Submitted: April 16, 2002
Approved: April 16, 2002

CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES

Tuesday, March 19, 2002
Meeting No. 03-2002

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened in regular session
in the Boards and Commissions Room,
Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, at 7:12 PM

PRESENT
Elizabeth Rodgers, Chair
Andrea Hartranft             Craig Moloney
Anita Neal-Powell           Jeff Broadhurst

Staff: Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner; Cindy Kebba, Planner II

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

February 20, 2002 (Meeting No. 02-2002)

Commissioner Moloney noted that the minutes (page 5) showed Commissioner Hartranft as having both made a motion and seconded the motion for TXC02-0211. Staff will correct the minutes to reflect that Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved to approve the minutes of February 20, 2002 as amended. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0-1 (Absent for vote: Powell)

II. CONTINUATION OF EVALUATION FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

A. 117 South Van Buren Street

Planner Christensen said that the major issue with this evaluation for significance was the integrity of the structure and this had been addressed in the staff report. She stated that no additional comments were received prior to the closing of the record. Staff recommends that the property be found eligible for designation.

Harold Pskowski, the property owner, asked why the property was being evaluated as a single site historic district rather than an extension of the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District. Ms. Christensen replied that its boundaries are not contiguous with those of the existing district. It has an undesignated property on each side, although the property across the street and one house away is in the W. Montgomery Avenue Historic District. As streetscape preservation is the main object of a district, this property is not contiguous and therefore cannot be part of that district at this time. It could be made part of it in the future if the property between them is added to the district.

The HDC evaluated the property with the Historic District Designation Criteria. The commissioners concurred that the site’s significance is local and that it has had minor alterations, not substantial as defined in the criteria, and is in original or near original condition, with all changes reversible. The HDC found that it has historical and cultural significance in that it:

• has character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City; (for the transition from a summer residence to year round)
  
• is identified with a person or a group of persons who influenced society; (Evans, Bouic, McCabe, Whelan and Pskowskis) and,
  
• exemplifies the cultural, economic, social, political or historic heritage of the County and its communities.
  

The HDC also found that the site has architectural and design significance in that it:

• embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction (1920s bungalow).
  

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved to find the property at 117 S. Van Buren as eligible for historic designation to the Mayor and Council, based on the findings of historical and cultural significance and architectural and design significance. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent for vote: Powell)

III. APPLICATIONS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDITS

A. TXC02-0212

Applicant: Arthur and Lynn Wagman
Address: 203 West Montgomery Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination

Staff stated that Mr. and Mrs. Wagman request tax credit eligibility determination for exterior repairs and painting. This work is fully eligible and receipts total $14,950.16.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved to recommend that application TXC02-0212 be forwarded to the Montgomery County Department of Finance for tax credit disposition, finding that the exterior repairs and painting meet the criteria for the Montgomery County tax credit. Commissioner Broadhurst seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent for vote: Powell)

B. TXC02-0213

Applicant: Alexander and Jayne Greene
Address: 11 Laird Street
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination

Staff stated that Mr. and Mrs. Greene request tax credit eligibility for roof and front porch repairs and exterior painting. Staff reported that all items are eligible and receipts total $4,665.00.

MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved to recommend that application TXC02-0213 be forwarded to the Montgomery County Department of Finance for tax credit disposition, finding that the work meets the criteria for the Montgomery County tax credit. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (absent for vote: Powell)

IV. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH JERUSALEM-MT. PLEASANT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Members of the Jerusalem Board of Trustees explained to the HDC and staff that the insurance holdback funds for Cordelia House will not be paid to the church unless the insurance company has evidence that the money is being spent on the building for demolition, restoration, or re-building. The insurance company’s deadline for commencement of the work is September 2002.

Staff discussed the steps that need to be taken to get to that point. Planner Christensen showed a map of the Wood Lane and Beall Avenue rights-of-way. She explained that a plat is needed to show the right-of-way with the existing buildings and then a surveyor must be hired to survey the property and define the site in order to re-subdivide into a single parcel. Staff will research as much information as possible in house to help reduce survey costs. Ms. Christensen said that she would contact Phil Perrine, a local land planner that may be willing to do some pro bono work for the church. Craig Moloney, HDC commissioner and architect, agreed to provide some professional guidance as well. He will recuse himself from HDC reviews of the work when they occur.

The HDC explained the benefits of retaining and restoring Cordelia House versus demolishing it. Historic designation does not preclude any use or appropriate additions or modifications. It would be possible to renovate the building and include it as part of a larger construction project. Grants and tax credits will be available for restoring it and may cover much of the difference between the cost of demolishing it and restoring it. The front half of Cordelia House lies within the 25-foot setback. If the building were to be demolished, nothing else could be built in that space. Therefore, preserving the building actually adds available square footage for the church addition.

Planner Christensen explained that the budgets for historic preservation have been cut at the county and state levels, which makes it somewhat more difficult to obtain grants at the present time. However, she said that some grants would likely be available for this situation, specifically a grant (up to $5,000) from Preservation Maryland for site planning and feasibility studies. Cordelia House was listed on the county’s endangered sites list in 2000. Commissioner Powell stated that grants might also be available from the Maryland Humanities Council. She also discussed three other churches in the county that have successfully retained their historic structures and built additions.

Commissioner Hartranft asked if planning fees might be eligible for tax credits and Planner Christensen responded that some development fees might be eligible. Commissioner Rodgers explained to the Board how tax credits work for non-profits and suggested that staff write a letter for the insurance company on behalf of the church explaining that the planning phase of the project is in progress.

The need to make the church handicapped accessible, reduce the safety hazard of the steep front steps by adding an elevator, and bring the building up to code were also discussed as important expansion goals. Reverend Blagmond said that she envisions expanding the sanctuary toward Beall Avenue off the back end of the existing church and somehow connecting it to the Cordelia House. The old church would continue to be used.

Commissioner Broadhurst said that once the limits of the site are defined by the survey, ideas could be generated to help the Church visualize their development options. He said the process may also prove the value of retaining the damaged building.

V. DISCUSSION /UPDATES

Minutes for the King Farm Task Force were included in the brief books. The task force continues to work on identifying compatible contributing reuse proposals for the buildings at the King Farm Park that would serve the community.

VI. COMMITTEE/ ORGANIZATION REPORTS

Lincoln Park Historical Society – Anita Neal Powell, President of the Lincoln Park Historical Society, reported that LPHS participated in four activities in February. Ms. Powell gave a talk at the Department of Health and Humans Services, entitled “A Taste of Black History” on February 20. The LPHS is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, which will be celebrated on May 19. A Gospel Ride to Freedom bus tour was held February 23 and visited several of the City’s historic sites including the Beall-Dawson house, Jerusalem Church, the Crutchfield house, and Lincoln Park high School.

Peerless Rockville – No report.

VII. ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
HDC staff liaisons
Judy Christensen and Cindy Kebba