Montgomery County to host meeting on security at houses of worship Feb. 21

Montgomery County officials will host a special meeting regarding security at houses of worship on February 21, 2024, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. The meeting will be held in Bethesda, at a location to be announced only to those who register. "Attacks on houses of worship continue to occur at an alarming rate," a meeting announcement states. The meeting will feature presentations by representatives from the Montgomery County Police Department, the Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, and the County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 

Attendees will learn how to "minimize the risk of violent intruders," and what to do in the event of an attack on their house of worship. A menorah was vandalized outside a synagogue in Olney last December, and a suspect desecrated and attempted to burn down two Christian churches - and vandalized a Baptist cemetery - along Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda in July 2022. Meeting registration is open online now.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County

Twinbrook Quarter developer seeks ROW agreement with Rockville for Wegmans, wayfaring signage

B.F. Saul, the developer of the future Wegmans-anchored Twinbrook Quarter development, is seeking an agreement and air-rights easement for wayfinding signage at the mixed-use property from the City of Rockville. The signage, which would present the name of the development and its retail tenants, would be placed within the public right-of-way along Rockville Pike, Halpine Road and Chapman Avenue. Other signs would be attached to the buildings above ground level, hence requiring an air rights easement to protrude into the public space above the sidewalk. 

Proposed Rockville Pike signage locations

The space in question belongs to the City of Rockville, but could later be ceded to the Maryland State Highway Administration if a FLASH bus rapid transit station is constructed at Twinbrook Quarter. Route 355 itself is currently a MDSHA right-of-way. The land directly adjacent to it on the east side of the Pike presumably was turned over to the City of Rockville when a city-controlled parallel service road was proposed. Only a portion of the service road has been constructed so far.

Halpine Road sign locations

The 99-year agreement proposed would be revocable at any time on 30-days' notice by the City. Twinbrook Quarter would assume all maintenance, insurance and liability requirements for the portions of the right-of-way and air rights in question. The Mayor and Council will review and discuss the proposed agreement and easement at their meeting tonight, January 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM. City staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve and authorize the Acting City Manager to execute a Revocable License and Maintenance Agreement and an Air Rights Easement for Private Amenities in the public right-of-way with Twinbrook Quarter, LLC.

Chapman Avenue sign locations

Rockville Mayor & Council to be briefed on proposed Rockshire Village development tonight

Rockville's Mayor and Council will receive a briefing on the Rockshire Village development plan proposed by local developer EYA at their meeting tonight, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Approval of the plan would require amending the 1966 Rockshire development plan for this property, a former shopping center located at 2401 Wootton Parkway. 

The proposal under discussion is essentially the same as was first introduced this past spring. 31 single-family homes, 29 3-to-4 story townhomes, and a neighborhood park would be constructed on the property. The amount of commercial and office space proposed has been reduced from 5,500-square-feet to 5,200 SF (the original size proposed last spring was 5000 SF). EYA is also seeking a parking waiver related to the commercial/office portion of the project, as well as a road code waiver for a proposed private alley, which would not comply with a City requirement that any road constructed must either connect to an existing road or end in a cul-de-sac.

Following tonight's briefing, EYA will be asked to revise its plan to address existing concerns about the driveway access from Hurley Avenue, outdated traffic studies being used by EYA, trees, the relocation of a trail near the Korean Presbyterian Church, parking capacity, and pedestrian access to the retail structure from the Carl Henn Millenium Trail that were raised this fall by nearby residents and the Rockville Planning Commission. In addition, the plan revisions would address any new concerns expressed by the Mayor and Council at tonight's meeting.

Rockville Mayor & Council to consider dissolving Civic Center and Mansion Subcomittee

Rockville's Mayor and Council will consider a resolution that would dissolve the City's Civic Center and Mansion Subcommittee at its meeting tonight, December 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM. The subcomittee was created in 1991, when the process of creating an historic district around the Glenview Mansion and surrounding grounds was getting started. Over 30 years later, the mansion and grounds are now part of the Rockville Civic Center Park historic district, and the subcommittee has guided to completion the major projects to restore, maintain and enhance the property. As a result, the subcommittee itself - along with several other related City commissions - have recommended disbanding the subcommittee.

