Staff present: Anne Brockett, Cindy Kebba, Robin Ziek and Judy Christensen, Preservation Planners, and Planner III Scott Parker

Commissioner Broadhurst was appointed Chair Pro Tem to open the meeting in the absence of Chair Anita Powell.  Ms. Powell assumed the gavel after the hearing on Agenda Item II.

I.  COMMISSION ITEMS

• Approval of Minutes: Meeting No. 12-2003, November 20, 2003

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to approve the minutes of November 20, 2003 as submitted. 
VOTE: 3-0-1  (Commissioner Broadhurst abstaining)

• Old Business:  Approval of revisions to Rules of Procedure

Planner Robin Ziek stated that the Maryland Historical Trust had submitted a few revisions to the adopted Rules of Procedure for review and decision.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Hartranft, to incorporate the changes submitted by the Maryland Historical Trust into the adopted Rules of Procedure.  
VOTE: 4-0 (Commissioner Powell absent)

II.  EVALUATION FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, Chloethiel Woodard Smith Community Center at Chestnut Lodge, 500 West Montgomery Avenue. 

NOTE:  Written testimony submitted to the record of this public hearing is available on the City of Rockville Internet at: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/government/commissions/hdc/2003/1303.html hereafter cited as (Internet Record).

Planner Brockett summarized the Maryland Historical Trust Inventory Form for the Community Center (Internet Record) on the grounds of the Chestnut Lodge hospital and presented photographs the building’s elevations and features.   The building was nominated for evaluation by the Recent Past Preservation Network and is currently owned by the Washington Waldorf School.  A summary of architect Cloethiel Woodard Smith’s work, the significance of the Chestnut Lodge hospital, and the use of the modernist style were presented.  Ms. Brockett stated that the Commission may take testimony tonight on this matter and either close the record and make a decision, or hold the record open for additional comments to a date to be determined in January.  Staff will then prepare a summary and analysis of the testimony with a staff recommendation that will be presented at the HDC meeting of January 15, 2004.

Ms. Brockett stated that letters of support for designation had been received from Isabelle Gournay, Richard Longstreth, James Benton, the Recent Past Preservation Network, and Joey Lampl.  (Internet Record)

Commissioner Hartranft disclosed possible conflicts of interest in that her husband, John Hartranft, is the Maryland representative of the Recent Past Preservation Network, the organization that nominated the property, and the Lethbridge Architectural Group is one of her firm’s clients, although she has had no involvement on projects for Lethbridge. 

Charles Spitulnik, Rockville resident, attorney, and board member of the Washington Waldorf School spoke in opposition to historic designation.  He stated that this is the third round of designations on the Chestnut Lodge property since the school acquired it.  He questioned why, if this building is important, was it not identified previously.  He stated that designation would place an undue burden on the school. The school does not have a presentation at this time and defers to the contract purchaser’s testimony.

He requested that Commissioner Hartranft recuse herself, which she did.

Jody Kline, an attorney with Miller, Miller and Canby and representing the contract purchaser Associated Homes, spoke next.  He stated that a report is being prepared by an architectural historian and requested the record be left open.  He commented on the fact that previous studies on the Chestnut Lodge property, including the 1997 study by Ward Bucher, did not identify the Community Center as a  contributing element.  He also stated that the building was not included in the HDC’s ranking of buildings by significance that was requested by the Mayor and Council and is not identified on Rockville’s Historic Resources map.  He questioned citing this building as a contributing resource to the West Montgomery Historic District and said that that it would not be contiguous to the district’s boundary, if it is approved for designation (STAFF NOTE: Mr. Kline was informed via email that the building is not being considered for inclusion in the West Montgomery Historic District, but is being nominated as a single-site historic district). 

Mr. Kline offered other methods for preserving the building, such as documentation and display in the museum proposed for Frieda’s Cottage.  The Community Center is in the middle of the campus and is a large building.  Its designation would impair the ability of the contract purchaser to go forward with development plans.  He said that there are only so many dollars that can be allotted to preservation and rehabilitation in a development plan for this property, and putting money into this building as well as removing the ability to build houses in its place, would necessitate taking money away from the buildings that are already designated. The designation would be prejudicial since the developer has already presented preliminary development plans to the HDC.

