Thursday, March 15, 2007
Rockville City Hall PRESENT | Con Hitchcock, Chairman | Anita Neal Powell | Max van Balgooy | Craig Moloney |
Staff present: Jeff Winstel and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners I. HDC Vacancy Interviews [Closed Session, as per State Government Article 10-508(a)] In order to interview four applicants for the vacant position on the HDC, the motion to close the meeting was made by Commissioner van Balgooy and seconded by Commissioner Moloney. In addition to the four current Commissioners, also present were City staff Winstel and Ziek; and the applicants: Janet McCool, Jeremy Tucker, Jim Headlee, and Sheila Wolkoff. The Commission went into Closed Session at 6:20 pm, and came out of Closed Session at 7:25 pm. The HDC recommendation for the vacancy will be transmitted by staff to the City Clerk for consideration by the M&C. On a Motion by Commissioner van Balgooy, seconded by Commissioner Moloney, the HDC came out of Closed Session. II. WORKSESSION: The worksession included the agenda review. The business meeting was convened at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Hitchcock opened the meeting and introduced the Commissioners and staff. He noted the above Closed Session, and that the Worksession was limited to agenda review with staff. III. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. Peerless Rockville – Eileen McGuckian presented the report for Peerless Rockville. Upcoming events include their current lecture series on Modernism & Education: lecture on Maryvale Elementary School scheduled for March 13th, 7:30 p.m. at the Pump House. Terry Lachin will be participating in the SAH Biannual Symposium on Sacred Architecture and Modernism, presenting on Rockville modern religious buildings. Recent Past Advisory Committee to be set up, and they are looking for volunteers. Also looking for volunteers and advisors for Freda’s Cottage. And need volunteers for this weekend’s salvage project at the Upper Cottage (doors, windows, etc.). April 21: Underground Railroad Tour still has some openings. May 12th: Homes and Hospitality Tour will celebrate two centuries of Rockville homes. For more information on projects and activities call Peerless Rockville @ 301-762-0096 or see: www.peerlessrockville.org. B. Lincoln Park Historical Foundation – Anita Neal-Powell reported on the events at Montgomery College on March 4, 2007 at the Theatre Arts Building with the 30th Anniversary celebration of the LPHF and Leroy E. Neal African American Research Center. There were many public officials including County Executive Leggett in attendance, and there were performances by the Living Soul Choir, Montgomery County Law Enforcement Gospel Choir, Mount Calvary Puppet Ministry and Hidden Treasures Dance Ministry. We also had photo exhibits on “Haiti” presented by the Mr. Warren Crutchfield and Ms. Elaine Hebron. The 30th Anniversary booklet is available at www.aapc-md.org or call 301-251-2747 or send email to Lincolnparkhist@aol.com. C. Comments – Historic District Commissioners/ Staff: there were no comments.
IV. Presentation : 255 North Washington Street: Suburban Bank Trust Building Staff Ziek summarized the request by the Commission for the research collected by Peerless Rockville on this site. The owner has an approved Project Plan and the building is scheduled for demolition as part of that approval. Nevertheless, the HDC has been actively trying to promote awareness about the significance of buildings less than 50 years old (The Recent Past), as this marks a period of significant change in Rockville both in terms of architecture and social history. Terry Lachin of Peerless Rockville presented her research with a PowerPoint illustration. She noted this is one of 250 buildings included in their survey of the Recent Past in Rockville. She compared it to “Ugly Betty” for its competency as an example of Modernism and yet for its lack of immediate broad appeal. When this branch bank building was constructed in 1964, it was the tallest building in the downtown, and stood amongst open fields and by the Mall building near by. Regarding banking history, this was the result of a bank merger between Baltimore and DC banks, and was a departure from prior business practice, where a distinction was maintained for businesses in the two cities. As a structure, it is unique in Rockville. There are, however, many examples of