Mayor and Council Meeting - January 13, 2025

The Rockville Mayor and Council met on January 13, 2025, at 11:45 AM (start time) to discuss a range of topics including a town center master plan, a zoning text amendment, community engagement, and a consent agenda item. The meeting featured public comments on rent stabilization, housing, and a duck derby fundraiser, as well as a special presentation on the 2024 Community Survey. Several actions were taken, including extending the deadline for the town center master plan, authorizing a zoning text amendment, and approving proclamation policies.

Consent Calendar

• Ratify Grant Agreement for Twinbrook Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge: The council unanimously approved the city manager's execution of a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration for the FY23 Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program. Councilmember Valerie moved, seconded by Councilmember Fulton. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chip Boylan and Alice Welch (trustees of the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation) reported on the successful July 2024 duck derby, which raised over $12,000 in net proceeds, enabling a $25,000 check to the city for the swim center. They announced a 2025 duck derby to benefit the Rockville Recreation Fund.
• Carlo Galfano (owner of an MPDU townhouse at Tower Oaks) described the problem of undersized garage spaces (8'7" wide instead of required 9') and expressed support for the proposed zoning text amendment (ZTA) to reduce parking requirements, stating it would allow families to use the garage for living space without costly construction. He requested that the council authorize the ZTA.
• Mark Persheila (resident, 816 Fordham Street) commented on the town center master plan, supporting increased density but opposing a third rail for MARC through Rockville. He urged the council to delay approval to allow more time for public review.
• Tyler Charujas (representing Solar on Earth) introduced a free opt-in solar program for city residents, noting potential annual savings of $99,000–$150,000 for the city based on 2023 electricity costs of $1.8 million. He requested contact with the right city official.
• Dwayne Rollins (resident, 560 Anderson Ave) expressed concern about zero parking requirements for new developments near metro and BRT, stating that no one he has spoken to supports the idea. He urged the council to reconsider.
• Zoe Pollock (tenant) criticized the mayor and council members Van Grack, Fulton, Valeri, and Jackson for blocking discussion on rent stabilization. She referenced PAC funding from developers and asked whether the council works for the people or landlords.
• Justin Lee (resident) urged the council to implement rent stabilization, citing displacement and mental health impacts. He noted that a third of city residents are non-U.S. citizens and asked for protection.
• Daniel Dunlavy (resident) supported rent stabilization and social housing, arguing that the market does not self-correct on housing. He criticized the council for ignoring present needs.
• Michelle Shen (resident) advocated for rent stabilization, thanking Councilmembers Shaw and Miles for support and criticizing the rest of the council for leaving poor constituents behind.
• Chris Madden (resident of King Farm) thanked Councilmember Jackson for meeting with the Huntington Tenant Association but called on the rest of the council to talk to renters about rent stabilization.
• A speaker (unnamed) expressed concern about lack of meaningful engagement and dismissed community input, particularly on rent stabilization, and urged the council to listen and incorporate feedback.

Special Presentation: 2024 Community Survey Results

• Dave Gottesman (Polco/NRC) presented key findings:
  • 9 in 10 residents rated overall quality of life as excellent or good.
  • All 44 city services received favorable ratings (≥50%), with top scores for fire, library, and ambulance services (provided by county).
  • Safety ratings were high; public transportation ease of travel was rated much higher than national benchmarks.
  • Variety of business establishments rated higher than comparison communities.
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion received high marks—all five areas were higher or much higher than national/regional benchmarks.
  • Government performance ratings were favorable, with openness and transparency higher than benchmarks.
  • Response rate was 16% (476 surveys), margin of error ±5%. Survey was available in eight languages online.

Discussion Items

• Town Center Master Plan (Items 11B, then moved to C): Staff presented an update. The council had previously solidified the character areas map and eliminated minimum off-street parking requirements within a half-mile of Metro and quarter-mile of BRT. Key changes from the planning commission draft included increased housing goal from 2,000 to 3,000 units, modified bonus height program requiring 20% MPDUs, and added a public park along Maryland Avenue. Staff identified three errata (pages 17, 43, 109) to correct. The council discussed the need for more time; Councilmember Fulton moved to adopt a resolution extending the deadline by 60 days (to March 17, 2025) to allow public review and final edits. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmembers then provided feedback on specific sections, including schools, parking, dog park location, historic preservation, and transition to neighborhoods. The plan will be considered at the January 27 meeting.
• Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) to Modify Parking Requirements for Certain Townhouses (Item 11C): Staff proposed a ZTA to address noncompliant garage spaces in 35 MPDU townhouses at Tower Oaks (Allen model). The ZTA would reduce required parking to one space per unit for such units within planned developments, provided on-street parking at 0.5 spaces per unit and pedestrian access within 0.7 miles of transit. The council discussed ensuring the developer still fixes the two units that want repairs, waiving permit fees, and expediting the process. Councilmember Valeri moved to authorize filing of the ZTA; seconded by Councilmember Shaw. The motion passed unanimously. The ZTA will proceed to a public hearing and planning commission review.
• Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines for Proclamations and Certificates of Recognition (Item 11B, moved to C): Deputy City Clerk Danny Wenborn presented a framework categorizing proclamations and certificates, with criteria including non-political, non-controversial, and city-related. The council discussed the online request form, annual review of the proclamation list, and handling of certificates. Councilmember Van Grack moved to approve the policies as amended; seconded by Councilmember Valeri. The motion passed unanimously.
• Work Session: Engage Rockville Community Engagement Framework (Item 13): Kathy Kirk Dansler presented a proposed framework based on the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) spectrum: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower. The framework aims to centralize engagement planning, using tools like social media, Rockville Reports, surveys, and community events (e.g., Neighborhood Connect). The council expressed support, with suggestions to add language on equity, houses of worship, and vulnerable populations. Staff will operationalize the framework and develop a new Communications and Community Engagement Department in FY26. The council took no formal vote but indicated support.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Unanimously approved the grant agreement for the Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge.
• Town Center Master Plan: Unanimously approved a resolution extending the adoption deadline by 60 days to March 17, 2025, with adoption scheduled for January 27, 2025.
• Zoning Text Amendment: Unanimously authorized the filing of the ZTA to modify parking requirements for certain MPDU townhouses, initiating the public review process.
• Proclamation Policies: Unanimously approved the policies, procedures, and guidelines for proclamations and certificates of recognition.
• Community Engagement Framework: The council expressed support for the presented framework and directed staff to operationalize it, with additional considerations for equity and vulnerable groups.
• Old Business: The council agreed to draft a letter to Senator Alsa Brooks's team requesting an office in Rockville, and to explore a ban on algorithmic rent pricing (similar to Philadelphia and San Francisco). The city clerk will circulate information about a Sister Cities delegation to Pinneberg.
• Next Steps: The town center master plan will be considered on January 27, 2025. The ZTA will proceed to a public hearing. Staff will implement the community engagement framework and report back.