Jack Cohen, F.A.I.A. said he had been a colleague of Ms. Smith and while her modernist work was and is admirable, this is not one of the best examples of her work.  He stated that better examples exist in the Washington Metro area and in Montgomery County.  He also stated that the building, at present, is not a candidate for reuse. The windows are single glazed, it is built on a concrete pad with no embedded heat source, and the ceiling is an open framework supporting the roof material.  It is not energy efficient and would be difficult to renovate to the level needed to make it practical for use as a residence today.  Mr. Cohen also noted that the building was constructed very cheaply at $12.60 a square foot and the quality of the construction had not aged well.  In response to a question from Commissioner van Balgooy, he stated that Ms. Smith’s better examples could be found at Reston, VA, in southwest D.C., and three buildings at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and L Street in downtown D.C. He also cited the Nuclear Regulatory Commission building on Rockville Pike and Nicholson Lane as an example of Ms. Smith’s work. He also said that there were other good examples of international modernist style by other architects in Montgomery County, including Charles Goodman, who built homes in Wheaton Woods and other locations.  Mr. Cohen’s resume is included as an attachment to the minutes.

Wayne Goldstein, President of Montgomery Preservation, Inc., spoke in support of designation.  He said that experts in the field of architecture, notably Richard Longstreth, Joey Lampl, and Isabelle Gournay, had judged the building to have significance.  He cited two other modern buildings that had received much support for their preservation – the Canada Dry Bottling Plant and the Silver Theatre, both in Silver Spring.  He commented on possible reuse ideas, such as using the Community Center for a residence, or dividing it for a residential and business combination such as catering.  (Internet Record)

Commissioner van Balgooy asked if Mr. Goldstein thought that all buildings by Ms. Smith in Montgomery County should be saved.  Mr. Goldstein replied that they should be evaluated individually and that, in this case, the Community Center should be preserved based on its importance.  Following up on this comment, Planner Brockett informed the Commission of the other known Smith buildings in the area – a house on S. Van Buren Street, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Rockville Pike, and the Gymnasium and Nurses’ Quarters at Chestnut Lodge.

Pat Reber, Rockville resident and Washington Waldorf School parent, spoke next.  She opposed designation of the Community Center but did support designation of the front eight acres of the Chestnut Lodge property.  She said that the Lodge building and the large trees are the dominant features of the property.  She said she has always been drawn to this portion of the property like a magnet but has always avoided the Community Center in her walks around the property because it is gloomy, poorly sited and unappealing.  She said the floors are ordinary tiles and cement and are broken and peeling and the building’s mechanical systems are displayed on its roof.  Remnants of unhappiness and stark exit signs are all one sees when one looks inside.  She stated that the building lacks identification with the community, lacks personality, and has outlived its usefulness.  Ms. Reber noted that she is a reporter and had never heard any mention of the Community Center before now.  She conducted an Internet search for Chloethiel Woodard Smith on Google and only turned up 38 entries, most from the DC area, and cannot be considered a world-renowned architect. She summed up by saying that it took a very small school, with only 200 families and no endowment, to open the gateway to designation after nearly four decades and that this nomination was the latest unfair blow to the painful process of trying to move the school to this site.  She expressed concern that there were other motives outweighing interest in the historic significance of this building, such as a desire to limit development on the property. Commissioner van Balgooy asked Ms. Reber if buildings should ever be designated if they are not attractive and Ms. Reber responded that we should only seek to preserve the best and she is not drawn to this particular building. (Internet Record)

John Hartranft, Rockville resident and Maryland representative of the Recent Past Preservation Network (RPPN), which nominated the property, explained that the RPPN is a coalition of scholars who seek recognition for buildings and sites less than fifty years of age.  He concurred with the statement of the RPPN and said he was pleased that a discussion of preserving mid-century architecture was finally before the HDC.  He stated that the Community Center meets multiple criteria for designation, is adaptable for reuse, and this review comes at a more convenient time than if the evaluation were triggered by a demolition request after plans were approved.  He said that the building was held up as a fine example of the Modern Movement at a University of Maryland symposium last year.  He referred to Chloethiel Woodard Smith’s record of achievements and evidence of professional recognition that was submitted with the written testimony from the RPPN.

