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Submitted: 2/16/1999 Approved:
CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, January 19, 1999
Meeting No. 1-99
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened
Parks and Recreation Conference Room, Rockville City Hall, at 7: 11 p.m.
PRESENT
Craig Moloney, Chair
Dean Brenneman Donald Crawford (arrived 8:20 p.m.)
Bruce Noble Anita Neal Powell (arrived 7:23 p.m.)
Staff: Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner
No additions or corrections were offered to the minutes of December 15, 1998.
Commissioner Brenneman moved, seconded by Commissioner Noble, to approve the minutes of the Historic District Commission meeting of December 15, 1998 as submitted.
VOTE: 3-0 (Commissioners Powell and Crawford not present)
1. HDC98-0136 - Applicant: Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation
Old Baptist Cemetery- Jefferson & Great Falls Road
Request: Freestanding identification sign.
Action: Approve or Deny
Staff said a total of 230 postcard notices of the meeting agenda and hearings were sent to adjacent, abutting and confronting properties. Others were notified by first class mail. The meeting agenda and staff reports were also available on the City of Rockville Internet site. City staff received no public comments on HDC98-0136 prior to the meeting. Staff said the site was a contributing resource in the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District. The HDC held a courtesy review of this application on December 15, 1998 and made several recommendations to the applicant.
The cemetery was established in 1823 when the Bethel Baptist Church was constructed on this site, but was not used for burials after 1896 or 1897. The Church built a new facility elsewhere in Rockville and the old Church was removed. The cemetery is now under the care of Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, which has researched and restored the stones and erected a reproduction picket fence around the property. This application requests a site identification sign.
Staff recommended approval of HDC98-0136 for a three foot by three foot wooden sign mounted on two 7 foot posts within the fence of the Historic Baptist Cemetery based on site visits of the property and neighboring environment, and appropriateness of the proposed design and material submitted by the applicant. The sign colors will be a green background with white letters.
John Hartranph represented Peerless Rockville. He presented a plan of the cemetery and said the sign would be installed as close to the fence as permitted by the sign ordinance so that it is readable from the street. In response to the Commissioner’s questions, he said the burial dates on the sign would be checked and verified before the sign was made and it would be double sided to be read by motorists and pedestrians going in each direction. He said the original church was named Bethel Baptist Church but the congregation name was changed when it built a new facility, which accounts for the identification as "Historic Baptist Cemetery."
Commissioner Noble stated that he found the proposed sign a well-planned project, a contribution to the community, and without adverse impact on the site or streetscape. The Commission concurred.
No citizens spoke in favor of or in opposition to the application.
Commissioner Brenneman moved, seconded by Commissioner Neal Powell, to APPROVE HDC98-0136 for an identification sign at the Historic Baptist Cemetery at the intersection of West Jefferson and Great Falls Road as submitted, with the following condition:
VOTE: 4-0
The Chairman closed the record on HDC98-0136.
2. HDC98-0137- Applicant: Sharon A. Peters & Co. P.A.
110 South Washington Street
Request: 14 X 6 " brass sign on front/ rear
Action: Approve or Deny
Staff said a total of 230 postcard notices of the meeting agenda and hearings were sent to adjacent, abutting and confronting properties. Others were notified by first class mail. The meeting agenda and staff reports were also available on the City of Rockville Internet site. City staff received no public comments on HDC98-0137 prior to the meeting. Staff said the site was a contributing resource to the South Washington Street Historic District and the HDC had recently approved a similar sign for another tenant at this address. Staff recommended approval with the comment that two façade signs of this size are appropriate, but if more signs are needed, the building's owner should consider a building directory sign rather than more individual identification plaques.
The applicant was not present. The HDC found that the sign was the minimum necessary to address the issue, was consistent with other approved signage on the streetscape of the South Washington Street Historic District, and conformed to the Rockville Historic District Guidelines and to the Secretary of Interior Standards
Commissioner Brenneman moved, seconded by Commissioner Noble, to approve HDC98-0137 for two 14 inch by 6 inch brass signs at 110 South Washington Street, to be mounted on the facades as shown in the location plan submitted with the application with the following condition:
1. Applicant is to apply for and receive a sign permit.
Vote: 5-0
The Chairman closed the record on HDC98-0137.
1. Ali Honarkar
6 Thomas Street
Request: New residence to front on West Montgomery Avenue.
Action: Suggestions and Recommendations to applicant
Deferred by applicant request
2. Montgomery County Historical Society
for 113 W. Montgomery Avenue
Request: Three parking spaces, handicapped ramp, replacement of sun porch roof railing and balusters.
Action: Suggestions and Recommendations to applicant
Deferred by applicant request
IV. OLD BUSINESS
Staff said the City Attorney's office met with staff and reviewed the Federal and State criteria for appointment to the HDC. The City Attorney's office held the opinion that the language proposed by the Maryland Historical Trust for the definition of "demonstrated special interest" did not preclude or restrain the Mayor and Council from appointment of the candidate judged by them to be the best suited to serve on the HDC. He said he would review the language in the City Ordinance and compare it with the 1995 revision of 66B to ensure that no other changes should be made. The draft ordinance will be submitted at the next HDC meeting.
Staff reported that the cover sheet proposal for the grant for 10 "Lost Rockville" signs and archeology and planning at Wootton's Mill Park had been submitted to the MHT in December and the final application was in progress. The application is due to the Maryland Historical Trust on January 29, 1999.
The HDC reviewed a list of proposed sites and graphics and selected all but two of the ten sites. The remaining sites depend upon availability of suitable graphics or photographs.
V. COMMITTEE/ ORGANIZATION REPORTS
VI. COMMISSION/ STAFF UPDATES
Commissioner Brenneman submitted a brochure for a Historic Roofing Conference presented by the National Park Service and others in Philadelphia on March 17-19, 1999. He suggested that one HDC commissioner attend to see if there is technological or affordable solutions to the replacement of slate and tin roofs. The HDC concurred. Staff was asked to see if funds are available for this purpose and report to the Chairman and Commissioner Brenneman.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission meeting of January 19, 1999 was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Christensen, HDC Staff Liaison