New members replace outgoing commissioners and will oversee approval of historic area work permits, historic designation and regulation of historic properties in the county
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The Montgomery County Council approved the appointments on Tuesday, July 14 to replace outgoing members.
The newly appointed Historic Preservation Commissioners are Silver Spring resident Mark Clements, Rockville resident James Doman and Takoma Park resident Julie Pelletier.
The Historic Preservation Commission membership must include specialists in the fields of history, architecture, preservation and urban design, as well as members who represent, to the extent possible, the geographic, social, economic and cultural concerns of county residents.
The HPC reviews applications for proposed exterior alterations, new construction and demolition involving properties listed on the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation. Commissioners also approve designations of historic properties to the master plan.
While the Montgomery Planning Headquarters is closed to the public, members of the HPC continue to meet virtually.
About the New Appointees to the Historic Preservation Commission
Downtown Silver Spring resident Mark Clements is an archivist and assistant director of communications for the Seafarers International Union of North America. In that role, he has overseen large-scale records preservation projects, including development of a public online database with over 80 years’ worth of historic maritime and labor periodicals and photographs. Due to his professional experience in the labor movement, Mr. Clements is particularly interested in how preservation decisions commingle with notions of historical justice. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Religious Studies from Tulane University, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Colorado State University, and a Master of Library and Information Science degree in Archives, Preservation and Records Management from the University of Pittsburgh.
Rockville resident James Doman holds a Bachelor of Science in Material Science from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Ohio University. Mr. Doman worked in the nuclear industry for 25 years before changing careers to pursue his passion for carpentry. After working for Oak Grove Restoration, Mr. Doman formed his own remodeling company, specializing in historic restoration and energy conservation in older homes. He has performed demanding historic preservation carpentry for Dumbarton Oaks, the Luxemburg Embassy and the Residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, among others. In retirement, he keeps busy remodeling his children’s homes, maintaining the building and grounds at his church and making furniture.
Takoma Park resident Julie Pelletier is an architect and long-time resident of Montgomery County. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland. Licensed in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., she maintains memberships in the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Ms. Pelletier’s career spans tenures at several prestigious firms, specializing in contextual design and historic preservation at all scales. She recently accepted a position at the Architect of the Capitol. For several years, she served on the DC Historic Homeowner Grant Program Committee, reviewing applications to fund single-family restoration projects. Her residence since 2012 is a historic bungalow in Takoma Park.
About the Historic Preservation Office
The Historic Preservation Office supports the Montgomery County Planning Board and the Historic Preservation Commission by providing for the identification, designation and regulation of historic sites in Montgomery County. Historic Preservation staff also maintains an archive and library of documentation on historic resources in Montgomery County and provides preservation outreach and guidance on preservation best practices to the public.
If you are interested in historic buildings, sites and programs in Montgomery County parks, visit the Montgomery County Parks Department for more information.
The Montgomery County Planning Department and Planning Board Are Moving
The Montgomery County Planning Department, Department of Parks and Planning Board are moving their headquarters to 2425 Reedie Dr., Wheaton, MD 20902 in August 2020. The first Historic Preservation Commission meeting in the new Wheaton building will take place on September 9 and the first Planning Board meeting will take place on September 10. Learn more about the Wheaton Headquarters.