Submitted: 1/19/1999 Approved:

Tuesday, December 15, 1998

Meeting No. 13-98

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened

in the Council Chambers, Rockville City Hall, at 7:03 p.m.

Craig Moloney, Chair

Dean Brenneman Donald Crawford

Bruce Noble Anita Neal Powell

Staff: Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner

Jim Wasilak, Planner III

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. November 17, 1998 ( Meeting No. 12-98)

No additions or corrections were offered to the minutes of November 17, 1998.

Commissioner Brenneman moved, seconded by Commissioner Powell, to approve the minutes of the Historic District Commission meeting of November 17, 1998 as submitted.

VOTE: 4-0

COMMISSIONER CRAWFORD ARRIVED AT 7:10 P.M.

1. HDC98-0134 - Applicant: McCarthy, Wilson and Ethridge

108 South Washington Street -

Request: Installation of 6 foot "Wyngate" picket fence at rear property line

Staff said a total of 230 application notices were sent to adjacent, abutting and confronting properties and others by first class mail. The meeting agenda and staff report was also available on the City of Rockville Internet site. No comments on HDC98-0134 were received by City staff prior to the meeting.

Staff recommended approval of HDC98-0134 for a six-foot pressure treated wooden picket fence at the rear property line of 108 South Washington. The recommendation was based on compatibility with existing approved fences and the streetscape of the historic district. The rear property line is also the boundary between the historic district and the public library site and the fence will screen the library parking lot as well as reduce the amount of cut through pedestrian traffic. It will continue a previously approved fence of the same design at 100 and 104 S. Washington Streets. The fence will not be visible from the public way of S. Washington Street and will be marginally visible from Vinson Street. The fence will not have a negative impact on the character of the two-story frame historic structure or on the surrounding historic area and is consistent with the design, scale, proportion, arrangement, texture, and materials of the subject house and property.

Paul Ethridge, representing the applicants, said the firm also owns the adjacent properties at 100 and 104 South Washington and will continue the current fence, which is finished with pickets on both sides. He noted that the fence will improve safety for employees late at night when using the rear parking lots.

Commissioner Noble stated that he found the proposed fence without adverse impact on the site or streetscape, that the design and finish was appropriate to the utilitarian nature of the use, and that the fence had no positive or negative aesthetic impact to the district. The Commission concurred.

No citizens spoke in favor of or in opposition to the application.

Commissioner Noble moved, seconded by Commissioner Powell, to APPROVE HDC98-0134 for a fence at the rear property line of 108 South Washington Street with the following conditions:

1. That the Applicant receives a fence permit before proceeding.
2. Fence design and materials shall be a six -foot (72-inches) high, pressure-treated wood "Wyngate" design picket fence that is finished on both sides. It is to be left in a natural finish and match the existing approved fences at 100 and 104 S. Washington Street.

VOTE: 5-0

COURTESY REVIEWS

1. HDC98-0135 - Applicant: Investment Properties, Inc.- Susan M. Whalen

Church Street Office Building

Request: New six-story office building - TCO-2 Zone

Commissioner Brenneman stated that he had a business relationship with the applicants and therefore recused himself from voting or commenting on this application. Staff said that although the subject property is outside the B&O Railroad Historic District, it abuts the Wire Hardware Store lot, which is in the district. These lots will be combined into one record lot that is partially in the district before construction begins, but at present the property is several record lots. For this reason, the procedures extended to an application for a certificate of approval within a historic district will be followed with this application. Staff said a total of 230 notices of the hearing were sent to adjacent, abutting and confronting properties and others by first class mail. The meeting agenda was also available on the City of Rockville Internet site. No comments on HDC98-0135 were received by City staff prior to the meeting.

Staff stated that the recommendation to the Planning Commission and other bodies should be made in the form of a motion with findings. As the HDC has first review of the concept plan, HDC recommendations should focus on the site plan and basic form of the building to minimize impact to the historic district rather than details which may change. Staff circulated photographs of the proposed site and the adjacent historic district.

Applicant Sue Whalen of Investment Properties, Inc. introduced project architect Barry Dunn, who also designed the building at One Church Street located next to this project, but is not a part of new development.

