Rockville Historic District Commission and Board of Appeals Meetings - January 25, 2026
Rockville Historic District Commission and Board of Appeals Meetings - January 25, 2026
Note on dates: The transcript indicates the Historic District Commission portion began as meeting number 1, 2026 on Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the Board of Appeals portion began as meeting 3-2025 (with references to a July 2025 meeting). Per the user's instruction, this summary uses the provided date of January 25, 2026, for the combined meeting.
Two separate city bodies met on the same agenda file. The Historic District Commission (HDC) considered routine approvals, a courtesy review, and a presentation on zoning reform. The Board of Appeals (BoA) heard a variance request, approved minutes, re-elected its chair, and received a similar zoning ordinance orientation.
Historic District Commission Meeting
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the December 18, 2025 HDC meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- One member of the public attended virtually but did not request to speak during the open forum. No other public testimony was offered on HDC agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Commissioner presentation: Commissioner Michael Goldfinger presented on the history of the Rockville Methodist Episcopal Church (now Jerusalem Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church) at 21 Wood Lane, highlighting its 19th-century origins, role in educating black students, and architectural evolution.
- Certificate of Approval 2026‑220 COA (409 West Montgomery Ave.): Applicant Lewis Parker proposed replacing a deteriorated brick front walkway with Pennsylvania flagstone and reusing the brick as a border. Staff found the proposal met Secretary of the Interior Standard No. 9. The commission approved the certificate of approval without discussion.
- Courtesy Review 2026‑227 CRT (401 West Montgomery Ave.): Owner Kelly Kaleppe (participating virtually) sought feedback on converting an existing concrete slab (formerly a basketball court) into a flagstone patio with portable planters, seating, and a grilling station. Commissioners Seth Dunbow and Michael Goldfinger expressed concerns that the 29‑by‑45‑foot slab remains too large and could be re‑converted. They recommended reducing the slab size (e.g., by one‑third to one‑half), adding permanent in‑ground plantings, and restoring some green space to better match the historic district’s character. Staff noted that no formal action was taken; the owner plans to submit a certificate of approval application incorporating the feedback. A neighbor, Aaron Mahoney, submitted written comments supporting a smaller patio and more landscaping.
- Zoning ordinance rewrite presentation: Chief of Zoning Jim Waslack presented an overview of the draft zoning ordinance and comprehensive map amendment project, adopted by the Mayor and Council on December 1, 2025. He explained the adoption timeline (planning commission review through February 2026, Mayor and Council hearings in April, potential adoption in June 2026), key changes (e.g., new zones along transit corridors, reduced special exceptions), and how to provide feedback via the Engage Rockville site. Commissioners asked about HDC’s role in providing input and how the rewrite relates to the city’s historic preservation work plan. Staff confirmed that the draft addresses all work items in the HDC’s preservation work plan.
- Preservation month event: Commissioners Seth Dunbow and Peter Fosselman are co‑organizing the 2026 preservation month event. They plan to finalize ideas and present them at the next meeting. Staff also noted the 100th anniversary of the Glenview Mansion renovation and will share upcoming programming.
- New business: Commissioner Dunbow asked about reported construction at Lincoln High School. Staff will follow up to provide an update.
Key Outcomes
- Approved certificate of approval for 409 West Montgomery Avenue (walkway replacement).
- Provided feedback on the courtesy review for 401 West Montgomery Avenue; no formal decision was rendered.
- Received zoning ordinance rewrite information; HDC may submit a collective comment letter.
- Preservation month planning to continue; next steps to be shared.
Board of Appeals Meeting
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes of the July 16, 2025 meeting as presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke on the variance application. The adjacent property owner submitted a letter of support.