Dissolution of the subcommittee will have no impact on funding for the mansion and park. Anticipated future projects will be of a scope that can be successfully handled by the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Recreation and Park Advisory Board, city staff have concluded. As a result, the staff report suggests the Mayor and Council approve the resolution at tonight's meeting.

Rockville shopping center redevelopment meeting scheduled for August 23

An in-person public meeting has been scheduled to present the latest redevelopment proposal for the Rockshire Village Center in Rockville. Two sessions will be held on August 23, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM and from 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM, at the Thomas Farm Community Center at 700 Fallsgrove Drive in Rockville. To register for the meeting, fill out the online form. You can also view the presentation materials for the meeting on developer EYA's website.

Rendering courtesy EYA

Rockville tells historic district homeowner to hide basketball court, or lose it

UPDATED - June 10, 2023 11:49 AM:  The article has been updated to note that the homeowner has filed two separate applications with the Historic District Commission, one for a Certificate of Approval for landscaping, and one for a Courtesy Review of proposed changes to make the court less visible.

The City of Rockville has called a foul on a modern, half-court basketball court installed at a home in the city's West End Park historic district. Such a facility cannot be added to a home in that area without approval by the city's Historic District Commission. The homeowner at 401 W. Montgomery Avenue did not pursue that approval. Rockville code inspectors "became aware" of the concrete basketball court surrounded with 10' netting, and a fence on the property's western side, on January 10, 2023, and determined the owner of the 1890 Second Empire/Georgian Revival-style home had permits for neither.

The homeowner then applied retroactively for a certificate of approval from the HDC on January 13, a request the commissioners ultimately denied on February 16. At that time, the homeowner was advised that they could appeal the decision in court, or submit a new application for a COA that would be compliant with historic preservation standards. Failure to obtain success via either option would result in the City requiring them to destroy the basketball court.

After the 30-day judicial appeal window expired, and the homeowner did not submit a new COA application, the City issued a Notice of Violation on April 12. A month later, the homeowner submitted an application for a COA to install landscaping in front of the basketball court, and a second application for a courtesy review of proposed changes to make the court less visible. 

HDC staff reviewed the application, but found the homeowner's proposed changes were inadequate. Staff then proposed changes that would bring the basketball court and application into compliance. These include planting evergreen "privacy" trees along the fence in front of the basketball court, relocating the hoop and rebound net to the opposite side of the court, lowering or removing the remaining netting around the court (requiring approval of a fence permit), and replacing the 6' property line fence with an 8' fence.

The primary focus of the City is to block the view of the court from both the street, and from the house next door. Staff review determined the court is currently in violation of at least four of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of historic properties.  

HDC commissioners will review the latest COA application at their June 15 meeting. If they approve the COA, the homeowner will have 90 days to complete the approved changes. Should they not do so by October 9, the City "will issue citations and seek removal of the half-court basketball court through a Court order." 

Photos courtesy City of Rockville

Major changes proposed for once-iconic, long-vacant Rockville mansion

100 W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville was once an iconic mansion known as one of the most beautiful homes in town. It's hard to argue with that description looking at old photographs of the Queen Anne-style Victorian home built in 1888 for the wealthy Rebecca Veirs. A 1945 fire changed that, with parts of the home having been destroyed, and then rebuilt with additions that greatly altered its appearance. Also altered was its use, from private home to boarding house. Long vacant, the structure is now deteriorating. 

2009 photo of the home

A redevelopment of the property has now been proposed by its owner and local architect Craig Moloney. It would nod to both the original home, and its later multifamily use at the same time. First, the front of the home would be moved forward on the property, closer to the street like the church next door. Second, Moloney would attempt to more accurately recreate the original appearance of the front facade of the home. The post-1945 additions behind it would be demolished, and replaced with an 8-unit apartment building. A small parking lot for tenants would be constructed behind the proposed building.

