Showing posts with label 628 Great Falls Road. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 628 Great Falls Road. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

628 GREAT FALLS ROAD DECLARED HISTORIC BY ROCKVILLE CITY COUNCIL

The Rockville Mayor and Council made short work of a prominent historical designation question at last night's meeting. Councilmembers John Hall, Bridget Newton and Mark Pierzchala voted to declare 628 Great Falls Road historic. Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio and Councilmember Tom Moore voted against the motion.

This was the final meeting scheduled before the November 5 city elections, in which all but Marcuccio and Hall are running. The next Mayor and Council meeting will be held November 18.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

628 GREAT FALLS ROAD IS HISTORIC, ROCKVILLE CITY COUNCIL SAYS

The Rockville City Council found that a property at 628 Great Falls Road merits historic designation Monday night.

A long-simmering controversy over a single family home, and the possible expansion plans of its owner, Rockville Maryland Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, has generated more historical findings at every turn. The most compelling argument has been the discovery that the property was part of an African-American kinship community located around today's I-270/Falls Road interchange. Among citizen groups backing historic designation were the West End Citizens Association, and the Rose Hills Falls Homeowners Association, led by former mayor Jim Coyle.

Those opposing historic designation said the bar has to be very high to designate a property over the owner's objections. Councilmember Tom Moore said he felt that bar was not met in this case, and quoted his colleagues' past statements expressing unease over such hostile designations.

Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio responded that her vote would be consistent with her strong belief in property rights, saying once those rights are violated, what rights does a person have?

Councilmember Mark Pierzchala made a motion in favor of historic designation, and it was seconded by Councilmember John Hall.

After some discussion, Pierzchala's motion passed, 3-1-1.

Pierzchala, Hall, and Councilmember Bridget Newton voted in favor of the motion. Moore voted against it, and Marcuccio abstained.