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Home > Government > Boards and Commissions > Historic District Commission > 2004 > Minutes > April 15 Boards and Commissions |
Submitted: May 20, 2004 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Thursday April 15, 2004 The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened in regular session in the Mayor and Council Chambers, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, at 7:05 PM. PRESENT Commissioner Hartranft arrived at 7:09 p.m. Commissioner Moloney arrived at 8:17 p.m. Staff present: Judy Christensen and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners. Also present: Bill Chen, attorney representing the Historic District Commission I. MINUTES
The Commission offered no comments or corrections.
II. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL
Commissioner Hartranft notified the staff and HDC that she would not be able to attend the meeting of May 20, 2004. Planner Christensen stated that the applicant had requested a continuance of the hearing to the May 20, 2004 meeting and had agreed to a further time extension to accommodate the continuance. No testimony is to be taken at this meeting as the record was closed on April 5, 2004. The HDC is requested to agree to the additional time extension and set dates to reopen the record to receive revised architectural plans and information from the applicant and to close it at a date to allow planning and development staff to review the plans and prepare an addendum to the staff analysis. Staff suggested reopening the record on Friday, April 16 and closing it on May 6, 2004. The HDC stated no objection to the time extension. Soo Lee-Cho, attorney for the Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, stated that the church plans to explain and discuss the revised plans on May 20 and reserved the right to discuss the plans on the record at the May 20 meeting and provide rebuttal to opposition. Ms. Christensen responded that the HDC could reopen the record at the May 20 meeting for discussion, but if new information or evidence is received, it may cause a further continuance of the application to allow staff and the HDC to review and assess the new information. William Chen, Attorney representing the Historic District Commission, said it was appropriate to reopen the record on May 20, 2004 to receive discussion and argument for a decision, but not to receive new evidence in anticipation of rendering a decision on May 20. He concurred that receipt of new information and facts would lead to a continuance of the hearing. After some discussion, the HDC decided to reopen the record on April 16, 2004, and close it on May 6, 2004 with the understanding that it would be reopened on May 20, 2004.
Planner Robin Ziek outlined the request for the removal of vinyl siding from an existing non-historic addition and stated that the applicant wished to replace it with Hardiplank siding to restore the horizontal clapboard lines to the siding and to be able to paint the siding to match the rest of the house. The “steps” accessing the addition at the rear are currently piled concrete blocks and unsafe. The applicant wishes to build wood steps with Trex wood composite decking. The handrail will replicate the design of the front railing and will be painted to match the trim. Staff recommended approval of both items as improving the overall appearance of the structure and improving safety. Kathleen Hayes, owner of 419 Reading, stated that the addition was poorly designed and the beige vinyl siding is deteriorating. She said the intention was to produce a more appropriate horizontal lap siding line and paint the addition the same color as the main block of the house. She mentioned that steps had never been present in the rear. Commissioner van Balgooy asked if the siding replacement and stairs would qualify for tax credits. Staff replied that it would be eligible for the County tax credit and perhaps for the State credit as well.
