Staff present:  Cindy Kebba, Robin Ziek and Judy Christensen, Preservation Planners
Commissioner Hartranft recused herself for the continued evaluation of the significance of the Chestnut Lodge Community Center/ Activity Building.

I.  COMMISSION ITEMS

• Approval of Minutes: Meeting No. 13-2003, December 18, 2003
  Planner Kebba noted that a correction had been made to page two per Commissioner Hartranft’s comment via email.

MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved, seconded by Commissioner van Balgooy, to approve the minutes of December 18, 2003 as corrected. 

VOTE: 4-0  (Commissioner Hartranft not present)

II. EVALUATION FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

 · 206 Mannakee Street

Planner Judy Christensen stated that this evaluation was initiated because the contract purchaser planned to demolish the house which was built in 1937.  All structures that are 50 years of age or older must be evaluated for significance before demolition can be approved.  Ms. Christensen described the location and history of the West End development.  She showed pictures of the house and described it as a small but well-kept Craftsman Colonial Revival bungalow. It is 1 ½ stories, has a stucco finish, plain surrounds on the windows, shed roofed dormers front and back, front and side entries and a deck and sunroom to the rear.  The garage is detached.  204 Mannakee Street to the immediate south was built in 1989 and the house to the north was built in 1949.

Joseph Albert Moulden purchased lot 29 in 1935 and built the house in 1937.    The Moulden family has been in Rockville since at least 1750.  The Moulden family included a blacksmith, a grocer, and other trades people but no documentation was found of their participation in civic affairs.  They owned property on Fayette Street and on North Washington Street.  The house and store on Fayette Street were demolished in 1965 for urban renewal.  Mr. Moulden died in 1957 and the house at 206 Mannakee was sold to the Poole family in 1959.  Ms. Christensen introduced the current owner of the house, Charmaine Lawrence.

Ms. Lawrence stated that neither she nor the contract purchaser were in favor of designation of the house.  She said that the contract purchase intends to demolish the house and build a new home on the site.  She requested that a decision be made at this meeting rather than carry it over to next month.

Commissioner van Balgooy requested clarification that the house has no association with West End development except for its location and Ms. Christensen confirmed that.  He also asked whether or not the Mouldens actually occupied the house and what its architectural style is.  Ms. Christensen responded that staff does not have a complete chronology of the occupants of the house and that it can be described as a generic 1937 style home.  Planner Ziek added that it has exceptionally high integrity – only the deck and sunroom have been added to the original construction and the front steps have been changed.  She said it fits in well with the sense of the revival style and was a typical example of what was happening at the time in terms of suburban growth.

Commissioner Moloney asked if the stucco was original and Ms. Ziek stated that it appears to be because the trim depth has not been reduced and the foundation is stucco.

Commissioners van Balgooy and Moloney commented on the unusual dormer with four windows in the front of the house. Commissioner Moloney said that it is not like most 1½ story cottages in Rockville or even in the West End.  He did not think it was built from a plan book and said it is not a house of high architectural style.  He said the roof over the front door is unusual.  He said the house is noteworthy because it is odd.  It has a presence on its block of Mannakee Street and is characteristic of a certain era of the West End.  He said he would like to see the house documented, but is not convinced that it has enough significance to recommend it as a single site district.

Commissioner Broadhurst noted that the house looks as if it were constructed by a person who was not particularly skillful but who had many choices available.  He agreed that the ownership/resident history is murky.

The Historic District Commission then evaluated the structure according to the adopted criteria, finding that it does not meet local, state or national levels of significance.   The condition was determined as having minor alterations, original or near original with all changes reversible, and outbuildings (garage) present and recognizable. 

None of the criteria for historical and cultural significance and for architectural and design significance were found applicable.

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to recommend that 206 Mannakee Street not be recommended to the Mayor and Council as eligible for designation as a Rockville single site historic district.

VOTE: 4-0 (Commissioner Hartranft not present)

B. Chloethiel Woodard Smith Community Center at Chestnut Lodge, 500 West Montgomery Avenue  - Continued from the December 18, 2003 meeting for a recommendation of eligibility for historic designation to the Mayor and Council. 

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/2004/1303.html     hereafter cited as (Internet Record).

