ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN VOTE DELAYED

The Rockville Planning Commission delayed its scheduled vote on the new Rockville Pike master plan at last night's meeting, in order to give the Mayor and Council, the public, and other interested parties time to study the finished draft. Given that an official transmission of the draft would trigger a 60-day review by the Mayor and Council, several commissioners expressed concern that summer would not afford the maximum time and attention to review of the document.

Following two hours of discussion, the commission voted unanimously on 3 straw votes, worded by commissioners David Hill and Jack Leiderman. The first vote was to direct the planning department to draw attention to the publication of the final draft plan on the city website. Second was to delay the formal vote in order to allow all interested parties time to review the many changes to the final draft. A final vote asked the Mayor and Council to provide "timely" advice regarding the timeframe in which it is prepared to begin the formal 60-day review process. This would likely include at least one public hearing.

Planning staff sought a more formal directive from the commission, but Assistant City Attorney Marcy Waxman backed the commissioners' decision to rely on a straw vote. Several commissioners said they wanted to avoid any sort of formal vote before giving elected officials a chance to review the plan. Now the exact calendar will be determined by the Mayor and Council's response to the commission's action. Commission chair Don Hadley requested the planning staff assist him in drafting a communication to the Mayor and Council regarding the body's decision.

Commissioner Dion Trahan expressed some disappointment in the delay of the plan's approval, saying enough feedback had already been received on the plan. "I have to work in the summer," he added, suggesting the vacation season shouldn't impact the work of city officials. He and Commissioner Charles Littlefield both stated that municipal governments need to be efficient in their land-use decisions. Leiderman noted that many significant changes had been made, and that all affected parties needed sufficient time to review what is essentially a new document.

The next move will be determined by the Mayor and Council. It certainly makes sense, given that it is difficult to get any meaningful public participation during the summer vacation months.

WHAT'S LEFT OF THE HISTORIC PINK BANK IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

What's left? Not much. The demolition of the historic Suburban Trust Building at 255 N. Washington Street may well be the most shameful land-use decision by the city since its disastrous "urban renewal" of the 1960s. Virtually the entire historic downtown was demolished back then, in contrast to Maryland cities like Frederick and Hagerstown, who have maintained their original downtowns as desirable assets. This recent demolition was opposed by Rockville's Historic District Commission, as well as by historic preservationists in the city.

The demise of the "Pink Bank" not only cost Rockville a rare example of New Formalist architecture, and a historic building that represented the primacy of the suburban lifestyle that defines Rockville. It also eliminated the "sense of place" developers often cite facetiously. Whether you liked the Pink Bank, or not, you knew exactly where you were when you passed it. The same cannot be said of the cookie-cutter town centers around the DC area, with few exceptions. All the same restaurants, shops and indistinguishable architecture leave the visitor puzzled and unimpressed. Why go "there," when all the same stuff is "here?"

Remnants of the bank's
drive-thru

The bank's drive-thru gate
is still standing

Just a pile

Mixed-use development
will replace the Pink Bank

SIGNAGE INSTALLED AT EVEN HOTEL IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Construction workers were busy in the lobby, but some major outdoor work had already been accomplished at the soon-to-open EVEN Hotel on Rockville Pike. Permanent signage has now been installed, so this is how it will appear to busy travelers driving along the Pike (MD 355).

The completely-renovated hotel at 1775 Rockville Pike was most recently known as the Legacy Hotel. Now Rockville has bragging rights to one of the first EVEN hotels in the country, a new IHG brand marketed as upscale lodging for health-conscious travelers. A second hotel, Cambria Suites, is currently under construction in Rockville Town Center.

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on June 13, according to crime data:

Theft. 1500 block Rockville Pike.

Theft. Unit block of W. Montgomery Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. Beall Avenue at Gibbs Street.

Assault. 300 block Prettyman Drive (King Farm).

Theft. 300 block Martins Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 100 block Rockville Pike.

Assault. 1500 block Rockville Pike.

Stolen car. 11600 block Nebel Street.

DEMOLITION REQUEST ON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JUNE 19

A demolition request will be among many items on the agenda of the Rockville Historic District Commission on Thursday, June 19. Applicant Ni Linmei is asking for permission to demolish a structure at 215 North Van Buren Street. That appears to be a single-family home between Beale and Dawson Avenues, in Rockville's West End.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM in the Mayor and Council Chambers at City Hall.

PLANNING COMMISSION TO VOTE ON ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN JUNE 18

The Rockville Planning Commission will vote next Wednesday on its final recommendation to the Mayor and Council regarding the Rockville Pike Plan. That discussion and vote will take place during the Commission's meeting at 7:30 PM, June 18, in the council chambers at City Hall.

Prior to that, however, the Commission will meet in executive session to obtain legal advice on master plan processes. That 7:00 PM session, in the Diamondback Terrapin Conference Room, will not be open to the public. The 7:30 session, is open to the public, and will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 11.

RESIDENTS/BUSINESSPEOPLE WANTED FOR ROCKVILLE BRT ADVISORY PANELS

Montgomery County will form 2 Rockville Bus Rapid Transit advisory panels later this summer, and if you are a resident or businessperson concerned about the impact of BRT in Rockville, you should get ready to apply. Now.

Currently, there is no funding for construction of the controversial BRT system. But the preliminary Master Plan was rammed through last year by the County Council, and these advisory panels are one of the requirements set forth by that plan.

The potential BRT system would greatly impact traffic in Rockville, as well as the implementation of any Rockville Pike plans passed by the Mayor and Council.

If you have an interest in shaping BRT in Rockville should it go forward, contact Tom Pogue of the county Department of Transportation at 240-777-7170 or tom.pogue@montgomerycountymd.gov.