Submitted: May 15, 2003
Approved: __________

CITY OF ROCKVILLE
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES

Thursday, April 17, 2003
Meeting No. 04-2003

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission
convened in regular session in the Mayor and Council Chambers,
Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, at 7:15 PM

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

HDC Staff present: Judy Christensen, Cindy Kebba, Robin Ziek, Anne Brockett
Absent: Commissioner Jeff Broadhurst

I. MINUTES

Commissioner Moloney amended the minutes regarding the Spates Bungalow courtesy review (p.8, last paragraph) to reflect that 1) the HDC recommended that the ADA ramp be on the side of the house, rather than the front of the house as written, and 2) that the HDC had agreed that it would be willing to work with CPDS staff to allow a stormwater quantity waiver if necessary, but the HDC does not specifically encourage such a waiver.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved that the HDC approve the minutes as amended Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0 (Commissioner Rodgers not present)

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved that the HDC approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0 (Commissioner Rodgers not present)

II. W. LAWSON KING FARMSTEAD RECOMMENDATIONS

John Moser, Chair of the Cultural Arts Committee and King Farm Task Force member, discussed the work of and charge to the King Farm Task Force, which was established by the Mayor and Council. He introduced the members of the Task Force who were present at the meeting and stated that the Task Force’s recommendations were presented to the Mayor and Council on January 25, 2003. The Mayor and Council asked that the proposal be presented to the HDC for its comments. Mr. Moser noted that two members of the Task Force dissented on the final report (Craig Moloney and Suzanne Fisher), but all members agreed that the property ought to be retained and beautified. He said that the recommendations acknowledge that the facilities will be for all Rockville residents, not just residents of the King Farm development.

Planner Christensen showed photographs and identified the structures on the site. Mr. Moser explained that the Task Force recommendations are to retain and reuse as many buildings as possible, but some were considered to be “attractive nuisances” that present safety issues, would use up much of the limited funding available to restore, and do not have much potential for re-use. Mr. Moser went through the inventory of buildings individually and provided the following summary of the Task Force’s recommendation for each. Numbers refer to map location.

Mr. Moser concluded that the Task Force would like to see the farm used as an arts and entertainment center, while maintaining the historic flavor of the farm buildings.

Sue Pierce, King Farm community resident, said that she appreciates what is on the site but she agrees with the Task Force that there are good reasons for not keeping all of the structures because of poor condition and liability issues. She said there is not enough money to preserve and restore every building on the site and that the available funds should be spent on the most significant and viable structures. She was in favor of documenting the buildings and salvaging materials where possible.

Chip Boylin, a Task Force member, stated that he was surprised with the diversity of views within the Task Force. He said that restoring the dairy barn alone is a multi-million dollar project but it eventually will be a highly functional facility.

John Moser agreed that money should not be invested in deteriorating structures in the current economic environment.

Suzanne Fisher, representing Peerless Rockville, presented written testimony. She said that Peerless is in favor of designating the entire complex and that preservation of the structures should begin with the designation process.

Burt Hall, Director of the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Task Force member, stated that the site is not being neglected and that the City already has invested more than $300,000 into the main house. The windows were taken out to remove lead paint, restore, and put them back into the house at considerable expense. The roof has also been replaced. He said that the house is presently occupied by tenants who are taking excellent care of it after it had been neglected for more than 10 years. The Task Force recommends that it remain residential for now. Mr. Hall added that much work has also been done on the dairy barns, landscaping and tree pruning, and stabilizing the smaller buildings so that they do not deteriorate further. He reiterated the Task Force’s concern about spending limited resources on structures that are less significant and in poor condition.

Commissioner Moloney asked if there are prospects for potential tenants for some of the buildings and whether there are funds to maintain the buildings. Mr. Hall responded that the process of seeking partnering organizations has not been started, although the City has received a proposal to rent out part of the large garage as a model railroad facility. He said that there are limited funds in the CIP for maintenance and stabilization, but there is no money for future improvements.

Commissioner Moloney noted that demolition costs money and that some of the buildings identified for removal by the Task Force would be required to come before the HDC since they are more than 50 years old. He said that the defining character of the site is as a farm complex, not as selected individual structures. He asked if there is any money available for documenting buildings and Mr. Hall said that there is enough money to document and demolish the four buildings identified by the Task Force. He said that vandalism on the property has increased and will continue to increase with the warmer weather and he does not want to put chain link fences around structures or spend money securing buildings that will be coming down. John Moser mentioned that there could be insurance issues for the City and he does not want the site to be an attractive nuisance or present safety and liability issues.

