Thursday, February 15, 2007
Rockville City Hall PRESENT | Con Hitchcock, Chair | Anita Powell | Craig Moloney | ABSENT | Commissioner van Balgooy |
Staff present: Jeff Winstel, Cindy Kebba and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners I. WORKSESSION (7 – 7:30 p.m.): The worksession included an agenda review and update. The business meeting was convened at 7:38 p.m. Chairman Hitchcock opened the meeting and introduced the Commissioners and staff. He noted that the worksession was limited to agenda review and discussion of administrative issues with staff. II. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. Peerless Rockville – Terry Lachin presented the report for Peerless Rockville. They provided a copy of the report on the October Symposium on the Recent Past at City Hall. The Symposium was a big success, with scholarly presentations, and time for discussion, insights and recommendations. Thanks to the Mayor, Councilmember Hoffman, and HDC Commissioner van Balgooy for their participation. The recommendation to establish a Recent Past Advisory Committee is being implemented and people are invited to volunteer and participate (call Peerless Rockville @ 301-762-0096). Ms. Lachin also noted their current Heritage Education Lecture series on Modernism & Education: the most recent lecture on Maryvale Elementary School has been postponed until March 13th, 7:30 p.m. at the Pump House. Nominations for their yearly Awards for Excellence are due on March 1st. For more information on how to submit a nomination or to assist with the nomination process, please call Peerless Rockville.
For more information on projects and activities see: www.peerlessrockville.org. B. Lincoln Park Historic Foundation (LPHF) – Lincoln Park Historical Foundation (LPHF) – Commissioner Powell presented the report for the LPHF, noting the upcoming 30th Anniversary celebration of the LPHF and Leroy E. Neal African American Research Center on March 4, 2007 at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, in the Theatre Arts Building, Theatre Art Arena beginning at 4 pm. The theme for the celebration is “Get on Board: The Gospel Train Ride to Freedom” and there will be guest artists, music, puppetry, etc. Please contact LPHF if you are interested in singing. 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:
Staff noted that KSI is proceeding with the photo documentation of the “Pink Bank” at 255 N. Washington Street, in compliance with conditions for their approved Project Plan. Staff met with their architect on site, accompanied by Peerless Rockville, to plan for the documentation. KSI will be on hand at the March HDC meeting, when Peerless Rockville will present their research on the history of the building, as requested by Commissioner van Balgooy.
III. APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL Chairman Hitchcock summarized the Consent Agenda, and invited anyone present to speak. (The review of item “A” was held until after the consent agenda was considered to allow those applicants on the consent agenda to leave.) B. HDC2005-00343A [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Peter Neame
Address: 106 N. Adams Street
Request: Amendment for salvage of existing windows and installation of the thermally-glazed wood windows in outbuildings. This application was considered on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Neame summarized his proposal. Commissioner Moloney asked for clarification on the new windows, and Mr. Neame responded that they will be simulated True-divided light because they provided the best match to the existing windows with a narrow muntin. C. HDC2007-00377 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: William Jacob
Address: 112 Forest Avenue
Request: Installation of wood storm windows This application was considered on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Moloney disclosed that he was the architect on this project and had briefly discussed the proposed storm windows with the applicant. He said he felt he could be impartial, but he would recuse himself if anyone so requested. Montgomery County Historic Preservation Tax Credit Application Applicant: Catherine McAlpine Eig
Address: 315 Baltimore Road
Request: Tax Credit eligibility determination This application was considered on the Consent Agenda. Chairman Hitchcock asked for a motion for the entire Consent Agenda. MOTION: Commissioner Moloney made a motion to approve the projects on the Consent Agenda as per the staff reports. Commissioner Powell seconded the motion. VOTE: 3-0 A. HDC2006-00368A
Applicant: Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
Address: 21 Wood Lane
