JBG ASKS ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR PARKING WAIVER IN TOWN CENTER PHASE II

At next Wednesday's meeting of the Rockville Planning Commission, attorneys for JBG's Hungerford Retail II, LLC project at 275 N. Washington Street will seek a waiver to eliminate 46 parking spaces at the 2-story office/restaurant building. The applicant says the waiver is justified because of sufficient garage parking within Rockville Town Square, and the percentage of clients who will not drive to the bank and restaurants planned for the development.

The waiver request documents, submitted by Ballard Spahr attorney Erica Leatham, include numerous exhibits and citations of both national trends, and specific parking studies conducted recently in Rockville. They also reference a parking waiver recently granted to the 1800 Rockville Pike development.

Leatham argues that most customers will walk to the restaurants from nearby office buildings, and the adjacent residential neighborhood. At the same time, the letter notes that parking tends to be available around the clock in the Town Center garages. JBG's petition also cites the high percentage of Americans who now do their banking online. Of course, this trend does not seem to have stopped a current explosion of new bank branches opening in lower Montgomery County.

The building will have a single below-grade parking garage.

The meeting will be Wednesday, April 23, at 7:00 PM in City Hall.

51 MONROE STREET REBRANDED IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

The tallest building in Rockville (for now) is still called 51 Monroe Street. But it's looking a bit different these days. Recently renovated by owner Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT), the 1978 office tower complex has a new logo. Look closely at the top of the building, and you can see where the iconic "51" numerals were pried off, and replaced with the new design. WRIT also renovated the main lobby. Sorry, but I'm a fan of the old, larger 70s font numerals.

See the remnants of the
old logo? I preferred it
to the new design, which
is a step down, in
my opinion

Still one of the top
office buildings in
Montgomery County

The renovated lobby

EASTER BRUNCH IN ROCKVILLE 2014

Searching for Easter brunch in Rockville? This is the place to find the answers.

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano

This longtime Rockville favorite has not yet posted a menu or specials, but its Sunday hours are 1:30-9:00 PM.

12307 Wilkins Avenue

301-770-7888

American Tap Room

Let's hope for good weather and outdoor patio dining at Rockville Town Square! American Tap Room will be serving brunch from 10 AM to 3 PM on Easter Sunday. Here's the menu:

36 Maryland Avenue

(301) 838-4281

Chef Geoff's Rockville

Check out the fabulous Easter brunch menu at Chef Geoff's. Including one of my favorites, Big Shrimp and Very Gouda Grits - not that I'm trying to influence your decision or anything. For just $25.95, your brunch also includes a basket of Cheddar Drop biscuits, coffee and your choice of orange juice, mimosa or Bloody Mary. Sides and desserts are extra, and beignets are one of the options. I also like the convenient and free parking here.

12256 Rockville Pike

(240) 621-3090

Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers will open an hour early, at 8 AM, on Easter Sunday. Due to popularity, the restaurant says its remaining reservations are for parties of 4 or less. They'll also serve brunch on Easter Monday, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Here's their brunch menu.

12505 Park Potomac Avenue

(right off I-270 at Montrose Road exit)

(301) 340-8783

MAIBOCK TAPPING PARTY TONIGHT AT GORDON BIERSCH IN ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE (PHOTO)

Gordon Biersch is time traveling back to the decade in which it was founded tonight - and you're invited. Stop by their Rockville Town Square location between 6:00-8:00 PM, as they tap their new Maibock, an Einbecker-style lager, with hints of caramel and roasted malt.

Come in 80s costume, or just your favorite 80s outfit from the back of your closet, and you could win a prize. Enjoy music, food, games, prizes, and a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Patty Pallatos Fund.

FREE CHIPS AND QUESO TODAY AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA IN ROCKVILLE!

Got those taxes done? Celebrate turning your hard-earned cash over to The Man with free chips and queso today, at California Tortilla in Rockville!

Taxes not done? Fortify yourself with free chips and queso at California Tortilla for the long night ahead!

Either way, just tell the cashier at Cal Tort this double-secret password:

TAXES SCHMAXES

And that free side of chips and queso is all yours, with any purchase! While supplies last. And depending on your tax situation, this may be all you can afford today.

California Tortilla

199 E. Montgomery Avenue

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on April 11, according to crime data:

Theft. 1000 block Rockville Pike (Talbott Center vicinity).

Vehicle burglary. 500 block Gilscot Place (Silver Rock).

Vehicle burglary. 1200 block Gladstone Drive (Silver Rock).

Burglary. 500 block Veirs Mill Road (near MD 355).

Disorderly conduct. Rockville Metro station.

Theft. Choice Hotels Circle (Rockville Town Center).

Theft. 300 block Watts Branch Parkway (Rockshire area).

Theft. 1800 block Greenplace Terrace (Fallsmead area).

Theft. 200 block Redland Boulevard (King Farm).

Theft. 9700 block Traville Gateway Drive.

ROCKVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 17

The Rockville Historic District Commission will meet Thursday, April 17, at 7:30 PM, in the Mayor and Council chambers at Rockville City Hall.

On the agenda are applications for Montgomery County historic preservation tax credits for the following properties:

215 Autumn Wind Way

12 Wall Street

709 Grandin Avenue

203 W. Montgomery Avenue

117 West Montgomery Avenue

8 Thomas Street

103 North Adams Street