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Submitted: 6/15/1999 Approved:
CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 18, 1999
Meeting No. 5-99
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission
convened at 7: 09 p.m. at Rockville City Hall.
PRESENT
Craig Moloney, Chair
Donald Crawford Bruce Noble Anita Neal Powell
Absent: Dean Brenneman
Staff: Bob Spalding Chief of Planning
Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner
No additions or corrections were offered to the minutes of April 20, 1999.
Commissioner Noble moved, seconded by Commissioner Crawford, to approve the minutes of the Historic District Commission meeting of April 20, 1999 as submitted.
VOTE: 4-0
1. HDC99-0147 - Applicant: Jacob P. Lenihan
309 Potomac Avenue
Construction of 2 car garage
Action: Approve or Deny
Staff liaison Judy Christensen said that 309 Potomac Street is a contributing resource to the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District. She stated that the proposed garage meets all code requirements and has been sited to preclude any adverse impact on the historic resources and views in the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District. It is not visible from the public way. Staff recommended approval but offered some design suggestions. Photographs of the site and historic resource were submitted to the Commission.
Staff reported that the proposed two car garage is 25 feet by 36 feet (900 square feet) and is currently sited three feet from the side property line, but will be resited to the middle of the lot. The site plan is in compliance with code but it was suggested that flaring the driveway entrance to the alley would moderate the present tight turn that could be difficult for larger vehicles. A turning ell added to the driveway apron would allow vehicles to turn around for a front exit from the property.
The garage is designed in a "carriage house" style utilizing an antique half round window in each front and rear gable end. The garage front uses one over one (1/1) Anderson window flanked by vinyl shutters in the east and west bays and a double crossbuck door in the center bay. There is an electric carriage light fixture mounted on each side of the doors on the façade. The rear façade has two 9 foot by 7 foot roll-up garage doors. Side facades have two evenly- spaced 1/1 windows.
Materials are vinyl lap siding with cedar fishscale shingles on the gable ends and an Eastlake stick ornament at the gable peak. The Ordinance allows greater latitude when dealing with new construction which is not visible from the public way and not part of a historic resource. The garage will not be visible from Potomac Street and will be visible only in glimpses from Wall Street. The greatest impact will be from the subject property and from adjacent rear yards.
Staff noted that the accessory structure should be compatible with the main resource, the house at 309 Potomac Street. The garage is designed to the maximum square footage allowed and is a large imposing structure. The decorative features fill space, but also complicate the design. Simplification and a review of the general stylistic design and proportions of the garage might improve the project.
Applicant Jacob Lenihan said he has a deep lot and a substantial building is appropriate to the scale of the house and lot. He does not want a shed but a carriage house style that is compatible with the neighborhood as a whole. He submitted a number of photographs of approved new garages and original garages and noted that his project did not depart from these designs. He said a lot of thought went into the design and he was satisfied with it as is. He also said that he had shown the garage plans to his neighbors and affected property owners and submitted statements of approval to the record from three adjacent property owners. He accepted the driveway modifications and said electric lights would be installed over the garage doors.
Mimi Vitol, 11 Wall Street, commented in favor of the garage as an attractive addition that will enhance the neighborhood. Joe Twomley, 22 Wall Street, said he will view the garage from his rear yard and has no objections to the plans as presented.
There was no testimony in opposition to HDC99-0148.
Commissioner Crawford clarified that the fishscale shingles will be stained cedar, as will the crossbuck doors, and suggested that the windows be 6/1 sashes to match the house. Commissioner Noble verified that the house footprint is 29 feet by 33 feet and the garage footprint is 25 by 36 feet. Chairman Moloney asked if the applicants planned to add a storage mezzanine which would account for the high pitched roof. Mr. Lenihan said that he would, but primarily wanted to hang an antique speedboat in the garage. Mr. Moloney said he viewed the plans from the viewpoint of an architect and found the design very dissimilar from the main house. He suggested using the same siding lap exposure as the house, making the windows taller and narrower with a 6 light grid laminated in the insulated glass, and adding 5/4 inch by 3-inch casings around the doors and windows to add a finishing detail. He suggested elimination of the fishscale shingles. Mr. Lenihan accepted the modifications to the door and windows but wished to retain the fishscale shingles.
Chairman Moloney closed the record on HDC99-0147.
Commissioner Crawford moved, seconded by Commissioner Noble, to approve HDC99-0147 for a two-car garage at 309 Potomac Street as submitted, incorporating staff's findings, with the following conditions:
Discussion: Chairman Moloney noted that the plan does not include a fascia board between the top of the windows and the eaves, which he considered to be a necessary element of the period design. He amended the plan to include the fascia. Mr. Lenihan said he would install the fascia but asked that the HDC reconsider removal of the fishscale shingles. A voice poll of the Commission found no strong objections to the shingles. Commissioner Neal Powell seconded the amendment to allow the fishscale shingles and to require a fascia board.
