Thursday, April 19, 2007
Rockville City Hall PRESENT | Con Hitchcock, Chairman | Anita Neal Powell | Max van Balgooy | Craig Moloney | Janet Hunt-McCool |
Staff present: Cindy Kebba, Jeff Winstel and Robin Ziek, Preservation Planners I. AGENDA REVIEW (7 – 7:30 p.m.): The work session included an agenda review and update. The business meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. Chairman Hitchcock opened the meeting and introduced the Commissioners and staff. He noted that the work session was limited to agenda review and discussion of administrative issues with staff. II. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. Chair Con Hitchcock introduced and welcomed new HDC Commissioner, Janet Hunt-McCool. B. Peerless Rockville – Suzanne Fisher presented the report for Peerless Rockville. Upcoming events to commemorate Historic Preservation Month in May include the annual Homes and Hospitality Tour on Saturday, May 12, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. This year’s event will focus on newer housing developments west of I-270, although homes featured on the tour span two centuries. Tickets may be purchased at Peerless Rockville’s office in the Red Brick Courthouse. Peerless will host the historic preservation awards reception at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 14 at City Hall. The reception will be followed by presentation of this year’s awards at the Mayor and Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. For more information on projects and activities call Peerless Rockville @ 301-762-0096 or see: www.peerlessrockville.org. C. Lincoln Park Historical Foundation – No report. For LPHF information see: www.aapc-md.org, call 301-251-2747, or send email to Lincolnparkhist@aol.com. D. Comments – Historic District Commissioners/ Staff: Jeff Winstel said that the 2007 Maryland Preservation and Revitalization Conference will be held at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland on May 31 and June 1. The Governor’s Consulting Committee will meet at Glenview Mansion on May 22. The Committee will be reviewing the National Register nomination for Glenview. The meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public.
III. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL and
VI. MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAX CREDITS The HDC agreed to vote on the entire consent agenda, consisting of the Certificate of Approval application and seven Montgomery County tax credit applications, at this time: A. HDC2007-00384 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Josh Capon
Address: 5 N. Adams Street
Request: Replace HVAC flue enclosure
Montgomery County Historic Preservation Tax Credit Applications A. HDC2007-00379 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Beth Modiano
Address: 212 West Montgomery Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination B. HDC2007-00380 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Janet Hunt-McCool
Address: 709 Grandin Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination C. HDC2007-00381 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Scott & Sally Robinson
Address: 400 W. Montgomery Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination D. HDC2007-00382 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Alex & Jayne Greene
Address: 11 Laird Street
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination E. HDC2007-00383 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Phyllis Morrow
Address: 227 W. Montgomery Avenue
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination
F. HDC2007-00385 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Michael & Christine Henry
Address: 315 Great Falls Road
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination G. HDC2007-00386 [Consent Agenda]
Applicant: Jeanne O’Meara & Bruce Plunkett
Address: 419 W. Montgomery Ave.
Request: Tax credit eligibility determination
There was no testimony on any of the applications. Chairman Hitchcock asked for a motion for the entire Consent Agenda. MOTION: Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve the projects on the Consent Agenda as per the staff reports. Commissioner Moloney seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0-1 (Commissioner Hunt-McCool abstained)
IV. Evaluations for Historical, Architectural or Cultural Significance Jeff Winstel noted that each of the following properties was nominated for local historic designation by their owners in response to an outreach letter sent by Mayor Giammo in August 2006. Each of the interested property owners was provided a detailed packet of information on the designation process, and the rights, responsibilities, and benefits of historic property ownership. A preservation staff member met with the owner(s) at each of the properties as well. Jeff thanked all of the owners for the nominations. A. Applicant: Michael and Jamie Meier
Address: 100 Lynch Street