Planner Kebba summarized submissions to the record of January 8, 2004 and presented the staff analysis on the record that concurred with the nominators finding that the site meets the criteria for eligibility as a local single site historic district in Rockville. She noted that after the staff analysis was released, the City received a report from Kathryn Kuranda of R. Christopher Goodwin and Associates, Inc. with arguments against eligibility and designation and a letter from Attorney Jody Kline with further objections. Both were put on the City’s Internet web site along with previous testimony to the record.  Staff prepared an addendum to the staff analysis dealing with the concerns and points raised but did not change the staff recommendation of eligible for designation. Ms. Kebba submitted one additional item to the record, a letter of support for designation from Maize Rocke of Rockville.

Patricia Woodward spoke for the Board in place of Bridget Newton, President of the West End Citizens Association (WECA).  The Board did not feel qualified to comment on the historic significance of the building, but does support the plan for a residential development on the site.  It has been working with the Washington Waldorf School, the developer, and Peerless Rockville for over a year to bring about this plan. She questioned the timing of the nomination and the City’s undertaking this investigation at this time.

Pat Woodward also spoke as a citizen and former Head Nurse at Chestnut Lodge. She stated that the building was never called the Community Center, but the Activity Center.  She related that Dr. Bullard’s and Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann’s forte was psychotherapy and part of the treatment was establishing contact with other persons and accepting responsibility.  She said that there were seven treatment units at the hospital, each with its own medical doctor, head nurse, nursing staff and activities personnel.  The Activities Building was used as part of the treatment regimen, but not the treatment itself.  Activities happened in every unit, which were in a home-like setting.  As patients began to improve and desire more latitude and privileges, they were allowed to go to the Activity Building escorted, then unescorted, with requirements to notify staff on arrival and departure.   As the sense of responsibility and accountability developed and was proven, the patient was allowed more freedom.  In that sense, Ms. Woodward explained, the Activities Building was not a place for treatment, but was a reward for improvement and part of an overall encompassing regimen.   She said that if saving the Activities Building resulted in the loss of the proposed museum in the Frieda Fromm-Reichmann house, the City and its citizens would be the primary loser.

Commissioner van Balgooy noted that the building was mentioned in the July 2003 first draft of the Chestnut Lodge Design Guidelines as “notable” and potentially eligible for historic designation.  He asked if the WECA had been involved in the guidelines and Ms. Woodward stated that they had been made available at a WECA meeting.

Kathryn Kuranda, of R. Christopher Goodwin and Associates, Inc., presented her report on the building.  She noted that criteria for significance of buildings of the recent past has not been established and nominated structures have been held to a far higher standard than utilized here. She noted that only 45 buildings under 50 years old were listed on the National Register in Maryland. She also noted the difficulty of assessing the importance of an architect, design, or style when a complete inventory and assessment of comparable sites has not been done.  She went through the criteria used to determined eligibility for historic designation in Rockville and stated that the building did not meet these standards for the following reasons:  The building is not 50 years old and thus does not meet the threshold that requires review by Rockville’s guidelines; it was not identified as a significant structure in any of the previous professional surveys of the property; it is not representative of the work of Ms. Smith, which is largely master planning and large development, nor is it her best work.  It has been compromised by the addition of a large cafeteria wing that is not in character with the original plan or its design, which featured activity pavilions connected by transparent corridors.  She noted that although the staff research and nomination focused on the 1955 portion of the building, any evaluation must be made of the whole and include the later additions and cafeteria wing, which dominates the present structure and its footprint.  She maintained that data on comparable buildings of this era do not exist to make a proper evaluation.  She showed other modern works in Rockville and the DC metropolitan area designed by Ms. Smith and others that had not been considered or evaluated in this process.  Ms. Kuranda concluded by stating that her finding was that the building is not eligible for historic designation.

In response to Commissioner Moloney’s question about projects contemporary with this project and how it fit in with the treatment program at Chestnut Lodge as described by Ms. Woodward, Ms. Kuranda cited the U.S.Ambassador’s building in Paraguay and the revitalization plan for Southwest D.C. as contemporary projects.  She noted that Ms. Smith was known for her large scale master plans. On its contribution to the treatment program, Ms. Kuranda said it was one of several support structures on campus, but it did not have a primary role as a treatment center and must stand on its own merit.

Commissioner Moloney asked if it were singular in its architectural design in Rockville.  Ms. Kuranda replied that their windshield survey found others that had not been inventoried so there is no way to know if this is a best example.

