After the site was designated as a Historic District, the HDC reviewed various proposals for rehabilitation of the house, with large rear and side additions.  When the HDC approved the proposed project (July 20, 2006), the applicant proceeded with the State tax credit application.  The State initially rejected the application as not meeting State standards.  After much effort and several meetings, the applicant revised the project to the point where the State is now committed to approve the project for the 20% historic preservation tax credits.  The applicant is therefore bringing this revised project back to the HDC for their review and approval. 

The project has been reduced in size and scale.  Design details have been simplified, and the rear porch reads more clearly as an enclosed porch, matching the proposed screened porch on the north elevation in design details. 

Commissioner Moloney noted some inconsistencies in the drawings:  the applicant, Ms. Eig, clarified that the elevations were correct by showing small windows in the proposed new bays on the north and south elevations.  These will be shown in the revised plan drawings. Commissioner Moloney also noted the windows on the south elevation could be better proportioned (taller, narrower) to better match that of the original windows.  He also noted that the bedroom in the basement would need an egress window. 

Commissioner McCool asked why the applicant proposed reducing the lot size at the same time as enlarging the house?  Ms. Eig noted that they have a full side yard on the west side, which will serve as their “back yard.”  She also noted that they wouldn’t have time to take care of a big lot, and this is similar to infill on Grandin/Baltimore/Reading.  She said they were dedicated to the preservation of their community, and they would not be building the largest house in the area.  Commissioner McCool reiterated a relationship between the house size and the lot size. 

Commissioner van Balgooy noted the State’s disagreement with HDC approval on the  proposed new siding.  Ms. Eig noted the State still has to agree on the proposed new chimney. 

Commissioner Moloney suggested the HDC write a letter to the State noting their continued support for the use of wood German siding that matches the original siding to play down the new work by blending in the old and new; perhaps use a different foundation material; and to suggest re-design of the windows to a proportion that better matches the original windows.  Staff will draft this letter for HDC consideration and signature. 

The HDC agreed to consider this application as a Courtesy Review for the most part, with the exception of a vote on the proposed demolition of the garage. 

MOTION: Commissioner van Balgooy made a motion to approve the proposed demolition of the 1960s garage.  Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 5-0

IV. EVALUATIONS FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE 
                      
A. Applicant: Jim Wolohan
Address:  406 Great Falls Road
Request:  Evaluate for significance  (for demolition inquiry)

Staff Kebba presented a summary of the staff report, noting that the applicant is considering “Substantial Alteration” of such a scale, that it actually constitutes “Demolition” of the existing house.  Staff is recommending against historic designation on the basis of loss of integrity and lack of significance to the City.  While associated with the well-known local families, Trail and Nicholson, this property is associated with later generations, two brothers specifically, who built the homes in the 1940s and are not noted specifically for their public contributions.

The building is the English Cottage style, and there are other representative examples in the City with higher level of integrity.  While the changes such as removing all the windows on the front can be changed with new windows of greater compatibility, “integrity” can’t be restored. 

The applicant, Mr. Wolohan, spoke about his prior plans to subdivide the property and build several new homes.  That plan has been withdrawn due to complications with the city’s APFO (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance).  He plans to build one larger home in the location of the existing house.  He doesn’t like the existing architecture and does not want to build an addition.

Other speakers:  Claire Whittaker (205 Evans Street) noted that she didn’t receive adequate notice, having only received her postcard the day before the meeting.  She also noted that staff had changed their position from 2 years ago and that confused her.  She asked the HDC to defer their decision.

Kavita Dawson (9 Dale Drive) noted that she was an adjacent property owner, and asked why staff had changed positions?  What will happen at the site if it’s not designated? 

Bridget Newton (10 Dale Drive) noted that she has worked with Mr. Wolohan on an addition to a house.  She feels the subject house is too small for a reasonable addition.  She said she had received her postcard in a timely manner. 

Staff Kebba reviewed this property two years ago and noted that, at that time, she was looking at a small historic district with both 406 and 408 Great Falls Road together.  A single-site historic district has to stand alone, and as such, the alterations of character-defining features (windows, siding, porch enclosures) is especially significant.  She also noted that the original subdivision had been replatted.  