Commissioner van Balgooy asked if there were other or better examples of modernism in Montgomery County.  Mr. Hartranft referred to a survey being conducted by the University of Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust called the Modern Movement in Maryland (MoMoMa).  This survey seeks to identify potentially eligible modern resources statewide, with an emphasis on public buildings.  He said that approximately five buildings in Rockville had been identified in the preliminary survey, including the Chestnut Lodge Community Center, New Mark Commons, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Lakewood Country Club, and the Elwood Smith Community Center.  He said the house at 135 S. Van Buren had not been identified by surveyors, but was pointed out subsequently.  Mr. Hartranft’s testimony is attached. (Internet Record)

Corri Jimenez spoke as the nominator from RPPN and a resident of Rockville. She stated that she has a master’s degree in historic preservation and has been working in the field of architectural history for approximately ten years. She stated that RPPN had submitted a statement of eligibility based on the City’s criteria for evaluation, the 1955 article in Architectural Forum, which reported the successful collaboration of client and architect, and some biographical material on Ms. Smith  (including a partial list of projects that are attributed to her), along with a letter of support for the designation.  She stated that she had previously worked for Montgomery County and had assisted Joey Lampl with some aspects of her work with mid-century modernism.  She believes that there are no other examples of buildings like this in the county.

Commissioner van Balgooy asked why we should preserve buildings less than fifty years of age.  Ms. Jimenez stated her belief that we need to grow as a community and think of preserving for our future.  She said that preservation of our more recent past is a national issue.  Planner Brockett stated that the National Park Service has prepared guidance on the evaluation of buildings less than fifty years old.  She said she would provide copies of the National Register bulletin to the Commissioners.

Commissioner van Balgooy asked if there are buildings on the National Register that are less than 50 years of age and Ms. Brockett replied affirmatively.  Copies of the RPPN materials and Ms. Jimenez’ testimony is available on the City’s Internet Web site. (Internet Record)

Eileen McGuckian, Executive Director of Peerless Rockville, said that the Peerless Rockville Board had struggled with this issue for two board meetings.  Their comment was that there was no question that the building meets the criteria for historic designation, but Peerless would not support designation.  The timing of the nomination at this point when the property had been sold and a development plan was proposed was not appropriate (NOTE: No development plans have been submitted to the City; the developer made only a preliminary presentation with numerous development options to the HDC.)  Ms. McGuckian’s written testimony is attached to the minutes. (Internet Record)

The next speaker was Jim Pickel, who owns the Chloethiel Woodard Smith-designed house at 135 S. Van Buren Street, which was built in 1947-48.  He saw similarities between his house and the Community Center, notably the use of glass and the blur between interior and exterior.  He commented on the feelings that his home evokes, which was probably similar to what patients at Chestnut Lodge experienced in the Community Center.  The building is the opposite of enclosed, restrained, claustrophobic architecture.  He hoped that the Commission would recognize architecture’s impact on humans and its ability to do more than provide shelter.

Bridget Newton, President of the West End Civic Association (WECA), said that the proposed new development at Chestnut Lodge had been presented at a board meeting but the question of preservation of the Smith building had not been specifically addressed.  She asked for an extended record to permit the WECA Board to meet and send comments on the issue.

Patricia Woodward spoke as a Rockville citizen and a WECA board member.  She said she had been a head nurse in group therapy at Chestnut Lodge in the 1960s and 1970s.  She said that the building was not as intensively used or as significant to the treatment regimen as was presented.  She said some outdoor activities such as cookouts were held, but mostly the building was used as a location to plan and meet for activities outside the Center.  It was also used for the symposiums held at Chestnut Lodge every year.  Ms. Woodward said that she does not support designation of this building.

In response to a question from Commissioner Moloney, Ms. Woodward said that the there was dance therapy and ping pong in the Center, but that other buildings, such as the Kiosk (now demolished), were more important for activities.  She said that the kiosk was built and managed by the patients and it was a building that should have been preserved.
 
