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Home > Government > Boards and Commissions > Historic District Commission > 2004 > Minutes > July 15 Boards and Commissions |
Submitted: August 19, 2004
Thursday July 15, 2004 The City of Rockville Historic District Commission convened in regular session in the PRESENT Absent: Max van Balgooy Staff present: Cindy Kebba and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners. I. MINUTES
The Commission offered no comments or corrections. MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to approve the minutes of May 20, 2004 as submitted.
The Commission offered no comments or corrections. MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to approve the minutes of June 17, 2004 as submitted. II. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
(The applicant was not present and the HDC postponed this application review until after HDC2004-00305 to allow extra time for him to arrive. However, the applicant did not arrive for the meeting.) Preservation Planner Kebba presented the revised plans incorporating the revisions requested at the last meeting and correcting some drawing errors in the plans of June 17. Commissioner Broadhurst said that he was not present at the last meeting, but had reviewed the plans presented tonight. He was generally in favor of the new design, but he stated that on drawing 9, the valley between the two gables needs an additional slope. He also noted that the transom on the front elevation should be in direct alignment with the front door and not wider than the door. Commissioner Moloney asked if the entire main roof was to be cedar shingles and Ms. Kebba replied that it was, with standing seam metal roofs on the front bay and on the front and rear porches. The HDC was satisfied with the retention of both chimneys and the shutter placement. Commissioner Moloney asked for verification that the shutters would be wood. He asked that the applicant return with the front door selection for HDC approval. He also said that the front porch should be shown with half round gutter and round downspout. Commissioner Hartranft said that an exterior light may be needed for code compliance at the basement door. MOTION: Commissioner Moloney moved, seconded by Commissioner Hartranft, to approve HDC2004-00303, with the following conditions:
VOTE: 4-0
Preservation Planner Robin Ziek stated that an application had been approved previously (1994) for a 6-foot lattice privacy fence for this address but it had not been constructed and the permit expired. Therefore, Mr. Spillers was requesting approval for a 6-foot tall privacy fence along the north and west property lines. The design has changed in that it is a five-foot board fence with a one-foot lattice panel on the top. Ms. Ziek said that applicant was considering an alternating board fence instead of solid board. The applicant also wishes to remove three damaged trees in the rear yard: a black gum, a maple and a black cherry tree. The City Forester examined the trees and found that the black gum was in poor condition, the maple was close to the foundation of the old garage, and the black cherry is not a significant tree and is already causing damage to the porch foundation. A sugar maple, (not on the application) was also determined to be a hazard by the City Forester and should either be removed or cabled. The City Forester recommended removal of the four trees. The applicant’s final request was to widen the rear roof shed dormer. It now has two windows and has created an awkward interior configuration. In addition, the three light design created will match the window string on the first story. The applicant will replicate the current windows in design and material for the new window. Staff recommended approval of all the requests. Applicant David Spillers of 311 W. Montgomery Avenue said a poplar tree fell down during Hurricane Isabel. The black gum tree is six inches from the fence line and the maple is next to the foundation of an old garage. He is hoping to rebuild the garage in the future. The wild cherry tree is next to the porch on the east side of the house and has already cracked the foundation of the porch. He noted that the City Forester had drawn his attention to a large sugar maple tree with a cracked crotch in the main trunk. The Forester said it needed to be taken down or cabled for safety. After discussion with the Forester, he would like to cable the tree rather than remove it. On the fence application, Mr. Spillers said the family chose to remodel the kitchen rather than install the fence and the permit expired. Now he would like a solid fence on the bottom portion with a foot of lattice on top and had two styles under consideration; solid board and alternating board. The adjacent public alley serves a house on West Montgomery Avenue and is not used by the public at large. Mr. Spillers prefers an alternating board fence instead of a solid board, as it is more attractive from both sides. Commissioner Broadhurst remarked that an oblique view of the alternating board fence allows a view of the property and is not as effective for privacy. Mr. Spillers responded that the contractor would use a 