Meeting Minutes September 22, 2005
Glenview Mansion | Members Present: | | Chip Boylan | Bob Taylor | Terry Baker | Helen Heneghan | Kate Savage | George Sushinsky | Larry Eason | Eric Heckman | | | Members Absent: | | | None | | | Staff Present: | | Burt Hall | Michelle Bean | Lew Dronenburg | | Consultants Present: | | | Karen Carpenter | | | Citizens Present: | | Phyllis Marcuccio | | Eileen McGuckian |
Re: Approval of Minutes The minutes of the July 28, 2005 meeting were approved as presented.
Re: Citizens Forum Chip Boylan inquired about the tree appeal scheduled for this meeting. Burt Hall responded that resident Mark Chittum contacted him to let him know that he would not be able to make tonight's meeting concerning his tree appeal. He does plan to attend next month's meeting to appeal the type of trees that are intended for planting.
Re: Pump House Park Historic Designation Pump House - Robin Ziek, City Preservation Planner, presented the staff recommendation for re-zoning a portion of the Pump House Park as a single-site local historic district. Both the HDC and the Planning Commission previously reviewed the plans and recommended that the Mayor and Council approve the historic designation. The Historic Planner staff is seeking a positive recommendation from the Recreation and Park Advisory Board. Robin Ziek provided background information as follows: The Pump House has provided many public uses including pumping water citywide, providing electricity, serving as grounds for collecting and pumping local sewage to a treatment facility, serving as Public Works department headquarters, serving as City’s first Senior Center and as a local community center and public park. The Pump House Park is 1.2 acres in size. Staff is proposing to include approximately one-third of the park or 20,000 square feet surrounding the building, in the area to be designated. This does not include any of the active areas in the park, such as the basketball court and the playground.
Robin Ziek stated that the Historic District Commission does not have jurisdiction over uses of the facility. The facility will continue to be used as community center. Helen Heneghan asked if the Pump House is listed by the national historical trust. Robin Ziek stated that because it has been inventoried it would be listed under the historical trust. Helen Heneghan also asked how the Recreation and Parks Department staff feels about this recommendation. Burt Hall stated that the his staff works well with the HDC on other historic district sites such as the Beall Dawson House and Dawson Farm Park, particularly over the past several years when the Historic Planners have taken a more pro-active role in enhancing the interpretation and management of these sites. Burt Hall added that the Recreation and Parks Department staff supports the recommendation. Larry Eason inquired if a plaque would be installed on the building for historic designation. Robin Ziek stated that one would be created with the date of original construction. Robin Ziek added that a detailed brochure with information on the history of the building would be produced and made available at the center. Phyllis Marcuccio, West End resident, added that the Pump House was the original water and electrical system and one of the oldest structures in the City. Chip Boylan stated that at this time the Pump House is being used as citizens and Recreation and Parks staff would like. He has a certain concern about handing over the control of the facility to an entity other than the Mayor and Council, who answer to the voters. Phyllis Marcuccio added that they did not take into consideration the finer points of the facility such as who actually owns it. She added that there also is an abandoned/lost street near the Pump House named Mary Street. This street could be added to the park. Helen Heneghan recommended the Recreation and Park Advisory Board support the re-zoning of the proposed section of the Pump House Park and the building as an historic district. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Re: Civic Center Long Range Plan Designs Civic Center Superintendent Lew Dronenburg and Consultant/Engineer Karen Carpenter from Apex Corp. presented the latest draft of the Civic Center Long Range Plan designs. It was explained that these plans are responsive to the Civic Center Long Range Plan, as approved in July 2002 by the Mayor and Council. The primary focus at this time is designing improvements to the Glenview Mansion grounds in the areas of accessibility for pedestrians, handicap accessibility and parking, additional general parking, and traffic flow. Terry Baker asked how many other organizations and boards have seen the plans. Lew Dronenburg responded