Review Process for Historic Sites

An Historic Site or Property is a site, building, structure, district, or object that is significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, and is generally 50 years old or older. An historic property usually possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. It may be of value to the nation as a whole or important to the state of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, or simply the community in which it is located. An historic property must possess at least one of the following criteria: (1) association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; (2) association with the lives of persons significant in our past; (3) distinctive characteristics of a type or period of architecture, or method of construction, or the work of a master architect; high artistic value; or representative of a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; (4) potential to yield or have yielded information important in prehistory or history.

In addition to the National Historic Preservation Act and the Maryland Historic Preservation Act, historic and archaeological resources are protected by County Code under Article 20, Section 2-102(8A) 110. 1. 1; Article 26, Title 6 (General Development Provisions) Subtitle 5 (Historic Resources, Archaeological Resources and Cemeteries) and Article 28, Section 10- 125(B).

Subdivision review procedures are as follows:

• Each subdivision is reviewed by the Historic Sites Planner to determine the effect of the proposed action on significant historic or architectural sites or structures.
• Significant historic or architectural sites or structures are those that are listed on or meet the criteria for listing on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties, the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Landmarks.
• Subdivision applicants must retain and preserve the significant, historic or architectural site or structure and incorporate it into the overall design and plan of the subdivision "through harmonious and careful design." Vegetative or landscape buffers or plantings, architectural or preservation easements, and architectural design review of the proposed structures in the subdivision may be required to preserve the historical integrity of the site or structure and its setting.

At Sketch Phase, the subdivision applicant submits a preservation plan for the site or structure, including a scope of work and schedule for completion. Preservation easements are required for all sites or structures listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in order to ensure preservation in perpetuity. If preservation of the site or structure is determined by the county not to be feasible, the subdivision applicant shall document and retrieve any information from the site or structure prior to demolition.

• The feasibility of preservation is determined by the Director of P &.Z, the Chief Building Inspector, the Historic Sites Planner, and other building or preservation experts as needed.
• Prior to demolition, the subdivision applicant obtains documentation of the site or structure conducted to Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) standards by qualified professionals as determined by the National Park Service in 36 CFR 800 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Prior to demolition, the subdivision applicant shall cooperate with any interested party for the removal or salvage of all or part of the site or structure.

For further information contact Donna Ware, Historic Sites Planner of the Office of Environmental and Cultural Resources at (410) 222-7441.