50% overlap of the boards, which would furnish more privacy, so this is satisfactory for his purpose. In reply to Commissioner Moloney’s question regarding material, Mr. Spillers said the proposed material was western red cedar. As for the dormer, Mr. Spillers said that the issue is really safety. Mr. Spillers presented photographs of the situation created by the dormer, where it overhangs the interior staircase by two feet and there is only about 12 inches of clearance to duck around it. He wants to re-roof the house with the same material and widen the dormer at the same time. He presented a manipulated photo showing how the three light dormer would appear, and said it would be better looking and safer in the inside. Commissioner Moloney asked what materials would be used. Mr. Spillers said he would reuse all existing trim and siding and the present tin roof will be replaced with similar metal. The new third window will be custom made to match the existing window. The material will be ponderosa pine or cedar. He noted that the dormer would be wider, but not deeper. Commissioner Moloney recommended not using ponderosa pine and suggested using Douglas Fir or cedar which will not deteriorate as quickly. Commissioner Broadhurst said the application is fine as submitted. He said the Commission appreciated the Photoshop mock-up of the final appearance. He was in favor of granting the application. MOTION: Commissioner Broadhurst moved, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, to approve HDC2004-00305 for tree removal, a red cedar 6-foot high alternate or solid board and lattice fence as submitted, and widening of the rear dormer as presented. Discussion: Commissioner Moloney asked if the City Forester suggested replacement trees. Mr. Spillers said no replacements were suggested. There is not sufficient area to support more large trees and the present placements are a problem. Commissioner Moloney addressed the location of the fence in the alley right of way and the fact that the fence is installed flush with the front of the house on the west side. He asked if it could be set back about a foot from the front façade. He was concerned with the view from West Montgomery Avenue. Mr. Spillers said he spoke to someone at City Hall about the fence location. He will put it on the property line or encroach into the alley right of way if her receives a waiver from the City to allow it. He noted that a neighbor at 401 West Montgomery Avenue has a stockade fence with a gate which is also flush to the front of the house. He also said that two red maple trees will shield the fence somewhat from public view at the front. If the fence is moved back from the front façade, it will impact the side entrance to the basement. If it can not be lined up with the front of the house, the only alternative would need to be to line it up with the back of the house and this would prevent the owners from having a fenced-in side yard. Commissioner Broadhurst said the applicant’s comments and situation presents a reasonable explanation for not setting the fence back from the front façade. He did not see the proposed placement as having a huge adverse impact on the character of the house or streetscape and it would protect the basement entrance and trees. VOTE: 4-0 III. APPLICATIONS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDIT
Preservation Planner Robin Ziek explained that these applications had been submitted to the Montgomery County Historic Preservation staff in error and had been sent back to Rockville for processing when the error was discovered. Ms. Ziek stated that structural interior work was found eligible, but non-structural interior work is not eligible and was removed from the amounts recommended for approval. Staff recommended approval per the findings in the staff memo and that the HDC refer these three applications to the Montgomery County Department of Finance for processing. MOTION: Commissioner Hartranft moved, seconded by Commissioner Broadhurst, to approve tax credit applications HDC2004-00306, HDC2004-00307 and HDC2004-00308 as recommended by staff and refer them to the Montgomery County Department of Finance for processing. IV. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. Peerless Rockville - Peerless Rockville Staff Suzanne Fisher reported no major events occurring in August. Peerless will participate in the County Happy Birthday celebration in September. Peerless reaffirmed its offer to help Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Ms. Fisher mentioned that Peerless will co-sponsor the July 20th Community Meeting on Lincoln Park Preservation and will speak at the next Mayor and Council meeting to recommend and support local historic district designation of the 5.5-acre King Farm Park. B. Lincoln Park Historical Society - Anita Neal Powell Ms. Powell thanked staff for their support at the educational forum neighborhood meeting on July 10. She appreciated staff’s efforts toward community education and cooperation. C. Comments – Historic District Commissioners Commissioner Hartranft - noted that many signs document the history of Rockville, but there is none to document the history of the Magruder Center