Mary Vitol, 11 Wall Street, was present for another application, but stated that she was very excited about the King Farm ideas being presented. She thought it would be great to get some local groups together to make it a community project in implementing them. Brett Smith, 333 Hillcraft Boulevard, asked if the King Farm community’s Neighborhood Watch program could help with fundraising or labor. Mr. Hall responded with appreciation for the offer but noted that state regulations prohibit volunteers from working in buildings with lead paint and said many of the buildings are considered unsafe.

Commissioner Hartranft asked if there could be some demarcation of where buildings once stood on the site for future reference. Planner Ziek said that the first step would be to document the composition of the farm and Commissioner Moloney said that measured drawings and photo documenting needed to be done and he suggested it as a summer HABS project for students or volunteers. Suzanne Fisher stated that the Task Force had mentioned creating models of all of the buildings. Planner Christensen said that originally the farm was a small family subsistence operation and later grew to be a substantial dairy farm. She said that the period of significance to be preserved needs to be determined.

Rob Orndorf, City Parks Supervisor in charge of building maintenance, indicated that he has not yet filed any demolition permits for the site. Planner Christensen said that the HDC could review demolition requests at the next meeting.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved that the HDC keep the record open to accept additional comments and testimony on the King Farm recommendations until the HDC meeting of May 15, 2003. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0

III. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

Planner Kebba presented the staff report recommending the approval to replace a portion of a wood stockade fence in the rear yard with in-kind materials and replace the front portion of it with a new decorative black metal fence. Pursuant to the City Forester’s opinion, staff also recommended the removal of two trees: an ash beside the garage and a black cherry at the corner of the house. Planner Kebba noted that the City Forester also recommended the removal of two trees that were not included in the application. However, the City Forester recommended not removing a Norway spruce located along West Montgomery Avenue at the entrance to the driveway, which the owners wished to remove. She indicated that the spruce is in good health. Ms. Kebba noted that the applicant wishes to remove this tree because it is shading a cherry tree, it interferes with satellite reception, and because trucks entering the driveway strike the tree’s branches.

Mr. Maddox reiterated that the tree interferes with his satellite reception. Currently, he has his satellite dish on a concrete block on the front lawn because the reception is poor on the roof. He also noted that there is ivy growing beneath the Norway spruce and he would prefer to remove it with the tree and plant grass.

Commissioner Moloney indicated that it is possible to remove the ivy and plant grass without removing the tree. Mrs. Maddox asked if it would be possible to remove the tree and plant one somewhere else on the property in exchange. Commissioner Rodgers said that the concern is with preserving the streetscape on West Montgomery Avenue and asked if the dish could be relocated. Mr. Maddox said he has tried it on the roof, but it does not get a signal. Commissioner Moloney thought that it was less obtrusive on the ground than on the roof of an historic house.

Commissioner Hartranft asked if the tree removal would qualify for tax credits; Ms. Kebba indicated that it would not since the tree does not pose a hazard to the structure and is healthy. She also agreed with Commissioner Rodgers that removing the tree would affect the streetscape. The HDC noted that the tree poses a difficulty for the owners, but did not feel that a mature, healthy tree along West Montgomery Avenue should be removed.

Ms. Kebba asked if the iron fence would be attached to the house. Mr. Maddox stated that it would be about one inch away.

Commissioner Moloney said that the spruce is a significant tree of about 60 years of age. Commissioner Hartranft said it frames the driveway nicely with another spruce on the other side of the driveway.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved that the HDC approve HDC03-0238 to replace the existing wood stockade fence in kind along the west, north and east sides of the rear yard and to replace it with a decorative black iron fence from the southeast corner of the house to the east property line; and to remove the black cherry and the ash trees in the rear yard as identified in the application. She moved to retain the Norway spruce to the east of the driveway entrance per the City Forester’s recommendations. Commissioner Moloney seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0

Commissioner Moloney, as the project architect, recused himself from the Commission to represent the owner and explain the plans. Planner Anne Brockett presented the staff report and stated that the applicant was requesting a Certificate of Approval to restore and make the following modifications to the front porch roof:

Planner Brockett said that the proposed modifications to the porch roof design would correct the problem that contributed to the deterioration of the bay over time, but the appearance, proportions and materials proposed would continue to be sympathetic to the character and history of the house.

She noted that raising the porch roof would correct the subsidence in the front portion and would allow better visibility of the window trim. Modifying the bay-side hip would allow water to drain properly and prevent further damage to the bay. She said that the roof material change from steel to standing seam copper and the gutter material change from aluminum to copper are considered appropriate.

Staff recommended that the HDC approve application HDC03-0244 to restore and modify the design and materials of the front porch roof as described in the application.

