About
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) provides advice to Howard County agencies, Boards, Commissions, and property owners regarding historic sites and historic districts and is the steward of the historic preservation plan. It determines if exterior changes to a local historic district or historic structure comply with local plans and issues certificates of approval for all exterior changes, such as, new construction, historic building relocation, demolition, repair or alteration of any structure and other changes that impact the appearance of a historic district or site. The Commission also assists with identifying historic resources on sites and provides advice regarding the design of development.
Important News
Important News
The upcoming public meeting of the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will be conducted on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Any case not heard on December 5, 2024 will be continued to Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm. New applications will not be accepted for December 12. As the only cases that may be heard on December 12, 2024 will be cases continued from the December 5, 2024 meeting, in accordance with HPC Rule of Procedure 102.B, only those parties who registered in advance of the Thursday, December 5, 2024 meeting may participate in the proceedings by asking questions and giving testimony for any cases continued to December 12, 2024.
Are you an architect interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Commission? More information can be found here: HPC Information
Are you an a resident or property owner in the Lawyers Hill Historic District interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Commission? More information can be found here: HPC Lawyers Hill Information
November 7, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Information
The Commission will conduct their regular November meeting as a virtual meeting November 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm, where the public is invited to speak on the agenda items.
The Historic Preservation Commission meeting on November 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm will be a WebEx meeting only. If you would like to testify, you must pre-register so you can be identified during the WebEx meeting. Please see the “Providing Testimony” tab for additional instructions.
Join the meeting via computer: If you would like to join the meeting through your computer to view and hear the presentations, you will need to register. Once registered, further instructions and a call-in attendee number will be provided via email.
Register Here:
https://howardcountymd.webex.com/weblink/register/r10aabf9f4b3e23646ddc429be2a0e1b8
Join the meeting via telephone only: If you only want to listen to the meeting and are not providing testimony call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, insert 2303 656 0599# as the event access code. After entering the event access, a password may be required – please enter 77357638# from phones.
Oral Testimony - Those who wish to provide oral testimony are required to sign up online by noon on November 7, 2024. Please follow the instructions for registering on the “Registering” tab, where there will be an option to sign-up to testify. After you register through WebEx, please email preservation@howardcountymd.gov by noon on November 7 with the case information that you wish to testify on.
Per HPC Rule of Procedure 102.B, only those parties who registered in advance of the October 10, 2024 meeting may participate in the proceedings by asking questions and giving testimony for the continued cases from October. Per HPC Rule of Procedure 102.B, only those parties who registered in advance of the November 7, 2024 meeting may participate in the proceedings by asking questions and giving testimony for the new November cases.
Documentary Evidence – Documentary evidence must be submitted by noon on November 7. All documents must be submitted in a pdf format to preservation@howardcountymd.gov (please contact HPC staff at the above email address for questions/assistance). Anyone submitting evidence must participate in the virtual meeting and present the evidence or it will not be incorporated into the record.
Minor Alteration Determinations
The Executive Secretary has determined that the following applications are considered minor alterations and do not require a Certificate of Approval from the Commission. Each application will be posted on this website for 5 days.
If any member of the public, or any member of the Historic Preservation Commission, objects to a determination below, please email the Executive Secretary at preservation@howardcountymd.gov within the 5 days of posting. Any application that is subject to an objection will be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting for which legal advertising obligations have been met. More information on the Minor Alteration Process can be found here: Minor Alterations Code
Current Applications for Minor Alterations and Tax Credit Pre-Approval:
Tiber Park, Vicinity of 8081 and 8061 Tiber Alley -- Posted 11/15/2024
Application Submissions
The Department has established new procedures to streamline the processing of Historic Preservation Commission applications. Please review the Application Submission Procedures to ensure your application is properly submitted and can therefore be reviewed by the Commission.
Additional Information
Meeting Schedule & Application Deadlines
2024 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
*Please note: The first Thursday in July, falls of the 4th of July and Howard County Government is closed. This meeting has been cancelled.
**Please note: The first Thursday in October (October 3) falls on Rosh Hashanah. In accordance with Council Bill 81-2004 and Resolution 119-2004, all Howard County departments, agencies and offices (including County boards and commissions) should refrain from holding meetings which include an opportunity for public testimony. This meeting has been rescheduled to October 10.
If you have an emergency, please contact Samantha Holmes at 410-313-4428 or preservation@howardcountymd.gov.*
Download printable schedule for 2024
Design Guidelines
Rules of Procedure
View the Commission's Rules of Procedure: Rules of Procedure
Application Forms
The Historic Preservation Commission reviews several types of applications, including applications for Certificates of Approval to make exterior alterations to properties within a local historic district, applications for Historic Property Tax Credits and applications for Advisory Comments to properties under going subdivision or site development plans that contain a historic property.
Past Meetings
2024 Meetings
| Minutes | Decisions and Orders |
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Previous Years Minutes
Board Members
- Julianne Danna, Chair
- Ellen Flynn Giles, Vice Chair
- Cathy Allen
- Ben Barlow
- Erica Zoren
Staff Contact
Samantha Holmes, Department of Planning and Zoning
410-313-4428
Margaret Stella Melikian, Department of Planning and Zoning
410-313-4332