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Historic Rockville MINUTES November 4, 2004 Committee Present: Lucinda Hall, Chair, Fran Hawkins, Wilma Bell, Bessie Corbin, Anita Summerour, Beryl McWilliams, Dorothy Prather, James Wilburn, and Terry Lachin, Peerless Rockville. City of Rockville staff members present: Judy Christensen and Shelby Spillers, Planners. Chairperson Hall opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. asking for approval of the minutes and any changes to the agenda. The minutes were approved as submitted and no changes were offered to the agenda. I. 2nd Discussion and direction for draft broad community guidelines Planner Judy Christensen said that Lincoln Park Guidelines will include the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation for basic guidance, Lincoln Park Community Preservation Standards for overall standards, and Lincoln Park Design Guidelines for best practices in renovation and building. The Committee reviewed the draft Standards guidelines (attached) with the following changes approved: Fences: 6 to 8 foot privacy (stockade) fences are strongly discouraged in Lincoln Park to preserve the original park-like open setting, a characteristic of the community. Privacy barriers in the form of shrubbery, arbors, or open fencing combined with shrubbery or vines may be an alternative. Galvanized chain link fences are strongly discouraged in front or side yards. A black or green vinyl coated chain link fence combined with hedging is preferred if chain link is requested. The maximum height of new construction should be equivalent to that of the new house at 211 Lincoln. It was noted that Lincoln Park has many two-story houses, but most have low-pitched roof, which keeps the actual height much lower than modern houses that are often more than 35 actual feet tall. The topic of contributing structures and how changes to them should be regulated was resolved as: A list should be made that categorize them as significant structures to the history of the community and recommend following the best practices in the design guidelines as well as the Community Preservation Standards. Designation for these houses should be encouraged as well. The design guidelines will not be mandatory. As yet, there is no designated reviewing body. As for the question of how people will be informed of the requirements and suggestions, staff said that the Community Preservation Standards and the Design Guidelines will be available at City Hall and at the Community Center, and the properties will be flagged within the City’s permitting system to show that special guidelines apply. II. Work Session on house histories and significant properties Planner Shelby Spillers said the architectural history and styles had been revised from the first meeting to better follow the chronological history of the community. The three period of significance that staff identified were: First Period of Significance 1891-1926 (few resources remaining) Griffith and Dodd property sold in parcels to the Davis Family, Shelton Family, Galilean Fisherman, and others. Second Period of Significance – 1926-1949 (Greatest growth period and remaining resources) Third Period of Significance – 1949-1970 The committee concurred with the basic periods of significance but added several other events that influenced growth in the 2nd period of significance. These should appear as themes in the history. Employment Opportunities – The Federal Government began to open more jobs to African Americans Transportation- The railroad, bus systems, and better roads allowed people to travel to the District of Columbia and other locales for employment. Rockville was strategically located on transportation routes. The GI Bill – Military veterans were able to obtain low interest mortgages to finance new homes An informal oral history discussion ensued on the “Welsh” and “England” rental houses as well as other landowners and properties that were considered significant. The changing nature of Lincoln Park was analyzed as changing in types of outbuildings and fencing and also that the population was becoming much more diversified and the knowledge of its history and the efforts to establish it were rapidly being lost. Raymond Smith was mentioned as a person who owned land and shaped the community in the 2nd period of significance. Shelby Spillers said that each house type will have a page in the plan and the landmarks will have a page with family history and other relevant information. III. Comments, suggestions, discussion The next meeting on December 2 will be devoted to community history and remembrances. An audio recorder will be present to document it. Respectfully submitted, |
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