Re: Minutes

Minutes of the September meeting will be changed to reflect the following: 

George Sushinsky stated that on page 6 under RedGate that it should read "George Sushinsky also stated that the course was not busy on Friday afternoon as it is during the other weekday mornings when the rates are lower.”

Minutes of the October meeting were approved as presented.

Re:  Citizens' Forum

None. 

Re:  Staff Report

Burt Hall shared with the Board several follow up items from last month’s meeting. 

The two open board positions are being advertised in Rockville Reports.

The site distance problem negatively affecting the safety of pedestrians and cyclists,  caused by several large bushes in the median at the (southern) Edmonston Drive-Veirs Mill Rd., has been fixed.  The bushes were removed.

Bob Taylor and George Sushinsky recommended that the designated bike route on the west side of the Veirs Mill Road at Edmonston Drive be altered to encourage cyclists to go through Hillcrest Park to connect to the (northern) Edmonston Drive-Veirs Mill Rd. intersection.  The proposal was relayed to the City’s Transportation Division staff.  The signs have not yet been put up because they are studying all options.]

A follow up letter was sent to the Halifax Court residents who filed the street tree appeal heard at the September meeting.   

Re: Recreation and Parks Foundation - 501(c)( 3)

Chris Henry was present to brief the Board on the status of the Recreation and Parks Foundation. To date there are three individuals who have volunteered to form the beginning of the Board of Directors, Patrick Smith, Steve Edwards, and Kevin Bradley.  Charlie Carroccio is also interested in being a board member, but has not been able to attend a meeting of the group.  They are currently working on the incorporation papers, by-laws and 501(c)(3) application with assistance from the City Attorneys Office. They are also doing research on other similar foundations, to learn what works and doesn’t work.  Kevin Bradley is working on filing papers to the IRS. 

Chris Henry went on to say that the PROS plan project will be helpful to the new board in developing plans for the goals and objectives, and action steps for the foundation. The next step will be to recruit additional Board members.  They are looking to have a total of nine to thirteen members on the Foundation Board.

Once the Board is fully populated they will meet with the Recreation and Park Advisory Board and then with the Mayor and Council, to discuss their proposed goals and objectives, to hear feedback, and to make sure all parties are on board with the plans for the first year of the Foundation.  Some of these steps can be accomplished simultaneously once the 501(c)(3) status is finalized.  Terry Baker asked when would they become incorporated.  Chris Henry replied probably in January of 2008. 

Bob Taylor inquired about the Foundation’s reporting procedures.  Chris Henry replied that they would be an independent entity, although there is certainly a commitment to close cooperation with the Recreation and Park Advisory Board, the Mayor and Council and City staff.  The bylaws and the mission state that the Foundation is set up to support the programs and parks of the Rockville Recreation and Parks Department. 

Kate Savage inquired if it is appropriate for one of the Recreation and Park Advisory Board members to participate on the Foundation Board.  Burt Hall replied that he thought that was a good idea. Kate Savage stated that she would like to see follow-up on the protocol for a Recreation and Park Advisory Board member to participate on both Boards.

Re: Pepsi Contract

Chris Henry shared with the Board the contract details with Pepsi.  The City received $258,000 over seven years. The contract ends at the end of December 2007.  One of the concerns that has come up is the negative nutritional value of serving soft drinks at all our facilities.  The staff is seeking the Board’s opinion and would like to hear any concerns they may have regarding the distribution of sodas throughout the City’s facilities and events.

Chip Boylan asked if RBBA and RFL participated in the contract as well.  Chris Henry stated that they did participate under the City’s contract.  She went on to say that the service has been poor over the past seven years and the City will most likely not want to renew Pepsi’s contract.  Chip Boylan added that the City currently sells alcoholic drinks and unhealthy food at special events and RedGate.  He does not think that they we have to be everyone’s big brother.  There should be some freedom of choice.  The children are getting the money from their parents to purchase these “unhealthy” items.  Chip Boylan added that as long as we offer numerous choices such as water then the choice is theirs.  Marsha Douma stated that 100% juices and water should be available for children to choose them.  She also added that the sport drinks are far worse than sodas for your teeth.

