EASTON, MARYLAND — A healthy black walnut at 319 August St. is back on Easton's Historic District Commission agenda tonight, this time with an arborist's letter recommending that it come down.
Town staff recommend approving the removal only if the commission finds that the tree threatens one of the historic garages at 317 or 319 August St. If the commission does not find a threat to a historic structure, staff support denying the request. The town's historic district guidelines call for preserving existing shade trees unless they will grow to damage historic buildings, the staff report says.
The Oct. 25 letter from Heather Woodfin, a certified arborist with That Tree Guy LLC, says the tree's trunk sits so close to the neighboring historic building that it has limited room to keep growing. It says its spreading canopy hangs over nearby structures and driveways. The owners report broken branches over the neighboring shed, surface roots blocking the shed door, and fence and vehicle damage, according to the letter. Woodfin writes that she confirmed those concerns by visual inspection, that the neighboring owner supports removal, and that a native American holly is proposed as a replacement. In a report for the commission's Oct. 13 meeting, staff had recommended tabling the request until a letter from a Maryland licensed tree expert was provided.
Also returning is 121 S. Washington St., a building the town lists as non-contributing to the historic district. On Oct. 13 the commission approved rebuilding its front portico. The owner now proposes board-and-batten fiber cement siding on the front facade. The scope approved earlier called for painting the front brick white. The staff report cites the guideline to avoid covering original masonry walls. Its draft motions include a denial on the finding that covering masonry walls with a modern material is inappropriate and that the proposed siding is inconsistent with the building's architectural style.
New requests:
- 602 August St.: replace rotted wood decking, railings, steps and balusters on a rear landing with wood. Staff recommend approval, noting the structure was built in 2004, before the property joined the district in 2005.
- 126 Port St.: a sign about 38 inches tall and 96 inches long for Neighborhood Service Center Inc. above the entrance. Staff support it as submitted.
- 205 S. Harrison St.: replace a rear deck with a new deck that includes a screened section under a shed roof. Staff recommend approval on the condition that trim, fascia and soffit be composite rather than vinyl.
A request for 1 S. Washington St. has been moved to the commission's Nov. 23 agenda.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in Council Chambers at the Easton Town Office, 14 S. Harrison St.
Source: Town of Easton
Drawn from public records; drafted with AI and edited by Peter Gorman before publication.
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