that the Cultural Arts Commission, the Mansion docents and the Historic District Commission have already reviewed the draft plans. Improvement 1 – Entrance: This improvement will add ADA parking for the F. S. Fitzgerald Theatre in the rear of the building. Apex is proposing a sidewalk at the Social Hall entrance as well as six handicap parking spaces (three on each side of entrance.) Burt inquired about the type of sidewalk would be installed. The recommendation is to use concrete, as it is the most accommodating for persons with handicapping conditions. Improvement 2 – Handicap Access to Theatre: This improvement will bring handicap parking closer to the theater. The improvement will also improve the slope of the entrance to the front of the building as well as allow for the passenger side of vehicles to be on the drop-off side. Improvement 3 - Theater Parking Expansion: This proposed improvement will add 39 parking spaces (net) by constructing another double row of parking on the east side of the lot (toward the field). The current curved configuration of the lot is inefficient for spaces; the proposed design calls for a rectangular shape. The current parking lot is also not structurally stable, as there is pavement directly on top of dirt. Bob Taylor inquired about the loss of trees that would occur if this improvement is made. Karen Carpenter stated that several crab apples and cherry trees on the east side of the lot will need to be removed and replaced. Lew Dronenburg stated that these trees are not in good shape. Currently the theater has a total of 91 parking spots; when the improvements are completed the total will be 142.Terry Baker inquired about moving the Farmers Market to the Theater parking lot? Burt Hall stated that currently it has been suggested to move the Farmers Market to the new Town Square development area. Improvement 4 - Main Parking Lot Expansion (South End): This proposed improvement will add 39 additional spaces to the main Civic Center lot below the Mansion on the south side. A median break will be added in the middle of the lot since the lot will be so long. Six spaces would be eliminated so the total net additional spaces would be 33. Storm water management and drainage problems will be improved as well. Improvement 5 - Parking Lot Expansion (North End): Fourteen spaces will be added at the north end of the main lot. This project is dependent upon the condition of the large Sycamore tree located adjacent to the Mansion. As long as this tree is alive, this improvement will not be constructed, as it will affect the tree’s critical root zone. Improvement 6 - Walk to Mansion: A sidewalk will be added from the Mansion to the overflow parking and tennis courts for easier and a safer access. Improvement 7 – Drop Off Zone at Mansion Main Entrance: This improvement will allow drop off to the front and back entrance of the Mansion. They will also move/replace one or more boxwoods. Improvement 8 – Handicap Parking at Mansion: The current handicap parking spaces behind the Mansion do not meet ADA standards. This improvement will provide code-compliant, handicap spaces and an unloading area for delivery trucks as well. Staff is also considering making one of the handicap spaces into a 15-minute parking spot, since the plans contain one more handicap spaces than required. Improvement 9 – Pedestrian Access to Mansion: This improvement will raise the sidewalk along the service drive from the Theater to the Mansion to protect tree roots.
Lew Dronenburg stated that on Saturday nights the parking lots are mostly maxed out, justifying the need for additional parking. It is often necessary to use the field behind the Mansion for overflow parking. Referring to the additional handicap parking, Burt Hall stated that weddings and wedding receptions, the most common social event uses of Glenview, bring the oldest members of the community out, creating a need for as many handicap spaces as possible and convenient and safe drop-off zones. Bob Taylor added that a major part of the proposed improvements are ADA-related, which will make the facility more accessible. Chip Boylan inquired if Lew Dronenburg was looking for a recommendation from the Board. Lew Dronenburg responded that this is still in draft form. Larry Eason asked when they would hear back with the next version of the plans. Lew Dronenburg will bring back the plans sometime in May. The question was asked if there were any significant issues raised by the other groups. HDC is supplying Lew Dronenburg with a list of concerns/questions. To date there has not been any major issues that were raised concerning the improvements. If there are any significant changes Lew Dronenburg will bring the plans back to the Board.
