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Submitted:
December 19, 2000
Approved: ___________
CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday,
November 21, 2000
Meeting No.10-2000
The City
of Rockville Historic District Commission convened in regular session
in the Mayor and Council Chambers, Rockville City Hall, at 7:13 PM
Internet information: www.ci.rockville.md.us/GetInvolved/HDC
PRESENT
Andrea Hartranft, Chair
Craig Moloney Anita Neal-Powell Beth
Rodgers
Absent: Jeff Broadhurst
Staff: Cynthia Kebba, Planner II
The Chair opened the meeting at 7:13 p.m.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
· July 18, 2000 (Meeting No. 7-2000) Approval was deferred to the December 19, 2000 meeting.
II. EVALUATION OF 9110 DARNESTOWN ROAD FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULTURAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Staff introduced the property at 9110 Darnestown Road and stated that the purpose of this agenda item was for the HDC to evaluate the property for historical, cultural, architectural and design significance as described by the City of Rockville's Historic District Designation Criteria.
Staff stated that notices of the HDC evaluation were sent by first class mail on November 6, 2000 to 280 owners of record located within ¼ mile of the property as well as to the Glenora Hills Citizen's Association, the Griffith Oaks Homeowners Association, the Rockshire Association, Peerless Rockville, and the Montgomery County Historical Society. The agenda for this meeting was also posted on the city's web page along with the consultant's report, and a sign was posted at the site.
Staff noted at the March 16, 1999 HDC meeting that the HDC identified this property as possibly requiring further investigation when conducting a preliminary evaluation of an adjacent property at 9150 Darnestown Road. It was determined at that time that 9150 Darnestown Road did not meet the criteria for historic designation.
Staff introduced members of the Wilkes Artis staff. Wilkes Artis is the consulting firm representing Somerford Corporation, the applicant and contract purchaser of 9104 and 9110 Darnestown Road. Tim Dugan, Attorney; Dennis Hughes, Architectural Historian and Attorney; and Erica Leatham, Associate, were present from Wilkes Artis. Jay A. Hicks represented Somerford Corporation. As part of Somerford Corporation's development proposal, annexation of 9110 Darnestown Road into the City of Rockville is being pursued. Staff explained the evaluation hearing procedures.
Tim Dugan described the property, its location and orientation, and said that it was the conclusion of Wilkes Artis that the house does not warrant historic designation and does not meet the city's Historic District Designation Criteria. Mr. Dugan introduced Dennis Hughes to the commission and submitted copies of Mr. Hughes' Professional Qualifications: Architectural History and Historic Preservation.
Mr. Hughes explained that his research on the property included inspecting the house and the grounds, identification of numerous similar houses in Rockville, discussions and meeting with various individuals, as well as secondary research. He identified the house at 9110 Darnestown Road as a bungalow built circa 1928 and stated that this was a common type of house built in this area in the early 20th century. Mr. Hughes said that he identified approximately 20 houses of similar age and building form during a reconnaissance of the city. He showed photographs of several of these houses located on Argyle Street, Baltimore Road, Redding Avenue and Anderson Avenue. He said that there is an abundance of this type of housing in Rockville and that the house at 9110 Darnestown Road did not add anything that was not already present in the city.
Mr. Hughes described the house at 9110 Darnestown Road as a relatively ordinary two-story house with a gable-fronted porch and dormer window situated on approximately one acre of land. He explained that these houses typically came pre-fabricated in a kit or were built by local builders. He noted that there are two 1960s additions to the house and the detached garage also dates to the 1960s. He said that the wood siding has been replaced with synthetic siding on the first story. He also said, however, that the wood shingling on the second story likely is original. Mr. Hughes said that the house contains a mix of old and new windows.
Mr. Hughes addressed the specific historic district designation criteria individually and stated that the house does not meet the any of the city's architectural and design significance criteria, and that the fourth of these criteria, "represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction," does not apply to this case. He also stated that the property does not have historical or cultural significance, as stated in the historic district designation criteria, in that it does not have character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, county, state or nation. He noted that the house has never been contained within the City of Rockville corporate limits; the county has never found it historically significant; and it is not in the National Register of Historic Places. He said that previous occupants/owners of the house are not significant to Rockville or Montgomery County history. He concluded his comments by stating that mere longevity does not signify historic designation.
The chair opened up the discussion for comments and questions from the commission. Commissioner Moloney asked if the building was currently occupied. Mr. Hughes replied that the current owner, Sue Margelos rents it out and it is occupied.
Commissioner Moloney noted that in the photographs, the siding appears to stick out beyond the windows. He asked if it was possible that the synthetic siding was covering up the original siding. Mr. Hughes responded that he had pulled apart some of the siding and did not discover any original materials. He only found base insulation and some plywood.
Commissioner Moloney asked if the additions were reversible and Mr. Hughes answered that he thought they were.
Commissioner Moloney asked if the windows were original and Mr. Hughes responded that the windows are a mix of old and new. There are some original 6 over 1 windows. There are also storm windows.
