Submitted: July 16, 2002
Approved: ___________

CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES

Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Meeting No. 06-2002

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened in regular session
in the Boards and Commissions Room, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, at 7:10 PM

PRESENT
Elizabeth Rodgers, Chair
Andrea Hartranft        Craig Moloney
Jeff Broadhurst

Staff: Judy Christensen, Preservation Planner; Cindy Kebba, Planner II
Absent: Anita Neal-Powell

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April 16, 2002 (Meeting No. 04-2002)

MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved to approve the minutes of April 16, 2002. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent: Commisioner Neal-Powell)

May 7, 2002 (Meeting No. 05-2002)

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved to approve the minutes of May 7, 2002. Commissioner Moloney seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent: Commisioner Neal-Powell)

II. EVALUATION FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Buckingham Property (522 West Montgomery Avenue)

Planner Christensen told the HDC that this property was proposed for review of historical, architectural or cultural significance in 1999 but City management decided to postpone the review until the master plan was completed. Wycliffe/Elm Street Development purchased the property in 2001 from the children of Dr. Buckingham and intend to develop ten single family lots on the site. Staff updated a draft MHT form and distributed copies to the HDC. Planner Christensen introduced Richard Buckingham, Jr. who lived at the house for 53 years and still resides in Rockville. She asked Mr. Buckingham to add to her discussion of the property's history throughout her presentation.

Ms. Christensen described the property. The four-acre former Buckingham property at 522 West Montgomery Avenue faces north and is separated from the street and its adjacent properties by a buffer of mature spruce and other trees that hides the property from public view. The 500 block of West Montgomery Avenue is eclectic in age. To the east are the grounds and buildings of the former Woodlawn Hotel/ Chestnut Lodge, which is listed as part of the West Montgomery Avenue District on the National Register, and is partly within the local district.

To the west is Roxboro, a development of 1-1/2 story houses on 6,000 square foot lots and several late 19th Century properties that predate the subdivision. Across West Montgomery Avenue are detached single family one- to two- story houses primarily dating from the first quarter of the 20th Century. To the south (rear) are two large residential lots that were originally part of this parcel and are accessed via a driveway at the east edge of the Buckingham parcel. The four-acre property is bounded by a buffer of mature spruce and other trees and includes an intermittent stream and large specimen trees dotted on the lawn of the front. A small grove of trees is on the west side in the center of the property. An asphalt driveway from West Montgomery Avenue accesses the house, veterinary hospital, and garage toward the rear of the lot. A portion of the house is visible from the street up the driveway. A sign at the entrance to the driveway marks the property, “Thirty Oaks”.

Planner Christensen said that the original house was constructed about 1912 – 1914 but has had many additions through the years and the original footprint is difficult to discern. The oldest portion appears to be a one-and-a-half story irregularly massed structure on the eastern end which has 2/2 windows in the end and a full-width dormer which may have been added later. There is no one style to the house. It has been stuccoed to unify the exterior and the majority of windows are 6/1. There is a large screened-in porch in the west portion of the house.

East and back of the house is a two story veterinary hospital with coops on the east end. A garage building is on the rear property line.

Ms. Christensen said that the environmental setting is what makes this property desirable. The property has a three-acre front lawn that includes a stand of mature trees and a stream. (Mr. Buckingham interjected that it is not actually a stream.) The atmosphere is removed from City life and automobile traffic and could easily be a country setting.

Planner Christensen provided a history of the property. The Buckingham Property or “Thirty Oaks” was known for most of the 20th Century as the home and office of Dr. Richard G. Buckingham, Veterinarian. In the 19th Century, it was a rural estate owned by Dr. Chauncy M. and Emilia A. Grubb, who built a house on the property around 1914. The property is part of the large farm on the Exchange and New Exchange property owned by Julius West in the 19th Century. In 1886, slightly more than 29 acres were sold to the local baker, John Mulfinger. Mulfinger sold parcels of land to several people, selling the last 18-1/2 acres in 1886. The existing four-acre parcel was carved out in 1890 and was used as a forested residential property for the next 110 years.

Exchange and New Exchange was one of many tracts patented by Arthur Nelson of Prince Georges County in stages from 1717 to 1735. His land holdings eventually totaled 3,162 acres. He named his tracts Valentine’s Garden (his wife’s name was Valentine), Valentine’s Garden Enlarged (adding acreage in 1722), The Exchange, The New Exchange, then re-surveyed both tracts as “Exchange and New Exchange Enlarged” for 1,620 acres in 1721, Bowling Green, and Cuckold’s Delight. Within 30 years, the first tiny buildings in what is now the center of Rockville were built on Valentine’s Garden Enlarged and Exchange and New Exchange Enlarged.

