ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Commission. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 27th at 5:00 p.m.
The Historic Preservation Commission serves an important role in the preservation of our historic districts and historic properties throughout the County. We are incredibly thankful to the men and women who serve on the commission today and look forward to welcoming new members in the near future.
Comprised of seven members, at least one of whom is a resident or property owner from Ellicott City and one from Lawyers Hill – the county’s historic districts – the Commission’s responsibilities include:
- Reviewing applications for certificates of approval involving alterations to historic structures;
- Conducting property site visits;
- Reviewing applications for Minor Alterations;
- Reviewing and providing advisory comments on subdivision and site development plans for historic structures throughout the County;
- Making recommendations to the Howard County Council on all petitions to create or modify multiple site historic districts;
- Providing advice on historical resources;
- Adopting rules to implement the historic tax credit program;
- Approving historic tax credits; and
- Advising on updating and maintaining the historic sites inventory.
- Reviewing and providing recommendations for updates to the Design Guidelines.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be: (1) a Howard County resident; (2) a professional in or have special interest, knowledge or training in such fields as history, architecture, archeology, anthropology, curation, preservation, urban design and/or related disciplines; have a demonstrated interest in the preservation of historic and architectural areas of the county; (3) include a resident of the Ellicott City or Lawyers Hill Historic District and (4) be able to attend the Commission’s meetings, which are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive in Ellicott City.
Property owners and residents from County’s two historic districts, Ellicott City and Lawyers Hill, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should send a resume and brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Commission to Paul Thompson, either by email to pathompson@howardcountymd.gov or by mail to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Paul Thompson, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.
For more information about the Historic Preservation Commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions/historic-preservation-commission or call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 410-313-2350.