The Historic Preservation Commission was established in 1975 by Board of County Commissioners for St Mary’s County. It is composed of seven members who are appointed for three-year terms.  The mission of the Historic Preservation Commission is: To safeguard the heritage of the county by advocating for the preservation of sites structures, or districts which reflect the elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological, and architectural history; To stabilize and improve property values of such sites, structures and districts; To foster civic beauty; To strengthen the local economy; To promote the preservation and appreciation of the sites, structures and districts for the welfare and education of the citizens of the county. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Department of Land Use and Growth Management Conference Room of the Patuxent Building. November & December meetings are held on the third Thursday. 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650.       St. Mary's County Accomplishments in Historic Preservation Since 1993 in association with the Department of Land Use and Growth Management under grants from the Maryland Historical Trust, and matching support from the Board of County Commissioners, the Historic Preservation Commission has overseen a systematic survey of the county's historic resources. The survey has identified, documented and added over three hundred properties to the local historic inventory and the Maryland Inventory of Historic Sites. Architectural historian and historic sites surveyor, Kirk Ranzetta prepared "Painting a Self-Portrait: A Historic Preservation Plan for St. Mary's County," which was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 2000. The final product of this eight year effort will be Mr. Ranzetta's book, "Goin' Down the County: An Architectural Journey through St. Mary's County, Maryland," which will be available May, 2010. Meetings are held the fourth Thursday, 4:00 p.m., Department of Land Use and Growth Management Conference Room of the Annex Building. 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD. November & December meetings are held on either the second or third Thursday. Historic Preservation Guidelines - (PDF) History of St. Mary’s County’s Roads Since the first Europeans arrived in St. Mary’s County in 1634 until the early 20th century, the county’s numerous waterways were the primary means of transporting goods and people. Road networks existed for local travel within the county. A few roads provided access to the state capital at Annapolisafter 1695, to markets in Baltimoreafter the 1870’s, and to other economic centers outside the county, but for extended journeys, transportation by water was easier. From the 18th through the early 20th centuries, the roads in St. Mary’s County gradually improved and the number of roads increased. However, not until automobile use became widespread did the county’s roads overtake its waterways as the primary transportation network. You may download a copy of the guide to St. Mary’s County Historic Rural Roads by clicking here. The development of this web page has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, made available through the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of the Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Maryland. Matching funds have been provided by the St. Mary’s County Commissioners.

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BYLAWS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF ST MARY'S COUNTY

Article I

Purpose

Section 1

The purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be to:

a.   Promote the use and preservation of historic areas for the education, welfare and pleasure of residents of St. Mary's County.

b.    Enable the County government to identify and officially designate certain areas within St. Mary's County an historic district.

c.    Review both building permit and demolition permit applications within historic districts.

d.    Assist in the effective implementation of Article 3, Section 38.03 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Article II

Organization

Section 1

The St. Mary's County Commissioners have created the “St. Mary's County Historic - Preservation Commission." This Commission shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the County Commissioners. Each member must be a resident of St. Mary's County. At least two members of the commission shall be appointed from among the disciplines of architecture, architectural history, history, or archaeology. Professional qualifications for these members shall be determined according to guidelines set forth in "Procedures for Certification of Local Government Historic Preservation Programs, Appendix 2, 11 established by the Maryland Historical Trust in February 1985. All other members shall have a demonstrated special interest, experience, or knowledge in architecture, history , architectural history , planning, archaeology, or related disciplines, such as urban planning, American civilization, law, or cultural anthropology. The members of the commission shall, to the extent possible, be selected to represent the geographical, social, economic, and cultural concerns of the residents of St. Mary's County.

Section 2

The Commission shall appoint the chairman and vice chairman of the Commission.

Section 3

The terms of the members of the Commission shall be for three (3) year periods, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be three (3) each for one (1), two (2) and three (3) year periods, so that not more than three (3) appointments shall expire each year. Members are limited to two consecutive terms.

