Rockville City Council Meeting: Budget Adoption, Zoning Updates, and Public Comments - May 5, 2025

On May 5, 2025, the Rockville Mayor and Council convened for Meeting 12-25, beginning at 12:15 PM. The meeting included public comments, approval of consent items, a briefing on a project plan amendment for 255 Rockville Pike, adoption of the FY2026 budget, and a work session on the zoning ordinance rewrite and comprehensive map amendment. Key actions included unanimous budget adoption with no tax increase, direction on new town center zones, and a straw poll to draft a letter opposing WMATA's Q bus route changes.

Consent Calendar

• Items B through E were approved unanimously without discussion: resolutions to close completed capital projects, establish the stormwater utility equivalent residential unit rate, set the municipal refuse collection service charge, and declare official intent to reimburse expenditures from tax-exempt obligations.
• Item A (resolution to amend master fees for community planning and development services) was pulled by Councilmember Valeri, who questioned the level of service amid fee increases. The city manager outlined ongoing streamlining efforts (FAST program, added staffing). The motion to approve was seconded and passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Hoffman (former mayor, 37-year resident): Opposed rezoning of mixed-use commercial and transition properties in the West End to a new mixed-use residential office zone, arguing it would weaken Rockville Town Center's economic viability and deter investment. Urged council to oppose the rezoning.
• William Meyer (resident, 804 Leverton Road): Questioned the appropriateness of rezoning 27 acres of Woodmont Country Club property from R400 to RMD 25 given access constraints; also raised concerns about the refuse collection resolution's "any other reason" clause and requested timely acknowledgment of communications.
• James Murdoch (Twinburg community resident): Reported a severe bamboo infestation in Rock Creek Park encroaching on his property, having received no resolution from county agencies. Asked for city resources.
• Jeffrey Gance (Montrose neighborhood): Thanked council for increased enforcement on Evelyn and Rollins but expressed continued concern about traffic, speed, and the proposed rezoning of Martha Terrace. Opposed any upzoning of that property due to inadequate street infrastructure.
• John DeRoff (Newmark Commons): Criticized DPW sidewalk reconstruction on Techner Court for raising driveway aprons to curb height, creating safety hazards for children and vehicles; noted lack of notice.
• David Weinstein (Montrose Association): Thanked council for listening and enforcement actions; deferred to neighbors on zoning concerns.
• Susan Zemski (40-year resident): Opposed high density, height, and traffic on Martha Terrace and Rollins; asked council to consider surrounding county development and existing infrastructure limitations.
• Natasha Horwitz (Montrose resident): Argued the comprehensive plan's zoning recommendation for Area 10 may not have intended to include the small Martha Terrace parcel in mixed-use rezoning; requested council review the text and interpretation.
• Ashley Hoover (Pastor, Jerusalem Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, 21 Wood Lane): Requested that the church's properties on Wood Lane and Beale Avenue retain their current MXT zoning (not be rezoned to RO or R6D) to avoid barriers to future growth and community outreach.

Discussion Items

• Project Plan Amendment, 255 Rockville Pike (Action Item 11A): Principal Planner Kimia Zolfagharian and applicant Bob Elliott presented a proposal to amend the approved PD to allow either a phased residential redevelopment (up to 550 units, 217 feet max) or adaptive reuse of the existing office building for up to 160,000 sq ft of retail. The applicant cited market uncertainty and requested flexibility. Council questioned height, phasing, street safety (Middle Lane/Washington Street), BRT coordination, student generation, and beautification. Council expressed appreciation for the creative approach and asked staff to explore state-level incentives and streamline multi-agency coordination. The project will proceed to planning commission and a public hearing.
• FY2026 Budget Adoption: Staff presented the budget ordinance (attachment one) with total operating budget of $175.5 million (4.2% increase), CIP budget of $120.7 million, and no increase in property tax rates. Council asked about federal workers program funding (to be addressed via budget amendment on June 2) and police salary competitiveness (review after July 1). The motion to amend the ordinance and then adopt it passed unanimously. Council acknowledged Public Service Recognition Week.
• Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Map Amendment Work Session: Deputy Zoning Manager Holly Simmons led the session. Topics included:
  • New Town Center Zones: Proposed family of MXTD zones varied by height (85, 200, 235 ft) corresponding to character areas. Council unanimously supported the family and also agreed to apply MXTD 235 to existing MXTD properties in Twinbrook and Shady Grove. Council additionally asked staff to explore expanding transit-oriented zoning to other corridors (e.g., Veirs Mill).
  • Residential High Density (RHD) Zone: Proposed for Planning Area 10 (Rollins Park/Congressional Towers) with 50 du/acre, 75 ft max height, and a 45 ft transition within 100 ft of single-unit residential. Council supported the density and height transitions but requested traffic and infrastructure studies to address neighborhood concerns.
  • Height Transitions: Staff proposed replacing layback slopes with a step-back requirement for buildings 50 ft or taller (10 ft step-back after second story; additional 10 ft at 85 ft). The layback slope currently inhibits development (e.g., 400 N. Washington St.). Council majority supported the staff proposal but directed that the height transition apply only to abutting residential zones (not to all residential or RMD zones). A road tour of potential development areas was agreed upon.
  • Revisions to Existing Zone Standards: Staff proposed increasing the light industrial zone base height from 40 to 60 ft and clarifying design requirements (removing subjective language like "aesthetically pleasing"). Council supported the height increase and design clarity, but cautioned against overly prescriptive aesthetic mandates.
  • RMD Infill (Missing Middle) Zone: Proposed for areas near Rockville Metro and along Veirs Mill, allowing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and cottage courts with limited design standards. Council unanimously supported the zone and expressed interest in expanding it citywide. A tour and further mapping were discussed.
  • Lincoln Park Rezoning: Proposed to rezone R60 properties to RMD Infill; community concerns about displacement, traffic on Ashley Avenue, and historical equity were raised. Council requested additional information on traffic, state law applicability (distance to transit), and further community engagement. Most members were not ready to support the change; more information needed.
  • King Farm/Shady Grove Rezoning: Proposed rezone from MXE to MXCD (height decrease from 120 to 75 ft). Council leaned toward keeping the current MXE zoning to retain height flexibility and residential potential, pending further discussion on the road tour.

Key Outcomes

• FY2026 Budget: Unanimously adopted with no tax increase; includes $1.1M in general fund reserves.
• Consent Items: Items B–E passed unanimously; Item A (permitting fees) passed after discussion.
• 255 Rockville Pike Project: Council provided preliminary support for flexibility between residential and retail; planning commission to review; staff to explore incentives and multi-agency coordination.
• Zoning Direction:
  • Church property (Jerusalem Mount Pleasant) will not be downzoned; retain current MXT.
  • Family of MXTD zones supported; apply MXTD 235 to Twinbrook/Shady Grove.
  • RHD zone supported with caveat for traffic studies.
  • Height transitions: staff proposal to apply step-backs only to abutting residential zones (not RMD); road tour planned.
  • RMD Infill zone supported; seek expansion opportunities.
  • Lincoln Park: more information needed; council not ready to proceed.
  • Picard Drive corridor: direction to keep current MXE zoning rather than rezone to MXCD.
• Old Business: Councilmember Valeri's motion to draft a letter to WMATA opposing elimination of the Q bus route received straw poll support. Council also noted interest in teacher housing collaboration with MCEA/MCPS and MPDU educational seminars.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned unanimously.