Nelson sold part of Exchange and New Exchange to Richard West. The West Family was among the first settlers of the Montgomery County area. Julius West was born in 1808, the son of Thomas West ( b. Oct. 19, 1762) and Eleanor O’Neale (b.1768). Thomas and Eleanor were married in 1793 in Annapolis, MD and Julius was the last born of 8 children. He married Sarah Kidwell in 1844. The Wests lived most of their life in a small farmhouse on their property. After his death in 1860 and that of Sarah 27 years later, most of his property was deeded to the Rockville Academy where he was educated. His will instructed the sale of his farms to “constitute a perpetual fund for education.” Academy trustees used the funds to construct and pay for the new building at 103 South Adams Street and later to pay library staff when the Rockville Library was located at the Academy. Julius and Sarah West are remembered in the subdivision called “West End Park,” which refers both to West family property and the western part of the original town of Rockville.

The executor of the Julius and Sarah West estate sold 29 acres, 1 rood, and 634 square perches of land to Richard W. Williams for $1479.09 in 1873. In 1886, Williams and Thomas Anderson et.al, trustees, sold the 29 acres, 1 rood and 634 square perches to John Phillip Mulfinger in 1886 for $1618.80. Mulfinger probably was the son of Christian Mulfinger and his wife Margaret. Christian Mulfinger was listed in the 1860 Census in Rockville as a baker, age 43, with his wife Margaret, age 36, and three children, Fritz, Conrad and (John) Philip. Philip was 7 years old in 1860 so is likely the John Philip Mulfinger that was 7 weeks old when baptized on April 24, 1853 at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Another family lived with them, Bernard Quinn, age 28, a teacher, and his 20-year-old wife Rebecca and their son Henry, age one year. By 1886, Philip Mulfinger would have been about 32 years old. Margaret and Conrad Mulfinger died in 1896 and are buried at Rockville Cemetery with no marker. Christian died Mar 21, 1877 and is also buried at Rockville Cemetery with no marker.

Part of Mulfinger’s 29+ acres was sold for the Woodlawn Hotel. In 1886, Charles G. Willson purchased a parcel of land from the estate of Rebecca Veirs and in 1887 purchased another parcel from John P. Mulfinger and wife, altogether 5 acres along West Montgomery Avenue, and commenced construction of a large, four-story brick "summer boarding house" in 1886. In 1889, Mulfinger and his wife and Henson Johnson and wife sold 18-1/2 acres to Henry Wells for $3400. The property changed hands four times from 1889 to the sale to Dr. Chauncey M. and Emelia A. Grubb in 1914. If the tax record construction date of 1912 is close, the Grubbs may have been the original home builder. No buildings are shown in this location on the 1891 map of West End Park Section 3 that shows building footprints along West Montgomery Avenue opposite the subdivision.

In 1938, the Grubbs sold 4 acres of the property to David E. Buckingham. Dr. David Buckingham was the first licensed veterinarian in the District of Columbia and lived in Cleveland Park. He functioned as the White House Veterinarian going back to Teddy Roosevelt. When the Roosevelt’s dog “Meggie” acquired a habit of biting diplomats, she was brought to Dr. Buckingham’s office in Cleveland Park to be destroyed. Mrs. Buckingham took a liking to the dog and it lived out its life nipping neighbors in Cleveland Park. According to an article in the February 11, 1981 Washington Star newspaper, Richard Buckingham was the only one of Dr. David’s sons to follow him into the business.

Richard was a native Washingtonian who graduated from Western High School and received a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1938. He married Rose Williams of Rockville and the couple had three children: Richard G. Jr., Ellen B., and Jane B. He began his farm animal practice at Rockville in 1938 and was assisted by Herman Baker for 34 years. In 1949, his father and mother sold the property to Richard G. Jr. and Rose W. Buckingham. Both Buckinghams were active in the Rotary Club and Christ Episcopal Church. Rose was educated at Stuart Hall, a private school in Staunton, Va. and graduated in 1933. She was a charter member of the Inner Wheel of the Rockville Rotary Club and also active in the Montgomery County Heart Association. Richard served as President of the Rotary Club and received the Paul Harris fellowship in 1980. Rose died on November 5, 1980 and Richard died March 14, 1992.