Re: Proposed Bench Locations Throughout the City Helen Heneghan had previously proposed to Burt Hall that it would be desirable to add benches on the sidewalks and in small City-owned green spaces in multiple locations around Rockville. The Board reviewed suggested bench locations developed by the Parks and Facilities Division staff. The consensus of the Board was that this was a good idea and the recommended locations were acceptable. Burt Hall stated that staff would propose a CIP project to provide funding for this program.
Re: Subcommittee Reports Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee - Bob Taylor inquired about the bike path near the city line on Baltimore Road past Rockville High School beyond the townhouses. Burt Hall responded that this improvement is scheduled for construction this fall. Bob inquired about plans to replace the surface on the bike path bridge at the bottom of the hill by Calvin Park,? Bob stated that the mat on the bridge makes it difficult to ride over. Burt Hall responded that the mat was installed at the request of a citizen, to make the bridge less slippery, and has been well received. Bob stated that there is a hole in the Twinbrook bike path behind the ballet center and a lot of glass that recently has been spotted. Burt Hall responded that the hole would be repaired and the glass cleaned up. Dog Park - Terry Baker mentioned a recent article on creating a fully compliant and safe dog park in the National Recreation and Parks Association magazine. Burt Hall responded to that the staff and the R-Dog Committee had seen this article and the new King Farm dog park would comply with most of the suggestions. Environmental Issues - none Fallsgrove - Next public review meeting for the Thomas Farm Community Center is scheduled for October 11 at 7 p.m., at Lakewood Elementary School. Glenview Mansion - Already done. King Farm - Bob Taylor inquired about the basketball court complaints. Burt Hall responded that the complaints have been far less numerous this summer. He stated that he was scheduled to meet with the King Farm Park Committee on Sept.1 but the previous day the committee disbanded and the meeting was cancelled. Lincoln Park Community Center - None. RedGate – George Sushinsky stated that the condition of the course has suffered due to the lack of rain over the past two months. Swim Center – Terry Baker reported that the pool had a safe summer and revenues are up substantially over last year, which was a record year. A new security system is being installed. All the existing locks will be replaced with security card type locks, which should be done by the end of the fall. TCRC - None. Town Center Park - None. Youth Sports - RFL is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with an event to be held on Saturday, October 15th at 2 p.m. at Dogwood Park. Bruno Paluch, who founded the league, will be present to say a few words and receive a plaque. This event will be in lieu of the homecoming event held the past two years. Last Saturday night the parking at Dogwood Park was backed up to the entrance of the park at Monroe Street. Tom Moore has resigned as the League President. Eric Heckman will take over this position for the remainder of the year. Also, there was a parental complaint regarding the actions of a coach that reached the Mayor and Council. The Board took care of the problem.
Re: Monthly Divisional Reports Included as an FYI.
Re: Old Business George Sushinsky inquired about the Twinbrook Playground program and the high number of registrants (100). He inquired whether this was due to the fact that there were no longer Playground programs at Hillcrest or Rockcrest Parks. Burt Hall responded that Twinbrook is usually one of the largest sites. The Hillcrest and Rockcrest sites were closed due to very low registration. Several years ago, a combined site was offered in which the program rotated between the two parks. There were not enough registrants to keep the sites open. Burt further explained that if a playground site has less than twenty registrants, it is cancelled or merged with another playground. Staff is willing to look at re-opening Hillcrest or Rockcrest in the future. Helen Heneghan inquired about progress on the 501(c)(3) foundation. Burt Hall stated that they are moving into the phase of forming a Board; and that Chip Boylan, Steve Edwards and Charlie Carriccio recently attended a meeting with staff to go over the next steps.George Sushinsky thanked the City for the renovations to the tennis court at Hillcrest Park. Chip Boylan asked if it would be beneficial to inquire with Richard Montgomery, Rockville or Wootton High Schools for a possible Teen Board member.
Re: New Business Larry Eason mentioned there is a new program on the Rockville channel that highlights the Recreation and Parks Department.
Re: Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at Fallsgrove Clubhouse.
| 