2022 photo

2022 photo

The Rockville Historic District Commission will conduct a courtesy review of the proposal at its March 16, 2023 meeting. That review is intended to provide feedback from commissioners, and anyone who wishes to testify at the meeting, to the applicant. It is not going to be a final recommendation that will be voted upon that particular evening.

Proposal to move the front of the
home up to the green dotted line

Planning staff have not recommended approval of the proposal yet, finding that it does not meet at least five of the criteria the HDC uses to evaluate this type of application. The proposed building would be significantly larger than the existing home, and larger than most other homes on W. Montgomery Avenue and S. Adams Street. Remaining historic materials on the house would be lost, and the proposed apartment addition would wrap around three sides of the structure. Staff also found that there was not a structural report submitted that adequately verifies that the existing home is beyond repair, and that the proposal would remove several mature trees from the lot.

"The applicant needs to provide much more information to justify the current proposal," the staff report concludes. "Without a structural report there is no definitive evidence of the building’s condition and the HDC can’t make an educated recommendation. With the provided information the HDC can only recommend the house should be rehabilitated and brought into compliance."

Images courtesy City of Rockville, Google Street View

Rockville City Council to expand to six seats in 2024 election

Rockville's Mayor and Council voted unanimously Monday night to expand the number of seats on the City Council from four to six in the 2024 city election. The change was one of several recommended by the Rockville Charter Review Commission to increase turnout and participation in City elections. It will officially become part of the City Charter on the 50th day following the vote, unless a petition signed by 20% of voters is presented to the Mayor and Council by the 40th day calling for it to be overturned.

With the Mayor having one vote equal to a City Councilmember vote, this will make a total of seven elected offices representing city residents. A separate question being taken up by the Council that will determine if the city will be separated into Council districts, or continue electing all offices at-large.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Rockville Mayor & Council to consider adopting plan to "reimagine" RedGate Park

Rockville's Mayor and Council will consider adopting an updated Master Plan to "reimagine" RedGate Park, a former City-owned golf course at 14500 Avery Road at their Monday, October 17, 2022 meeting. Formulated with input from the public, city staff and elected officials, the latest version of the plan envisions the park as an arboretum. It would include community gardens, an amphitheatre with a deck overlook and a visitor center.

Following a July 18 discussion of the plan by the Mayor and Council, several updates were made. Picnic pavilions were added, as was a dog exercise area for small and large breeds. The layout of pathways was refined, identifying existing ones that will be retained or removed, and the specific routes of new ones. Finally, a more specific location for the visitor center was determined.

With the new changes, the estimated cost of the reimagined park will be somewhere between $16,301,533 and $24,452,299. City staff are recommending adoption of the plan.

Montgomery County to host public meeting on jail project opposed by Rockville officials

Montgomery County will host a public meeting on the proposed construction on the County detention center property at 1307 Seven Locks Road in Rockville on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the "first floor lecture hall" at the County Council building at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville, and is scheduled to conclude by 9:00 PM. There will be a virtual option to join the meeting online for those who can't attend in person; log-on instructions will be posted prior to the meeting at www.rockvillemd.gov/SevenLocksProject, once determined. 

The project as currently proposed is opposed by the Mayor and City Council of Rockville. It includes a school bus depot, and a future Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Criminal Justice Complex and restoration center. Rockville elected officials have argued the proposal is inappropriate for a site that abuts eight residential neighborhoods. The existing Detention Center has been there since 1978; a police station there was built in 1963.

Rockville Mayor & Council consider challenging 2020 U.S. Census count of city's housing units, group quarters

The City of Rockville may officially challenge the 2020 U.S. Census count of its number of housing units and group quarters, if the Mayor and Council authorize city staff to do so at its meeting this coming Monday, July 11, 2022. City staff reviewing the census data determined that the 2020 numbers fall short of the City's own tabulation of population and households in the municipality. A preliminary City review concluded that "the Census Bureau undercounted the housing units and group quarters in the city," a staff report states.  The fact that the data were collected during the pandemic is the primary reason staff believes the numbers were inaccurately determined.