Request: Amendment to approved COA to provide required egress to meet fire code Planner Cindy Kebba presented the staff report. She noted that this is an amendment to an application that the HDC approved at the October 2006 meeting to install an elevator in the tower of the church. She explained that the Fire Marshall met with the applicant and architect and explained that a second basement egress and a second stairway connecting the basement to the sanctuary level would be required with the installation of the elevator. Staff had worked with the architect to come up with the least obtrusive solution to balance the life safety issue with historic preservation guidelines. A basement window on the west façade was selected as the opening for the new door as it is the minimum allowed distance from the existing basement door on the east façade and as far from the primary façade as possible. Two secondary façade window openings would also need to be blocked from the interior with fire-retardant drywall to accommodate the interior stairway, but these windows will not be removed or altered. This was determined to be the best solution per the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief #32, “Making Historic Properties Accessible” and The City of Rockville’s Technical Guide for Exterior Alterations, #10: Utilities, Code Compliance, ADA. Pastor Wood, the applicant, noted that it was a long process, but they appreciated the help from everyone to move this forward. They are following the Fire Marshall’s and staff’s recommendations. Commissioner Moloney had a few questions for Mr. Harold Navy, the project architect. Mr. Navy noted that the window for egress will be widened by 9” (4.5 inches on each side) but will retain the same height to minimize disturbance. The existing grade by the window/new door will be dropped ca. 8” to match existing grade by the rear of the church. They will have a paved walkway of about 8'4" length, and then stepping stones around to the back of the church. The newly exposed foundation material will be stuccoed and painted white to match the existing exterior finish. The two windows adjacent to the new interior stairway will be removed and the openings will be faced on the inside with 1-hour rated drywall and the side facing the exterior will be painted and the existing windows re-installed. The new doorway should have a vision panel to let some light inside as they will lose that from the existing window. Choices are either 10” square or 4” x 24” for the fire-rated door. Commissioner Moloney recommended the 10” square vision panel, and Mr. Navy agreed that that was his preference as well. Mr. Navy noted that the arch for the new doorway would mimic the existing arch, but would be the additional width to match the added doorway width. Public Comments: Mrs. Mary Tyler Vitol read a letter of support for the project sent in by the West End Citizens Association. The letter supports the installation of the elevator, with associated required changes at the site. Commissioner Powell noted her support. Commission Moloney said this was an appropriate proposal that supported the architectural integrity of the church building. Chairman Hitchcock noted that this was an important resource in Rockville. MOTION: Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve the project as per the staff report, with two conditions: Staff will approve the relocation of AC units; and Option “B” on the specs is the chosen door type (with the 10”x10” vision panel). Commissioner Moloney seconded the motion. VOTE: 3-0.
IV. DISCUSSION/UPDATES A. 2007 HDC Work Program: Staff Winstel noted the addition, as requested by the HDC, of a 2008 Workshop for Realtors. B. CLG Grant Application: Staff Winstel noted this is due 2/28/07. He asked for a Motion to approve: Commissioner Moloney so moved; Commissioner Powell seconded; VOTE: 3-0. C. HDC Handbook: Staff is working on pagination now, so it should be ready soon. D. Glenview 50th Anniversary Celebration: June 30, 2007. Looking to celebrate the past 50 years of City ownership of the property and prepare for the next 50! The City is looking for great ideas to include in the celebration: please contact Kathleen Moran, Glenview Site Supervisor by phone at 240-314-8662 or email kmoran@rockvillemd.gov. E. Vacancy on the HDC: We’re still soliciting applications, having four currently on hand. The HDC plans on holding interviews on March 15, and will make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council; with appointment prior to the April 19th meeting. Staff Ziek noted that the City is a Certified Local Government (CLG), following state guidelines for certification. The HDC commissioners have to qualify under demonstrated special interest, etc. but the qualifying fields are broad to provide a well-rounded review of applications that come before them, including landscape architecture, archaeology, and urban design. People are encouraged to send in their applications to the City Clerk ASAP.
V. MINUTES The minutes from Meeting No. 1-07, January 18, 2007, were presented, but could not be discussed as there was no quorum of the commissioners present at that January meeting. The minutes will be presented again at the March meeting.
VI. ADJOURN The HDC adjourned its regular meeting at 8:23 pm.
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