Commissioner van Balgooy asked if only the best examples should be saved.  Ms. Kuranda said only the best preserved examples from the recent past should be saved, and this example is a hybrid of two phases and styles.  She responded to Commissioner van Balgooy’s question on the difference in style by saying the cafeteria is designed in a contemporary institutional style that significantly differed from what was originally designed and proposed and has a negative impact on the 1955 design. 

Jody Kline, an attorney with Miller, Miller and Canby representing the property owner, spoke next.  He stated that The Associated Companies had purchased the stock of the Chestnut Lodge properties and is now the owner, although some financial interest is still held by the Washington Waldorf School.   He noted that the letters of support from experts and well intentioned people came from many who had not seen the present environmental setting with the residency buildings and the change brought about by the Rose Hill development.  He noted that retention of this building may force changes to the overall plan and threaten the plans to preserve the front lawn and trees.  He concluded that the building was not eligible for historic designation by Rockville’s consistently applied standard of a structural age of 50 years old or older.  He noted that Rockville’s criteria follows the National Register of Historic Places which has designated buildings under 50 years of age, but held them to a high standard of “exceptional significance” which is not met in this structure.  He noted that according to this standard, the building must be evaluated within the context of the architect’s entire body of work as well as within the context of architecture of the period.  Mr. Kline also sated that designation would be unfair and a violation of law because it is contrary to the property owner’s “reasonable investment backed expectations.”   In response to a request for clarification by Commissioner van Balgooy, he said the figures had not been quantified in dollars although Mr. Levine could testify to the financial harm if the Commission wished.  The Commissioners declined to explore this line of testimony.

Charles Spitulnik, Rockville resident, attorney, and board member of the Washington Waldorf School again spoke in opposition to historic designation.  He corrected remarks attributed to him in the staff analysis that stated that designation could result in financial ruin of the school.  He stated that this was inaccurate; the school is not in danger of financial ruin.  He noted that the staff reports refer to the building as the “Chloethiel Woodard Smith Community Center” as if the building carries her name when, in fact, no such honor has been given.  He said this gave the building more prestige than it merited and it is commonly known as the cafeteria.  He said that Bullard and Smith were significant personages, but this building is not eligible for designation.

Corri Jimenez spoke as the nominator from RPPN and a West End resident of Rockville. She stated that the RPPN was aware of the other Chloethiel Woodard Smith buildings on the campus, some of which have been demolished, but selected the best of them to nominate.  She noted that this building was cited in the 1950s for its unique approach to an institutional use and for its siting and design and demonstrates Ms. Smith’s adaptability over time. In response to Commissioner Moloney’s question about timing of the nomination, she said none of the preliminary development plans shown in July retained the building and motivated the nomination. She noted that the same process was used for 206 Manakee Street that was evaluated earlier in the evening.  She proposed that the Community Center could be reused as a residence or continue its use as a community center.  As for the issue that it is an atypical example in Ms. Smith’s body of work, she agreed that it was atypical and unique. She noted that the only National Register listed structure in Montgomery County less than fifty years old was a 1957 Frank Lloyd Wright house.

Pat Reber, Rockville resident and Washington Waldorf School parent, opposed designation of the Community Center and thanked Ms. Kuranda for explaining why the building’s additions, and in particular the heavy cafeteria addition, produced an awkward whole that has no appeal to her or her daughter.  She reiterated her support of the designation of the old Chestnut Lodge 8 acres and asked that the Smith building not be designated, as it is not representative of Smith’s capabilities. She submitted additional testimony in writing.

Anne Brockett, former Rockville staff member, said her research had found that the role of the building was difficult to establish, but it apparently was used as part of the treatment regimen as per the testimony of Ms. Woodward. It was designed as an “experimental” building in the treatment of patients as it allowed patients to make choices and it was designed to be inviting to them. She agreed that the 1972 cafeteria addition is very large, but was a product of Ms. Smith’s design and utilized the same 8-foot modular bays. She said that the hospital was able to continue to use the building over time to meet its needs and it did not become obsolete.  She said her research showed that Ms. Smith was most noted for her large projects, but her buildings at Chestnut Lodge are unique as her only examples of institutional buildings and were a design departure in the 1950s.