Commissioner Moloney, acting as a representative for the applicant, indicated that the project would raise the porch roof five inches to expose the window trim, but that the current plan would keep the same slope for both the front and side porch. The turned wood porch columns and brackets would be retained and restored. Wood blocks would be inserted underneath the columns to raise them to the new roof height. The blocks would be covered by a decorative plinth. Screen panels would be inserted on the inside of the brackets so that the brackets would be visible. The porch roof will be standing seam metal sheets that snap together. Copper gutters will be installed.

Commissioner Rodgers thought it sounded like a nice improvement to the house.

MOTION: Commissioner Rodgers moved that the HDC approve HDC03-0244 to rebuild the front porch roof. Commissioner Hartranft seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-0. Commissioner Moloney abstained from the discussion and the vote, as he is the architect for the project.

IV. STAFF APPROVALS

Staff advised the HDC that the following two applications were approved by staff as they involved hazardous tree removals recommended by the City Forester and replacement of gutters/downspouts with original materials.

V. APPLICATIONS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDIT

Planner Kebba stated that staff recommended approval of the above tax credit applications with the exception of a portion of TXC02-0242 that included ineligible expenses for new construction. However, exterior painting of the original structure and replacement of broken window glass were recommended for approval as part of this application.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved that the HDC recommend that tax credit applications TXC03-0239, TXC03-0241, TXC03-0242, and TXC03-0243 be found eligible for the Montgomery County tax credit, per staff recommendations. Final approval and disbursement will be sought from the County. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0

VI. COURTESY REVIEWS

Mr. Maddox indicated that he would like input from the HDC prior to proceeding with a plan to replace a 19’ x 24’concrete block garage with a new frame garage measuring approximately 30’ x 34’. Commissioner Moloney felt that the garage would be fairly well obscured, despite the increase in size and the visual presentation from the right-of-way would not change substantially.

The garage will have [false] stone foundation veneer to match the house, hardiplank siding and a metal roof. The Maddoxes hope to use old windows if possible. Their design calls for two large carriage house doors. They have applied for a variance to exclude the summer kitchen/annex from being considered an accessory building because it reduces the square footage possible for the garage. The two structures exceed the 25% rear lot coverage allowed in the R-90 zone. The HDC agreed that the variance should be granted despite the fact that the annex is not part of the main structure, and that historic properties should not be penalized by the development standards because of the existence of outbuildings, which the HDC and homeowners wish to keep as part of the environmental setting.

Commissioner Moloney supported the garage expansion and thought the size was appropriate. He asked that the HDC indicate its support of the variance to the Board of Appeals. The HDC asked that the minutes reflect their support of the variance.

Commissioner Moloney asked the owners to consider revising the roofline to include a shed to one side. This would provide a more appropriate appearance but would necessitate re-centering the carriage doors and gable window. He also suggested replacing the Palladian window with something less formal, perhaps another material to match the gable in the house. The house gable contains German siding that runs diagonally.

Mr. Vitol stated that his original thought of screening in his rear deck was more complicated than he expected because he would need new footers in order to support the roof. Because this idea is economically infeasible, he is considering screening in the side porch instead. The side porch is currently an open roofed raised concrete slab, with front access steps. The proposed screened porch would be bricked in to a height of 36 inches, per city code for railings, with screens installed above. Commissioner Moloney said this plan, with a six-inch concrete slab topped by a brick knee wall, and given the dense landscaping and the awnings, would give a very enclosed feeling and might additionally create drainage and moisture/moss problems. He would like to see as few framing members as possible for the screens and would prefer the brick to be inset from the original brick columns rather than in the same plane. The HDC suggested using a balustrade instead of a brick knee wall to better retain the open porch feeling and recommended that the owners look at other porches for ideas.

The idea of a screen door to the yard was discussed, but a door could not be placed at the rear of the house because of an existing basement window. There are steps to the porch on the front of the house currently but the owners do not want access to the porch from the front.

VII. DISCUSSION / UPDATES

A. Update on designations in progress:

B. Nominations, Awards, Recognition:

C. Planning Activities and Projects:
Staff reported on progress for Rockville Cemetery design guidelines, East Rockville Master Plan, Lincoln Park Master Plan, and Chestnut Lodge design guidelines.

VIII. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS

Ms. McGuckian reported that Family Portrait Night will be held on April 22. Peerless will participate in Rockville Science Day on April 27 and will concentrate on archeology. On May 1, Peerless will present a lecture on Rockville politics from 1950 to 1990 as part of its Rockville at 200 years program and will sponsor a spot of the Bike to Work Tour on May 2. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. will host a program at Glenview Mansion on May 6 with two local Pulitzer Prize winning poets reading their work. The Annual Peerless Rockville Awards will be held on May 12. Six historic homes, including Rose Hill Mansion, will be featured at the 25th annual Progressive Dinner to be held on May 17.

IX. ADJOURN

The HDC meeting of April 17, 2003 was adjourned at 10:02 p.m.