MOTION:  Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Powell, to hold the record open until the next HDC meeting on January 15, 2004.
VOTE: 4-0 (Commissioner Hartranft recused)

III.  APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL

A.  HDC03-0253

Applicant: Albert Brault & James Wilson
Address: 110 South Washington Street
Request: Replace slate roof with Dura Slate

Planner Brockett stated that the original request was to replace the 100-year-old slate roof with a composition asphalt shingles, which did not meet the guidelines for replacement materials that matched the texture and look of the original materials.  The applicant has proposed Duraslate, a rubber composite material, which is a better slate substitute and provides a closer match to the appearance and finish of the original material.  Staff recommended approval with the condition that the original ridgecaps be reused or replicated.

Jim Wilson, the owner, stated that he and his staff had worked with City preservation planners to come up with Duraslate as an affordable solution to reproofing.  In response to a question from Commissioner Moloney, he said that every effort will be made to reuse the ridge caps, and if they are irreparable, they will be replicated.

Commissioner van Balgooy asked if the HDC had ever approved Duraslate or if anyone was familiar with its appearance.  There have been no previous application to use Duraslate before the Commission, but Planner Ziek indicated that the County Historic Preservation Commission had approved its use.  She said that if it is installed correctly, it looks good and is a good product overall. 

There was some discussion about replacement of the porch roofs.  Mr. Wilson said that the roofer will determine if they need replacement and will retain them if they are sound or replace with standing seam metal or in-kind.  If the roof is slate, Duraslate will be used.  Commissioner van Balgooy asked if some slates could be saved as examples and perhaps donated to Peerless Rockville.

MOTION: Commissioner van Balgooy moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to approve HDC2003-00253 to replace the roof at 110 S. Washington Street with Duraslate, with the following condition:

1. The ridgecaps must be retained and reused or replicated, if they are beyond repair.

VOTE: 5-0

B.  HDC03-0270  

Applicant: Charles Gagnon
Address: 314 West Montgomery Avenue
Request: Build shed in rear yard

Planner Cindy Kebba presented the site and location of the proposed 8 X12 foot shed in the rear yard of 314 W. Montgomery Avenue at the end of the driveway and behind the rear yard fence.  The shed is not a permanent structure and does not require footings, so will be on skids. The Victorian model selected by the applicant has a hipped roof clad with tan asphalt shingles, T-111 composition vertical –detailed siding, two windows on the front and cross buck doors.   It will be painted to match the color scheme of the house. Staff recommended approval, finding the shed minimally visible from West Montgomery Avenue, removable, and that it complied with the City’s design guidelines and code requirements for accessory structures in an R-90 Historic District and is also in compliance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards 9 and 10, which apply to accessory structures and preserving the character of a site.

Commissioner van Balgooy questioned the vertical-lined T-111 siding, when the house has horizontal clapboards. He asked if it could be changed.  Commissioners Moloney concurred and stated a preference for a simpler design with a shed roof rather than a hipped roof. Commissioners Hartranft and van Balgooy requested evergreen screening at the end of the driveway.

Charles Gagnon, 314 W. Montgomery Avenue, said that he had custom ordered the shed as presented in the application and preferred not to make changes at this point, although he would do so if the HDC absolutely insisted.  

After some discussion, the HDC concluded that the shed was not a permanent structural change and evergreen plant screening would help to mitigate any adverse effect.     

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to approve HDC 2003-00270 as staff recommended with the following condition:

1. Evergreen plant material must be planted at the end of the driveway to screen the shed from West Montgomery Avenue.

VOTE: 5-0

C.  HDC03-0271  

Applicant: Charles Gagnon
Address: 314 West Montgomery Avenue
Request: Retroactive install & replace storm windows

Planner Kebba stated that this was a retroactive request for custom-made storm windows already installed on the house, and to replace four existing raw aluminum storm windows with similar custom made storm windows.  She noted that the selected windows were in compliance with the adopted City of Rockville Design Guidelines in that they do not hide the sashes, are removable, and are painted to match the house trim. She further noted that the National Park Service Technical Briefs recommend suitable exterior storm windows for historic houses as a way of limiting air infiltration and protecting the historic wood windows.  Staff recommended approval. 