Richard Buckingham, Jr. stated that he and his two sisters acquired the property in 1993 after his father (Dr. Richard G. Buckingham) died and they sold it to L.C. Wycliffe/Elm Street Development in 2001. He said that the house bears little resemblance to the original structure and that one would not recognize it if they saw a picture of it in the 1920s. He said that the east elevation is the only side that looks similar. He described the house and other buildings as staff showed photographs of the buildings and views from the street. Mr. Buckingham said that his father put a great deal of money into maintaining the outside part of the property because of the substantial number of large trees. He did not spend much on keeping up the interior of the house and it is in poor condition. He stated that it would be very difficult to undo the changes that were made over time and he estimated that it would cost $200,000 to $250,000 to renovate it. The second floor has a height of only 6 '3". He said that Dr. Chauncy Grubb and his wife Emilia owned the property before his family bought it and that Dr. Grubb was a veterinarian. Dr. Grubb built the 25' by 25' stucco building adjacent to the house in 1931. Mr. Buckingham said the building is inadequate for a modern vet practice. There is a garage/shed behind the house which is also in poor condition. He said that Dr. Richard G. Buckingham, Sr., purchased the house and four acres in 1938 from Dr. Grubb.

Commissioner Hartranft asked about the ages and varieties of trees on the site. Mr. Buckingham replied that a Forest Stand Delineation and Natural Resources Inventory had been done a s part of the proposed Elm Street development. He said that he did not know where the name "Thirty Oaks" came from, but he thought that the name referred to the many large deciduous trees on the property, not all of which were oaks. He said that L.C. Wycliffe/Elm Street Development's plan includes saving the most mature and notable trees on the west side.

Erica Latham, an attorney with Holland and Knight representing Elm Street Development, said that Elm Street Development has filed an exploratory application for the PRU development which includes two lots owned by Mr. Baker and Mr. Yates. She said that a principle element of the plan is to accommodate the natural features of the property. She said that the Mayor and Council suggested preserving the character of the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District during the master plan process and Elm Street Development is committed to that. She stated that Elm Street Development does not oppose historic designation of the three lots that will front West Montgomery Avenue, but does oppose designation of the remainder of the property. She stated that any development on the site would be subject to HDC review anyway because it is contiguous to the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District. Ms. Latham said that the existing house does not meet any of the criteria for designation and it is not visible from the public way. It is not mentioned in Portrait of a City, the book about Rockville's history which was recently authored by Eileen McGuckian. According to Elm Street Development's plan, the house, veterinary hospital and garage will be demolished. The structures on the Baker and Yates properties will be preserved and another lot will be created between them. Ms. Latham said that the PRU process is flexible and creates smaller lots which leaves more open space. There will be a tree buffer at the Chestnut Lodge property line.s

Commissioner Rodgers asked if the veterinary hospital and garage resemble the original structures. Mr. Buckingham stated that the hospital building does but the garage is in very poor condition. He said that his father was approached by the City at one time to include the first 200 feet of the property adjacent to West Montgomery Avenue in the historic district as was done with the Chestnut Lodge property. His father declined at the time because he would not receive any financial compensation as he would with an easement.

Jeff White, a resident of Calvert Road immediately south of the Buckingham property, objected to the trend of huge houses on small lots that have recently been built in the area. He urged the HDC to designate the entire site.

No other testimony was heard or received.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved to keep the record open on the evaluation of 522 West Montgomery Avenue for historical, architectural, or cultural significance until the close of business on July 1, 2002. Commissioner Broadhurst seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent: Commissioner Neal-Powell)

III. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

A. HDC02-0221

Applicant: Tim Sonley
Address: 107 North Adams Street
Request: Extend and enclose side porch, addition rear.

Staff identified the location of the property and showed photographs of the house and the architectural drawings included with the application. Planner Kebba presented the staff report and stated that the owner, Tim Sonley, planned to remove the screened porch on the south side of the house and replace it with a slightly wider enclosed porch, and construct an addition to the rear of the house. She said that Mr. Sonley had already met with the HDC in February for a courtesy review of his conceptual plans.

Planner Kebba stated that 107 North Adams Street was built in the mid-19th century by John Brewer. It is believed to be the only example of Greek Revival architecture in Rockville. The house is set amongst some of the oldest and most historically significant structures in Rockville and has been owned and occupied by members of several of Rockville's oldest families. The house was owned by a law firm prior to Mr. Sonley's purchase this year and had been subjected to neglect and deferred maintenance for many years.

Planner Kebba said that the addition must meet the development standards for the O-2 zone which are the same as those in the most proximate residential zone. In this case the closest residential zone is R-60 which requires a 35% maximum lot coverage, 20-foot rear setback, and 8-foot side setback. The rear addition, as proposed, will encroach into the side setback by approximately two feet. She said that it should be moved in at least two feet from the north property line. Otherwise, a variance for the entire structure's side setback may be required. She said that at the Courtesy Review for this project on February 20, 2002, Commissioner Moloney had suggested that the rear elevation should provide for some attenuation to break up this façade and separate it from the original structure. Indenting the addition will help to achieve this.

