Rockville construction update: The Upton apartments/Cambria Suites hotel

The Upton luxury apartments are scheduled to open May 1, and the Cambria Suites hotel is nearly ready to open, as well. A second tower will eventually be built on the remaining half of the municipal parking lot in front of the Regal Rockville theater.

Frostbitten chickens, flaming coops amid concerns as Rockville backyard chickens measure is debated

The refinement of legislation that would allow backyard chickens in Rockville led the Mayor and Council through a discussion lasting over two hours Monday night. Many practical details that had not been previously considered came up, including the potential for chickens to get frostbite if future winters resemble the past one. Councilmember Julie Palakovich-Carr, who has led the effort to update the city's code regarding animals and pets, said that a properly-sized coop will utilize the body heat of chickens to protect them from winter temperatures.

Councilmember Beryl Feinberg expressed concern that heating systems could lead to fires. She cited events in other jurisdictions, where such coop fires had caused as much as $500,000 damage to homes they were in the backyards of. Feinberg felt there should be a special exception process to give neighbors a say in whether such chicken operations could be allowed next door to them. Councilmember Tom Moore strongly objected to that potential amendment, saying a resident's decision to have chickens would be no different than his ability to construct a by-right garage on his property.

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton eventually had to postpone the debate to a future meeting, citing the late hour. Newton said the questions of neighbor notification or special exceptions, among others, were significant enough to merit further discussion. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 PM.

One interesting issue that emerged during the debate was the potential for individual HOAs to ban chickens, if enough residents opposed them, even if the provision passes.

More Dunkin' Donuts coming to Rockville (Photo)

The recent opening of a drive-thru Dunkin' Donuts in College Plaza was not the end of the chain's expansion in Rockville. Boris Lander, Principal of the local franchise group, says another location will be coming this summer to the new Mallory Square development, at 15235 Siesta Key Way.

Rendering courtesy Luis Group

Rockville Historic District Commission still on for meeting with Twinbrook Citizens Association

A plan for representatives of the Rockville Historic District Commission to attend the April 28 meeting of the Twinbrook Citizens Association meeting was confirmed at last night's commission meeting. No details of the format or agenda were given last evening. Confirmed to attend so far are Commissioner Jessica Reynolds and the commission's Staff Liaison, Sheila Bashiri.

In a previous discussion, it was said to be an opportunity for residents to learn about their options for historic preservation or designation for their homes or neighborhood. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 28, at the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center at 12920 Twinbrook Parkway.

The commission also declined to endorse a proposal to allow construction of a new home with an attached garage at 102 South Van Buren Street last night. Commissioner Rob Achtmeyer expressed concern that approval would set a precedent for how infill development is handled within historic districts. Reynolds agreed, saying it would start the city down a "slippery slope." Achtmeyer said a house with a front-facing attached garage was not appropriate in the historic district the site is located within.

This was a courtesy review, and no formal vote was taken.

Choice Hotels requests street name change in Rockville Town Center

Choice Hotels is requesting permission from the Rockville Planning Commission to change the name of Renaissance Street, which is the current address for its Cambria Suites hotel that will soon open across from Rockville Town Square. The hospitality chain, which is also headquartered across the street from the hotel, has suggested the following possible names for the street:

Bainum Way, Quality Court, Gatsby Way, or Convergence Avenue

Gatsby Way would seem to have the most logical connection to Rockville. However, city staff is recommending against Gatsby, stating that there is already a street named "Gatsby" in the county. It cites the zoning ordinance forbidding name duplication of streets already existent in the county.

The other most logical name, to my mind, would be Quality Court - named after an earlier Choice Hotel brand, Quality Courts. That is a bit of a relic of the 1970s and earlier, but does have a connection to the company. But that, too, has been rejected by city staff, who argue that the street will not technically be a "court," causing driver confusion.

Staff is recommending Bainum Way or Convergence Avenue. Bainum refers to Choice founder Stewart Bainum, and the staff memo suggests Convergence is symbolic for the "coming together of activities in Town Center."

Renaissance apparently fell out of favor with Choice, as it is a brand associated with a competing chain of hotels.

The matter will be taken up by the Commission at its April 22 meeting at 7:00 PM at City Hall. You may recall the Commission rejected an earlier attempt by Choice to rename part of E. Middle Lane as "Choice Hotels Lane" in 2011.

Rockville Police concerned about wage scale ahead of tonight's compensation meeting

The Mayor and Council are scheduled to meet tonight at 7:00 PM at City Hall to discuss the city's Compensation and Classification Study. But the Rockville Police union, FOP Lodge 117, is already concerned about the city's failure to offer what other jurisdictions provide their officers.

Lodge 117's president, Michelle Milne, appeared during the Community Forum at Monday night's Mayor and Council meeting, expressing concern that she might not have an opportunity to speak tonight.

Milne said officers are particularly concerned about two issues. First, the city does not offer a salary step scale, making it difficult for officers to forecast their income, she said. A corporal assigned to the department's Criminal Investigations Unit, Milne said that shortcoming is "unheard of in a department in this area." 

Noting that the physical demands of police work limit the productive earning years an officer can serve, Milne said, "I might be able to work for 25-30 years, and that’s kind of pushing it. I can’t get into a foot pursuit at 55 or 60." She argued that the department will have a hard time attracting and retaining officers without a step scale, like "all of the other departments around us are getting."

Another area of dispute is in-grade seniority. Milne, who said she has been with the department nearly a decade, said that the city's current system can leave officers with varying lengths of service time making similar salaries.

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton instructed city staff to add a Community Forum to the agenda for tonight's meeting, which will allow anyone to address the Mayor and Council. Call 240-314-8280 by 4:00 PM today, or use the sign-up sheet before the start of the meeting.

Free Cone Day today at Ben & Jerry's in Rockville

Today, April 14, is the annual Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's, located at 199-F E. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. Stop by between noon and 8:00 PM tonight for a free, one-scoop cone of your favorite flavor. The ice cream chain is also suggesting 10 ways to pass the time while waiting in line for your free cone.