Kate Savage stated that there are no locations in the city that offers sodas where there is not parental guidance.  George Sushinsky (who was absent) submitted a written note to the Board stating his recommendation was to go with “Option A” from the staff recommendation, which is:  “Do not provide soft drinks at any City facilities or special events.”  His reasoning was that soft drinks are essentially unhealthy. 

Bob Taylor added that he would like to continue the sponsorship and let citizens make their own choices.  Kate Savage shared with the Board a document on healthy choices of snacks for kids.

Bob Taylor made a motion to recommend that the City pursue a new contract with a soft drink vendor for sponsorship and revenue from vending machines.  He added that the vendor should be required to provide water, milk and juice in the machines, and that the contract should include a clause for performance in maintenance and filling the machines as expected.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.   

Re: Zoning Ordinance

Jim Wasilak, Chief of Planning, Katie Mencarini, Planning Technician, David Hill, representative from the Planning Commission, and Christina Ginsberg, RORZOR Member, were present to discuss the City’s proposed new zoning ordinance.

Jim Wasilak stated that the current zoning ordinance was created in 1975 and has been amended over 200 times since adopted.  The document was no longer meeting Rockville’s needs as it was created when the focus was on developing “green fields,” primarily former farmland.  The zoning ordinance is the City’s law regarding land use.  The overall thrust of the new zones is based on the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan.

The land use rules for existing residential subdivisions will be in essence staying the same.  New limits on construction will include mansionization policies.  The maximum height of a home will be reduced from 35 feet to 32 feet and a new standard on how heights are measured has been included.  Limits on the floor area ratio (F.A.R.), the ratio between built area and lot area, is recommended to be 3.5 per lot.  This will limit the proportional overall floor area of a house, and prevents builders from covering too much of their lot with impervious construction.  There is also a specific restriction on the amount of impervious surface allowed on a lot; 40% impervious area for a lot in the R-60 zone would be the maximum allowed in the front yard so that you cannot pave your entire front yard.

Larry Eason inquired if this all passes what happens with the existing homes.  Jim Wasilak stated that the new ordinance will apply and that existing homes that do not comply with these rules will be considered non-conforming uses.  They would only have to be brought into compliance if the house was being nearly completely rebuilt. 

Bob Taylor asked how this plan would benefit the parks.  Jim Wasilak replied that all developments in mixed-use zones would be required to donate 20% of the land for public use.  Jim Wasilak added that the creation of a Park Zone will mean that any consideration of changing the land use would now require a public hearing.  Bob Taylor asked if the greenways proposed by the Board are being considered in the new ordinance and if so, in what zone would they be placed.  Burt Hall stated that the greenways run along the City rights-of-way so they are not in a zone.

Jim Wasilak pointed out on the new zoning map that the zones in purple are called Planned Development zones, examples of which are the King Farm and Fallsgrove areas. These areas have their own zoning rules due to the fact that they were approved under special land use rules. The parks in the Planned Development Zones will not be placed in the new Park Zone.  It was also recommended by the RORZOR committee that recreational areas on public school land be mapped to the park zone. The school building would remain in the residential zone.

Bob Taylor inquired about the old Lone Oak school property.  Could someone buy out the property and redevelop it.  Burt Hall stated that technically they could but they would have to have the approval of Planning Commission to proceed.  Christina Ginsberg added that the agencies currently using the old Broome Jr. High school are going to be moving out in about two years and that site may be redeveloped with new uses.
 
