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Submitted:
April 17, 2001
Revised: April 18, 2001
Approved: ___________
CITY OF
ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, March 20, 2001
Meeting No. 03-2001
The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened in regular session
at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive,
7:30 PM
PRESENT
Craig Moloney, Acting Chair
Anita Neal-Powell Beth Rodgers
Absent:
Andrea Hartranft, Chair (left at conclusion of training session) Jeff Broadhurst
Staff: Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner Cynthia Kebba, Planner II
I. MARYLAND
ASSOCIATION OF HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSIONS TRAINING
Pre-meeting training from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Gwen Wright and Steven Spurlock of the Maryland Association of Historic District
Commissions presented a slide show on assessing and evaluating structures. A
number of case studies from Rockville were presented and discussed. Attending
were Rockville HDC members Andrea Hartranft, Craig Moloney, Beth Rodgers, and
staff Judy Christensen and Cindy Kebba. Attending from Gaithersburg Historic
Preservation Advisory Committee were Cathy Drzyzgula, Richard Arkin, Amy Hardin,
Jim Cannistra, Kirk Eby, Howard Furner, James Wood, and staff Liaison Pat Patula.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 20, 2001 (Meeting No. 2-2001)
MOTION: Commissioner Neal-Powell moved to approve the Minutes of the
HDC meeting of February 20, 2001 as submitted. Acting Chair Moloney seconded
the motion.
VOTE: 2-0-1 (Abstained: Commissioner Rodgers)
III. PRELIMINARY
EVALUATIONS FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL, OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
A. 525 Anderson
Avenue
Planner Christensen
said a request for demolition of the house at 525 Anderson Avenue has been presented.
Because the house is at least 50 years old, the City of Rockville Environmental
Guidelines require review by the preservation planning staff or the HDC. The
house and land at 525 Anderson is being reviewed by the HDC to determine if
a single site historic district should be recommended to the Mayor and Council,
which has the final authority to add the Historic District overlay zone. She
said the house was the home of the Bailey family for over 60 years and appeared
to be largely intact. Consultant historian Gail Littlefield was hired by the
City to conduct research on the history and architecture of the house.
Planner Christensen read the history into the record and presented photographs
of the house and neighborhood. The environment was described as an eclectic
mix of housing on a quiet suburban street in West End Park. The neighboring
houses range from the late 19th Century to recent construction, but most housing
stock in this block was built during the 1930s and 1940s. The house was identified
as being a vernacular colonial revival built in 1937 by Gordon and Leona Bailey,
who raised their family in the house. Mr. Bailey is deceased, and Mrs. Bailey
is of an advanced age. Her son, Howard Bailey, lived with her and worked for
the City of Rockville until he suffered a stroke. Both Howard Bailey and his
mother, Leona, are currently in North Carolina where they have the support of
other family members. The house was sold as is.
Ms. Christensen said the new owners said they originally purchased the house
with the intention of rehabilitating the old structure and adding a modern addition.
Then it was discovered that if 50% of a structure is demolished, the entire
structure must be brought up to current code requirements. At this point, the
new owners decided that it would be more economical to demolish the old house
and build anew. The demolition application triggered the HDC review.
In response from questions from the audience, Ms. Christensen said the requirement
to evaluate structures being demolished if 50 years or older is recent and not
widely known. She noted that the requirements for designating a single site
as a landmark district are very high and only a few such sites have been recommended
and designated.
The new owner, Mr. Amin, related that he and his wife purchased the house to
use as their residence because they wanted to continue to live in Rockville.
The house was sold “as is” and is not in good condition. In addition,
the bedrooms and bath are on the second floor and his wife ascends stairs with
difficulty. It also needs a new kitchen, roof, insulation and other repairs.
His son is acting as architect for the project. He noted that a flyer had been
circulated in the neighborhood that accused them of building a mini-mansion
for excess profit and it was not true. He felt it was quite unfair to circulate
untruths to prevent his family from building a house on the lot.
Mr. Amin’s son, Ray Amin, clarified his father’s remarks and reiterated
that the City’s code required that all the plumbing and wiring be replaced
and the house insulated, which would require tearing out all but the exterior
walls.