Commissioner Moloney asked
about the foundation and Mr. Hughes stated that it was a formed stone foundation.
Commissioner Moloney inquired about the structural integrity of the building
and Mr. Hughes stated that the building's structural integrity was not in question.
Chairperson Hartranft asked about the social and historical significance of the past/present owners. The commission specifically was interested in the Keys, Bouic, and Cromwell names listed as past owners of the property. Mr. Hughes stated that the parents of the current owner, Thomas and Mildred Keys, purchased the property in 1962 and he interviewed the current owner to obtain information on that family. Mr. Dugan submitted a letter from the current owner, Sue Margelos, which states that she and her parents were not related to any well-known Montgomery County citizens, that she is not aware of any immediate relation to prominent figures in the City or County, and that her family is not related to the Key family for which Key West Avenue is named. Mr. Hughes also conducted research at the Montgomery County Historical Society and did not find any information in their files which would indicate historical significance of any of the previous owners. Members of the Wilkes Artis staff offered to conduct additional research and staff stated that they would also do research on the property's ownership and present it in a staff report at the next meeting.
No individuals from the community or any organizations spoke in favor of or in opposition to the historic designation of 9110 Darnestown Road.
MOTION:
Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Rodgers, to keep the public record on the evaluation of 9110 Darnestown Road open until December 1, 2000 in order to allow further testimony and provide time for staff to prepare a report summarizing the facts and any issues or concerns.
VOTE: 4-0
III. PRESENTATION BY JOHN MILNER ASSOCIATES REGARDING GLENVIEW MASTER PLAN
Peter Benton and Kip Van Blarcom, representing the firm of John Milner Associates, Inc. presented initial findings in their analysis of the Glenview Mansion and Civic Center. They stated that they are working with the landscape architecture firm, Oculus, which is based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mr. Benton explained that the master plan process began in September 2000. He and Mr. Van Blarcom have already met with Parks and Recreation staff and the Cultural Arts Committee. They plan to meet with these groups and again with the HDC after the new year when they have recommendations completed.
Mr. Benton stated that the master plan will be explanatory and educational. It will be limited to analysis and recommendations rather than setting specific rules. It will include design guidelines which will serve as tools to manage the property's resources. The plan will include recommendations for cultural interpretation of the layers of development. It will state for the record what people felt about this property and what they thought was valuable about it as of the year 2000 as well as what needs to be considered when planning for this property in the future.
Mr. Van Blarcom has gathered numerous historical maps of the Glenview site which show how the property has changed over time and he shared those with the HDC. He explained the three major eras of ownership, first by the Bowie family in the 1830s, then the Lyons family from 1917 to 1953, and by the City of Rockville, 1957 to present. The property was briefly owned by the Montgomery County Historical Society in the 1950s between the Lyons family ownership and when the City took it over.
Judge Bowie was a Whig leader, a member of Congress, and served in many civic functions. He was very wealthy and owned 21 slaves. He was instrumental in persuading the local community to convert from tobacco farming to other types of farming that were less destructive of the land. He bought the property in the 1830s and built the Greek Revival house between 1836 and 1838 on the highest point. Upon his wife's death in 1891, the property was passed on to two nieces who owned it until 1917.
A wealthy woman purchased the property in 1917 as a summer home and she married a prominent Washington doctor, James Lyons. During the Lyons period of ownership, the property remained significant in the community and the residence was greatly enlarged. At this time the property was still very visible from distances and it had an agricultural landscape.
In 1953, the property was purchased by the Montgomery County Historical Society but it proved to be a greater undertaking than they had envisioned. In 1957, the City of Rockville purchased it from the Historical Society. The property had several uses during the 1950s and was even used to house extra classrooms during the early baby boom years. Some of the outbuildings were likely removed during the 1960s and parking lots were added. Mr. Benton and Mr. Van Blarcom said that the City had a vision for what is was creating in the 1960s and, despite changes that were made and the transition from a working farm landscape to a wooded park, the City did remain sensitive to its historical significance.
Mr. Van Blarcom identified some of the significant features of the civic center as including the mansion, the mall in front of the mansion, the formal gardens, the theatre, open areas and other gardens and the "sledding hill". He stated that the historic core includes the vegetation that has survived through time as well as the structures. Recreational uses include tennis courts, fitness stations, a picnic area and a playground. A nature center is to be built at the northeast corner of the property which will provide interpretation of the natural features of the site. Two house foundations still exist in the northern part of the property, including the house of a former slave who had worked for Judge Bowie.
The general location of a black cemetery on the civic center grounds has been identified but no grave markers exist and more work is required to conclusively locate its boundaries. Maizie Cummings of Peerless Rockville said that the cemetery's location is an issue because the area has become forested and is ripe for archeological work. The HDC expressed interest in having the City proceed in getting archeological work done. Mr. Benton stated that the cemetery likely can be more definatively located from property maps. The HDC noted that recommendations for appropriate use and protection of the cemetery should be included in the master plan.
