Historic District Commission
Minutes
Meeting No. 04-2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Rockville City Hall
| PRESENT | |
| Max van Balgooy (Chair) | |
| Craig Moloney | Janet Hunt McCool |
| Anita Neal Powell | Jeremy Tucker |
Staff present: Robin Ziek, Preservation Planner; Jim Wasilak, Chief of Planning
I. The Agenda Review began at 7:00 pm. The HDC and staff reviewed the upcoming agenda; no decisions were made. The formal meeting began at 7:30 p.m.
II. CHAPTER 5 BUILDING CODE UPDATE AND GREEN REVISION
HDC and Rec & Park Advisory Board and staff (Burt Hall, Director of Rec & Parks) in attendance for an update by staff on the revisions to the building code. Presentations were made by Susan Swift, Director, Community Planning and Development Services; and Nate Wall, Environmental Specialist. Charlie Baker, Chief of Inspection Services, was on hand to answer questions. The presentation summarized the proposed revisions to the building code. The goal is to bring it up to date, to meet required state standards, and to direct the City towards “Green” practices in the built environment. Article 14 focuses on Green for new buildings; Article 13 covers Existing Buildings. The City is encouraging Home Energy Audits. There is a program called HELP (Home Energy Loan Program) for homeowners, where loans are tied to the property and would convey if the property is sold. Maryland Energy Administration certifies energy auditors; currently only 35 are certified. Comments requested by end of May. Draft will be revised for June 15th Mayor and Council review. Then there will be another revision, and further comments solicited throughout the summer.
III. COMMITTEE / ORGANIZATION REPORTS
A. Peerless Rockville - Peerless Rockville Director, Mary van Balgooy, presented the update. Peerless is receiving 2 awards for the restoration of Frieda’s Cottage, from Maryland Historical Trust and Montgomery Preservation, Inc.; the Extreme Green Tour was a great success. See RockvilleLiving.com for photos and a story; their 30th annual Preservation Awards Ceremony will be held June 11, at the Red Brick Courthouse, at 7:30 pm. A speaker will discuss “Are Historic Buildings Green?”; they will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Montrose Schoolhouse on June 13 from 11 am – 2pm, at 5721 Randolph Road. For more information, contact Peerless Rockville at 301-762-0096 or www.peerlessrockville.org.
B. Lincoln Park Historical Foundation – Commissioner Anita Neal Powell presented the report. They sent a petition to the Montgomery County Board of Education to urge the naming of Clarksburg Elementary School No. 8 for Mr. William B. Gibbs, Jr. Mr. Gibbs was a principal at the Rockville Colored Elementary School; first president of the Montgomery County branch of the NAACP, and he successfully sued Montgomery County for equal pay for African-American school teachers. His attorney was Thurgood Marshall. Mr. Gibbs is included in Rockville’s African-American Heritage Walking Tour, and a street is named after him in the Rockville Town Center; the LPHF will host the 118th Anniversary of the Lincoln Park Community on June 6. “Lincoln Park Day” will be held at the Lincoln Park Community Center at 357 Frederick Avenue. It will start at 10 am, and include games, arts and crafts, softball, etc.; The Maryland African-American Heritage Preservation Award for 2009 is now available. For more information on the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation or the Leroy E. Neal African American Research Center, see Lincolnparkhist@aol.com or call 301-251-2747.
C. Public Comments/Open Forum
D. Comments – HDC Staff - MD Statewide Preservation Conference; 3 more African-American Plaques posted; our second Preserve America Grant will hopefully be funded in the FY10 federal budget.
Chairman van Balgooy noted that he attended a reception in Washington for Preserve America, and Rockville was recognized. He also wanted to recognize and mourn the recent death of Wayne Goldstein, President of Montgomery Preservation, Inc., and community activist.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Items removed the Consent Agenda: IV-D (Commissioner McCool); and IV-B (Commissioner Tucker).
1) Approve April 16, 2009 Minutes; HDC2009-00457; HDC2009-00462; HDC2009-00468 as per the staff report.
MOTION: Commissioner Tucker moved for approval; Commissioner Powell seconded.
VOTE: 4-0 Approved (Commissioner Moloney not yet arrived)
2) Approval of HDC2009-00466 as per staff report. Commissioner McCool recused herself.
MOTION: Commissioner Tucker moved for approval; Commissioner Powell seconded.
VOTE: 3 - 0 – 1 Approved (Commissioner McCool abstained; Commissioner Moloney not yet arrived)
HDC2009-00460: Commissioner McCool asked staff if there was any additional information on the break-down of eligible and in-eligible expenses. Staff noted the break-down was presented by the applicant. Commissioner McCool asked that, in the future, there be more support for this type of break-down whether it be by square footage, contractor’s bill, or by staff.
3) Approval of HDC2009-00460 as per staff report.
