October 19

Home > Government > Boards and Commissions > Historic District Commission > 1999 > Minutes > October 19

Submitted: 11/16/1999 Approved:

CITY OF ROCKVILLE

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

MINUTES

Tuesday, October 19, 1999

Meeting No. 10-99

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission

convened at 7:10 p.m. at Rockville City Hall.

PRESENT

Craig Moloney, Chairman

Anita Neal-Powell Bruce Noble

Andrea Hartranft

Staff: Judith A. Christensen, Preservation Planner

Marian Staye, Planner

Chairman Moloney welcomed Debra Chew Crawford and Paula Bienenfeld, who were observing the meeting with an interest in serving on the Historic District Commission.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 14, 1999 (Meeting No. 9-99)

Commissioner Noble moved, seconded by Commissioner Neal-Powell, to approve the HDC minutes of September 14, 1999 as submitted.

VOTE: 3-0-1 (Abstained: Hartranft)

1993 MASTER PLAN UPDATE- HISTORIC PRESERVATION SECTION

Marian Staye- Planner III in charge of Master Plan Update

Staff Liaison Christensen introduced Planner Marian Staye, who is in charge of updating the 1993 City of Rockville master plan to comply with State law. Planner Staye referred to copies of Chapter 13 of the Master Plan, which deals with goals and policies for historic preservation. She said the HDC should review the chapter and either affirm the present language and recommend that no changes are needed, or propose changes. She noted that she would be available to meet again with the Commission, if desired. She recommended that the HDC either hold a special

meeting or add a Master Plan discussion to the agenda to determine changes, which staff will forward to the review process. A community forum on the Master Plan is scheduled for November 9 at 7:30 PM at City Hall.

The Historic District Commission indicated that they plan to suggest changes in policy and goals to the Historic Preservation Chapter. Suggestions for discussion were:

Formalize process to identify historic resources. Insert language clarifying identified historic resources as potential historic sites, which require review before substantial alteration, may occur.

Incorporate Environmental Guidelines policies: i.e. review of any structure over 50 years old when demolition is proposed, other historic preservation criteria.

Mandate or schedule periodic updates of historic resources inventory and management plan.

Reaffirm the recommendation that applications involving exterior changes or new construction on properties abutting or opposite historic districts are referred to the HDC for comment. The HDC expressed a desire to be involved at an earlier point in the planning and review process for these sites.

Develop a procedure for changes to historic properties that do not immediately involve exterior changes, but will eventually impact historic sites. Subdivision of residential lots has been the greatest problem in this regard. Once a property is subdivided into several record lots, the HDC faces major hurdles in limiting development if it finds proposed development will have an adverse impact on the site or district.

Better identification and presentation of historic districts through sidewalk and streetscape amenity plans, street trees, signage.

Promote and encourage historic tourism opportunities such as the "Lost Rockville" tour and brochure.

Establish educational goals and encourage publications on Rockville history.

Encourage preservation of the character of older neighborhoods either through designation as a local historic district or through education.

Explore expansion of present historic districts and addition of Lincoln Park, Haiti, South Adams, other neighborhoods with citizens.

Designation of National Register sites as local historic districts: Currently there is only courtesy review to determine degree of impact. However, if a substantial impact to the historic character or structure is determined, then the HDC may proceed to evaluate for recommendation as a local historic district.

List accomplishments since 1993 such as the publication of "Owning Property in the Rockville Historic District."

Discuss addition of a replacement roof policy, revolving funds, and easement donations.

CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT PROGRESS

Ms. Christensen said the Certified Local Government Contract with the State of Maryland had been received, reviewed by the City Attorney, and signed by both parties. Staff met with the Maryland Historical Trust for an initial project organizational meeting. Staff also met with Tetra Tech, Inc. and with County Archeologist Jim Sorensen regarding the Woottons Mill Park project. Currently, the purchase orders for archeology, plaques, and other project items are being processed.

COMMITTEE/ ORGANIZATION REPORTS

Lincoln Park Historical Society - Anita Neal-Powell

Commissioner Neal-Powell said the project, "Tracking the Footprints of African Americans in Montgomery County." will continue into November. She noted that the project has been strenuous but is producing an increased awareness of how tenuous the record of black history in the county actually is and the importance of documenting it now. The ultimate goal is a publication of the research concerning these communities. Presently, the project has identified a surprising number of previously unrecognized black communities and has encouraged documentation and photographing of these sites.

