The latest edition of Maryland’s Historic Districts, MAHDC’s quarterly publication, is out!

Read the Spring 2016 Issue

Excerpts from this edition:
Utility Conflicts in Historic Districts

Aging infrastructure, new technology, and increased environmental and safety regulations can lead to updating of utilities and the associated meters in a way that is inconsistent with the character of our local historic districts. Continue reading.
Preservation Easement Cases Demonstrate Need for Strict Adherence to IRS Requirements

Tax incentivized preservation easements have been the target of IRS scrutiny over the past decade – which has resulted in substantially fewer property owners pursuing this tax benefit. This does not mean, however, that the gross number of preservation easement donations have fallen in all locations and circumstances, but it does at least mean that the transactional models have evolved. It also means, for those still interested in pursuing this tax advantage, that close attention needs to be paid with regard to these transactions.Continue reading.
2016 Historic Preservation Commission Listing

There have been a number of staff and commission chair changes since last year’s update. View the 2016 HPC Listing.

Legal Symposium: Creating, Defending, and Enforcing a Strong Historic Preservation Ordinance

Save the Date: June 11, 2016, 9-3 PM, Annapolis

This invitation-only symposium is intended for historic preservation commissioners, commission staff, city and county attorneys, and code enforcement staff. The full-day symposium will address the legal, political, and enforcement challenges in revising historic preservation ordinances and present creative solutions for addressing them.

The preliminary program includes keynotes by William Cook, Associate General Counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Andrea Ferster, nationally-respected historic preservation attorney with specialty in enforcement of local ordinances; speaker Bill Henry, City of Baltimore Councilman; a session on model ordinances led by Nell Ziehl, Chief of the Office of Planning, Education, and Outreach at the Maryland Historical Trust; and a panel of Maryland commissioners and staff discussing successful public relations strategies.

Watch your email for an invitation and block off June 11th to be part of this important conversation. The symposium is eligible for CLG Educational and Training Funds reimbursement. Professional continuing education credits will also be available (in process).

Upcoming Training:
April 28, 2016 – Ethics and Defensive Decision Making for Historic Preservation Commissions, Saint Mary’s County, MDApril 28, 2016 – Historic Preservation and Economics: Recent Lessons from Home and Abroad – Donovan Rypkema Lecture, Annapolis, MD

May 5, 2016 – Design Review for Historic Preservation Commissions, Rockville, MD (closed event)

May 24-25, 2016 – Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership Annual Conference, Hagerstown, MD

June 11, 2016 – Legal Symposium: Creating, Defending, and Enforcing a Strong Historic Preservation Ordinance, Annapolis, MDJuly 12-14, 2016 – Field Documentation, Berryville, VA

July 14, 2016 – Experimental Design for Conservation Research Webinar

July 21, 2016 – Preservation Summer School by Preservation Maryland, Frederick, MD

July 27-31, 2016 – National Alliance of Preservation Commission FORUM 2016, Mobile, AL
The Cecil County Historic District Commission
and Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions
invites you to theWellwood Club
523 Water Street
Charlestown, Maryland 21914

April 29, 2016
6-8 PM

RSVP includes tour of the historic club, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and non-alcoholic beverages. Wine, beer, and cocktails will be available for purchase at the cash bar.

Space is limited for this unique evening for Maryland’s preservation commissioners, local government staff and elected officials, and our preservation partners, so RSVP early!
RSVP