Thursday, August 17, 2006
Rockville City Hall
PRESENT |
Max van Balgooy, Chairman |
Anita Neal Powell | Con Hitchcock |
Craig Moloney |
Staff present: Judy Christensen and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners
I. WORKSESSION: The worksession included an agenda review and update.
The business meeting was convened at 7:32 p.m. Chairman van Balgooy opened the meeting and introduced the Commissioners and staff.
II. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS
A. Peerless Rockville – Eileen McGuckian presented the report for Peerless Rockville. Peerless Rockville is preparing the office for painting. The Soda fountain will be moved to the new Rockville Library very soon. Upcoming events: “Happy Birthday Montgomery” on September 10th from 2-5 p.m. at the Montgomery County Historical Society (grounds of the Beall-Dawson House); “Salute to Non-Profits” on September 30th; “Hard Times Chili Conference” on September 30th; Bike Tour on October 1; Symposium on Rockville’s Recent Past on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at City Hall. This will focus on defining the resources (1945-1985) and the challenges, setting standards and strategies at the local level, and developing solutions and advocacy.
For more information on projects and activities see: www.peerlessrockville.org.
B. Lincoln Park Historic Foundation (LPHF) – Commissioner Powell presented the report for the LPHF, noting the upcoming 2006 Maryland African-American Heritage Preservation Conference and Road Trip to be held October 5–7 at the Nyumburu Cultural Center at the University of Maryland at College Park. Call 301-528-5747 to register, or send an email to the LPHF. She also noted that the deadline for nominations for the African-American Heritage Preservation Award are due by September 21, 2006. The award will be presented October 7 for work in preserving the history and culture of African Americans through projects and programs that seek to promote its contributions and accomplishments throughout the United States. Emerging, nonprofit, and heritage/preservation organizations, and museums are encouraged to apply.
For LPHF information see: www.aapc-md.org or call 301-251-2747 or send email to Lincolnparkhist@aol.com.
C. Comments – Historic District Commissioners/ Staff Historic District Commission:
Historic District Commissioners/ Staff Historic District Commission: Preservation Planner Ziek provided an update from Planner Kebba on this year’s Tax Credit applications. Nine applications were submitted, for a total of $63,346.67 in work; the 10% tax credit was applied to the entire amount, for a value of $6,335.
Planner Christensen introduced the Heritage Tourism map now available for free at City Hall, which was prepared by Heritage Montgomery. Rockville sites, such as the Red Brick Courthouse and the Beall-Dawson House, are included.
III. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
A. HDC2005-00343 Amendment
Applicant: Mr. Peter Neame
Address: 106 N. Adams Street
Request: Amend Certificate of Approval (COA) to include removal of non-operable and deteriorated doors on west elevation of studio outbuilding and replacement of non-historic windows on north elevation. Retain existing stone veneer on west elevation, and replace existing wood siding with new wood siding as per previous COA on north and west elevations.
This application was considered on the Consent Agenda.
MOTION: Commissioner Moloney made a motion to approve this as per the staff report. Commissioner Hitchcock seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0
B. HDC2006-00310B
Applicant: Barbara Craig
Address: 16 Thomas Street
Request: Approve construction drawings for addition and alterations
Planner Christensen made a brief staff report, noting the history of prior HDC reviews of this proposed project. Tonight, the final design and materials were brought for HDC approval. There were three questions: (1) What is the proposed new foundation material and how does this relate to the original foundation? The new foundations will be concrete block parged to match the original foundation which is also parged. (2) Are the windows in the kitchen different sizes? No, they are all 4’6”. (3) What are the proposed trim dimensions around the diamond window in the attic? It will be 1x4” to match all the other windows.
Commissioner Moloney raised a question about the use of vinyl-clad wood windows for the new addition. He noted that all the other materials in the house were wood. Mrs. Craig chose these so she wouldn’t have to paint them. They are true-divided light by Marvin windows. Commissioners Powell and Hitchcock thought it would be acceptable on an addition, although not on the original structure.
MOTION: Commissioner Hitchcock made a motion to approve, per the staff report. Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0
IV. Discussion / Updates
A. Selection of HDC Chair: Commissioner Van Balgooy noted that his term is up in September, and that Commissioner Hartranft had nominated Commissioner Hitchcock for the new Chair. As he has agreed, and there are no other candidates, the HDC will forward this recommendation to the Mayor and Council for appointment.
Planner Ziek noted that the new zoning ordin ance is being drafted, and this is the best time for the HDC to support voting for its own Chair. The other Boards and Commissions in the City do this, and there is no restriction on this from state law (Article 66B). The HDC voted to support this, and directed staff to pursue this through the zoning code revision.
B. Commissioner and Staff Training: The HDC discussed the training budget. Planner Christensen noted that the HDC is the only Board/Commission with a training budget because training is mandated by the State under the CLG program. Planner Ziek noted, that while the budget allocates $500 per commissioner, this money is pooled to provide an opportunity for one staff and one commissioner to attend the National Trust Conference each year. This is over and above the other training opportunities that the HDC also has, including an MAHDC training (to be hosted by Rockville on October 10 this year) and attendance at the MHT conference each year. As the State mandates one training opportunity for each commissioner each year, the City supports the HDC far and above that requirement. The HDC agreed that the commissioners should rotate attendance at the National Trust Conference, with the first choice going to a new commissioner. Everyone agreed it was important to send a representative, so if the newest HDC commissioner cannot attend, the opportunity would go in reverse order of previous attendance.
V. Minutes
The minutes from Meeting No. 7-06, July 20, 2006 were presented. There were no changes.
MOTION: Commissioner Moloney made a motion to adopt the minutes as submitted; Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0
VI. Adjourn
The HDC adjourned its regular meeting at 8:10 pm, but moved to continue the Worksession from August 15, 2006 in the adjacent conference room. The HDC wanted to finish the published agenda from that meeting, and continue the discussion on alterations at the rear of properties and the use of substitute materials at historic sites in general.
WORKSESSION (August 15, 2006, continued).
The HDC re-convened the Worksession at 8:15. They discussed whether or not each elevation at a property should be considered of equal importance. Commissioner Moloney noted that the street elevation is typically paramount, but Commissioner Powell said it depends on your point of view, noting that backyard neighbors may particularly be concerned with rear alterations and additions. The conclusion was to consider each site on its own merits, by identifying the period of significance and features that contribute to its significance.
The HDC considered the completeness of the COA application. Contact information, including phone, fax and email, should be highlighted for easy identification. A statement that “all applications must meet the adopted standards and guidelines” should be added as number 2 on page 2, with the list of information for processing the applications for COA. Also, under submittal requirements on page 3, we should add “roof plan” under item 2 - Architectural Drawings. We should also add in internet links to the web site, with specific links to the standards and guidelines.
Commissioner Powell reminded staff to make sure that “Consent Agenda” was listed on all appropriate items when the packet went out before the meeting.
HDC suggested that staff send out a letter to all HOA’s suggesting that they invite an HDC commissioner to a meeting for conversation.
HDC also mentioned setting up a “House doctor” program and then film the site visit. This has been a very successful program elsewhere.
The Worksession adjourned at 9:10 pm.