Section 4

Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission caused by the expiration of a term, resignation, death, incapacity to discharge duties, removal for cause, or any other reason shall be filled within 60 days for a new term, or for the remainder of the term for which there is a vacancy, as the case may be, in the same manner as provided herein for the - appointment and confirmation of the initial members of the commission. In the case of expiration of terms, members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed and confirmed.

Section 5

The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, provided that said expenses are provided for in the county budget and reimbursement is approved by the County Administrator.

Section 6

The Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper transaction of the business of the commission which shall be subject to review and approval by the County Commissioners prior to their becoming effective.

Section 7

The Commission shall hold such regular meetings, as in its discretion, are necessary to discharge its duties.

Section 8

Members are expected to attend all meetings of the Commission. Three (3) consecutive absences by any member without presenting a satisfactory explanation to the Chairman or attendance at less than 60% of all meetings in any 12 month period, shall result in a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for termination of appointment, of membership and the recommendation of a person for consideration as a replacement.

Section 9

Employees maybe assigned to the Commission, and such services and facilities made available as are deemed necessary or appropriate for the proper performance of its duties. The County Attorney shall serve as counsel to the Commission.

Section 10

The Commission shall adopt architectural and design guidelines for renovation, new construction, infill, and maintenance which shall specify such characteristics as materials, colors, signage, landscaping, and other design-related considerations that will be permitted, encouraged, limited, or excluded from historic sites or historic districts. Such guidelines shall be subject to review and approval by the County Commissioners prior to their becoming effective.

Article III

Functions

Section 1

To research historic resources and to recommend to the Planning Commission and County Commissioners, using the criteria of Section 38.04.4, which ones should be classified as historic sites or historic districts in the historic preservation element of the Comprehensive Plan.

Section 2

To maintain and update an inventory of historic resources.

Section 3

To act upon applications for historic area work permits and other matters referred to it for action pursuant to the provisions of Section 38.04.6.

Section 4

To appoint members to local advisory committees to assist and advise the Commission in the performance of its functions.

Section 5

To recommend programs and legislation to the County Commissioners and the Planning Commission to promote historic preservation.

Section 6

To review any legislation, applications for zoning map amendment, special exception, site plan, and subdivision approval, and other proposals affecting historic preservation, including preparation and amendment of master plans, and to make recommendations thereon to the appropriate authorities.

Section 7

To serve as a clearinghouse for information on historic preservation for county government, individuals, citizens associations, historical societies, and local advisory committees; to provide information and educational materials for the public; and to undertake activities to advance the goals of historic preservation in the county.

Section 8

To employ or hire consultants or other temporary personnel, as necessary consistent with county contract provisions, to assist the Commission in the accomplishment of its functions. Consultants or other personnel shall be compensated as may be provided for in the county budget.

Section 9

To administer any revolving funds, easement or grant programs, tax incentive programs, or other preservation funds that will aid historic preservation, as approved in the county operating budget.

Section 10

To delineate the extent of appurtenances and environmental setting associated with a historic resource during the development review processes.

Section 11

To make recommendations on the use, upkeep, or adaptive reuse of publicly-owned historic resources.

Section 12

The Commission shall be further guided by the provisions of Article 3, Section 38.04 of the St. Mary's County Zoning Ordinance and Section 8 of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Section 13

The Commission is required to prepare an annual report for the Board of County Commissioners. The report is submitted by the chairman.

Article IV

Commission Meetings

Section 1

All Commission meetings shall be open to the public.

Section 2

The Commission shall keep an open record of its proceedings.

Section 3

Any interested person is entitled to be heard by the Commission before it reaches a decision on any substantive matter.

Section 4

The Commission shall publicize its meetings at least one (1) week in advance, in at least one (1) local newspaper.

Article V

Amendments

Subject to the final approval by the Board of County Commissioners these by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Commission by a majority vote provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.