Discussion:  Commissioner Moloney said the selected windows are appropriate for the building.  Commissioner van Balgooy found them a good solution. The HDC concurred.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to approve HDC2003-00271 for the existing and proposed storm windows at 314 West Montgomery Avenue.
VOTE: 5-0

D.  HDC03-0274  Applicant: NV Homes
     HDC03-0275  Address: 522 West Montgomery Avenue
     HDC03-0276  Request: Build single family homes in Historic District

Planner Brockett introduced the applicant’s plans for three houses fronting on West Montgomery Avenue, that were designated by the Mayor and Council as part of the West Montgomery Historic District in order to preserve the historic streetscape. The Mayor and Council have specified the setbacks, ingress and egress, and building envelopes as part of the planned residential unit development process.  The HDC review is for compatibility with the houses fronting on West Montgomery Avenue in the historic district and adjacent non-historic houses.  She presented photos of houses on the opposite side of the Avenue and to the west.  The land on the east side, the northern portion of Chestnut Lodge, is not planned for development. Planner Brockett had suggested a number of changes to the elevations presented in the courtesy review at the October meeting in the staff report and Mr. Hickman from NV Homes found most of them satisfactory.  The HDC and Mr. Hickman went through the elevations of each house with the following additional suggestions and comments: 

• Side elevation roofline over the garage on all three houses:   – Commissioner Moloney suggested a matching 12/12 pitch (same as the front slope) for just the first two feet with shed dormer behind.  This would necessitate having only one 2nd story window centered under the gable and centered over the garage door.
• The wooden shutters should be proportional to the window as if operational. The HDC questioned use of shutters on house plan B, but not A and C.  Mr. Hickman responded that it was a stylistic variation.  The HDC prefers shutters on all three facades, with the possible exception of the rear, if used.
• Garage doors- one commissioner requested options for different designs appropriate to the house style, another stating that they were fine as is.  Two actual or visually divided garage doors are preferred, if possible (not required) to break up the mass of the single door.  The doors need casing and a very simple crown (flat, not arched).
• Window casing needs to continue on all elevations.  The sill (and possibly the crown) should project slightly to avoid looking like a “picture frame” surround.
• Transoms should be removed for all windows, but left over doors.
• Three windows on the garages are acceptable, but they should be proportionally smaller.
• The dormers should have square or rectangular windows, rather than arched tops.  The fluting should be removed.
• The front door of A should not be oval (1/2 glass upper suggested).
• The railing height of all three should be no taller than 36”.
• Commissioner Broadhurst suggested going with Tendura rather than Timbertrex for the porch floors.  It has much more traditional tongue and groove joinery.
• Beaded vinyl soffit material with a smooth surface was suggested for the porch ceiling.
• The handrails on the porch should match the porch railing (not clear on submitted elevations).  The bottom post/newel should be more substantial than what is shown.
• Show porch lamps.  These should be appropriate to the style of the house.
• Show the second story casement windows and kitchen windows with horizontal muntins or as 2/2 double hung sashes.  The latter is preferred to maintain consistency, but would look more appropriate if upper windows are aligned with lower (if possible).
• Align 1st and 2nd story windows wherever possible.
• Use a solid paneled wood door for B; oval pane is appropriate for C.
• Show downspouts – placing them on sides (rather than main façades) is preferred.
• B and C are missing part of the railing on the porch.  Please show on elevations.
• There was some discussion about rooflines on the rear elevations.  Are these meant to be symmetrical?  If so, they are not shown that way.  The HDC would prefer symmetry.
• Use horizontal siding on the dormers of two Victorian houses and diagonal on the middle house.

As the HDC wanted to review the new drawings incorporating all the changes suggested by staff and the HDC, the applicant was asked if a time extension could be granted so the discussion can be continued at the next meeting on January 15, 2004.  Mr. Hickman agreed to grant the time extension.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to continue the applications for three NV Homes proposed on West Montgomery Avenue in Thirty Oaks at the next meeting.
VOTE: 5-0

IV.  COURTESY REVIEWS

A .  Review of entry signage for Thirty Oaks development, 522 W. Montgomery Avenue

The proposed entry monuments are to be placed on the east and west sides of Henson Oaks Way and a three-foot privet hedge used as a demarcation from the public way along all three houses.  They are six feet tall and three feet wide and deep, made of fieldstone, and finished with a brass plaque with “Thirty Oaks” on it at about eye level.  Several font styles were illustrated and a rendering of the location on the streetscape was shown.