Examples of "group quarters" include correctional facilities, student housing, group homes and residential treatment centers. They are households in which the members are usually not related to one another. 

If authorized by the Mayor and Council, city staff could engage in the formal process to challenge census data. The Census Count Question Resolution Operation (CQR) would involve the city forwarding the evidence it has to challenge the tally of housing units and group quarters. While city staff found the total population of Rockville also appears to have been undercounted, there is not a formal process through which that number can be challenged, the report notes. For that reason, the city would be focused only on challenging the counts of housing units, and group quarters population.

The 2020 Census shows Rockville as having 27,953 housing units and a group quarters population of 951, for a total of 28,904 in the City of Rockville as of April 1, 2020. The Census shows Rockville's total population as 67,117. By contrast, the city's own data show 30,031 housing units and group quarters, and a total population of 70,620 as of December 2021.  City records show approximately 350 new housing units becoming available for occupancy within city limits between April 1, 2020 and December 2021.

Any error acknowledgement from the U.S. Census Bureau would be issued by September 2023. The totals would not be corrected in the 2020 Census itself. Instead, they would be updated in the base data sets that are used for budget and resource allocations by Congress and federal agencies.

Rockville Council considers new options in West End historic designation case, Mayor recuses herself

Rockville City Council members will discuss three new options to resolve a controversial historic preservation case in the city's West End neighborhood at their meeting tonight, June 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The options are on the table after new developments in the debate over whether or not to declare the home at 406 Great Falls Road historic, which have transpired since the April 25 hearing on the question. Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton has formally recused herself from voting on the matter. In a letter filed with City Clerk Sara Taylor-Ferrell on May 10, Newton wrote that she would recuse herself from "taking any action on Sectional Map Amendment application MAP 2022-00123 as well as from any further proceedings on that application," because her husband owns an abutting property at 13 Dale Drive that could be "'directly and economically' impacted" by the outcome of the case.

Newton's recusal letter was filed a day after the attorney for the owners of 406 Great Falls Road wrote to the Mayor and Council that her clients were concerned Newton had a conflict of interest in the case. Attorney Erin Girard wrote that in a previous historic designation discussion in 2010, Newton disclosed that her husband had previously made an unsuccessful bid to purchase 406 Great Falls. Newton also testified against historic designation of 406 Great Falls three years earlier, Girard wrote. The owners formally requested that Newton recuse herself from the case, Girard concluded in her letter.

The Mayor's recusal could impact the outcome of the historic designation question. There is now the mathematical potential for the Council to deadlock 2-2 in its final vote, for example.

More fundamental to the issue, Girard contacted the city's Chief of Planning, Jim Wasilak, and disclosed that there were actually two separate buildable lots on the 406 Great Falls property recorded with the City in 1941. A staff report notes this was not uncommon in Rockville, where many buildable lots recorded with the City were never built on. It has been standard practice for the City to honor these recorded lots in the present day. Therefore, the owners of 406 Great Falls could theoretically build the "dream home" they have proposed behind the existing home, leaving the latter in place.

As a result of this development, three new options have been proposed by city staff. The first option is to declare both of the buildable lots at 406 Great Falls historic, which would preserve the existing home, and require the owners to go through the formal Historic District Commission certificate of approval process when building their new home or altering the existing one. Option 2 would be to only designate the front lot with the existing home as historic, and allow construction of a new home behind it that would not be subject to formal approval from the HDC. Option 3 would be to not declare either lot historic, thereby allowing demolition of the existing home.

City staff is recommending Option 1. In addtion, staff recommends reopening the public record on the case, and allowing oral testimony on the question at tonight's meeting. At the conclusion of that public testimony tonight, the Council would discuss the matter, and give staff instructions. Based on what staff is directed to do by the Council, it will prepare an ordinance for approval of historic designation, or a resolution of denial, at a future Mayor and Council meeting on June 27, 2022 or later.

The City has also received further written public communications on the matter.