Planner Christensen stated that one telephone call had been received in regards to this application from Maude Kilgo of Lincoln Park. Ms. Kilgo asked if the garage was to be used as a rental property. Staff responded that it would serve as a guest space and temporary quarters while the main house is under renovation. It will not have a kitchen and will not be used as a rental unit. Ms. Kilgo had no further comments. The applicant was not present at the meeting. Planner Robin Ziek stated that this application was for a driveway replacement, a proposal for skylights on the garage, and modification of windows on the garage. She noted that the garage is an existing two-story structure that was historically used as a second story apartment and the lower story as a garage. Ms. Ziek said she would go over each request separately. First, the driveway had been a gravel driveway but portions of asphalt and concrete were added through the years. She said that the Department of Public Works did not approve new gravel driveways as a City policy, but on historic sites, would yield to the recommendations of staff and the HDC. She noted that Mr. Collins had submitted a plan for the driveway to limit gravel migration so it would not become a nuisance to neighbors by starting with a compressed layer of finely crushed rock and adding gravel to the top. A 10- foot concrete apron will access the street and provide a one-inch lip to hold the gravel in the driveway. One by six pressure treated boards will edge the driveway to limit gravel scatter to the sides. Staff recommended approval. The second request was a revision of the plan to install skylights on both roof slopes of the garage. The HDC had found the skylights readily visible from the public way and not in character with the utilitarian nature of the garage. The applicant has eliminated skylights on the west slope leaving three on the east slope. Photographs were submitted showing that the skylights would be visible only to the owner’s rear yard and the newly built houses in the rear. They would not be visible from the street as the house blocks the view of the east façade of the garage. Staff evaluated the proposal in an effort to satisfy the owners desire and use and to protect the historic view of the property. Staff found that if the front skylight were removed, the profile of the remaining two would not be visible from the public way or the front. This was recommended as a compromise. The third project was a request to change the previously approved in-kind replacement garage windows from a wood architectural window to an aluminum clad exterior and a wood interior. The mutins of the 6/6 windows are affixed to the interior and exterior glass as in the architectural windows so that thermal windows can be used. Staff submitted a sample of the mutin profiles and finish to the Commission. As the adopted HDC Technical Guidelines recommend preservation and repair of original window material or replacement in kind if the windows cannot be repaired, staff did not recommend the amendment to change the replacement wood architectural windows. The last request was to install a fixed one-panel window in place of the approved 6/6 double hung sash windows on the first story for security reasons. Staff noted that the building had an array of window formats and many appeared to be reused windows, so matching the windows was not the primary consideration. However, staff noted that the double hung windows could be permanently sealed and locked shut, which would achieve the same security goal and would not be a replication. Staff did not recommend the amendment. Commission comments focused on the use of the garage second floor interior plan if the skylights were reduced and where on the roof to permit skylights to start. It was noted that the applicant should not need to rework the roof structure. Commissioner Hartranft expressed concern that east-facing skylights would not achieve the daylight goal the applicant desired. Planner Ziek said that Mr. Collins had mentioned that he had previously lived in a residence with skylights and liked them. Mr. William Meyers spoke on the gravel driveway. He said that gravel driveways were being phased out in the City and were not normally permitted as new installations. But, seeing that this one was constructed to mitigate the nuisance, it would be satisfactory. He asked that the submitted construction details be enforced. Commissioner Hartranft noted that the one-inch concrete lip would not stand up to repeated traffic and suggested some other material be incorporated at the lip. Planner Ziek said that the applicant had suggested stone. Chairman Powell suggested that the Commission consider each item separately. Skylights.
Discussion: As the applicant was not present, Commissioner van Balgooy asked if the skylights would work with the proposed floor plan. After some discussion, it was proposed and accepted by the mover and seconder that two or three skylights could be installed at the applicant’s discression, but the northernmost skylight should be roughly centered in line with the north 2nd story window in the “gym.”
Windows: The request to modify the prior approval of double-hung wood architectural windows and permit a single pane fixed window with 6/6 dividers was not accepted.
Windows: The request to modify the prior approval of wood architectural windows and permit aluminum-clad windows was not accepted.
Planner Ziek stated that the plans for the entry feature to Thirty Oaks had received an HDC courtesy review on December 18, 2003 and the applicant had revised the plan to meet the concerns of the HDC. The stone piers for the plaque have been reduced from six to five feet in height. A low height planting bed is located in front of the piers to provide color yet preserve the sight line to the street. She also noted that the privet hedge that is incorporated into the front boundary is an existing feature that is not noticeable at present as it was severely pruned back when the grading began. The privet hedge is less formal than a fence and is to be maintained by the HOA at 36 inches, which is balanced by the five-foot stone piers. Todd Hickman from Northern Virginia (NV) Homes presented the revised plan and rendering of the revised entry feature and noted that the lighting had been eliminated as well. He stated that an easement would allow the HOA to maintain the hedge planting. A discussion on the height of the privet hedge ensued. Mr. Hickman said that sight line to the street was on the plat and no encroachment could occur. The HDC stated that another concern was that it would be a maintenance issue to maintain the hedge at precisely 36 inches. As the HDC did not want to impose constant maintenance, the height was to be stated to allow periodic maintenance. Commissioner van Balgooy clarified that the stone was local gray stone with tinges of red and it would be mortared together. It does not reflect the materials used in the subdivision, but is intended to work with the hedge as a natural element.
