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Submitted: 4/20/1999
Approved:
CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, March 16, 1999
Meeting No. 3-99
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened
in the Recreation and Parks Conference Room, Rockville City Hall, at 7: 15 p.m.
PRESENT
Craig Moloney, Chair
Donald Crawford Bruce Noble
Anita Neal-Powell
Absent: Dean Brenneman
Staff: Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner
No additions or corrections were offered to the minutes of February 16, 1999.
Commissioner Crawford moved, seconded by Commissioner Neal-Powell, to approve the minutes of the Historic District Commission meeting of February 16, 1999 as submitted.
VOTE: 3-0 (Commissioner Noble not present for vote)
1. HDC99-0141 - Applicant: Norma Fagan, Representing
Rockville United Methodist Church Women's Resource Center
100 West Montgomery Avenue
Request: Site and Elevation changes
Action: Approve or Deny
Applicant Norma Fagan and project architect I-Kuang Liang and others were present on behalf of Rockville United Methodist Church. Exhibit photographs of the building and site were circulated.
Staff report: Staff Liaison Judy Christensen said the house was originally built in 1888 but was damaged by fire and rebuilt in its present state in 1945. It is a contributing resource to the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District. Staff reported that the HDC reviewed the preliminary plans of proposed alterations to 100 W. Montgomery Avenue on October 20, 1998 as a courtesy to the applicants. Suggestions were given to the applicant and architect, which have been carried though into this application.
The applicant is requesting approval to install a four-car bituminous and concrete parking lot in the rear yard accessed from S. Adams Street. Other work includes construction of an enclosed exterior three-level stairwell on the rear elevation, construction of a handicapped access ramp and sidewalk to the front door of the property, removal and storage of the ornamental iron fence, removal of several trees and replacement of the front door with a handicapped accessible door.
Staff recommended approval of HDC99-0141 based on site visits of the property and neighboring environment, and appropriateness of the proposed design and material submitted by applicant. The removal of a decorative tower, two-story open front porch and trims, and the application of cementious wood-grained shingles on the building have compromised the architectural value and significance, but the structure is important as a contributing resource to the oldest remaining pocket of residential structures left in Rockville. The mass of the original building remains despite the loss of decorative details. The property is currently used as a boarding house and has not been highly maintained. The appearance and maintenance of this highly visible building on West Montgomery Avenue should be a major concern of the applicant and City.
Staff noted that the majorities of the alterations are proposed for the rear of the property, but will be visible from Adams Street. The proposed enclosed exterior stairwell will replace an existing open rear staircase and is required by code. The cladding of the proposed stairwell is similar to the siding currently on the building and the stairwell design is consistent with a previous addition on the east elevation.
The combination handicapped ramp and sidewalk and the front door alteration are also code requirements. The front door opening will not be altered. The double doors to the house will be replaced by a fixed side panel and a larger handicapped accessible door. The rear parking lot is the minimum necessary to meet parking requirements.
The trees proposed for removal are volunteer mulberry and walnut trees, which have no landscape value as specimens. The front porch area will be landscaped with shrubs and the grade of the front sidewalk will be raised to the approved 5% grade for handicapped accessibility. This will eliminate the need for a wood ramp with railings. The sidewalk will be brick patterned concrete. Staff recommended that the front porch receive new turned posts and pickets which reflect the style of the original building to soften the front.
Project Architect I-Kuang Liang said there were no further exterior alterations proposed. He mentioned that the metal emergency fire ladder on the west façade will remain as an egress to the attic mechanical area. Chairman Moloney said if the mechanical space is not occupied, code does not require the ladder and the building would have a better appearance if it were removed. On adding turned posts and decorative railing and brackets to the one story front porch, Mr. Liang said the project could accommodate this request. Commissioner Crawford inquired about the status of the ornamental cast iron fence on two sides of the property. Mr. Liang said the fence needed a great deal of costly repair and would be removed and stored. Several other options were discussed, but the Commission concurred that storage would preserve the option of future restoration and reuse on the property.
Mr. Gino Valenti, project volunteer, explained the landscape plan as the removal of five non-specimen trees which had been badly pruned or were too close to the building and replacement with shrubs. He also stated that the wrought iron fence was about two feet tall and largely decorative. It is in poor condition from lack of maintenance and will be removed and stored. Staff verified that the fence was present except for one missing section at the corner of the property and was in poor condition.
There was no comment or testimony from the public.
Commissioner Crawford moved, seconded by Commissioner Neal-Powell, to approve HDC99-0141 for exterior renovations, an enclosed rear stairwell, parking lot, sidewalk, and tree removal at 100 West Montgomery, incorporating staffs findings, with the following conditions:
VOTE: 4-0
2. HDC99-0142 - Applicant: Andrew D. Sellman
411 W. Montgomery Avenue
Removal of 5 trees
Action: Approve or Deny
Mr. Sellman was present for the hearing. Staff said tree removal requests no longer require a public hearing if the City Forester recommends removal with no replacement. The City Forester reviewed the trees and said they were an assortment of stumps that had sprouted, volunteer black walnut and mulberry trees, and a southern magnolia which was planted too close to the foundation and was contributing to water entering the basement. The Forester concurred that the trees should be removed. His report said he had spoken to the property owner and recommended a shade tree if the owner wanted a replacement tree. Therefore, the item was placed on the agenda to consult with Mr. Sellman on a replacement, if any.
