Rockville church could be replaced with townhomes

A Rockville church could be demolished to make way for 38 "two-over-two" townhome-style condominums, if approved by the Rockville Planning Commission and Mayor and Council. Developer Pulte has proposed the project for the Twinbrook Community Church property at 5906 Halpine Road. The 65,580-square-foot property currently holds a church building and a daycare center. 

Pulte says that the church is going to vacate and sell the property to them because of declining attendance at worship services, and "economic forces." It is seeking to rezone the R-60 property to RMD-15 or MXD, under the Rockville 2040 master plan recommendations. A preliminary traffic study shows that the townhomes will generate 45 fewer morning automobile trips, and 40 fewer evening trips, than the current church and daycare.

The existing church architecture is quite nice, and the new use will certainly change the character of that corner, which is directly across from single-family homes. However, the church property is on other sides surrounded by multifamily developments: Kanso Twinbrook, The Alaire, and Cambridge Walk. It is less than 1000 feet from the Twinbrook Metro station. The Rockville Development Review Committee will review Pulte's application at its July 26, 2023 meeting, and the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the project at a future date to be scheduled.

Fireside Park improvements to be review by Development Review Committee August 16

Proposed renovations and improvements to the Fireside Park Apartments will be reviewed this Thursday, August 16, 2018, by the Rockville Development Review Committee. The meeting will be held at 10:00 AM in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall. Improvements proposed include interior renovations, landscaping and ADA-compliance upgrades. The meeting is open to the public, but there is no opportunity for public comment.

Senior moment passes for 50 Monroe Place, now to be affordable/special needs housing (Photos)

A senior housing project proposed last year for the former IBM site at 50 Monroe Place in Rockville has gone the way of the dodo. In its place, a new development team is envisioning a 7-story, 70-unit residential building with ground floor retail - expected to be a coffee shop. 90% of the units would be affordable, with at least 25% of units reserved for adults with developmental disabilities.

Some of those disabled individuals would work in the coffee shop. The focus on residents with developmental disabilities is the result of the developer's partnership with the Main Street organization. There will also be amenity space that can be utilized by the public, as well as by residents. Parking access will be from Monroe Place.

The 50 Monroe Place project will be taken up by the Development Review Committee at its September 28 meeting. But first, a public meeting will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Rockville Memorial Library 2nd Floor conference room, at 21 Maryland Avenue.

Senior housing proposed for former site of IBM building in Rockville

Developer IDI 50 Monroe, LLC, is proposing to build an apartment building for independent seniors at 50 Monroe Place in Rockville. This is the former site of the IBM Building, which was demolished in 2006, right behind the Americana Center. The site has sat vacant since.

A 13-story, 120' tall building with 175 seniors-only apartment units is proposed, along with 47 garage parking spaces, a 15' sidewalk area along Monroe Place, and new public-use space adjacent to James Monroe Park, which is directly behind the property. No retail space is mentioned.

A public meeting is being held by the applicant on Monday, July 18, 2016, at 7:00 PM, in the 1st Floor meeting room at the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue. The applicant hopes to receive approval from the City by the end of next year, break ground in early 2018, and anticipates delivery in the summer of 2019.

In addition to the July meeting, a Development Review Committee meeting has already been tentatively scheduled for August 18 at 10:00 AM at City Hall.

The IDI Companies is not new to senior housing developments in Montgomery County. The Arlington-based firm has developed 7 multifamily senior housing projects at Leisure World in Silver Spring.

ROCKVILLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY

The Rockville Development Review Committee will meet Thursday, July 31, at 9:00 AM, in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall. If you have any questions, call 240-314-8228.

ROCKVILLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETS THURSDAY MORNING

The Rockville Development Review Committee will meet tomorrow morning, March 20, at 10:00 AM, in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at Rockville City Hall. On the agenda are two projects: a self-storage facility at 1175 Taft Street, and a 740 square foot addition to a child care facility at 850 Nelson Street.

THIS MORNING'S ROCKVILLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING IS CANCELED

The Development Review Committee meeting previously scheduled to be held this morning, in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall at 9:00 AM, has been canceled. Call 240-314-8228 if you have any questions. No reason was stated on the city website's announcement.