Terry Baker inquired about how specific the land use rules should be in the Park Zone section.  If current land uses are listed specifically, what happens when a new proposed use comes along such as an ice skating rink?  Katie Mencarini replied that the Planning staff recommends not itemizing too specifically all of the specific uses as this could have the effect of not allowing a use that did not make the list. An “etc” is not an appropriate word use in the ordinance because it is not defined and has the effect of allowing any and all uses. Terry Baker suggested “and similar uses” might be better. 

Marsha Douma inquired about the source of the park zone wording.  Jim Wasilak replied that it is unique to the proposed Rockville ordinance.  Bob Taylor asked about the impact of gas lines in areas that are being redeveloped.  It was stated that each of the pipelines crosses multiple zones and properties; the land use is governed by easements with each property owner.

The new zoning ordinance will be going before the Planning Commission on January 23rd.  Work sessions will be held to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council shortly thereafter.

Marsha Douma asked what is the latest date to submit changes to the ordinance?  Currently the original park zone is still in draft form.  The Board needs to settle on a final draft before Kate Savage testifies before the Planning Commission in January.

Burt Hall suggested that he send to all Board members the current draft of the zoning ordinance so that everyone can provide their proposed changes.

Re: Vehicle and Bulk “Green” Purchasing

Included as FYI.

Re: MNCPPC Twinbrook Sector Plan

Included as FYI.  Chip Boylan suggested that the Board send a letter to the County in the support of parkland.

Re: Master Street Tree Plan

Burt Hall reminded the Board that they would like to change the wordage to the street tree appeal letter.  Burt Hall included the current letter and asked for suggested changes.  He will send out the letter electronically to the Board and any member is encouraged to provide additional suggested edits.

Chip Boylan stated that the letter is still somewhat misleading because the Board in almost all cases is not going to recommend changing the designated specie on a street.  He added that the goal for the letter is to be more realistic and to reduce the need for residents to go through so much work for the appeal if there is little chance of approval.

Burt Hall stated that at the last Board meeting the concept was raised of changing the policy to allow more than a single specie on each street.  Kate Savage stated that not having all the same species on a street doesn’t give you the proper streetscape feeling.   Marsha Douma stated that it gives diversity to each street.  Terry Baker stated that it would make it very difficult to create a policy where everyone was able to choose his or her own street tree.  By consensus, the Board recommended maintaining the basic policy of a single specie of tree for each street and a diversity of species within each neighborhood.
Re:  2008 Meeting Locations

Suggested meeting locations for 2008.
January – City Hall
February – LPCC
March – Croydon Creek
April – Pump House
May – RedGate
July – RMSC
September – Arts and Innovation Center Rooftop Terrace
October – Twinbrook
December - Glenview

Re:  Sub-Committee Reports

Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee – None.

Environmental Issues – Marsha Douma attended the Rockville Pike public meeting.  She stated that the transportation consultant was fabulous.  One of the concerns brought up by the citizens was the danger of walking along Rockville Pike.  There are very few accommodations for pedestrians.

Fallsgrove – None.

Glenview Mansion – Larry Eason reported that the Subcommittee met earlier this week.  A majority of the money to purchase new furniture is located in the Mansion fund.  In past years $15,000 has come each fiscal year from revenues generated by daytime conferences.  If approved, this amount will be increased to $20,000 annually.  The paneling in the dining room is currently being renovated.

King Farm - None.

Lincoln Park Community Center - None.

RedGate - None.

Swim Center – Terry Baker stated that bids were recently sent out for the construction of the meeting and fitness room addition.  They are due back January 8th.  The women’s locker room also had new lockers installed.

TCRC - None.

Town Center Park - None.

Youth Sports - None.

Recreation and Park Foundation – Already done.

PROS Plan – None.

Re:  Monthly Divisional Reports

Included as FYI.

Re:  Old Business/New Business

Larry Eason asked which Mayor and Council would be our new liaison for Park Board.  Burt Hall stated that the policies and procedures for Mayor and Council interaction with the Boards and Commissions are under review and there are no liaison assignments as of yet. 

Re:  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 24, 2008 at City Hall.