Krista Moran, a Rockville resident active in mental health, spoke about the importance of the therapist and of Rockville as a community in the overall therapeutic impact of Chestnut Lodge, and its high regard it attained in the field nationally and internationally. She mentioned Gail Hornstein’s book, To Redeem One Person is to Redeem the World, a biography of Frieda Fromm Reichmann that describes the treatment philosophy at Chestnut Lodge.  She said that Chestnut Lodge was about relationships, not about the buildings. She said it is better to lose a building in order to let people know what happened there. Although she appreciates the community/activity building, she is more concerned with loss of support for Frieda’s Cottage as a museum.

John Hartranft, Rockville resident and Maryland representative of the Recent Past Preservation Network (RPPN), which nominated the property, reiterated that the Community Center meets multiple criteria for designation, is adaptable for reuse, and this review would have been required when a demolition permit was requested, which would have been even worse timing.

Commissioner Moloney expressed surprise that several groups, including Peerless Rockville, concurred with the significance and eligibility for local designation, but support denial of the designation because of the timing. He stated that this was not logical and timing is not in the criteria that the HDC must use to evaluate significance, nor is economic impact. 

Commissioner van Balgooy concurred and noted that aesthetics, i.e., whether the structure is pleasing to the eye or not, is also not a criterion.  He stated that he had reviewed the previous testimony and that given tonight and found the property eligible for local designation. 

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner van Balgooy, to close the record on the significance evaluation of the Chloethiel Woodard Smith Community Center/Activity Building.

VOTE: 4-0 (Commissioner Hartranft recused)

The Historic District Commission then evaluated the structure according to the adopted criteria, finding its level of significance as local and national, the condition as original or near original with all changes reversible, and that the original site and setting are largely preserved.  The HDC found that it met the following adopted criteria:

A.  Historical and cultural significance:

• Has character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City
    
• Has character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Nation
   
• Is identified with a person or a group of persons, the Bullard family, Dr. Fromm-Reichmann, and Ms. Smith, who influenced society in designing a unique building for mental health treatment;

B.  Architectural and design significance:

Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;  Represents an established or familiar visual feature of the neighborhood (in this case defined as Chestnut Lodge), community or county due to its singular physical characteristic or landscape.

MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to recommend the Chloethiel Woodard Smith-designed Community Center/Activity Building to the Mayor and Council as eligible for designation as a Rockville single site historic district.

VOTE: 4-0 (Commissioner Hartranft recused)

RECESS: The Commission was recessed at 9:55 p.m. and reconvened at 10:10 p.m.  Commissioner Hartranft rejoined the commission after the recess.

III.  APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL

 A.  HDC03-0282  

Applicant: John Bell 
Address: 101 W. Jefferson Street
Request: New rear entrance

Planner Kebba presented views of the 1893 church and educational building which is now in office use. The applicant requests to replace a Gothic arched window in the rear of the church that was bricked in with a reproduction wood window as found on the rest of the church, and construct a covered entry at the back attached to the hyphen connecting the 1893 church to the 1950 era education building.  Planner Kebba noted that the rear part of the property has the parking area for the building and the rear entrance serves as the primary entrance to the offices.  The proposed entryway proposes to use details and materials found on the church to blend the buildings, such as stone foundation, cedar fishscale shingles, a scalloped rake board, and a highly pitched front gabled portico with a small central Gothic-arched window in its design.  Staff recommended approval of the application in general, but said that the level of detail on the entryway may be excessive.  The Commission was in favor of the window restoration but some commissioners agreed that the entrance was too massive and too detailed.  Commissioner Moloney preferred a flat or reduced pitch gable on the portico and elimination of the scalloped rake board.  He also questioned the drainage system and asked how the building would be ADA accessible if stairs replace the present ramp.

Steve Beck, representing owner John Bell, said they had not chosen a flat roof for maintenance and aesthetic reasons and wanted to stay with the front gable.  He clarified the drainage issue to the Commission’s satisfaction.  As to the handicapped ramp, he said that another plan would be submitted to provide a shorter and lower ramp to the front door of the hyphen that would be accessible but would require access via the public sidewalk on Adams Street and West Montgomery Avenue to the left side of the educational building.  He stated that this would not impact the front of the original church structure.  Commissioner van Balgooy said he was not concerned about the gable, but was not in favor of a ramp in the front of the building.  Other commissioners questioned the view of the portico from Adams Street and requested side elevations.

