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
The July 2024 HPC meeting has been cancelled.
Applications received that comply with the Guidelines and County Code will be considered for the Commission's Minor Alteration process. Otherwise, please plan accordingly to apply for the June 6 or August 1 HPC meetings. Please see the Commission's Application Deadline and Meeting Schedule below. Please contact HPC Staff at preservation@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-4428 with any questions.
May 2, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Information
The Commission will conduct their regular May meeting as a virtual meeting May 2, 2024 at 7:00 pm, where the public is invited to speak on the agenda items.
The Historic Preservation Commission meeting on May 2, 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.
Registering for the Meeting:
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/r436af55b5a9cf64efb868e03636b27c5
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 2300 089 1598 as the event access code. After entering the event access, a password may be required – please enter 87955725 from phones.
Providing testimony:
Oral Testimony - Those who wish to provide oral testimony are required to sign up online by noon on May 2, 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 May 2 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 May 2, 2024 meeting may participate in the proceedings by asking questions and giving testimony.
Documentary Evidence – Documentary evidence must be submitted by noon on May 2. 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:
12351 Frederick Rd, West Friendship -- Posted May 10, 2024
12351 Frederick Road, West Friendship (HVAC tax credit) - posted May 10, 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 |
| Decision and Orders | |
| March |
Decision and Orders |
Previous Years Minutes
Board Members
- Erica Zoren, Chair
- Julianne Danna, Vice Chair
- Ellen Flynn Giles
- Cathy Allen
- Ben Barlow
Staff Contact
Samantha Holmes, Department of Planning and Zoning
410-313-4428
Margaret Stella Melikian, Department of Planning and Zoning
410-313-4332