The following citizens commented on the significance of the house and the proposed
demolition:
Jennifer Katz and David Kaye, 100 Forest Avenue, asked about the property’s
significance. Acting Chair Moloney said that was to be determined in this process
and comments are welcome.
Karen Buscemi, 100 Lynch Street, decried the trend to tear down the original
smaller homes and build houses that are much larger than neighboring structures.
Killian O’Donnell, 18 Forest Avenue, said that she favored preserving the
character of Rockville's older neighborhoods and that any house built on the
site should be compatible.
John Olington, 508 Beall Avenue, observed that 525 Anderson squarely represented
the “typical Rockville” house of the 1930s.
Eric Jensen, 529 Anderson, asked if both the interior and exterior was affected.
The HDC responded that only exterior alterations to properties in historic districts
are reviewed by the HDC.
Kevin Davidson, 532 Anderson, inquired about the design of the replacement home.
The HDC responded that all new properties are subject to code requirements and
zoning restrictions. Historic districting, however, is the only method of providing
design review and assuring that new construction is compatible with existing
structures.
Anthony Buscemi, 100 Lynch Street, asked about the criteria used to evaluate
the property for historic designation. The HDC referred to the City of Rockville’s
Historic District Designation Criteria, copies of which were available at the
meeting.
Commissioner Rodgers asked if any citizen could contribute more on the Bailey
family, as there was not enough information for her to make a decision on the
association with persons.
Ann Baur, 537 Anderson, said that Mrs. Bailey was the oldest living member of
Rockville Presbyterian Church. She was an independent woman who lived by herself
and kept her property and garden up by herself until four years ago. She termed
her “a remarkable woman.”
Jack Baur, 537 Anderson, referred to an article on Mrs. Bailey in the Rockville
Gazette about 5 years ago. He related that she drove her car, painted her garage
and maintained a vegetable garden until 5 years ago. He said the house was significant
and should continue to stand. He asked if similar houses are found elsewhere
in Rockville. Staff replied that no information was available at this time.
Ron Meek, 522 Anderson, said he lived across the street from the subject property
and had read through the criteria without finding any that would make this property
significant.
Planner Christensen read a letter of support for the nomination and an appreciation
of Mrs. Bailey from Betsy and Jack Kelly into the record. The Kellys stated
that if the house could not be reused, they would prefer a house in keeping
with the neighborhood. She also read a letter from Gordon and Sandra Lamb disputing
the allegations included in the neighborhood flyer about the Amin's project
and previous work, saying that Mr. Amin's house would be a welcome addition
to the neighborhood.
Commissioner Rodgers said that she needed more information on the Bailey family.
The Commission concurred. Staff was asked to provide more information for the
meeting of April 17, 2001.
MOTION: Commissioner Neal-Powell moved to hold the record on the significance of 525 Anderson Avenue open until April 2, 2001 to receive more information and comment. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0
B. 731 West
Montgomery Avenue
Planner Christensen presented photographs of the house and yard and read the
history of 731 West Montgomery Avenue, which was researched by consultant historian
Gail Littlefield. This Craftsman-style 1-1/2 story frame Tidewater bungalow
with a full width front porch was built about 1941. It has the same West End
Park development history as 525 Anderson until the purchase of lot 16 by Vernon
Joseph and Maude B. McCrossin in 1941. Photographs of the site and environment
were shown to the HDC. There were no representatives present for the owner,
the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Rockville.
The following citizen testified on the history and significance of the building:
Rosalie Smith, 3 Nelson Street, is the adjacent property owner. She stated that
the property had been known as the “cottage on the corner with the beautiful
yard” for many years while the original owners and subsequent owner lived
there. She noted that the Craglow family took great pride in the yard and garden.
It was purchased by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and was renovated for low-income
housing. It had very hard use and little maintenance for the last 10 years.
The neighbors frequently objected to the appearance of the property and the
grounds, uncontrolled dogs, and vermin. She said the interior had burned and
is in worse condition than the exterior. She noted that a barber had owned the
property before the Craglows purchased it and had changed the interior arrangement
and put on an addition.
She stated that although the house had been an asset when owned by the Craglow
family, it is not one of a kind and is presently in poor condition. She concluded
that it was not eligible for designation. Mrs. Smith’s husband, Marvin
Smith, telephoned staff after the meeting to concur with his wife’s comments
and conclusion.