On being informed that changes to the front elevation of the 1950 education building would require approval from the HDC and hearing several comments from the Commission that the HDC would prefer the ramp in the rear, Mr. Beck said he would agree to a time extension and return with side elevations and a rear ramp design. The Commission did approve the restoration of the rear window but preferred flat glass rather than beveled glass that was proposed.

MOTION: Commissioner van Balgooy moved, seconded by Commissioner Hartranft, to approve the window restoration with flat glass.

VOTE: 5-0

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to hold the record open and continue the hearing on the rear entrance modification and handicap access at 101 West Jefferson Street to the next HDC meeting.

VOTE: 5-0

B.  HDC03-0284  

Applicant: Reverend Jane Wood
Address: Jerusalem Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 17-21 Wood Lane
Request: Demolition of Cordelia House at 17 Wood Lane

Planner Kebba stated that this application was received a day after the cut off date which left only 15 days to gather information and prepare a staff report, which was not sufficient time to address the issues. Staff contacted Reverend Wood of the Jerusalem Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, who approved a time extension to the February meeting.  The hearing was opened at this meeting to identify the information required by the HDC to help render a decision at the February meeting.

Commissioner Hartranft asked how the situation had changed in the four years since the first application was reviewed and then withdrawn. She said that the building had probably further deteriorated. Staff asked Reverend Jane Wood of the Jerusalem Mount Pleasant Church if they had any cost estimates to restore or repair the damage.  Rev. Wood stated that they had received several oral estimates for repair, but none written, and did not pursue any of them as their insurance company had declared the building a total loss. The building functioned as a parsonage and then as a shelter. Neither of these functions is needed by the congregation today.  The Church wants to demolish and replace the building.

The Commission requested copies of the structural analysis done by an independent engineer after the fire in 1999, and also felt that a walkthrough of the building in its present condition would be helpful in assessing its condition.  Rev. Wood said that a Saturday afternoon was possible with prior notice and arrangement.  Staff will schedule the walkthrough.  Commissioner van Balgooy read the State requirements for a finding of demolition and asked if evidence of hardship could be submitted and if  the other items, such as community betterment, could be addressed in writing for the next meeting.   Reverend Wood said she was familiar with the code and would provide written information and ask the community to provide statements.

The HDC resolved, with the applicant’s consent, to hold the record open and continue the hearing to the next HDC meeting.

C.  HDC03-0278

Applicant: Nick Collins
Address: 305 Lincoln Avenue
Request: Tree removals & tree replacements; new windows, skylights & doors for garage  

Planner Ziek gave a profile of the house and outbuildings, stating that the house was a 19th century historic site with several 20th century outbuildings that reflected African American life in segregated eras. The owner was out of town and unable to attend this meeting, but has submitted and discussed several options to staff and has expressed a willingness to work with the Commission on the overall project.   Planner Ziek said the application addressed changes to the former sleeping porch windows, to the garage, and to the landscape and driveway. The garage in question is cinder block on the lower story and frame on the upper story and apparently was used as a home business automobile repair shop with an apartment on the second story when Lincoln Park functioned as an independent community within Montgomery County.  Taking the items one by one, the HDC reviewed the request to remove volunteer and damaged trees and replace them. Commissioner Hartranft asked staff to advise the owner that a black walnut tree was not the best selection for a residential lot as it requires constant clean up and maintenance, but said it was a matter of owner preference.  The HDC unanimously approved this item as submitted.

MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved, seconded by Commissioner Hartranft, to approve the applicant’s tree removal and replacement plan (remove four trees; plant 3) as presented in Application HDC03-0278.

VOTE: 5-0

The HDC reviewed the additional requests and made the following motions:

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to approve the applicant’s request to replace existing pipe railing on the garage with painted wood rail, built to code as presented in the application.

VOTE: 5-0

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Hartranft, to approve the applicant’s request to replace the door at the top of the stairs on the garage with a wood, half-light door and to replace the ground floor door in-kind.

VOTE: 5-0

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner van Balgooy, to deny the applicant’s request to install three flat skylights on the garage roof.

VOTE: 5-0

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner van Broadhurst, to approve the applicant’s request to replace 6 existing deteriorated 6/6 double-hung windows in the garage (sash only) with new thermally glazed 6/6 windows and replace 2 existing deteriorated 6/6 double hung windows in the garage (sash and frames) with new thermally glazed 6/6 wood windows, and to replace the existing bathroom multi-light awning window with a wood awning window with the same number of lights as existing. All replacement windows will be wood, simulated true divided light and existing window trim will be maintained or replicated around the new windows.

