Rockville Mayor and Council Meeting - January 27, 2025

The Rockville Mayor and Council met on January 27, 2025, at 11:45 AM (UTC) to address a range of agenda items including routine approvals, public comments on rezoning, adoption of the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District amendments, adoption of the Town Center Master Plan, and a work session on the zoning ordinance rewrite and comprehensive map amendment. The meeting lasted several hours, with staff presentations and extensive council discussion.

Consent Calendar

• 9A: Award of a contract to 72 Hour LLC / National Auto Fleet Group (Watsonville, CA) for the purchase of one Freightliner M2106 utility truck.
• 9B: Authorization for the City Manager to execute a contract for the construction of King Farm's Electric Infrastructure Capital Improvements Program project (IFB 1-25).
• Approval of previous meeting minutes.
• All consent items were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Six residents from the Montrose neighborhood (Planning Area 10) spoke during Community Forum, all opposing the proposed rezoning. Key concerns included:

• Traffic and pedestrian safety: Evelyn Drive and Rollins Avenue are described as dangerous, with narrow streets, illegal turns, lack of enforcement, and high traffic volumes. Speakers cited near-misses and expressed fear for children and emergency vehicle access.
• Increased density: Opposition to rezoning the Martha Terrace parking lot (currently a community center/pool) for medium-density housing, preferring single-family zoning.
• Property taxes and affordability: New development would raise property values and taxes, pricing out long-term residents. Existing buildings (Rollins Apartments, Congressional Towers) are already affordable naturally occurring housing.
• Character and green space: The neighborhood is walkable, and Montrose Park is already heavily used; additional density would reduce open space.
• Speakers urged the council to visit the neighborhood and reconsider all rezoning in Area 10, especially the Martha Terrace lot.

Discussion Items

• 11A: Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District Amendments – Staff proposed revisions to building footprint and height standards, removal of redundant rules, and addition of alternative compliance provisions. Council discussed the process for future amendments (decoupled from comprehensive plan), tracking feedback, and exemption for institutions. The ordinances were introduced, the layover period was waived (supermajority), and adopted unanimously.
• 12A: Town Center Master Plan Adoption – Staff reviewed changes made since the January 13 meeting (errata, 60-day extension). The plan was adopted unanimously after a motion to waive the layover. Council also directed staff to move wayfinding/signage improvements from mid-term to near-term and to add a chart on bonus vs. by-right heights to the plan document.
• Work Session: Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment – Staff presented proposed rezonings by planning area, focusing on those recommended in the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Council gave initial feedback (thumbs up/down) on each area:
  • Planning Area 2 (East Rockville): Supported RMD infill and MXCD near Metro; asked for more information on the RO zone for West End (Area 4) and concerns about traffic infrastructure in Lincoln Park (Area 6).
  • Planning Area 4 (West End): Need for clarity on the new RO zone, layback slopes, and engagement with Jerusalem Mount Pleasant Church (downzoning concern).
  • Planning Area 6 (Lincoln Park): Qualified support pending traffic infrastructure improvements on Ashley Avenue.
  • Planning Area 8 (Twinbrook): Generally supported, but council asked for options on MXB vs. MXCD near the Twinbrook Metro station, considering state transit-oriented development law.
  • Planning Area 10 (Montrose): More information needed on the new high-density residential zone for Congressional Towers/Rollins Park and the green parcel, with concerns about displacement of naturally occurring affordable housing.
  • Planning Area 12 (Tower Oaks): Theoretically supported, but actual development unlikely due to private agreement.
  • Planning Area 16 (King Farm/Shady Grove - Picard Drive): Council requested clarification on whether MXCD is a downzoning from MXE (height and uses) before final support.
  • Planning Area 17 (South Lawn/Redgate): Supported the change from IL to MXE to correct historic zoning, with a call to engage the David Scull Courts and Redgate Farms communities.
• Staff will incorporate feedback and return with more detailed options.

Key Outcomes

• Boards & Commissions: Kevin Gash reappointed to the Ethics Commission (3-year term) and Deborah Landau appointed to the Environment Commission (3-year term)—unanimous.
• Consent Agenda: Approved.
• Lincoln Park Conservation District: Both ordinances (plan amendment and zoning text amendment) adopted unanimously after waiving layover.
• Town Center Master Plan: Adopted as an amendment to the 2021 Comprehensive Plan (unanimous).
• Zoning Rewrite Work Session: Council provided direction on each planning area; staff will conduct additional outreach (especially to renters, faith institutions, and HOAs) and return with refined proposals for areas needing more study.
• Future Meetings: Next regular meeting scheduled for February 3, 2025, with a Vision Zero presentation.