Tuesday, December 9, 2014

ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVE CHANGES TO DUBALL TOWN CENTER PROJECT

Rockville's Mayor and Council approved changes to the Duball project for 198 E. Montgomery Avenue last night. The developer had sought an increase in residential units for the proposed second tower in Town Center, but also asked for a 25% parking reduction.

The seemingly incongruous requests did not sit well with some. Councilmember Virginia Onley, a resident of nearby Americana Center, said parking was a mess already. Some frustrated parkers try to use Americana Center spaces as it is, she noted. Ultimately, Onley, Mayor Bridget Newton and Councilmember Beryl Feinberg voted 3-2 to reduce the parking waiver to 15%.

Councilmember Julie Palakovich Carr then offered an amendment to eliminate the valet parking requirement for Duball, arguing that the increased parking space requirement negated the need for that service. Councilmember Tom Moore seconded the amendment, which ultimately passed.

Moore said he disagreed with the parking increase, but still believes the project will be a boon for the city's town center. The Rockville Planning Commission had previously recommended against permitting the unit increase and parking decrease. Duball's first tower is nearing completion next to the municipal parking lot where the proposed tower will be built, in front of the Regal Rockville theater.

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