similar use of the decorative honeycomb metal panels in southern California and the southwest. This design, in the New Formalism style, was also a departure from his normal work for the architect, Arthur L. Anderson, of Washington, DC. Anderson also designed the Woodward & Lothrop Department Store in Washington. Prominent adherents of this style include Edward Durrell Stone (Kennedy Center). The building is a 5-story rectangular office building, with exterior cladding of steel and aluminum panels in a “honeycomb” pattern and pink and white coloration. There is a cantilevered portico to the north and west facades, for entry and also the drive-through banking area. The first floor includes the main hall for banking, as well as an elevator lobby for the offices above. This spare room is severe, with the only ornamentation being the bookend marble panels that span floor to ceiling. This principal entrance is flanked with ornamental masonry grillwork. The halls for the offices above are a simple “T” shape, with only a chair rail for decoration. Notable tenants include the law offices of Vivian and Joseph Simpson, a brother and sister practicing together. Ms. Simpson was the first woman lawyer in Montgomery County, the first woman to serve on the Maryland Industrial Accident Commission, the First woman Secretary of State for Maryland, the first woman elected President of the Montgomery County Bar Association, and vice president of the Maryland State Bar Association. She was entered into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in 2003. The City Library was also located here from 1966 – 1971, while the new (now the Old) Library was being built . The attorney for KSI, Nancy Regalin, introduced their architectural photographer, Bill Lebovich. He explained his scope of work (20 large format photographs), planned after a walk-through with City staff and Peerless Rockville staff. Documentation will be deposited with the City. Commissioner van Balgooy asked about the condition of the building and wondered why they wouldn’t reuse the structure. Ms. Regalin noted that Kettler’s (KSI) business is residential /mixed-use and they planned a much larger structure on the site. The Bank building sits roughly in the middle of the property, surrounded by parking. They will be improving the environmental contribution by reducing the impervious area from 99% to 60%. He also asked about the integrity of the building, whether there had been many changes over time. Ms. Lachin thought not many, but couldn’t be precise. He also asked how many Recent Past buildings are still in the downtown area. Ms. Lachin first noted three: County Federal/Schlosser building (30 Courthouse Square,1962), Brown Building/Potomac Valley Bank(260 East Jefferson, 1959), Jefferson/CES building (22 West Jefferson St., 1959). She also said that there hadn’t been very many to start with. Ms. Lachin also mentioned the Giant Food store (275 N. Washington St., 1968), the Rockville mural building/Metropolitan building (230 North Washington St.,
1966) and Maxim's supermarket (460 Hungerford Drive, 1968); the Rockville Motor Hotel/Beall's Grant (254 North Washington St., late 1960s?) and the First Baptist Church Education building/Garza Building on West Jefferson St. (1957). One of the Commissioners added the Rockville Volunteer Department (1965).
[Ms. Lachin added 27 West Jefferson (1963)after the meeting]. Commissioner van Balgooy said the role in women’s history is significant. Ms. Lachin noted that the County Council Office Building is named for Stella Warner, first woman president of the County Council. Commissioner van Balgooy asked if the demolition permit had been approved. Ms. Regalin noted it had been filed. Staff explained that they hadn’t filed for the demolition permit until after their Use Permit was approved, but that the demolition was implied in their project scope and that they were moving forward according to schedule. Ms. Regalin summarized the new project, showing some illustrations, noting that this had been identified as a site for mixed-use/residential in the Town Center Master Plan. The new building won’t be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design/ United States Green Building Council) Certified, but will use the LEED checklist for a minimum of 26 points. Commissioner Moloney asked what the Suburban Trust Bank replaced? Ms. McGuckian said it was Jim Veirs’ Farm.
