Thursday, January 18, 2007
Rockville City Hall PRESENT | Con Hitchcock, Chair | Craig Moloney | Max van Balgooy | ABSENT | Commissioner Powell |
Staff present: Jeff Winstel, Cindy Kebba and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners I. WORKSESSION: The worksession included an agenda review and update. The business meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. Chairman Con Hitchcock opened the meeting and introduced the Commissioners. He noted that the worksession was limited to agenda review and discussion of administrative issues with staff. Two potential applicants for the HDC vacancy attended the Worksession to familiarize themselves with the process. II. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. Peerless Rockville – Eileen McGuckian reported that the annual Peerless New Year’s Day Brunch was held at Glenview Mansion. Peerless Rockville is helping to plan an event to celebrate 50 years of City ownership of Glenview Mansion to be held June 30. Exhibits on display at the new Rockville Public Library include “Veterans in Rockville”, through the end of January; History of the Rockville Library, 1869-2006; the soda fountain from Vinson’s Drug Store; and two marble fireplace surrounds from the Vinson house that was located at the old Rockville Library site. Upcoming events include “Maryvale Elementary School: Modernism and Education” which will feature this award-winning building designed by architect Stanley H. Arthur. This event is co-sponsored by the East Rockville Civic Association and will be held at the Pump House, 401 S. Horners Lane, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13. Peerless Rockville is co-sponsoring the first annual Montgomery County History Volunteers Conference on Saturday, January 27 at the Mansion at Strathmore, along with the Montgomery County Historical Society and other sponsors. Ms. McGuckian regretted that the conference registration was full at this time but she said that it may be possible to get in at the last minute, assuming there will be some late cancellations and no-shows. Ms. McGuckian handed out a flyer with further information on upcoming Peerless activities including the 2007 Homes and Hospitality Tour on May 12, the next scheduled Underground Railroad Walking Tour on April 21, and a request for Peerless Rockville preservation award nominations, which are due by March 1.
For more information on projects and activities see: www.peerlessrockville.org. or call 301-762-0096. B. Lincoln Park Historical Foundation (LPHF) – No report. 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: Commissioner Hitchcock introduced new staff member, Jeff Winstel. Jeff briefly discussed his background and previous preservation background in Illinois, at the Ohio SHPO, the NPS, and most recently with M-NCPPC in Prince George’s County, MD. Commissioner Hitchcock mentioned a letter that was drafted by staff to alert the local real estate industry of the 50-year rule used in evaluating properties for significance that are proposed for demolition. The letter, signed by the HDC Chair, will be sent to the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, the Maryland Real Estate Commission and possibly others. Commissioner van Balgooy mentioned preservation issues that will be discussed at the Maryland General Assembly, including changes to the Heritage Tax Credit. He encouraged everyone to contact their delegates and senators in support of preservation and said that more information on the state legislative issues can be found at www.preservationmaryland.org.
III. Discussion / Updates A. 2007 HDC Work Program
Jeff Winstel summarized the work program, noting dates when the HDC would be expected to take specific actions, such as resolutions and large project reviews. The work program represents a guideline rather than a strict schedule, as new projects come up throughout the year, projects involving participation with other regulatory agencies require flexibility, and public outreach components need to be developed. He said the program was updated mid fiscal year because of recent HDC staff changes. He asked for the commissioners’ comments and suggestions for setting priorities.
