The Facts:
1992, April 27 – Carla Massoni filed an application with the
Chestertown Historic District Commission seeking approval to paint the front of
the first story of the Hotel Imperial.
At the time of the Application, the paint had already been applied.
1992, May 6 – From the Minutes of the Chestertown Historic
District Commission Meeting -
Application #42-92 submitted by Hotel Imperial, Inc., 208 High Street,
Chestertown, for painting the brick on the front of the first floor of the building
– work that had in fact already been executed.
Carla Massoni represented the Hotel Imperial and after discussion by
Commission members, “Mrs. Massoni said they would withdraw the application and
agree to remove the paint”.
1992, October 13 – A letter was sent to the Massonis by the Town Administrator to remove the paint in thirty (30) days. Mr. Massoni responded by representing that the paint removal was scheduled for the first two weeks of March, 1993 and asked that the Town allow them until March to remove the paint.
1992, November 4 –
From the Minutes of the Chestertown Historic District Commission Meeting –“Mr.
Ingersoll said he sent out two letters concerning the paint of the Imperial
Hotel and the movie theatre. He said he
received a written response from the Imperial Hotel and a verbal response from
Joyce Cafritz (movie theater). The
letter from the Hotel stated that their season does not end in September, but
in March after the hunting season. They
pleaded that they be allowed until March to remove the paint. They cited the Candlelight Tour in September
and the Wildlife Show in October. Mr.
Ingersoll said he did not know what the Commission’s position on this request
would be but action needed to be taken.
The Commission members present offered no comment.”
1993, February 3 – Application #6-93 was submitted by Joyce
Cafritz for permission to complete the exterior painting of the front of the
Royal Prince Theatre building at 210 High Street, Chestertown. The Chairman stated he had been apprised of
some legal activity involved with this structure following the meeting of May
1992. He asked Mr. Ingersoll to explain
this. Mr. Ingersoll stated there are two
properties that are involved which have been painted without receiving
approvals. He said both the hotel and
the movie theatre were written enforcement letters by him in the fall and by
the Town Attorney in December…..The Chairman said “since there are legal issues
at hand, both applications (one submitted by the movie theater (#6-93)and one submitted by the hotel (#7-93))
should be held to the next meeting”.
1993, March 10 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Imperial paint
removal put on hold.” Note: The
Chestertown Historic District Commission met on March 3, 1993 and
discussed Application #7-93 submitted by
Mr. and Mrs. Al Massoni regarding the painting of the Hotel Imperial. The Massonis agreed to an extension until the
next Commission meeting.
1993, April 14 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Commission
places hotel owner on hold.” Note: The Chestertown Historic District Commission
met on April 7, 1993 and discussed Application #7-93 submitted by Mr. and Mrs.
Al Massoni regarding the painting of the Hotel Imperial. Mr. Massoni agreed to another continuance.
1993, April 30 – Al Massoni requested a change in the date
of the May Chestertown Historic District Commission meeting because of he would
not be availalble to meet during the regular meeting date.
1993, April 30 – Chestertown Historic District Commission
Chairman Robert Janson-LaPalme granted the Massoni ‘s request to hold a special
meeting regarding the Hotel Imperial’s Application #7-93 on May 19, 1993.
1993, May 19 – The Chestertown Historic District Commission held a Special Meeting and denied the
Massoni’s application.
1993, May 26 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Hotel told: remove paint.”
1993, June 9 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Cafritz waits for
nomination to historic district commission”… “Until the matter of paint on the
façade of the Imperial Hotel is put to rest – through removal or successful
appeal – Mayor Elmer E. Horsey will not nominate her (Cafritz) for another term
(on Chestertown’s Historic District Commission). Cafritz’s term expired in January (1993).
1993, June 17 – Kent County Circuit Court Case #2491-L, Pro
Se Philip W. Hoon, Esq., Hoon and Barroll in the matter of Hotel Imperial,
Inc., Albert L. Massoni and Carla Massoni vs. Chestertown Historic District
Commission. Paul M. Bowman, Esq.,
Attorney for the Commission. Order for
Appeal from the decision of the Chestertown Historic District Commission dated
May 19, 1993.
1994, September 6 – Mandate from Court of Special Appeals
No. 1578, September Term, 1993 Judgment:
Judgment affirmed.
1996, January 19 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Horsey asks
for Court Order against Chestertown in Imperial paint case.”
1996, February 11 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Chestertown
Council files suit against owners of historic hotel.”
1996, May 7 – Editorial, KENT COUNTY NEWS – “Gone but not
forgotten”…”Far from being a small thing in a small town, the Imperial Hotel
case strengthened the hand of the Commission (Chestertown Historic District
Commission) – and others like it across Maryland – in efforts to protect the
precious material remains of our history.
It was right for Horsey (former Chestertown Mayor) to pursue this
through the Courts. He correctly saw the
issue as the credibility of Chestertown’s regulatory procedures and not the
paint itself.”
More Chestertown Historic District History ….
1980, January 24 – Kent County Circuit Court Case
#6879: William A. Faulkner and Janice M.
Faulkner, trading as The Rendezvous Beauty Salon, 103 Cross Street,
Chestertown, Maryland vs. The Town of Chstertown, et al regarding covering over
of windows.
1980, May 14 – From the KENT COUNTY NEWS, “Historic Zoning
Tested”. “Second floor windows of The
Rendezvous Beauty Shop on Cross Street in Chestertown were covered with
aluminum siding illegally, the Historic District Zoning Commission, represented
by Town attorney Paul Bowman, argued.”
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