site and East Middle Lane. This was proposed as a joint HDC and Mayor and Council worksession topic. She also noted that the Recent Past Survey by Peerless was nearly finished and inquired if there were any plans to document Twinbrook’s impact on the community. Planner Kebba said the Division of Long Range Planning was preparing to begin an update of the Twinbrook Neighborhood Plan and the HDC staff would be part of the planning team. Commissioner Moloney said a consultant is working on the Glenview Civic Center site with a City task force. It is to look at all issues from an objective standpoint. Included are parking, circulation, access, proposed development, etc. It may be timely to look at designation as a means of preservation of the site. As the HDC representative on the Glenview Mansion Subcommittee, he will attend the first meeting on Monday in two weeks. He encouraged others to attend. V. DISCUSSION / UPDATES A. Planning Activities and Projects: 1. Agenda for work session with Mayor and Council: Several suggestions were received for a worksession agenda. Commissioner Moloney suggested coordination with Inspection Services to alert them, particularly the site inspectors, to preservation issues. Planner Robin Ziek said it might be helpful for the preservation staff to have an internal meeting with the inspectors. Increasing fines for demolition and non-compliance, the Lincoln Park preservation effort, the recent past, and designation of City–owned properties such as King Farm, the Pump House, Glenview, and so forth were also proposed. The Magruder area sign was proposed and the HDC said it wanted to thank the Mayor and Council publicly for their support of the retention of the State Preservation Tax Credit. Planner Robin Ziek said that the Pump House was in the works as part of the East Rockville survey and would include the old water tower site, now a park, and Rockville water service in general as well. 2. Lincoln Park Preservation Effort: Judy Christensen and Shelby Spillers are working with the community on this. The community preservation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday July 20th at the Lincoln Park Community Center. Judy Christensen and Jim Wasilak participated in an educational forum organized by the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation on July 10. It was well attended. Katie McQueen, a summer intern, is working on entering the survey information for Lincoln Park in the public permit database. The Mayor and Council will be asked to authorize staff to proceed with a Map Amendment application which will start the community preservation plan process on July 26. 3. Lincoln Park and East Rockville Surveys: The survey continues and is being entered into the City’s permit database. It is available online. 4. Montgomery County Heritage Day Report: Cindy Kebba said the HDC participated with an information table at Courthouse Square Park which she staffed. 5. Rockville Cemetery Guidelines: The Mayor and Council’s public hearing will be held on July 19 and the Discussion and Instructions to staff is scheduled for August 2. Planner Robin Ziek said a horticultural definition of “mature shrub” was proposed to be 75% of the mature size as noted in Michael Dirr’s Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. This could be incorporated as the “agreed” definition of mature shrubs. She noted that there are very few surviving mature historical landscapes in Rockville that would fall under the regulation of the HDC. The Beall Dawson House and Park is one; Rockville Cemetery is another. She is working with Rob Orndorff of the City Department of Parks and Recreation and may update the Technical Guides to reflect more information on mature shrubs. Commissioner Moloney stated that he would be hesitant to give up all review of historic landscape elements. Chairperson Anita Powell suggested that Mr. Orndorff should be invited to come to the HDC for a discussion about shrubs. The Forester looks at trees as specimen trees, and for their diameter and health. The Parks Department also looks at the appropriateness of trees in the landscape. This method offers more information for making decisions. 6. Planner Robin Ziek proposed that staff proceed with a Technical Guide for Accessory Buildings which would include garages and sheds and any other secondary buildings in a historic landscape. The HDC approved the project. 7. Planner Robin Ziek said several things were identified at the regional joint training session held at the Sandy Spring Museum on June 29. Ideas which might benefit the HDC were: move the adoption of the minutes to the end of the meeting and reports from organizations and committee and planning project reports to the front. The HDC was in favor. The rationale is that the minutes are not vital until approved and then are available on line, and the public would benefit from hearing current organization project schedules and information and City projects. Very few audience members remain to the end of the meeting to hear these reports at present. VI. ADJOURN The HDC adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Cindy Kebba. |
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