VOTE: 5-0

The HDC did not make a motion on planting shrubs as no approval is required for this work.  The HDC determined that more information was needed to make decisions on the remaining requests on Application HDC02003-0027 (replacing driveway material and windows on the sleeping porch.)  Staff agreed to work with the applicant on these items and they will be considered when the applicant is ready. The HDC suggested that the applicant look at the driveway at 205 West Montgomery Avenue as an alternative to replacing the deteriorated concrete and asphalt driveway with pea gravel. 

IV. APPLICATIONS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDIT

A.  HDC03-0279

Applicant: Julien E. Sante
Address: 541 Beall Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination

B.  HDC03-0280

Applicant: Thomas McCool & Janet Hunt-McCool
Address: 709 Grandin Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination

C.  HDC03-0281

Applicant: Stephen M. Reilly
Address: 117 W. Montgomery Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination

D.  HDC03-0283

Applicant: Jacob Lenihan
Address: 309 Potomac Street
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination

Commissioner Hartranft asked if staff had reviewed all of the applications for completeness and eligibility and if there were recommendations for all of them.  Planner Kebba said as of the meeting tonight, all of the applications for tax credits were complete and had been reviewed by staff and all were found to meet Montgomery County’s criteria for eligibility and are recommended for approval.

MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to approve the four applications (HDC2003-0279, HDC2003-0280, HDC03-0281, and HDC2003-0283 submitted for tax credit review.

VOTE: 5-0

V. COURTESY REVIEW 

305 Lincoln Avenue:  Window replacement for sleeping porch on main house. (Deferred)

VI. DISCUSSION / UPDATES

A. Update on designations in progress:
419 Reading Avenue, Introduction scheduled 1/12/04 (Deferred)

B.  Mayor and Council Work Session scheduled for January 20, 2004, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Proposed agenda items include information on state requirements for M&C adoption of guidelines, standards and criteria, procedural issues for comment and endorsement, introduction to Chestnut Lodge and Rockville Cemetery Guidelines, discussion of historic house plaque design, 18-month work plan, King Farm preservation and re-use, significance review of buildings less than 50 years old.

Chairperson Powell asked what role the HDC would play in the upcoming worksession with the Mayor and Council, as she had not received any information.  Planner Kebba said the agenda was included in the items distributed before the meeting.  She reported that the agenda had been shortened to fit the alotted time of 40 to 60 minutes and some items that the HDC had requested for discussion were not included in this session.  Planner Christensen said that time constraints had returned it to an informational meeting of the staff with the Mayor and Council to alert them to items coming before them in February for review and adoption.  Commissioners Hartranft, van Balgooy and others spoke on the need for the HDC to hold a discussion with the Mayor and Council about current issues and concerns.  Staff said they would start immediately to schedule such a worksession.

C. Planning Activities and Projects:

2. Chestnut Lodge design guidelines progress update: Cindy Kebba – scheduled for Planning Commission 1/14/04; M&C 1/26/04.

3. Rockville Cemetery design guidelines progress update: draft submitted to Cemetery Board  (Deferred)

4. Technical Guides for Exterior Alterations (draft for review)
Robin Ziek requested that the HDC review the completed final draft of the Technical Guides and email any comments or suggestions to her as they are scheduled to go to the Mayor and Council for adoption in February.

5. Lincoln Park Historic Designation (Deferred)

6. Revised Lincoln Park preservation chapter of Neighborhood Plan (Deferred)

7. Plaques in progress:  Dawson Farm, Haiti Cemetery, Hurley-Carter Farmhouse, Wootton’s Mill Historic Sites (drafts to be reviewed) (Deferred)

VII.  COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS

A. Comments from the Commission: No reports.

B. Lincoln Park Historical Society: Chairperson Powell reported that the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation is holding five county mobile workshops in conjunction with 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.  The conference will be held in Silver Spring, Maryland.  

C. Peerless Rockville: Executive Director Eileen McGuckian submitted fliers of the fourth program in the series “Bringing it HOME to Rockville” on Post-World War II Neighborhoods to be held on Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 8 PM at the Elwood Smith center, 601 Harrington Rd.

VIII.  ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned on Friday January 16, 2004, at 12:02 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy Christensen and Cindy Kebba, staff