Acting Chair Moloney asked staff to provide a site plan showing the house on
the lot and the adjacent lots for the April meeting and asked that the Church
be contacted for comment.
MOTION: Commissioner Rodgers moved to hold the record on the significance of 731 West Montgomery Avenue open until April 2, 2001 to receive more information and comment. Commissioner Neal-Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0
IV. APPLICATION
FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDIT
TXC01-0179
Applicant: Jacques and Margaret Gelin
Address: 105 South Van Buren Street
Request: Tax Credit eligibility determination
Action: Approve or deny
Planner Kebba
said that she had reviewed the Gelins’ submission and found it eligible
for the Montgomery County historic preservation tax refund program. Proof of
payment was also submitted. She noted that one interior item was submitted in
error and she had subtracted that expenditure from the total eligible.
MOTION: Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve the tax credit as corrected by staff and refer it to Montgomery County for a 10% refund of property tax. Commissioner Neal-Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0
V. APPLICATION
FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
HDC01-0181
Applicant: Mark B. Goldsborough
Address: 22 Wall Street
Request: Asphalt parking pad at side/rear, off driveway
Action: Approve or deny
Planner Kebba
said the applicant had requested a wood picket fence and a taller privacy fence
to replace the existing chain link fence around the front and rear yard. The
front fence will eventually be removed entirely and the picket fence will demarcate
the side and rear yard. The proposed fence met the Historic District guideline
for fences and was approved by staff.
In addition, Mr. Goldsborough requested approval to widen his driveway on the
north side of the house to provide a parking pad for one car. Planner Kebba
showed an aerial view and a site plan of the property with photographs of the
house and yard from the public way. She noted that the fence and existing shrubbery
would somewhat hide the parking pad. The HDC was concerned that the pad would
be more visible and desired that the existing plantings be maintained as a visual
buffer and if possible, enhanced.
MOTION: Commissioner Rodgers moved, seconded by Commissioner Neal-Powell, to approve Application HDC01-0181 for a one-car parking pad on the north side of the house with the following condition:
1. The existing visual landscape buffer on the north side will be maintained.
VOTE: 3-0
VI. REVIEW
OF AMENDED PLANS FOR MATERIALS FOR NEW HOUSE AT 6 THOMAS STREET
Hassan Akhlaghi brought samples of the Certain-teed architectural roofing shingles,
brick, and Hardy Plank siding proposed for the exterior cladding of the approved
house at 6 Thomas Street. The brick was a mid range Cushwa terra cotta color
with a slightly lighter colored burned brick interspersed. After review of the
alternate selections, the HDC approved the applicant’s choice of brick
color and roofing. Acting Chair Moloney objected to the prominent molded wood
grain of the Hardy siding. Mr. Akhlaghi said that he did not care for the way
the light was reflected from the smooth product and preferred the wood grain.
He noted that it was to be used only on the rear elevation and shingles in the
gable. Commissioner Rodgers said that since the siding was not visible from
the street and trees shielded it from neighboring houses, she would accept the
applicant’s choice of wood-grained Hardy Plank siding. Commissioner Neal-Powell
concurred.
MOTION: Commissioner Neal-Powell moved to approve the selection of roof shingle, exterior brick, and Hardy Plank siding in wood grain pattern as presented by the applicant. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2-1 (Commissioner Moloney opposed)
VII. COMMITTEE/
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Lincoln Park Historical Society - Anita Neal-Powell
The Lincoln Park Historical Society will complete their map project showing
historic African-American communities in Montgomery County at the end of the
moth. It has applied for $32,000 in County funds for equipment and cultural
facilities. It has been recommended in the County Executive’s budget and
now goes to the County Council.
Peerless Rockville - Peerless Rockville Staff
Nominations for the annual Preservation Awards, which are presented in May,
are being accepted until the end of March. The Annual Preservation Awards recognize
individual, group and business contributions to the historical architecture
and landscape of Rockville through design, construction, education and other
efforts.
VIII. ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this meeting of the City of Rockville
Historic District Commission; the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Christensen
HDC Staff Liaison