Request: Nomination (via Mayor’s outreach letter 8/06) Jeff Winstel presented the staff report on the Wilt-Barnsley House at 100 Lynch Street. The house was built in 1926 and is being nominated for historical and cultural significance, Criterion B: identified with a person or group of persons who influenced society, and architectural and design significance, Criterion A: embodies the distinctive characteristics of a early 20th century vernacular house type, the Gable-front house type, typically containing Craftsman style elements. The house is representative of the Historic Resource Management Plan, Historic Context 6: Maturation and Expansion of the County Seat: 1873 – 1931. The 1926 Wilt/ Barnsley House is locally significant for its association with a noted local teacher, Lucy Barnsley, (commonly known as Miss Lucy), and is a strong example of a vernacular gable-front house type associated with Rockville’s early 20th century small-town era. Miss Lucy lived in the house with her daughter and son-in-law from 1945 until 1962. In addition to representing a popular vernacular house type, the Wilt/ Barnsley House has several Craftsman stylistic elements. Lot 1 in Block 7 of the 1890 West End Park subdivision was originally part of the land held by Harry Howes, a local carpenter and builder who resided next door at 104 Lynch Street. He sold the lot to William E. Wilt and Annie R. Wilt in 1925. The 1926 property tax assessment records indicate the construction of the house, valued at $3,000. The 1926 tax records for William E. Wilt’s property show an entry for a $500 automobile crossed out with the same color pencil that wrote in the $3,000 house. In 1940, their son, George E. Wilt, sold the property to Margaret H. Gardner. Five years later, Margaret H. Gardner and Buell M. Gardner sold the property to Fred and Virginia ( Barnsley) Maxwell. The property stayed in the Maxwell family for 54 years until 1999. Architecturally, the house evidences the economical, compact form associated with the house type, and Craftsman stylistic elements, such as the horizontal bands of windows, the exposed rafter ends, and the shed roof dormer. This house type is sometimes referred to as a “Homestead House” which was very popular in the 1920s and featured in many mail-order house catalogues. Although more predominant in early 20th century industrial cities, the house type is still significant to Rockville for its association with the rise of the middle class and increased access to home ownership. Lucy V. Barnsley is significant for starting the first summer program for “slow learners and problem boys” and taught three generations of Rockville students. Her work with the Retired Teachers Association resulted in retired teachers being able to work as substitute teachers in Rockville. In 1957 she was named the Maryland Mother of the Year and in 1961 was honored as the Outstanding Graduate of Maryland State Teacher’s College over a 60-year period. In 1966 the Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School was dedicated in her name, the first school in Montgomery County to be named for a woman. The primary alteration to the house is the large 1985 large rear addition and garage. The windows in the historic section are believed to be original. A rear detached garage depicted in the in the 1949 Sanborn Map has been removed. Commissioner Moloney asked if the cedar shingles were original to the structure. Staff was uncertain and remarked that cedar shingles were often used on these houses, but typically in combination with an alternate cladding material on a different level. Commissioner Moloney remarked that the windows in the sun porch appeared to replacements and staff agreed. Commissioner van Balgooy asked if alterations compromised the historic integrity and architectural significance. Staff replied that the massing and form were intact and most of the windows are original. The house clearly reads as a vernacular house type from the 1920s despite the large addition, which is not visible from the front façade. MOTION: Commissioner van Balgooy made a motion to recommend 100 Lynch Street to the Mayor and Council for single site historic designation based on Criterion A and Criterion B. Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 5-0 B. Applicant: Jennifer Ramarui
Address: 104 Lynch Street
Request: Nomination (via Mayor’s outreach letter 8/06)
Jeff Winstel presented the staff report on the Howes-Grossman House at 104 Lynch Street which was built in 1904 and associated with the early development of the West End Park subdivision and was the home of brothers Israel and Samuel Grossman, owners of DGS grocery store in Rockville from 1920 – 1960, and one of the original Jewish families in Rockville. Because the commercial section of early 20th century Rockville has been razed, the homes of the business owners are the few remaining buildings associated with this aspect of small town life. The house, although altered, has defining elements of Queen Anne architecture and is representative of the Historic Resource Management Plan, Historic Context 6: Maturation and Expansion of the County Seat: 1873 – 1931. The property is being nominated for historical and cultural significance C: exemplifies the cultural, economic, social, political or historic heritage of the County and its communities, and architectural and design significance A: embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction. The property conveyed from Ellen Thomas and Marcus C. Thomas of Washington to Bessie Howes in 1903 for $75, (the price of the lot) 8,925 square feet of land “Lot 3 Section 7 and heretofore known as the Julius West Farm and now known as the West End Park”. Property tax assessment records for 1904 indicate improvements on the lot valued at $650, with the total value at $725. Harry Howes was born in Maryland in 1874, according to his 1918 draft registration card. The 1910 census records state that he and Bessie L. Howes had been married for 10 years. They had two sons, Lloyd, born 1903, and Russell, born in 1905. The 1918 Nelson’s Directory lists Harry G. Howes as a carpenter