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