Peerless Rockville - Peerless Rockville Staff

John Hartranft reported that Peerless Rockville has a community clean up day at Higgins Cemetery on October 23, as well as the historic sites bike trail inauguration on the same day. Other upcoming events include a formal banquet in celebration of Peerless 25^th Anniversary on November 6, 1999.

COMMISSION DISCUSSION / UPDATES

Carver Center, Montgomery County Public School System , 850 Hungerford Drive

Patrick Henrehan, Montgomery County Board of Education facilities division project manager, appeared to explain the current options and proposals involving the site and building at Carver Center. He noted that the building has not been used as a school for 30 years and is not economical to operate. The seven different floor levels and numerous additions present a confusing floor plan. Staff and departments are fragmented and less efficient. The building does not meet the current needs of the central office but the capital improvement budget does not include funds to develop a new office building, and operating funds intended for education cannot be diverted to this purpose. Therefore, real estate consultants have recommended that the Board explore a public/private partnership that can benefit both parties and provide better central office facilities.

Mr. Henrehen said a request for qualifications was issued and his office received more than 50 responses including several major developers. A combined retail and office component, residential housing, and education use were proposed. No selection has been made, but planning cannot progress until the property is rezoned and the permitted density determined. He stated that the Facilities Division is sensitive to the historic significance of Carver and will appreciate suggestions from the HDC.

In response to Commissioner Neal-Powell, Mr. Henrehen said reuse of all or part of the present building, or the disposition of the building has not been decided but nothing has been ruled out. In any case, the building will continue to be utilized for a period even if a new office/retail complex is built on the front portion of the site. Commissioner Noble clarified that the development area included the front lawn and Carver site at 850 Hungerford. The adjacent Rock Terrace School property is not involved in this project.

Staff said that a Carver High School Alumni group has approached staff for help in completing a Maryland Historical Trust historic site inventory form on the property and intends to request that the HDC review its status and significance to the City of Rockville.

Chairman Moloney thanked Mr. Henrehen for keeping the HDC informed of their progress, and also for the sensitivity shown to the cultural meaning of the building and site.

October Newsletter and Renovators Workshop

Ms. Christensen said the HDC had previously requested that the Fall newsletter be distributed to several older neighborhoods as well as to the historic districts. She asked for suggested content and topics. Suggestions were to differentiate potential historic resources (inventoried historic resources) from designated sites, as there is some confusion. Other proposals were to present the storm window and storm door guidelines and tax credit eligibility, update HDC projects, and mention the master planning process discussion in November.

January work session with Mayor and Council

Staff said the joint HDC / Mayor and Council work session is scheduled on January 31, 2000. Staff asked for agenda or discussion suggestions. Chairman Moloney said the HDC had received copies of the 1998-99 Rockville CLG report that was submitted by staff to the Maryland Historical Trust. He noted the increased number of applications reviewed and the accomplishments of the Commission. He suggested that the Commission concentrate on accomplishments and goals as the master plan process provides a forum for discussion of other items. Staff will prepare a fact sheet and a draft agenda for discussion in November.

Historic Designation Progress - no report
King Farm House Windows -

Chairman Moloney stated that he had been asked to evaluate the windows on the 1914 farmhouse at the King Farm. He found that they were double hung wooden sashes with many layers of flaking lead paint and were inoperable. The windows are painted shut and the counterweights do not operate. In addition, fixed exterior storm windows have been applied that have a small louver at the bottom of the window for ventilation. This does not meet present fire code for egress from a sleeping room. He stated that he had evaluated the possibilities and concluded that the best recourse was to replace the windows with custom-made wood double hung sash windows of the same size and design. Staff presented the guidelines for storm windows and doors which recommended as first option: refurbish original windows; second option: installation of interior or exterior storm windows to reduce air infiltration and protect windows, and third option: replace windows with windows of same size, design, and material. Commissioner Noble asked if only a few windows could be replaced to meet code in the sleeping rooms and the remainder refurbished. Chairman Moloney said it would be more noticeable to replace windows and keep others than to treat all alike. After some discussion, the HDC concluded that the City should pursue repair of the windows and replacement of the storm windows before replacement.

ADJOURN

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission meeting of October 19, 1999 was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy Christensen

HDC Staff Liaison