Commissioner van Balgooy asked about the status of the 1945 designation survey and the large amount of work this project could generate. Staff reported that 28 responses were received and that 8 or 9 generated both positive responses from homeowners and were likely eligible from preliminary data. Staff has begun further research on these properties. Commissioner van Balgooy asked what the Preserve America Program is and Mr. Winstel responded that the City’s recognition by the program would make it eligible to apply for certain grants. At the suggestion that the Rockville Park National Register nomination be held off to 2008, Ms Ziek noted that the work is already underway and can be completed this year. Mr. van Balgooy asked that he be involved in the development of interpretive site plaques for designated properties and for African-American Heritage plaques planned for Town Center. He also suggested sponsoring a workshop for realtors in the community to talk about old houses, historic designation, tax credits and other benefits, the 50-year evaluation policy, etc. B. HDC Handbook
Ms. Ziek showed a copy of the draft handbook to the commission and said that it is very close to completion. C. Commemoration of Upper Cottage at Chestnut Lodge
Attorney Soo Lee-Cho, representing Chestnut Lodge developer Morty Levine, described
the plaque proposed to commemorate the Upper Cottage which will be demolished later this year. She noted that commemoration of this building was one condition of HDC approval for the demolition. She said that the applicant would return at a future meeting with more details of the verbage, image and materials to be used, but that they were here tonight to determine if a plaque would be acceptable to the HDC as a means of meeting the condition. Commissioner van Balgooy said he was glad the building would be commemorated and he thought the location along Bullard Circle near the Upper Cottage site was appropriate. He said including an image would be important to include since the building will be gone. Commissioners Moloney and Hitchcock agreed and said they would like to see more interpretive signage at the property. Mr. Levine showed photographs of plaques his company installed at the Water’s House in Germantown at another one of their development sites. D. CLG Grant applications to research expansion of West Montgomery Avenue Historic District; National Register nominations of Glenview Mansion and Rockville Park Mr. Winstel said that the Certified Local Government (CLG) grant request deadline is February 28. The project scope will need to be reviewed by the commission and a letter of endorsement from the HDC will be part of the application support. The grant will include further documentation of Rockville’s early 20th century historic architecture. E. Draft list of recommended staff level approvals to be delegated by the HDC
Robin Ziek introduced the topic and noted that the HDC had been provided this list in the past but that there had been no time to discuss it. Commissioner van Balgooy stated that he was concerned about the meanings of the words “original” and “compatible”. Commissioner Hitchcock was concerned with creating a “cook book approach” where it may be possible to make many changes that individually meet the staff approval criteria, yet might not be acceptable to the HDC as a whole. The HDC felt that many of the items on the list potentially could be controversial and chose to not allow staff approvals for exterior siding, roofing, windows and doors, new additions, fencing, as well as for most items under off-street parking and signs. The HDC did agree that several utility and code compliance (except design of new street elements) and storm windows and doors could be subject to staff approval if they meet the criteria and if the criteria were made more specific for some items. HDC review will continue to be required for relocation/demolition, masonry and use of substitute materials. The latest Technical Guide (Accessory Structures, #16) already provides criteria for staff level approvals of modern sheds. The conclusion was that many applications dealing with these issues could be on the consent agenda, which will help accelerate meetings and the process for applicants somewhat.
IV. Minutes Approval of the minutes from Meeting No. 11-06, October 19, 2006, was postponed as Commissioner Hitchcock was not present at the October meeting and there were only two commissioners present who were eligible to vote. Additional Commissioner/Staff Comments:
Staff Cindy Kebba noted that the draft of the Twinbrook Neighborhood Plan was available on the City’s website under “Master Plans”. She said that preservation staff had contributed to the Housing chapter and to the appendices on Twinbrook history and house typologies and that she had copies of these to distribute to the commissioners. Staff Robin Ziek updated the commission on the schedule for the designation of 702 Maple Avenue. She reported that the Mayor and Council held a public hearing on January 8 and that the next step, Discussion and Instructions, is scheduled for February 12. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Moloney, Ms. Ziek noted that the Mayor and Council could designate the property, which would allow the HDC to evaluate the structural issues and make a determination regarding a possible economic hardship plea since the HDC has an established process. Ms. Ziek said that she had participated in a video at King Farm this week produced for the Montgomery County cable television station. She said that farmland once formed all of the edges of Rockville and King Farm is a highly visible remnant of this history. Ms. Ziek said that photo documentation of the “Pink Bank” at 255 N. Washington Street was being discussed. Commissioner van Balgooy said that an MHT form should be completed on this building and that it should be discussed before the HDC. Ms. Ziek responded that Peerless Rockville had completed an MHT form but that the building was not close to the 50-year mark and the KSI project, which will be on this site, was already approved.
V. Adjourn The HDC adjourned its regular meeting at 9:30 pm.
| 