VOTE: 4-0
9819 Dockside Terrace, Montgomery Village
Construction of new house at 6 Thomas Street
Action: Approve or Deny
Staff stated that the applicant received a courtesy review of the proposed front elevation at the April meeting and were to return with full elevations and plans at this meeting. However, the plans were submitted on May 5, 1999, which was after the application deadline and staff had insufficient time to prepare a staff report and notify the community. Therefore, the applicant and his representative will introduce and explain the plans and the HDC will continue the hearing to the next meeting on June 15, 1999. Mr. and Mrs. Akhlaghi were present and were represented by builder Josh Haines.
Mr. Haines explained the changes made in the façade elevations to the Commission. The house is a two-story modern Victorian design with a turret and front porch and a basement two car garage entered from Thomas Street. The turret and extended bays will be clad with fishscale shingles and the house will have siding. The Commission said it was much improved. Chairman Moloney asked for public comment on the plan.
Sandy Deighton, 402 W. Montgomery Avenue, said that she had repeatedly attempted to get information on the plans at 6 Thomas Street and was sent only a site plan. She objected to the presentation of a completed plan that the Commission had evaluated previously and had not submitted to the public.
Alex Cascalia, 8 Thomas Street, asked if there was a precedent for an underground garage in the historic district and inquired if it will be visible from West Montgomery Avenue.
Mimi Vitol, 11 Wall Street, concurred that public notification was insufficient for a project of this size that would have great impact on the neighborhood and streetscape. She stated that the building lines of the structure were a concern and should match existing houses, and questioned the utility of the lower level garage as well as its suitability in the historic district. She said the first thing viewed on Thomas Street should not be a garage door.
Mr. Akhlaghi said the building lines are 40 feet from Thomas Street and 53 feet from West Montgomery Avenue and are in line with adjacent structures. He thought the side lot to 8 Thomas was 19 feet. He noted that a basement garage was used to avoid paving the side yard as a driveway.
Chairman Moloney said that the HDC first viewed the concept facade plan on April 20 and had asked for more detailed elevations. Preservation Planner Christensen stated that since the filing date allowed two public hearings within the legal 45-day approval period, she made the decision to open the hearing and present the plan and continue it while signs were posted and notification was made. This would introduce the plan to the neighborhood in advance of the hearing in June. She apologized and said there was no intent on the City's part to rush the plan through or put it on any faster track than the law presently requires. She asked what additional materials would help them to assess the plan. Mrs. Deighton asked for the plans to be sent to all homeowners on W. Montgomery, Wall, and Potomac Streets and asked if a comparative profile showing the shape and mass of the new house as well as profiles of existing neighboring houses could be made. She also asked for a photographic panorama showing the new house and its immediate neighbors. Mr. Haines said the applicant could produce the profile in about a week but not the photographic panorama. Staff will attempt the photographic exhibit and send out the packages the first week in June.
Commissioner Neal Powell moved, seconded by Commissioner Noble, to continue public hearing HDC99-0148 for a new house at 6 Thomas Street to the June 15, 1999 meeting.
VOTE: 4-0
A. Thomas Farm Site
Preservation Planner Christensen explained the evaluation and recommendation process for a proposed historic district. She stated that this preliminary HDC evaluation is intended to review the site and structures and information presented by the applicant's consultant in preparation for a determination of eligibility for Historic Designation. The consultant for the Thomas Farm Developers will present their findings and evidence and the HDC will have an opportunity to request more information and ask questions. The consultants will also have a similar opportunity. Unless the HDC finds that there is no significant eligibility, a public hearing will be held in June or July. Notification of the public hearing will be sent to local civic groups and preservation organizations asking for participation and comments. The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers. At the conclusion of this hearing in June or July, the HDC will make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council based on the criteria and evidence presented.
Staff showed videotape of the buildings and sites as they exist today. Fallsgrove's consultant, Architectural Historian Anne Adams, presented her preliminary findings and gave a slide presentation on the condition and architectural qualities of the structures. The HDC eliminated one site from consideration, a ca. 1950 or later house located in the woods. It requested more information on the Thomas Family and associated families, for more details concerning contributions of the farm to the local dairy industry, and more information on the construction dates of the farm house and farm buildings. They also inquired if more detailed archeological field information and a site map could be provided.
The applicant's representative, Bob Harris, said he would arrange for the Commissioners to visit the site. Mr. Harris expressed a preference for a speedy public hearing and proposed the public hearing be held at the June 15 meeting rather than at the July meting.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VII. COMMITTEE/ ORGANIZATION REPORTS
VIII. COMMISSION/ STAFF UPDATES
In answer to questions from the Commission, Chief of Planning Spalding said the Chestnut Lodge historic district and the Chestnut Lodge/CPC plan was on hold. The Mayor and Council have determined that they want to review all aspects of the plan at once and are awaiting a final submission. The historic district review will be held concurrent with the plan review.
Staff said that the other pending historic designations such as Rose Hill, Wootton's Mill, and the Hurley Carter House are ready to proceed and may be a good way to introduce the Mayor and Council to the benefits of designation. Staff will consult with the Director and others on the timing.
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission meeting of May 18, 1999 was adjourned at 10:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Christensen
HDC Staff Liaison