Lew Dronenberg, Superintendent of the Glenview Mansion and the Civic Center, reported that the archival records of the property are being compiled, a living history was completed by one of the docents, and they are working on a historical brochure which describes the artifacts in the mansion.
The HDC stated that their intention is to have another level of review for the property and that they had previously recommended historic designation. The City proposed this master plan process as an alternative. Mr. Van Blarcom responded that the design guidelines in the master plan will be a tool to manage the resources of this property. The HDC asked staff to write a letter to the City outlining the points they want to make regarding the master plan.
IV. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
1. HDC00-0176 -
Applicant: City of Rockville
Request: for placement of historical plaques and stands in right-of-way at 12 sites in the Explore Rockville Walking Tour
Action: Approve or deny
Staff showed the commission
an example of the completed plaque and stand and provided the commission with
a map of the locations for installing the plaques.
MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Powell to approve
HDC00-0176 for placement of plaques and stands in the right-of-way at 12 historical
sites.
VOTE: 4-0
V. COMMITTEE/ORGANIZATION
REPORTS
Lincoln Park Historical Society - Anita Neal Powell reported that an event celebrating
the evolution of Carver Junior College and its merger with Montgomery Junior
College will be held at the Carver Educational Services Center on December 3,
2000 as part of the LPHS's on-going program, "Tracking the Footprints of
African Americans in Montgomery County: Discovering Montgomery County Educational
Roots". A short ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. to identify individuals
who attended the college.
In conjunction with Montgomery College's 50th anniversary, the LPHS was successful
in increasing the written history of Carver Junior College to two full pages
in Montgomery College's historical records. Individuals who participated with
the Integration Advisory Council were incorporated into this history.
The LPHS has produced a brochure and map identifying historic sites in Montgomery
County and it received a grant to reduce it to a useable size. It will be completed
in December.
As part of its partnership program and Montgomery County mentoring program,
the LPHS will be helping to teach children how to write poetry on January 12,
2001. "Tracking the Footprints of African Americans in Montgomery County"
will be used to teach students how to conduct research. The kick-off for the
brochure will also be on January 12.
Peerless Rockville - Maizie Cummings reported that Peerless Rockville continues
to be active in the Lincoln Park Partners Project (LPPP). Peerless is hosting
the next meeting at the Red Brick Courthouse. The Partnership is in the process
of preparing annotated bibliographies which of information important to the
Lincoln Park community which will be available at sites throughout the city
and on-line.
The first docent class graduated and is already active. They recently hosted
two scout troops.
Peerless Rockville's most recent tour was a two-loop bicycle tour which was
well received.
John Hartranft led a tour for the Rockville Regional Library staff. Maizie Cummings
spoke at two meetings of the Montgomery County Library research staff to introduce
them to the City of Rockville and the resources of Peerless Rockville.
October 28, 2000 was Community Service Day. Peerless had 28 people attending
form Marriott Corporation and the District of Columbia Church of Christ. They
did some conservation work on the fence enclosing the Old Baptist Cemetery and
cleaned up the premises.
Peerless has been notified
of two grant awards. The first is from the Montgomery County Arts and Humanities
Council to help support the new docent training program. The second is a Montgomery
County Historic Preservation grant in support of "Investigating Where We
Live." Peerless will be working with Rockville Arts Place with program
implementation. This is the second grant Peerless has received for this program.
It will be conducting this program in cooperation with the National Building
Museum in Summer 2001.
Peerless's next tour will be on December 7, 2000 and will be a holiday tour
mixer. Houston Hancock will be available in an informal setting creating artwork
and there will be music. The event will be an informal way to introduce people
to Rockville.
VI. DISCUSSION/UPDATES
Concern was expressed by the HDC that there is not adequate funding in place
for education and training for HDC members. Staff was asked to determine if
and how the amount of funding could be increased and whether or not it can be
carried over at the end of the fiscal year.
The HDC stated that it would like to have an independent assessment of the feasibility
of restoring the former Park Street School, given that the findings of the Montgomery
County Public School system's architect were in opposition to the HDC's findings.
The commission also wants to locate any old photographs, drawings or plans for
the former Park Street school to assist in the effort to determine what the
school originally looked like and whether or not it can be restored. The HDC
expressed concern that the school system has had greater opportunity to present
their views regarding redevelopment of the Richard Montgomery site, which will
affect the future of Park Street school, than the HDC has had. Wayne Goldstein,
Vice President of Montgomery Preservation, Inc. spoke in favor of preserving
the structure.
Commissioner Moloney brought up the preservation and re-use of the house and
outbuildings at King Farm. He mentioned the necessity of setting aside funds
to do an assessment of the condition of the buildings and to develop preliminary
concepts of what could go into these buildings. He stated that John Moser is
spearheading this effort and is writing a letter to Burt Hall to request that
$50,000 be set aside for this study and requests that the HDC be signatories
on the letter. All present HDC members agreed to this, subject to their review
of the letter.
A Mayor and Council worksession for all boards and commissions is scheduled
for November 30, 2000 and will focus on improving government/community relations.
VII. ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the Historic District Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Kebba
HDC Staff Liaison