A, including additions to or moving of an existing structure, is begun within the Historic Preservation Overlay District, if any changes are involved which would affect the exterior appearance of said site or structure that are visible or intended to be visible from a public street, the person proposing to make the construction or change shall file with the Historic District Commission an application for permission to build, alter, reconstruct, move, demolish, or construct the addition.

The Zoning Ordinance, information on the Historic District Commission, and applications for alteration in the Historic District are available on the City’s website at www.frostburgcity.org.  Applications are due two weeks prior to the monthly meetings.

The City of Frostburg’s Register of Historic Places Guidelines closely mirror the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and recommend retaining and repairing original elements and features that characterize a property.  When replacement is necessary the Guidelines recommend duplicating the design of the feature and matching the color, texture, other visual qualities, and where possible, materials.

The Community Development staff will gladly assist property owners in the Historic District with the application process, understanding the Standards and the Guidelines, using Technical Preservation Services, and answering questions.  Community Development staff can be reached by calling 301-689-6000.  Online resources include the City of Frostburg’s website, www.frostburgcity.org, and the National Park Service at nps.gov.