living on Laird near Commerce. The 1920 census records identify Harry as a builder and carpenter. However, given his profession, it is reasonable to speculate that Harry Howes constructed his house on Laird (now Lynch) Street. With a new baby and another child anticipated, the Howes probably were seeking more spacious living quarters. There is no record to date to confirm that Harry Howes built his house. They lived at this location until 1926. After selling off adjacent lots they owned, they sold their house to brothers Israel and Samuel Grossman. The house was valued at $2,000, with the land valued at $200 and “other building” listed at $460. The Grossman brothers ran a grocery and dry goods store on East Montgomery Avenue from 1920 to 1960. They lived at the Lynch Street house until 1957. Will and Louise Stackhouse acquired the house and then conveyed it to Otis W. Beall and Hilma R. Beall. The deed indicates that the Bealls took out a mortgage with Northwestern Savings & Loan for $13,600. The house stayed in the Beall family until 1996 when it was acquired by Sara M. Donohue and David G. Sweiderk. The current owners, J. Dante and Jennifer Ramarui, purchased the property in 2002. Commissioner Moloney requested clarification on location of vinyl windows and alterations. Commissioner van Balgooy stated that some of the alterations that were made to the house during the period of significance (1904 – 1957) were not necessarily appropriate for the house, but would still be considered historic. Jennifer Ramarui was present and spoke in favor of designation. She and her husband have owned the house since 2002 and they have much respect for the house and its history. The house was featured on Peerless Rockville’s Homes and Hospitality Tour in 2006. She asked the commission about the process for making repairs and changes to the property. MOTION: Commissioner van Balgooy made a motion to recommend 104 Lynch Street to the Mayor and Council for single site historic designation based on Criterion A and Criterion B. Commissioner Moloney seconded the motion.
VOTE: 5-0 C. Applicant: Ruby Tyler
Address: 149 S. Adams Street
Request: Nomination (via Mayor’s outreach letter 8/06)
Cindy Kebba presented the staff report for the Tudor revival cottage at 149 S. Adams Street, owned by Mrs. Ruby Tyler. Mrs. Tyler and her husband Frank Tyler, Jr. purchased the property in 1940 after renting the house for about a year. The house was built in 1931 and is stucco over frame. It has a rectangular footprint and asymmetrical massing. There is a projecting front gable is on the north bay of the front façade and steeply pitched asphalt-shingled gable roof. Access is through the recessed flat arched entry with the original three light door. The front center bay contains a trio of six over six windows on the first floor, which is repeated in the dormer of the second floor. There is a brick chimney on the south end wall and a one-story family room addition on the south end that was built by owner Frank Tyler shortly after the Tylers purchased the house. The clapboard sided addition runs the length of the south façade and is flush with the front and rear of the 1931 portion of the house. The addition has a low-pitched side gabled roof. The house is in excellent condition and retains its architectural integrity. A granite mill stone is embedded in the concrete stoop in front of the north side door. We don’t know the origin of the mill stone, but historically there were several mills in the area and its probably local. It is not uncommon to use old millstones this way. The Tylers added a screened porch to the rear. There is a rear door from the kitchen that leads out to the porch. The second floor of the rear has a dormer with three single double sash windows. The foundation under the addition is poured concrete while the foundation for the original house is beveled concrete block. The yard slopes to the rear and is about one-third acre. It has numerous mature trees and plantings. The single car garage was built at the same time as the house and it is situated along the north property line behind the rear line of the house. Like most garages of its era, it is a small and simple structure. It has an asphalt-shingle end gable roof and is on a concrete block foundation. The lot of 149 S. Adams Street, lot 4, block 7, is a remnant of the large Rockville Heights subdivision, which was platted 1889/1890. The subdivision was planned to be like the contemporary West End subdivision with wide boulevards, circles and parks to attract upscale residential development. It never fully materialized and was slow to develop due to some litigation and economic depressions that also affected development in the West End in the 1890s. Few houses were built in the subdivision prior to the turn of the century. The area south of Rockville Academy on S. Adams Street was one of the last to be developed. The 1949 Sanborne map of S. Adams Street within the Rockville Heights subdivision show the location of the property close to the intersection with Maryland Avenue. About 80% of the houses on this block were built between WWI and WWII. Before this time, the street was unpaved and dead-ended at Maryland Avenue. The houses on two large lots there – the one immediately across the street, 140 S. Adams was built in 1905 and at 18 Maryland Avenue was built around the turn of the century. Their architecture represents the change in residential architecture that was taking place at the beginning of the 20th century. Amelia Higgins purchased