Mr. Hickman mentioned that the development team was contemplating stone or brick pavers for the driveways and sidewalks. Staff advised him to contact the Department of Public Works for standards and acceptable materials. III. APPLICATIONS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDIT Staff member Judy Christensen stated that Planner Cindy Kebba had examined all tax credit submissions for program eligibility and prepared a memorandum listing the applications, the items claimed in each, and the total amount eligible for tax credit or refund of property taxes. Staff recommended that the tax credit applications and amounts listed in the memorandum be approved as a consent agenda unless the Commission had further questions. The Commission should direct staff to submit the information to the Montgomery County Department of Finance for processing. The Commission consented and had no further questions.
IV. DISCUSSION / UPDATES A. Planning Activities and Projects:
B. Comments – Historic District Commissioners Commissioner Moloney reported that the Baltimore Road entry restoration at Glenview Mansion was somewhat delayed but progressing. The stakes with blue flags indicating the layout have been repositioned. Congratulations were offered to Anita Neal Powell on her induction to the Board of Directors of Preservation Maryland. Chairman Powell said the Historic District sign in front of Lincoln High School needed repair or replacement. Commissioner van Balgooy said the Maryland tax credits had been preserved and extended to 2008 by the Maryland General Assembly with more restricted limitations on commercial projects and a $50,000 cap on residential projects. The Trust will no longer accept ordinary maintenance applications without prior filing. He noted that an MPI workshop on mansionization will be presented on April 17 at the Red Brick Courthouse in Rockville. On the hearing on 17 Wood Lane scheduled for May 20, it was proposed and accepted that a time limit of three minutes would be set on testimony from individual citizens and five minutes for organizations. The applicants and their representatives will not be limited in time to present the revised plans and answer questions. It was noted that if a great deal of information is presented at the hearing, the record may have to remain open and the decision carried to the June meeting. C. Lincoln Park Historical Society - Anita Neal Powell Chairman Powell said that the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation (LPHF) would be the subject of three television documentaries and interviews on PBS and on Montgomery Cable Channel 16. The final bus tour of African American sites will be of Prince George’s County on April 24th. Chairman Powell submitted the schedule of the activities and events at the Second Annual African American Preservation Conference at the Silver Spring Hilton Hotel to be held May 27 to May 31. It will offer continuing education classes on Friday May 28. D. Peerless Rockville - Peerless Rockville Staff Suzanne Fisher, President, said the last Rockville program on “Bringing it Home to Rockville” will be presented on April 26 at the King Farm Community Center. The Peerless Rockville Preservation Awards will be presented at the Mayor and Council meeting on May 10, 2004. A reception will precede the meeting. On Saturday May 15, the Annual Progressive Dinner will feature five homes on Falls Road. Tickets are available for all seatings. The reenactment of General Jubal Early’s march on Washington D.C. is scheduled for June 12 and 13. E. Staff Staff noted that Anne Brockett’s booklet on Rockville’s African American Heritage had been nominated for a Peerless Rockville Award. The HDC preservation month activity is to ask Maryvale Elementary School to produce coloring pages of their community to display during May. This school was chosen as it draws students from areas in the process of producing updated Neighborhood Plans. A coloring book will be assembled from the drawings for distribution to families and others. Robin Ziek has been working with the Parks and Public Works staff on Archeology in Dawson Farm Park and along Watts Branch. She is working with the Department of Public Works and Montgomery College to complete archaeology work before the stream reconstruction. V. ADJOURN The HDC adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Judy Christensen |
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