PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY IN ROCKVILLE

On this President's Day holiday, Rockville is not without its own U.S. Presidential history. Such as the day of August 26, 1814, when President James Madison traveled through Rockville on his long escape from the burning White House.

President Madison, and General William Henry Winder, stopped by the Montgomery Courthouse in Rockville after crossing the Potomac at Riverbend Park, before continuing on to Brookeville.

MOCO SNEAKING ONE PAST YOU AGAIN: STATE LEGISLATION WOULD EXTEND TERM OF MNCPPC CHAIR

We just got (temporarily) through the soap opera that was (and will be) the proposed Independent Transit Authority, which saw Montgomery County try to sneak a bill through in Annapolis to enable such a tax authority to be created. Less than two weeks later, the MoCo political machine is at it again, quietly handing off another developer-friendly bill to the General Assembly.

Bill MC/PG 105-15 (House Bill 652) would change the consecutive term limit provisions for the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Presently, commissioners who serve as Chair or Vice-Chair of the body may not serve more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms.

HB 652 would change that limitation, allowing a commissioner appointed from Montgomery County to serve two additional consecutive terms, as long as he or she serves as Chair or Vice-Chair.

Since commissioners are appointed by the County Executive, and not elected by voters, this would give a tremendous amount of political power to a Chair who could serve for 16 years in the role - longer than most would serve in any single county office. Christina Ginsberg, a Rockville resident and former president of the Twinbrook Civic Association, says the provision could create a "development czar who would have more power and a longer term than our elected officials."

The bill had its first reading in Annapolis yesterday. I can recall no public announcement or media coverage of this significant change being proposed, other than on the legislative and delegation websites. Even more troubling: no matter how many ways I try to search for this legislation on the County Council website, I get no results. This despite Council attorneys having apparently commented on the issue, according to a transcript of a December meeting of the commission. So much for "open data." By the way, the commission itself, not surprisingly, is in favor of MC/PG 105-15).

With developers wielding more influence in county politics than ever before, it's time to ask serious questions about this legislation.

ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN WORKSESSION TONIGHT AT CITY HALL

A Mayor and Council worksession is scheduled for 7:00 PM tonight at City Hall, regarding the Rockville Pike plan. This first session will concentrate on roadway design and building heights, two topics likely to have the most impact on city residents in the future.

There is supposed to be a Community Forum segment prior to the worksession. Call the City Clerk's office at 240-314-8280 today to sign up to speak.

HISTORIC DESIGNATION ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT ON ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA TONIGHT

The Rockville Planning Commission tonight will take up a Zoning Text Amendment requested by the Mayor and Council that would streamline the process by which a Sectional Map Amendment could be filed for a historic property. Instead of having the Historic District Commission forward a recommendation to the Mayor and Council for approval, the HDC could file it directly. A public hearing would still be held by the Mayor and Council before a final decision would be made.

Tonight's meeting will also continue the discussion of the Rockville Master Plan scope of work. It will be held at 7:00 PM in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Rockville Channel 11, and streamed on the city website.

ROCKVILLE CITIZENS BEAT BACK APFO SCHOOL STANDARDS CHANGES

The effort to replace Rockville's current school capacity standards with the weaker Montgomery County standards failed at last night's Mayor and Council meeting. In the face of overwhelming resident opposition and mobilization, Councilmember Tom Moore withdrew his proposal before it went to a vote. Councilmembers Virginia Onley and Beryl Feinberg declined to support the measure, despite having been members of the Team Rockville slate with Moore and Councilmember Julie Palakovich Carr. Carr had seconded Moore's motion to adopt the new standard prior to its withdrawal.

Residents turned the meeting's Community Forum into an impromptu public hearing prior to the decision. Susan Prince presented a petition opposing the changes which had 362 signatures, and she and others read comments from residents who could not attend. "Rockville is a family town, not a megacity," one wrote. Resident Jack Gelin, testifying in person, said such a change "poorly serves our children, and violates the civic compact."

Several Rockville Planning Commissioners testified against the changes, including Chair Don Hadley, and Commissioners Anne Goodman and Jack Leiderman. Citizens from the West End, East Rockville and Twinbrook turned out in force, and via petition. Some developers and development attorneys who would benefit from the changes were present in the chambers during last night's meeting, signaling the urgency behind the proposed weakening of the APFO. Even the county Gazette newspaper editorial board had elbowed its way into the city's debate, endorsing Moore's proposal to adopt County standards.

Mayor Bridget Newton, who had opposed the changes, said it was time to "stop this conversation, and start a new conversation" at the countywide level, as opposed to arbitrary action by the city. Rockville is expected to take part in a March 7 event hosted by Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner, which will bring stakeholders together for a dialogue on infrastructure, including school capacity.

Feinberg and Onley agreed with Newton that is would be best to wait until that new process plays out before the city takes any action on school standards. Moore expressed concern that the possible changes would be tabled permanently, and sought to have the matter placed on a future agenda. First he suggested March 16, and - after colleagues noted jam-packed agendas in the spring - then amended that to the soonest possible time for staff. His motion failed 3-2, supported only by Palakovich Carr.

Moore said the issue could be lost without placing it on an agenda. Onley replied incredulously, "this is absolutely not going to get lost." Newton concurred, recalling that the APFO has been a hot topic during every term she has served as Mayor or councilmember.

Feinberg said she was swayed by residents' testimony, and conversations with former city leaders to oppose the changes. Former Mayor Larry Giammo and former Councilmember John Hall were among those who opposed the effort to adopt the county's 120% over-capacity standard, and its measurement of crowding by cluster rather than individual school. Both were in office when the measure was passed a decade ago.

Team Rockville has not always been the monolith many residents feared when the slate was entirely elected, minus Mark Pierzchala, who was defeated in the mayor's race by Newton. Onley and Feinberg have often broken with their slate and voted with Newton on a variety of issues.

The inevitable question now is, when will the APFO issue be raised once more, forcing residents to mobilize yet again, despite clear public opposition to changing the standards?

RED HUE CLOSING AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE, RADIO SHACK CONFIRMS CLOSING IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Red Hue is closing its Rockville Town Square boutique on February 15. The owners say their apparel will still be available online, and through other retail outlets in the area. This is the most recent of many closings at the Federal Realty property, which some say is the result of the parking setup there. Residents and city officials alike have expressed concern that Rockville's flagship retail destination could lose business to new competitors Pike & Rose and Downtown Crown, as well as RIO/Washingtonian Center, all of which offer limited (2 hours at Pike & Rose) or unlimited free parking.

Meanwhile, Rockville's venerable Radio Shack store at 1600 Rockville Pike is now confirmed to be on the bankrupt company's closure list. The store has gone into "Everything Must Go!!!" mode, with savings of 30-50% off.

IS ROCKVILLE'S RADIO SHACK ON THE LIST OF STORES TO CLOSE?

The bankruptcy filing of Radio Shack has coincided with an agreement the struggling company reached with General Wireless, which will acquire up to 2400 of the electronics retailer's stores. According to a Radio Shack press release, Sprint will operate a "store within a store" inside up to 1750 of the stores GW takes over.

But what about the rest of Radio Shack's 4000 company-owned bricks-and-mortar outlets, including the one in Rockville?

The company says the Rockville store is indeed on the chopping block at the moment, and that is the Radio Shack at 1600 Rockville Pike.

Radio Shack says the Rockville location is one of the 1600 stores it will "potentially" close, but they are not saying when. What they have confirmed is that stores closing will have to sell off their remaining inventory.