MOTION: Commissioner van Balgooy made a motion to not recommend 406 Great   Falls Road to the Mayor and Council for single site historic designation, but asked the applicant to look at ways to re-use the house/building materials.  Commissioner Powell seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3-1-1  (Commissioner McCool voted against; Commissioner Moloney abstained)
Staff Winstel mentioned Habitat for Humanity for possible salvage of materials.  Mr. Wolohan said he is prepared to donate everything, including the almost new heat pump. 

B. Applicant:  Peerless Rockville (Nominator);  State of Maryland, GSA (Property owner)
Address:  99 Maryland Avenue (former Rockville Library)
Request:  Evaluate for significance 

Staff Winstel summarized the staff report, in favor of the proposed nomination of the former Rockville Library as a single-site historic district in the City.  He noted that, while the building is less than 50 years old, National Register Bulletin IX notes that International Style architecture is a category under which the National Register has been able to evaluate and list properties during the past 20 years, indicating that sufficient time has passed for the objective evaluation of the importance of the architectural style. 

The Rockville Public Library was completed in 1971 and was designed by noted Bethesda Architect, Stanley Arthur.  Common features of the International Style that are evidenced by the library include the continuous bands of windows and brick that wrap around the corners, the emphatic horizontality of the building, and the use of cantilevered spaces supported by seemingly disproportionate pilotis.  In addition, the manipulation of these architectural features on the irregular shaped, sloping lot emphasize the building’s volume over its weight and mass, a defining element of the International Style.

In addition, the building is culturally significant as the first permanent library building in the City of Rockville.  The library is a reflection of Rockville’s transition from a pre WWII small town to a desirable suburban family community for Washington DC’s well-educated and professional work force.  The first library in Rockville was organized in 1869 and consisted of 150 books in the law offices of Anderson and Bouic. In 1916, a small lending library was created and staffed by volunteers at the Woman’s Club. In 1921, the Rockville Library Association adopted articles of incorporation and formed a membership-based organization.  The library’s collection grew and in 1937 the library moved to the Rockville Academy and hired the first paid librarian.  Free use of the library for all of Rockville’s citizens was not granted until 1949.

Terry Lachin from Peerless Rockville made a brief presentation, noting that this building has been included in their Recent Past Survey, which is an on-going project from the past several years.  She noted too that this is the only County library in the International Style. 

Joan Zenzen, President of Peerless Rockville, spoke in favor of the nomination.  She noted that their Board has been following this very closely and is pleased to support the nomination for its architectural significance as well as for the important role it has played in the community over the past decades. 

[As the time was already past 10 pm, Commissioner van Balgooy made a motion to extend the meeting past 10 pm.  Commissioner Powell seconded this, and the vote was unanimous.]  

Chairman Hitchcock noted that the proposed designation was significant, and that the HDC would prefer to keep the record open until the meeting on June 21st to provide citizens with more opportunity to comment.  
 
V.   DISCUSSION/ UPDATES

A. Montgomery County Heritage Festival (“Rockville Rocks”), June 23, 2007 at Town Center Plaza

B. Governor’s Consulting Committee (GCC) meeting at Glenview Mansion on May 22, 2007, to consider the nomination of Glenview to the National Register of Historic Places, as well as to serve as host for the state’s GCC, a committee appointed by the Governor to advise the MHT on National Register nominations.  Staff Winstel will be attending. 

C. Montgomery County Tax Credit Application Summary for 2007:  Staff Kebba noted that there were 10 applications, totaling $82,191 in all.  10% of that will be credited back to the applicants as part of this historic preservation tax credit program. 

D. Maryland’s Annual Preservation & Revitalization Conference May 31 & June 1, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland.  Staff Winstel has taken care of HDC and staff registration.  The public is invited.

E. CANCELLED: Education session for Greater Area Associated Realtor Group; co-sponsored by MNCPPC and City of Rockville, Glenview Mansion, May 23, 2007.  To be re-scheduled for Fall 2007.

VI.   MINUTES:    Meeting No.  4-07, April 19, 2007

MOTION: Commissioner Moloney made a motion to approve the minutes of April 19, 2007 as written.  Commissioner McCool seconded the motion.
VOTE: 5-0 

VII.  ADJOURN

The HDC adjourned its regular meeting at 10:25 pm.