Mr. Dunn presented site plans and elevations. He noted that the goal was to provide a transition from the nine-story building at One Church Street around the corner to the two-story Wire Hardware commercial structure and preserve the view of the historic structures in the B&O Historic District. The transition and viewscape retention was accomplished through a seven-story tower at the northwest corner which steps down to 72 feet, 6 inches at the six-story front facing Church Street and the Metro Station. It has a projecting vertical entrance bay on the front elevation and was designed with groups of traditional style windows grouped as was typical of older commercial buildings and the façade is articulated to further break up the rectangular mass. The building is finished in limestone-colored concrete panels.

The building then steps down to 60 feet and five stories at the east side and rear with a 45 degree cut at the building at the corner to preserve the line of sight to Wire Hardware and the B&O Station. The building area will total about 93,000 square feet. The rear façade of the new building will be located 74 feet from the rear façade of Wire Hardware.

The present alley will be abandoned and the entrance and egress to the underground parking garage will occupy a landscaped space between the two buildings. The plaza and streetscape established at One Church Street will be continued around the new construction and encompass Wire Hardware.

Planner Jim Wasilak reviewed the zoning requirements for development of a building in the TCO-2 zone when abutting a historic district. He noted that the building setback from the historic district boundary is required to be the height of the new building. In this case, Mr. Dunn said the height of the new building at the rear is 60 feet and the distance between the proposed building to the present historic district boundary is 58 feet, but it is 74 feet to the Wire Hardware building. Mr. Wasilak said that the City Attorney had examined the plan and found that the plane of development was substantially in conformance with the zoning requirement. Mr. Dunn said he felt that the intent was to preclude a nine-story building looming over and dwarfing the historic structures. He believed his façade design and siting plus the 74 foot separation of the buildings with a landscape buffer will accomplish this and provide a unified streetscape and flow.

Commissioners Neal-Powell and Crawford had concerns about the amount of parking and delivery traffic at the rear and onto Church Street, and the amount of paved surface between the two buildings.

Chairman Moloney said the he believed brick would be a better exterior cladding, as the historic buildings and One Church Street are all clad with brick. Mr. Dunn responded that the Sunrise building was vinyl with a wood clapboard appearance and old St. Mary's Church is painted stucco and brick. He stated that the uses and materials in the area are eclectic and a variety of materials is typical of older commercial rows.

Commissioner Noble expressed concern about the distance of the building to the district boundary and any future building adjacent to the Wire Hardware building. Jim Whalen, Investment Properties, Inc., said that the combined lot would be partially in and partially out of the district when combined so the extent that the setback requirement is applicable is somewhat unclear. He noted that the current zoning allows much more intense development of the Wire Hardware property and a development plan that was submitted several years ago increased density through additions to the Wire building. Mr. Whalen said that by creating the larger combined record lot, Investment Properties was able to transfer the unused density from the Wire lot to the new building and this would guarantee that no further additions or buildings could be constructed on the Wire Hardware lot. He noted that the architect preserved the views and integrity of the Wire building through this plan.

No citizens spoke in favor of or in opposition to the application.

Commissioner Crawford moved, seconded by Commissioner Neal- Powell, to recommend APPROVAL of HDC98-0135 for construction of a new office structure on Church Street between One Church Street and the Historic Wire Hardware Building. The recommendation was based on the following findings:

1. The concept plan, mass, designs, and location on the lot is satisfactory.
2. Approval of the application will remove density from the
   Wire Hardware lot and preclude any further development on that site.
3. The City Attorney has stated that the building plane setback appears to satisfy the intent of the setback requirement and the plan is not technically waiving this requirement.
4. The applicant is to provide a landscape buffer zone between the rear parking ramp and service drive and Wire Hardware.
5. The materials are satisfactory as generally described.
6. The articulation of the front and rear building facades are sympathetic to the character of the historic structures.

Discussion:

Chairman Moloney requested that the Planning Commission review the details of the exterior finishing material, as brick may be more suitable to the location, and also review the final proposal for landscaping and paving material used in the rear parking ramp and service area.

Commissioner Noble asked the Planning Commission not to consider this recommendation a precedent for allowing large structures beside historic buildings in other areas of the City.

VOTE: 4-0

2. Applicant: Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation Ltd.

Old Baptist Cemetery- Intersection of Jefferson/ Great Falls Road

Request: Two signs- one interpretive and one identification sign.