Planner Kebba said that the rear addition and extension/enclosure of the side porch will not significantly or negatively alter the appearance of the house from the right-of-way and it will preserve the building's historic integrity while creating additional space. The proportion of the addition is in scale with the existing structure. The siding material will match the existing wood siding and it will align with and be painted to match the existing siding.

Planner Kebba said that the windows, except for those on the new porch, will be 6 over 6 double-hung, vinyl-clad. The arrangement of new windows is appropriate. The windows and panels on the porch will maintain the appearance of a screened porch, which is a desired effect.

The brick chimney on the north side of the house will be taken down and the connecting fireplaces will be removed. There is a second chimney on the south side which will remain. The chimneys are only visible when viewing the house from the sides or the rear. They are hidden behind the roof pitch and are not seen when looking at the front of the house.

Some azalea bushes and other plantings will need to be removed on the south and east sides of the structure to allow for the addition.

No changes are proposed to the front elevation except for the screened porch. The Applicant did mention at the Courtesy Review that portions of this elevation were deteriorated and may need to be replaced. Planner Kebba stated that if that is the case, only elements that are beyond repair should be replaced and only with exact duplicate materials.

Staff recommended approval of the addition to 107 North Adams Street as it is a well-proportioned addition and is compatible with the original structure. The rear addition should be indented at least two feet from the north property line to meet setback requirements. This indentation also will help to differentiate the new addition from the original structure. All structural changes must meet requirements for and obtain a City of Rockville building permit.

Mr. Sonley, the property owner, said that since the Courtesy Review in February, he has had the front elevation inspected and discovered that it only needed minor repairs and paint and that no materials needed replacement.

Thomas Luebke, the architect for the addition, stated that there is approximately 27 feet between the house at 107 North Adams Street and the house immediately to the north. He does not believe that the rear addition will extend into the setback area. He said that he plans to use the same materials that are already on the house, including wood siding and asphalt roof shingles with a standing seam tin roof over the side porch. The double hung windows in the rear addition would be vinyl clad. The HDC expressed concern with the window material and the owner said that he would change them to all wood windows. Commissioner Moloney inquired about the window details. He asked Mr. Luebke whether they would have true divided lights or bonded grilles, and he asked about the casements, sills and other trim. Mr. Luebke responded that his intention was to create the same trim appearance as on the existing windows. Commissioner Moloney also asked about the details of the fascia boards, rakes, and other details of the additions. Mr. Luebke said that the rear of the house was built much later than the original portion and the trim in the rear is very simple. He said that he plans to extend and replicate the same lines. He said that the house currently has an asphalt roof except for some tin in the middle and over the screened porch. The rear addition will have an asphalt roof and the side enclosed porch with have a tin roof as exists now on the screened porch that it will replace.

Commissioner Broadhurst said that he thinks the concept of the additions is good and he likes the idea of enclosing the side porch while keeping the screened porch appearance. He said he continues to be concerned about how the details will work together, however, expecially on the side porch. He said he thinks that will prove to be the most challenging area in order to successfully continue the look of a screened porch. He asked what the base condition below the porch would be. Mr. Luebke answered that it would be masonry piers and that plantings would be restored to hide them somewhat. Commissioner Broadhurst said that if open space is left under the porch, the building code would require at least an 18-inch crawl space. He suggested building a solid brick or masonry foundation instead to avoid that problem. Mr. Luebke said that a continuous foundation wall is not traditionally found under a screened porch.

The HDC summarized their comments as follow:

• Step back the rear addition to meet zoning requirements and separate the addition from the original structure
  
• Install all wood windows instead of vinyl clad windows
  
• Create attic ventilation (ridge vent is acceptable)
  
• Consider soft lighting as opposed to traditional harsh office lighting in enclosed porch offices to create a softer glow from the street view (Commissioner Hartranft's suggestion)
  
• Provide more specific details for the plans, including the gable end rake configuration, typical soffit configuration, window and door details, and screened porch details.
  