The HDC’s response was that the signs were too large. It was suggested that they be scaled back to a lower height and width.  Planner Scott Parker said it appeared that the monument signs and the privet hedge were to be placed on private property.  He asked that placement be reexamined as it may cause legal and enforcement issues in the future.     

B.  New 6-story office building at 21 Church Street, abutting B&O Railroad Historic District

Sue Seboda, Jim Whalen and Architect Barry Dunn presented the unaltered plans for 21 Church Street, for which the HDC had recommended approval in 1998. Staff stated that the plans were reviewed by the HDC as the entire development parcel included the Wire Hardware building, however no changes will be made to Wire Hardware and the building is 75 feet from it. The Wire Hardware site’s unused allowable density will be transferred to 21 Church Street.  This will effectively prevent any further development on the Wire Hardware property.

Mr. Dunn explained the plans and material selections and how it was designed to visually lead onlookers around the corner to a view of the B&O Station and the hardware store. 
 
The HDC concurred that the former recommendation was appropriate.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to recommend approval of the concept plan for 21 Church Street to the Planning Commission.
VOTE: 5-0

C.  Replace attic windows, install dormer, 300 Reading Avenue

The owners proposed to 1); replace east and west facing attic windows with larger double hung windows of the same width, but twice the height to add more light and improve circulation in the attic and 2); to construct a dormer in a corner of the house as part of construction of a stairway to the attic. 

Commissioner van Balgooy was opposed to changing the windows, but Commissioner Broadhurst noted that there is enough room to enlarge them and was not opposed.  The Commission was not in favor of the proposed massing for the dormer and the roof pitch and felt that there could be a better solution.  The Commission wanted to know if there was another opportunity to bring the stairs up and requested a floor plan and more accurate drawings before they could provide further comment.  The HDC also wanted to know what the space would be used for so that they could keep use in mind when considering other solutions.  The owners were not present and staff responded that they would relay the HDC’s comments to the owners.

V.  DISCUSSION / UPDATES

A. Update on designations in progress:
419 Reading Avenue – Planning Commission recommended designation 12/10/03; M&C public hearing 12/15/03.

B.  Mayor and Council Work Session with the HDC scheduled for January 20, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. preceding the Mayor and Council public hearing.  Proposed agenda items include the requirement to adopt the revised Technical Briefs, 1995 Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Architectural Guidelines, introduction to Chestnut Lodge and Rockville Cemetery Guidelines.  The Mayor and Council project for historic site plaque design will be reviewed as well as several housekeeping measures: commissioner criteria, revised Rules of Procedure, and significance review for demolition.

The HDC added King Farm preservation and reuse philosophy, and criteria for significance review of buildings less than 50 years old to the agenda.

C.  FY 2005 HDC Work Plan and Historic Preservation Budget Request Deferred to January 15, 2004 meeting

D.  Planning Activities and Projects:  Deferred to January 15, 2004 meeting

1. Chestnut Lodge/Rose Hill design guidelines progress update: Cindy Kebba
   
2. Lincoln Park Neighborhood Plan- Advisory Group recommendations: Judy Christensen 
   
3. Rockville Cemetery design guidelines progress update:  Anne Brockett – nearing completion.
   
4. East Rockville Master Plan Preservation Chapter progress update: Robin Ziek – To be adopted as part of East Rockville Neighborhood Plan.
   
5. Lincoln Park History (in progress with Lincoln Park Partners Project).
   
6. Plaques in progress:  Dawson Farm, Haiti Cemetery, Hurley-Carter Farmhouse, Historic Sites (no change)

VI.  COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS

A.  Comments from the Commission: No reports.

B.  Lincoln Park Historical Society:  Chairperson Powell reported that the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation would produce the second annual African American Preservation Conference on May 28-through May 31, 2004.  The theme is Brown vs. the Board of Education and Integration of Public Schools.  A mobile workshop covering 5 counties is scheduled for May 28. 

C.  Peerless Rockville: President Suzanne Fisher left copies of the new 2004 Peerless Rockville Calendar for the Commission members with invitations to the New Years Day Brunch at Glenview Mansion on January 1, 2004 from 11 AM to 2 PM.

VII.  ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned on Friday, December 19, at 12:05 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy Christensen and Cindy Kebba, staff