The HDC recommended reusing some of the materials, and salvaging others including the pink panels. Commissioner van Balgooy strongly suggested noting something about the building’s role in women’s history and that women in the legal profession be incorporated into the public art program for the proposed development’s green space. They appreciated the photo documentation and also suggested incorporating something into the public art program about Women in the Legal profession. V. Glenview National Register Nomination: Discussion and Recommendation Staff Winstel presented his research and the format of the National Register nomination. The property had three distinct eras: the 19th Century Bowie Plantation, the early 20th century Lyons’ estate, and the last 50 years as the Rockville civic Center. The building and grounds as they currently exists will be nominated for the Lyons era (1926 – 1955), as an example of the Rockville Pike estates and a significance example of neo-Classical architecture and early 20th century estate landscape design. The 1926 renovations created a 5-part Palladian/Neo-Classical design. The property nomination includes 65 acres, with contributing and non-contributing elements. The grounds represent the juxtapositon of formal Colonial-era landscape treatments with the naturalistic designs of the early 20th century. The Landscape Architect was John Small III. The Architects were Irwin S. Porter and Joseph A. Lockie. The nomination cites Criterion A for the early 20th century social history; and Criterion C for the architecture and landscape: formal gardens in a “rustic” landscape setting. The integrity of setting is retained for this property due to the thoughtful siting of the civic center facilities at grades below the central mansion plateau area. The visual connection between the house and grounds is evidenced by the views from the two sleeping porches. Commissioner van Balgooy said he was delighted, and appreciated the City taking the step with its own property, using historic preservation tools to gain recognition of the City’s history. He asked that the nomination be revised to include more about the landscape and the role of the gardens with the house. He asked about the quarries. Staff said that Burgundy Estate and the Nature Center were two identified quarry sites. Commissioner Powell asked if there was a relationship to the Underground Railroad, as rumored. Staff responded that he doesn’t know of an UR relationship, noting that the Bowies owned slaves, and Mr. Bowie was a Unionist but not an Abolitionist. With a question about the environmental setting proposed as 65 acres, staff noted the benefits to the City, with Section 106 review required if federal funding is involved in any projects such as road widening along MD 28. It will also help to preserve the country setting. Staff noted this is strictly a National Register nomination and the HDC will not review/approve work here as they would if the site were locally designated. HDC does have a representative (Commissioner Moloney) on the Glenview Mansion Advisory Committee. Commissioner Powell asked about a black cemetery on the property. Staff noted that there is a known location of one along Avery Road, but it will be outside of the proposed environmental setting. Ms. McGuckian spoke to say that there is an 1888 map of the area that shows a “colored cemetery” along Avery Road. A local family member has been doing research and the City has been responsive. For the next step: this will be presented to the Mayor and Council on April 9, 2007, with a request for the Mayor’s concurrence with the HDC recommendation. The State review board, the Governor’s Consulting Committee, will be considering the nomination during their quarterly meeting, scheduled forGlenview on May 22, 2007 at 10 a.m. A motion to support this under Criterion A & C was proposed by Commissioner van Balgooy, and seconded by Commissioner Moloney. The motion passed unanimously. Staff Winstel noted that the City’s Recreation and Parks Department has been an excellent steward of this property and very thoughtful in the siting of the new non-contributing structures on the property. Without their leadership, the property would not exemplify the early 20th century estate era, which it does so well. VI. Montgomery County Historic Preservation Tax Credit Application [Consent Agenda] Applicant: Adams Center Partnership
Address: 27 Wood Lane
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: 4-0
VII. Discussion / Updates A. HDC Handbook: It’s complete and looks great! The HDC should find it useful. Thank you to staff.
B. Note April 1st deadline for the Montgomery County Tax Credit applications.
C. Request for ideas from the HDC for Town Center Time Capsule.
VIII. Minutes The minutes from Meeting No. 11-06, October 19, 2006; No. 1-07, January 18, 2007; and No. 2-07, February 15, 2007 were presented. No. 11-06, October 19, 2006 approved on Motion by Commissioner Powell; seconded by Commissioner Moloney; approved 3-0. [Commissioner van Balgooey abstained]. No. 1-07, January 18, 2007 approved on Motion by Commissioner van Balgooy; seconded by Commissioner Moloney; approved 3-0. [Commissioner Powell abstained]. No. 2-07, February 15, 2007 approved on Motion by Commissioner Powell; seconded by Commissioner Moloney; approved 3-0 [Commissioner van Balgooy abstained].
IX. Adjourn Question about the Boards & Commissions recommendations that went to M&C. Staff Ziek noted that the City Clerk will update staff at a meeting scheduled for March 22nd. Commissioner van Balgooey asked about the HDC nominating their own Chair, and Staff noted this will be addressed in the new Zoning Code. All the Rules of Procedure for all the Boards & Commissions will be revised after that. The HDC adjourned its regular meeting at 9:05 pm. | 