lot 4 in block 7 in July 1890 and held onto it for 26 years before selling it to Luther Hoellman in 1916. Mr. Hoellman sold the lot to Norman Ingalls in 1931 and he hired a local builder, Charles West to build the house, likely from purchased plans. He rented the house to Frank and Ruby Tyler a few years after they were married and sold it to them in January 1940 for $7,500. Ruby Tyler was born in Poolesville in 1909. She is a member of longtime Maryland family Gott (also spelled Gau). The family moved to Rockville when she was 7 and she grew up a few blocks from her current home. She attended Richard Montgomery High School (when it was Rockville High School) and was responsible for naming the yearbook the Rocket according to an oral history. Richard Montgomery is still the home of the “Rockets” today. Her husband Frank Tyler, Jr. was born in Hyattsville. Frank Jr. practiced law in Rockville for 34 years. He was a president of the Rockville Rotary Club, the first president of the Park Street Elementary School PTA and served on the Board of Trustees for the Rockville United Methodist Church. He died in 1973. The Tylers raised three daughters at the house, two of whom live in Rockville. Staff concluded that 149 S. Adams Street meets the criteria for single site designation. It has architectural significance as an excellent example of revival style period design popular during this period. The house and garage are substantially unaltered and retain architectural integrity. The environmental setting is intact. The lot is an originally platted lot of the late 19th century Rockville Heights subdivision. The property has cultural and social significance with its long association with the Tyler family. Mrs. Tyler has been an owner-occupant for about 68 years. Her family (the Gotts /Gau) in particular is cited in Scharf’s History of Western Maryland as a prominent family and is associated with Maryland’s settlement history. Mr. Tyler was an active and involved member of the community as a Rockville attorney for more than 3 decades. He participated in and held leadership roles in several community organizations. The Tyler family also has a long history in Rockville and Maryland. The property is associated with Historic Context #6 of the Historic Resources Management Plan, “Maturation and Expansion of the County Seat” and is identified in the 1986 Plan as a historic resource. It has also been listed in our Historic Buildings Catalog, published in 1989. Commissioner van Balgooy asked about the period of significance. It was agreed that the architectural period of significance is 1931- World War II but that it has cultural/social significance associated with its long-time owners that extends beyond this period. MOTION: Commissioner McCool made a motion to recommend 149 South Adams Street to the Mayor and Council for single site historic designation based on Criterion A and Criterion B. Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 5-0
V. COURTESY REVIEWS A. Applicant: City of Rockville, Civic Center
Address: 603 Edmonston Drive
Request: Recommendation to Planning Commission; circulation and parking alterations
Planner Jeremy Hurlbutt identified the nine parking/circulation alterations that are planned at a concept level for the Civic Center property. He showed an aerial view alongside the plan for each alteration via PowerPoint. The HDC expressed concerns over the large amount of impervious surface and the loss of a substantial number of mature trees. On alteration #1, Commissioner van Balgooy suggested that the sidewalks be more curvilinear and less formal. Commissioner Moloney recommended that a grading solution be explored for the parking spaces that abut the north end of the mall, as opposed to the stone wall with seating treatment depicted on the plans. Commissioner Hunt-McCool stated that the plans call for the removal of 45 mature trees and expressed concern regarding the cumulative impact of this on the vistas and wooded setting. Site Superintendent Moran stated that great care was used selecting the trees to be removed. Planner Hurlbutt stated that trees would be replaced. Commissioner Hunt-McCool requested that consideration be given to permeable materials for sidewalks. On alteration #7, Commissioner Moloney would like to retain the boxwoods. Staff Winstel agreed and noted that the symmetry of the boxwoods create an intended balance for the neoclassical façade and is important. The HDC suggested that the landscaped island (alteration #8) could be reduced in size and the single parking space there eliminated which would result in less asphalt in this area. Commissioner Moloney strongly suggested that, in addition to eliminating the parking space in the island, the turning radius be reduced to 30’ which will accommodate a truck. Kathleen Moran, Civic Center Supervisor, provided insight as to how the mansion is used for a variety of events and the array of parking and circulation needs. Commissioner van Balgooy said that he was impressed with the improvements that have been made to the design since the last time the HDC reviewed this proposal and with the efforts being made to balance the desires of the many different groups that have an interest in the property, along with the engineering complexities of these improvements. Planner Hurlbutt said that the concept plans are scheduled to go to the Planning Commission in May for its review. Apex Engineering will provide cost estimates based on the final recommendation. B. Applicant: Associated Properties, Inc.