John Hantranph represented Peerless Rockville. He presented a plan of the cemetery and photographs of the existing conditions. He said Peerless has a grant to install an identification sign at the fence line of the cemetery and submitted two proposed designs to the HDC. The interpretive sign will be placed within the cemetery and Peerless requested that it be included as part of the HDC's historic plaque project and continue the established design.

After viewing the photographs and the designs, the HDC offered some location and design suggestions for the identification sign and requested that the public hearing be included on the January agenda. Peerless was commended for their initiative in providing information on historic sites in the City.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Rockville Tax Credit Guidelines and staff approval criteria
   

1. Rockville tax credit guidelines

Commissioner Brenneman moved, seconded by Commissioner Crawford, to APPROVE the Rockville tax credit criteria and guidelines as presented.

VOTE: 5-0

2. Rockville HDC staff approval policy- Fences

Commissioner Brenneman moved, seconded by Commissioner Crawford, to APPROVE the staff approval policy for fences as presented.

VOTE: 5-0

2. Revolving fund for low income residents - continued

Staff submitted the application and criteria for the existing Rockville low interest and deferred loans for low-income housing. The HDC noted that this might be useful to Historic District residents who are dependent on a small pension or income but would probably not provide the balance between a composition roof and slate material.

3. Proposed Text Amendment - Definition of "Demonstrated Special Interest"

Staff said the City Attorney's office was not able to address this issue for December's HDC meeting but would have a response in January 1999.

4. Thirty Oaks - Buckingham Property at 522 W. Montgomery

Staff said the title search on 522 W. Montgomery was done and matched with older maps, it indicated that property in that area was developed over 50 years ago. The property will be put on the January 1999 agenda as a public hearing to determine historical architectural and cultural significance.

NEW BUSINESS

 

1. Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 1999 CLG Grant Request

The cover sheet of the CLG Grant application was mailed on December 11, 1998 with the final application due on January 29, 1999. Rockville proposed projects totaling $35,000, of which the City would contribute $15,000 in cash and in kind services. Projects include archeology, park site planning, and a history of Wootton’s Mill and the Miller’s House, ten interpretive photo plaques at various sites in the original town, a publicity campaign leading up to the City's 200^th anniversary and HDC projects on Channel 53, Community Cable and in other media, and staff or consultant hours to implement these projects. A list of proposed plaque sites was distributed to the HDC for review and comments. The decision will be made in January.

2. Suggestions for HDC Plaque sites for 1999

The HDC will request budget funds for two plaque sites in 1999. These plaque sites are separate from the 200^th anniversary grant sites and will be selected at the January 1999 meeting.

3. Nomination for MHT Historic Preservation Awards

Peerless Rockville representatives Eileen McGuckian and John Hantranph said the organization was honored by the HDC vote to nominate Peerless Rockville for the 1999 State of Maryland Calvert Prize. Peerless staff will provide information and materials for the nomination, which is due January 15, 1999.

4. Rockville Bicentennial - 2001

Staff reported that the 200^th anniversary of the City's founding by act of the Maryland General Assembly in November 1801 would be combined with the Millenium 2000 celebration. The CLG Grant fund projects for FFY1999 and FFY2000 will be the HDC's contribution to this celebration.

COMMITTEE/ ORGANIZATION REPORTS

1. Glenview Mansion Committee report - Craig Moloney - no report.
2. Lincoln Park Historical Society - Anita Neal Powell - no report.
3. Peerless Rockville- Peerless Rockville representative
4. John H. and Eileen McGuckian reported that Peerless RV would celebrate the organization's 25^th anniversary in 1999 with a New Years brunch and a number of events and publications. Progress was reported on the restoration of the Higgins Cemetery, which will be owned and maintained by a separate non-profit.
5. Montgomery Preservation – Dean Brenneman - no report

COMMISSION/ STAFF UPDATES

Deferred

FYI / CORRESPONDENCE

Staff distributed a letter from Alex and Jayne Greene requesting brick walkways on Laird Street as done on Forest Avenue and also noting the lack of a Historic District sign at their location. Commissioner Crawford said the district signs were placed at the entrances to Historic Districts and this is a single resource historic district. Staff said the City is working to provide a sign for this district.

ADJOURNMENT

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission meeting of December 15, 1998 was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy Christensen

HDC Staff Liaison