MOTION: Commissioner Tucker moved for approval; Commissioner McCool seconded.
VOTE: 4 - 0 – 1 Approved (Commissioner Moloney arrived after the discussion; too
late to vote)
V. EVALUATION FOR SIGNIFICANCE
A. HDC2009-00456 (Continued)
Applicant: Iglesia De Dios (Pastor Rodriguez)
Address: 224 Elizabeth Avenue
Request: Evaluation in response to Demolition Permit
Commissioner Moloney recused himself as he is the project architect, and left the room.
Staff Ziek made a brief presentation on new information since the April HDC meeting. She noted a significant history, as a grocery store in association with Mr. Ricks’s theatre on Frederick Avenue, but stated the building did not retain integrity for this association. Regarding the association with Mr. Curry, the first African-American to serve on the Rockville Council, and his wife, Mrs. Irene Snowden Curry, they had already moved from the house when he was elected to the Council.
Mrs. Virginia Cooper, of 205 Ashley Avenue, noted a few mistakes in the staff report. Letha E. Payton was her mother. She faulted staff for failing to locate her or her sister, as they still live in Lincoln Park, and have now for 50 years. Her family lived in the theatre building, and moved out of it when Mr. Stern bought the property. He gave them the small grocery store building to use as a house if they could move it, and they accomplished that with the help of the community. The building was moved with her grandmother sitting in the house! Rev. Davis and Mr. Cooper helped Mrs. Payton throughout the process. She acquired the property with assistance from her brother, and renovated it for a residence. They added the front structure of the house. She is also concerned with loss of residential property and residential character of the neighborhood. She’s concerned that this loss might continue as the church expands.
Chair van Balgooy noted that the HDC doesn’t review land use, but the Planning Commission does.
Beryl Williams, 206 Elizabeth Avenue, noted that she attended the April 16th hearing. She would like to see the house remain as affordable housing in the community. There are other parking lots in the neighborhood, and she’s not happy with the loss of a house. She also noted that there were existing tutoring programs already in the neighborhood, and concerned with expansion at the 900 Westmore Avenue property (Iglesia De Dios). Where does it end?
Mrs. Anita Sumerour, 715 Douglass Avenue, spoke and thought that the property did retain two elements of integrity: feeling and association. She would like to see the house retained to continue to tell its story. Part of that story was the determination of people in Lincoln Park to have decent housing.
Chair van Balgooy asked about the zoning, and Chief of Planning, Jim Wasilak, noted that it is R-60 and churches are permitted in this zone.
Commissioner Tucker asked when the building became vacant. People in the audience surmised about five years. He also asked when the church bought it, and staff noted that the church isn’t listed as the owner of record on the State Property report, which states the owner as the US Bank National Association Trust.
Commissioner McCool noted that she visited the property. She thought one could support the case for historic significance, and that the period of significance for Lincoln Park goes into the 1950s.
Commissioner Tucker asked if the concept of significance came into play in terms of whether or not this was any different from any other site in Lincoln Park?
Commissioner van Balgooy thought it could be found significant for Criterion I-C: exemplifies the cultural, economic, social … history of the community.
Commissioner Powell asked if it could meet only one Criterion, and the Chair noted that it can be found Significant with only one Criterion.
While Commissioner Tucker wondered how the house reflected its significance, the Chair noted that it may not reflect an actual “event” but a pattern of life.
MOTION: Commissioner Powell moved to recommend 224 Elizabeth Avenue for designation on the basis of Criterion I-C. Commissioner McCool seconded.
VOTE: 3-1-1 Approved (Commissioner Tucker opposed; Commissioner Moloney recused).
VI COURTESY REVIEW
A. Pump House - HDC2009-00469
Applicant: City of Rockville (Betsy Thompson, Project Manager)
Address: 401 S. Horners Lane
Request: Renovation of building; exterior and interior alterations
Staff Ziek introduced Betsy Thompson, Superintendent of Recreation, Rec & Parks Department, City of Rockville. She noted that she is included in the project team, and has been providing HP support and input. Ms. Thompson summarized the project, and their development of two options with the community, including regular building users. The HDC will review a future Certificate of Approval, for exterior alterations proposed (compatible new doors, restoration of original window openings/window 2/2 fenestration).
The HDC was supportive of the proposal. A suggestion to maximize the new ceiling in the Community Room by displaying the steel beam as such was provided.
VI. Discussion
A. The HDC thought their meeting with the Planning Commission on April 15, 2009 went very well. Commissioner Powell suggested that, after they meet with the Environmental Commission, they should plan to meet with Cultural Arts as well.
B. The HDC requested specific information about meeting with Rockville Environmental Commission. Staff will have more information in May, for a proposed June meeting.
VII. Adjourn: The HDC adjourned at 9:57 pm.