Address: 500 W. Montgomery Avenue
Request: Chestnut Lodge: Install storm windows in Lodge and Little Lodge; Change railing material at Little Lodge; enlarge door opening and replace door at Little Lodge
Cindy Kebba presented the two changes the applicant would like to make to application HDC 2006-00369 that was approved in October 19, 2006 for the Little Lodge on the Chestnut Lodge site. The first request is a change of material for the east porch roof deck railing, from metal to wood. Staff noted that wood was discussed favorably at the July 2006 Courtesy Review but that metal had been approved for the Certificate of Approval. The second request was to enlarge a second story door from the master bedroom to the roof deck and replace the existing single door with a double French door. This request was made to allow more sunlight into the bedroom which only has one north-facing window in addition to the door. Staff said that preservation guidance discourages changing door/window openings and that enlarging this opening would upset the symmetry of the second floor fenestration. The third request was to allow exterior metal storm windows on the Little Lodge and Woodlawn (formerly the Main Lodge) windows. Staff noted that the proposed storms meet the conditions of the Technical Guides. Soo Lee-Cho, attorney for the applicant, introduced Martin Howell, an architect with Oehrlein and Associates. Mr. Howell stated that the applicant had received confirmation from former owner Tony Bullard that the roof deck railing on the Little Lodge had originally been wood. Mr. Howell stated that the master bedroom is very dark and his job is to create livable space. He said that the double door would be minimally visible to passing vehicles and pedestrians because of the landscaping and reforestation planned for the area between the new road and the east façade of the house. The HDC agreed that the material change for the railing and the storm windows were acceptable but was concerned about enlarging the door opening. Commissioner Moloney said that widening the opening would have a negative impact of the symmetry of the east elevation of the Little Lodge. He said the proposed double door is an inappropriate contemporary element and, as shown in the plans, not well-positioned on the façade. He said a single leaf French door would be better. Commissioner Van Balgooy said that a double door was approved on the first floor because it would be well hidden by the screening on the porch. Owner Morton Levine invited the commissioners and staff to the property to get a better view of the setting and views. Staff will arrange a site visit. Staff Ziek suggested that the applicant consider other things, such as introducing a central window between the existing windows and door to retain the symmetry of the façade. She noted that this would not follow strict preservation guidance either but might be worth considering. Another possibility is a narrower French door than that proposed. VII. Discussion / Updates A. Status Update, 702 Maple Avenue Designation, adopted March 26, 2007.
Robin Ziek commended the owner for the improvements he has made to the house and showed photographs of the exterior work that has been completed. B. Montgomery County Heritage Festival (“Rockville Rocks”), June 23, 2007
Jeff Winstel presented the preliminary plans for the festival which will include a rocking chair making demonstration, exhibits on mining in Rockville, the archaeology pit will be open at Beall Dawson House, Peerless will lead architectural walking tours and have gravestone rubbings at the Baptist Cemetery, and the town center plaza will have stone sculpting demonstrations. There will also be an exhibit on prehistory, and at 4:00 o’clock DinoRocks! will perform in concert. C. Education session for Greater Capital Area Associated Realtor Group; co-sponsored by MNCPPC and City of Rockville, Glenview Mansion, May 23, 2007.
Cindy Kebba said that Park and Planning, the GCAARG, and the City of Rockville are co-sponsoring this three-hour educational session, which is intended to better familiarize the local realtor community with the responsibilities and benefits of historic property ownership in Montgomery County and in Rockville.
VIII. Minutes Meeting No. 3-07, March 15, 2007
Commissioner van Balgooy noted that he was inaccurately identified as HDC Chair on the first page of the minutes and staff responded that it would be corrected in the approved minutes.
MOTION: Commissioner Moloney made a motion to approve the minutes of March 15, 2007 as amended. Commissioner van Balgooy seconded the motion.
VOTE: 4-0-1 (Commissioner Hunt-McCool abstained)
IX. Adjourn The HDC adjourned its regular meeting at 10:25 pm. | 