Mr. Andrew Sellman, applicant, said he recently purchased the property and preferred to occupy the property through one growing season before making landscape changes or additions. He noted that after removal of the five trees, the property will still have more trees than most lots in the historic district and he prefers not to plant a replacement tree.
Commissioner Nobel said he had no problem with approval of the application as presented. He noted that the City Forester had concurred with the applicant that the Magnolia tree impacts the house. Photographs show the other trees as in poor condition or volunteer non-specimen trees. Commissioners Crawford, Neal-Powell and Chairperson Moloney concurred.
There was no comment from the public.
Commissioner Crawford moved, seconded by Commissioner Noble, to approve HDC99-0142 for removal of five trees at 411 Montgomery Avenue, finding the trees non-specimen trees or causing damage to the historic resource.
VOTE: 4-0
203 W. Montgomery Avenue
Request for Peerless Rockville façade plaque
Staff said she was informed that the Peerless Rockville façade plaques had received a blanket HDC approval in 1985 for the plaques if installed according to the submitted guidelines. She checked with the Department of Permits and Inspections and found that a sign permit was not required for these plaques on residential properties, but permits are required when installed on commercial properties. Commissioner Crawford confirmed this information. He said commercial properties only have been formally reviewed during his tenure on the HDC. Chairman Moloney said the HDC appreciated the notice as courtesy to the HDC. Staff was directed to issue a letter of approval based on the blanket approval of 1985 and to review any future residential plaque applications and issue a staff approval with notification to the HDC. Any potential denials shall be brought to the HDC.
9150 Darnestown Road
Prelimary Evaluation of historic significance
Mr. Kline introduced consultants Katheryn Kuranda and Katherine Grandine of R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates who prepared the report on 9150 Darnestown Road for owner Dr. Bor-Chung Chen. Dr. Chen was present, as was Gary Montgomery of HBW Group, Rockville. Mr. Kline stated that this courtesy review is of a property that is not presently within the City of Rockville but is contemplated for annexation. The owners and potential developers are requesting guidance from the HDC on the historicity and process for the structure.
Ms. Christensen distributed the Rockville Historic Designation Criteria evaluation sheet and explained the City process. She noted that the City is adopting Environmental Guidelines that require report and evaluation of any structure over 50 years old that will be substantially altered during development. Ms. Grandine summarized her findings that the property was originally part of a 13-acre small farm or rural acreage property, which has been reduced by sale to the present 2.21 acres. The house was built in 1890 as a farmhouse but was remodeled in 1930 in the then-popular Colonial Revival style. Family surnames associated with the property inlcude Cronise, Hurley, McFarland, Burroughs, Monday, Brown, Speake, Ray, Grant, Veirs, and Vinson.
Their research determined that the house is no longer representation of the original farmhouse and no historical events occurred there or significant persons resided on the property.
After discussion, the HDC concurred that the structure and setting should be evaluated as a remodeled structure typifying 1930s taste. The HDC evaluated the house using the criteria checklist and identified several areas which needed more information provided: the Veirs family connection, and the state of the original exterior cladding, if any, under the present 1960s era siding. The HDC's preliminary opinion was not unanimous. The house and site were found developmentally representational of the division of larger farm ground into successively smaller parcels for non-farm residents. The HDC concluded that enough of the original country setting remained to illustrate that criterion. However, there were questions on the integrity of the building. A mature specimen oak tree was also found a major contributor to the site and setting.
The HDC also examined an adjacent property 9110 Darnestown Road that was included in the redevelopment proposal. The HDC found that the ca. 1930 bungalow was an intact representation of its era and style and concurred that the HDC would most likely recommend further investigation and public hearings to consider historic designation.
Deferred
Preservation Planner Judy Christensen said she expects to hear by the end of May if the City of Rockville's grant proposal was approved for the Wootton's Mill and "Lost Rockville" plaque projects. A job listing is being prepared for a project intern.
Jerusalem Church and Lincoln High School were selected to receive interpretive history plaques in 1999. Commissioner Neal-Powell asked if these plaques had date or cultural/ historical criteria or restrictions. The HDC decided that they did not, and selection was on a case by case basis by the HDC.
After some discussion, the HDC will nominate the Lincoln Park Historical Society with recognition to the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Services Center and the City of Rockville HDC for the George Washington Carver Baccalaureate reenactment, exhibit, and plaque dedication project.
Ms. Christensen said she met with the Board of Trustees of Jerusalem/ Mt. Pleasant Church and presented a summary of grants and loans available to the Church for historic preservation of the fire damaged parsonage. She encouraged the board to call the sources and gather more information. She noted that both Peerless Rockville and Montgomery Preservation have offered help and support, as well as the HDC. Chairman Moloney said he had prepared a concept plan for elevator and handicapped rest rooms in the bell tower area and the plans are still available. Staff will notify the church regarding the concept plan.
Staff said that funds were available for this conference and requested that commissioners notify staff if attending. Commission conference funds should be also reserved for one registration at the National Trust Conference in Washington D.C. in October. Commissioner Brenneman is attending a historic roofing conference this week for the HDC.
No report. Staff said the plans for the nature center and other Glenview projects will be available at the April meeting.
The Lincoln Park Historical Society is preparing for the July 11 Montgomery County History Day with a continuation of the "Tracks of Time" theme. The tour of historic black sites in the County will start at Lincoln Park and include a parade of 50 automobiles, one for each year of Lincoln Park's annexation to Rockville that will tour the City.
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission meeting of March 16, 1999 was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Christensen
HDC Staff Liaison