West End resident - and former Mayor of Rockville - Larry Giammo emailed the Mayor and Council the day after the April 25 hearing, questioning why local preservation organization Peerless Rockville was given only five minutes to testify. In contrast, the property owners had "at least 20 minutes total (maybe more; I wasn't keeping count)" to speak throughout the hearing. Peerless Rockville was the original party to request the evaluation of the property for historic designationn. But, Giammo wrote, they were not given sufficient time to lay out their case, nor to respond to assertions made by the owners and their representatives after Peerless Rockville Director Nancy Pickard finished her testimony.

On the side opposing historic designation, another Rockville resident wrote a letter in support of the owners after the April 25 hearing. There is no justification for preserving the dilapidated home, he wrote, and doing so would represent a partial taking of the property by the City.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Rockville Mayor & Council to consider new city branding contract - and the price has gone up

Rockville's 2012-2022 branding

Rockville's Mayor and Council will consider approving a contract with an out-of-state marketing firm to update the city's promotional branding at its meeting this coming Monday, June 6, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Last year, a city staff analysis determined that the city's decade-old stylized "R" logo and "Get into it" motto had "run its course." After a formal procurement process, Dallas-based media and marketing firm Medium Giant has emerged as the finalist. A contract for $147,925 will be presented to the Mayor and Council Monday night for their approval.

A staff report states that Medium Giant's proposal was found to provide the most value, and that the firm "shares the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values." It has demonstrated prior experience in developing branding for municipalities. Medium Giant understands that the public will be fully-engaged in the development of the rebranding, and it will "memorialize" the rebranding process on video. The company has been selected over Rockville-based Clark Concepts and Gaithersburg's GKA and TMAC Communications, among other firms from across the country.

Inflation has not left the rebranding process unscathed. Last year's staff report estimated that a citywide rebranding effort would cost city taxpayers $125,000, and $80,000 per year to implement. Monday's staff report acknowledges that Medium Giant's proposal price was not the lowest submitted to the city. But after an evaluation committee that included city staff, residents and two representatives of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. reviewed the proposal, it determined the $147,925 pricetag "to be reasonable based on the firm’s progressive approach and cutting-edge model of branding." 

In-person Mayor & Council meetings resume in Rockville March 28

Rockville City Hall will reopen to the public on Monday, March 28, 2022, after being closed for over two years due to the pandemic. Monday night at 7:00 PM will bring the first Mayor & Council meeting that the public can attend in-person. There are several things to know, if you are considering attending (you will still be able to participate in the meetings virtually online).

Seating capacity in the Mayor and Council chambers will be limited to 42 people; overflow seating will be available. The public must enter through the Main Entrance on the third floor facing Vinson Street. You can exit the building using any publicly-accessible door. Masks will be provided for those who wish to wear one, and do not have their own, but masks are not required.

If you wish to speak during the Community Forum portion of the meeting, sign up using the form at the entrance to the Mayor and Council chambers. In-person speakers will follow online virtual speakers in speaking order.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

City of Rockville proposes $20 hike in trash collection fee

A resolution to increase Rockville's refuse collection fee by $20 in FY-2023 will be reviewed by the Mayor and Council at their virtual meeting this Monday night, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The proposed 4.4% increase would raise City of Rockville residents' annual refuse fee to $479. If approved, this would be the first increase in the fee since FY-2017. The resolution will be voted on by the Mayor and Council at their May 9, 2022 meeting.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Rockville Mayor & Council to be briefed on Montgomery County detention center plan tonight

Representatives of the Montgomery County Department of General Services will brief Rockville's Mayor and Council tonight at 7:00 PM on the County's future plans for the County Detention Center site at 1307 Seven Locks Road. The County has proposed demolishing some structures on the site, and renovating or modifying others, to make room for a school bus depot. While the work is done, the detention center will remain in operation. The plan will have to be reviewed by the Rockville Planning Commission, but as a "mandatory referral" government project, commissioners will have little power beyond an advisory role.