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved to extend the review of the plans for the additions at 107 North Adams Street until more complete details are received and can be reviewed by the HDC. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent: Commisioner Neal-Powell)

B. HDC02-0222

Applicant: Rob Ordornoff, City of Rockville
Address: Beall-Dawson Park 103 W. Montgomery
Request: Remove Box Elder tree

C. HDC02-0223

Applicant: Rob Ordornoff, City of Rockville
Address: Beall-Dawson Park 103 W. Montgomery
Request: Remove Black Cherry tree

Planner Christensen stated that these requests meet the guidelines for mature tree removal as both trees are rotting and they present safety hazards according to the City Forester.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved to approve the removal of the box elder tree and the black cherry tree at the Beall Dawson Park as identified on the maps provided by the applicant. Commissioner Broadhurst seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent: Commisioner Neal-Powell)

D. HDC99-0147A

Applicant: Jacob Lenihan
Address: 309 Potomac Street
Request: Amend to change attic gable from cedar to vinyl siding

Planner Christensen stated that Mr. Lenihan is requesting a change in material for the garage that was originally approved in 1999. Mr. Lenihan would like to use vinyl siding on the entire garage rather than cedar shingles on the attic gable and vinyl siding elsewhere. According to the minutes of May 18, 1999, the HDC did suggest that vinyl siding be used but the owner wanted to use a combination of cedar shingles and vinyl at that time. Staff recommended approval of this amendment to the original application.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved to approve the amendment to application HDC99-0147, a request to use install vinyl siding rather than a combination of vinyl siding and cedar shingles, on the new garage at 309 Potomac Street. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0 (Absent: Commisioner Neal-Powell)

IV. ELECTION OF HDC CHAIR

Current HDC Chair, Beth Rodgers, nominated Commissioner Jeff Broadhurst as HDC Chairman for FY 2003. Commissioner Broadhurst respectfully declined the nomination. Commissioner Moloney nominated Commissioner Neal-Powell but the nomination and election were deferred to the July meeting as Ms. Powell was not in attendance to accept or decline.

V. DISCUSSION / UPDATES

A. Designation of City-owned properties
Staff provided HDC members with a listing of City-owned properties with those considered eligible for either local or national register designation and those already designated highlighted. Planner Christensen noted that those properties which have multiple users may be better suited for the National Register with adoption of mutually agreed upon guidelines or a master plan. Local designation may be more appropriate for others. Commissioner Rodgers asked HDC members to examine the list and write up a paragraph of support for any they believe are eligible for local or national designation.

B. Update on designations in progress

1. 325 Lincoln Avenue (removed - M&C did not authorize filing).
   The house has been demolished.
   
2. Chestnut Lodge/Waldorf School. The owners are applying for a Special exception to use the property to qualify for tax exempt status.
   
3. Carver. Introduction of ordinance is scheduled for July 8, 2002.
   
4. 117 S. Van Buren Street. Public hearing for historic designation was held June 17, 2002.
   
5. 115 Park Avenue (Spates Bungalow). Public hearing was held June 17, 2002 and the record will be kept open for four weeks.
   
6. Upcoming: 103 Forest Avenue, 701 Grandin Avenue, 550 Reading Avenue. Gail Littlefield will be doing histories. Peerless is nominating 103 Forest Avenue.
   

C. Montgomery County History Days 6/29 and 6/30 - Commissioners Rodgers and Broadhurst will not be available this weekend. Staff and other commissioners will be available to provide information and answer questions at a table at Courthouse Park stocked with city maps, tour brochures, photos, etc.

D. Jerusalem Church Parsonage, grant and renovation progress. The grant request passed the initial committee and will go before another review board.

E. Budget and Work Schedule FY 03. Chief of Planning, Bob Spalding spoke with HDC and staff regarding the budget increase for historic designations. Numerous outreach opportunities and materials were discussed to include civic/neighborhood association meetings, participation in city events, rotating exhibits, coordination with Peerless Rockville, MCHS, and other organizations, coverage of events and promotion via The Rockville Channel, etc. Commissioner Rodgers asked to set a date in September to hold a community forum on the historic designation process and benefits. A specific date was not set, but the HDC agreed to consider this as a Fall 2002 event to complement other outreach efforts.

F. Staff approvals for tree removals at Baptist Cemetery and at 307 Great Falls Road. Staff stated that these tree removals were approved by staff as they were recommended for removal by the City Forester because of decay or safety hazards.

VI. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS

A. Lincoln Park Historical Society - Deferred due to Anita Neal Powell's absence.

B. Peerless Rockville - Commissioner Rodgers said that the reenactment of Confederate General JEB Stuart's 1863 ride into Rockville on June 2, 2002 was well attended and included numerous events to recreate the atmosphere of Stuart's visit. Peerless Rockville will host activities, tours and exhibits at the Red Brick Courthouse and on the Courthouse grounds on June 29, 2002 from noon to 4:00pm to help celebrate Montgomery County History Day.

VII. ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

HDC staff liaisons
Judy Christensen and Cindy Kebba