Rockville considers annexing Shady Grove Hospital, Shady Grove Metro station and brewery sites into city

Rockville's Mayor and Council will hold a discussion on the possible annexation of four sites into the city at its virtual meeting this Monday, February 7, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The sites under consideration are the campus of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, the Shady Grove Metro station, and industrial sites leased by two breweries at 400 E. Gude Drive (True Respite) and 1029 E. Gude Drive (Twin Valley Distilleries). 

Because the hospital and Metro station are owned by non-profit entities, the city can initiate annexation procedures for them without the consent of the landowners, Adventist HealthCare and WMATA. Because state law requires a municipality to border a property it wishes to annex, acquiring the hospital site, would require the agreement of two private property owners whose land is between the city and the hospital campus.

City staff suggests that future development on either property could bring tax revenue to the city if they are annexed. Acquiring the brewery sites would enhance the city's established branding of the RockEast District along Gude Drive as a craft beer destination.

The timeline for annexation of the properties would be nine to fourteen months from the start of the process by the Mayor and Council, assuming there is no legal action taken by any party, and the private landowners of the brewery sites and hospital adjacent sites agree to annexation in a timely fashion. If the Mayor and Council direct staff to lay the groundwork for an annexation of one or more of the properties, staff would begin outreach to the landowners. Site surveys would be performed, and then the Mayor and Council would decide whether to initiate the annexation. 

Developer seeks to convert Rockville office building to residential

The already-weak office market in Montgomery County hasn't been helped by the pandemic. Now a developer is seeking to convert a Rockville office building to residential apartments, and then add 17 townhomes to the surrounding property. A virtual public meeting on the proposal for 22 W. Jefferson Street has been scheduled for January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM. 

To participate in the event, join the meeting at that time and enter Meeting Number (access code): 2633 580 7334 and Meeting Password: Y6MySgEaZ88. You can also join by phone (or for those joining by computer without a microphone) by dialing +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll, and entering Access Code: 2633 580 7334.

Rockville Historic District Commission to consider historic significance of Lincoln Park house

The Rockville Historic District Commission will consider the historic significance of a single-family home in Lincoln Park, to determine whether the owners may demolish the structure. 215 Lincoln Avenue is located off of a shared driveway. It began as part of a larger, single kinship lot shared by a family in 1932. The lot was subdivided in 1989, at which point the home was given its present address.

A review by city planning staff member Sheila Bashiri found that the home does not meet any of the criteria for historic designation. While the community of Lincoln Park is very significant in the African-American history of Rockville and Montgomery County, the house itself has been altered to the point that it has lost its historic physical integrity, Bashiri wrote. Construction of additional homes around it have erased the only historical context for the site, which was the phenomenon of shared kinship properties, Bashiri noted.

The HDC will consider the historic significance of the property at its December 16, 2021 virtual meeting, and issue a recommendation. Bashiri's staff report recommends against historic designation.

Photos via City of Rockville

Duball, LLC seeks to convert ground floor retail into residential units in Rockville Town Center

Planned retail and restaurant spaces
boarded up at the Ansel apartments in Rockville

The developer of the Ansel apartments at 33 Monroe Street in Rockville is finding weak demand for retail space in the ground floor of the newest residential building in Rockville Town Center. Duball, LLC is asking the city's Planning Commission for permission to convert up to 20,153 square feet of ground floor retail space to residential loft apartments, which would have direct access doors to the sidewalk. 

Retail spaces currently on the market
for lease at the Ansel; the developer says
demand for them is weak at this time

Retail and restaurant uses on ground floors are considered beneficial in activating the streetscape in urban areas, and in making pedestrians feel more secure about walking in an area at night. Duball is making a counter-argument in its application, suggesting that having occupants living on the ground floor will activate the streetscape more than having empty, walled-up storefronts. It cites the pandemic retail market as a major obstacle to leasing these already-approved retail and restaurant units, and promises that the loft apartments can be converted back to retail use if demand rises in the future.

A virtual meeting on the matter will be held this Thursday night, December 9, 2021 at 6:00 PM. Access the Zoom meeting online by entering Meeting ID: 929 7347 6840 and Passcode: 894571. You can also join the meeting by phone at +1 301 715 8592 US.