Discussion Items
- Variance Application 2026‑181‑VAR (721 Mapleton Road): Applicant Andrea Ware (participating virtually) requested a three‑foot variance from the required eight‑foot side yard setback (permit five feet) to enclose an existing screened porch as conditioned living space. Staff reported that the property’s wedge shape and a 10‑foot‑wide water/sewer reservation create unique conditions; the encroachment follows the existing footprint and will not harm neighbors. The board found all four statutory findings satisfied. Testimony was taken from staff and the applicant; no opposition was presented.
- Other business
- Election of chair: Alan Frankel was nominated and re‑elected as chair of the Board of Appeals for the coming year (vote: 2 ayes, 1 abstention).
- Zoning ordinance orientation: Jim Waslack presented the same zoning rewrite overview given to the HDC, emphasizing the accelerated schedule, mapping changes, and topics the Mayor and Council will address (e.g., deer fencing, nonconformities, appeal periods). Board members asked about the impact on the board’s workload (fewer special exceptions) and whether new code supersedes HOA rules (no). The board may submit individual or collective comments.
Key Outcomes
- Variance granted: Approved a three‑foot side yard setback variance (from 8 to 5 feet) for the enclosure of a screened porch at 721 Mapleton Road, subject to staff’s findings and conditions.
- Approved minutes of July 16, 2025.
- Re‑elected Alan Frankel as board chair.
- Received zoning ordinance information; board members to consider providing feedback.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the City of Rockville's Historic District Commission meeting. This is meeting number one, 2026. It's Thursday, January 15th, 2026. I'm Peter Fosselman, Chair of the HDC, and I'm joined tonight by fellow commissioners Seth Dunbow, Michael Goldfinger, Anita Neil Powell, and Mercy Schenge. We're also joined this evening by uh city staff Cynthia Walters, who's our deputy city attorney, Katie Gerbis, who's our comprehensive planning manager, and Megan Flick, who is our principal planner. Before we get started on the main part of the meeting, I just wanted to note that this is my first meeting as the chair of the Historic District Commission, and I have big shoes to fill. Um, and uh I wanted to recognize um Anidina O'Powell for all of her work, not only on the HCC but around the city in general and for the community. But as a token of our appreciation, um we just have a gift for you here. Um you don't have to open it now, but you're certainly welcome to do so. Um, and this is from all of the commissioners. Thank you all. Much deserved. Well deserved. Yes. Um, moving along to the rest of the agenda, I'll note that um the meetings may be viewed on Rockville Channel 11, uh, which is County Cable, and they're live streamed at Rockville MD.com forward slash Rockville 11. And you may also see the meetings later that are videotaped at Rockville MD.gov forward slash video on demand. Our first item on the agenda are committee and organizational reports. Uh is anyone here this evening from uh Peerless Rockville. Okay, they may we'll give them they might show up a little bit later, so we'll I was notified by Miss Picard that she would not be making the first half of our meeting tonight. Great, thank you. Uh next on the agenda is the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation, and Miss Powell is the president. Good evening, happy um new years, everyone. I do not have a report tonight. Thank you very much. Um, do we have any public comments? And this is an open forum time to make a comment on anything that is not on the agenda this evening. Staff, do we have anyone online? We have one member of the public who is online, however, they have not indicated that they'd like to speak during um open forum. Um, if any of the attendees online would like to speak at this point in time, go ahead and use the raise hand feature or send a chat message to us, um, and we can unmute you and give you the ability to speak. Great, thank you. Um item D is Historic District Commission and staff comments. Do any of the commissioners have any comments for this evening? No. Okay. Staff. We do not have any staff comments, although um Commissioner Goldfinger, do you have a presentation you would like to make? Yes, I do. Okay, we'll pull that up for you. Yes. Um for this month's uh historic building. Uh I selected something that is not as widely well known as some of the others. Um, and it goes to point out that there are many, many historic structures uh in the city worthy of our attention, and uh just to make people aware of them. And hopefully, as you travel around the city, we'll start to notice some of these uh historic buildings that that speak to our our heritage. Uh tonight I'm talking about the uh Rockville Methodist Episcopal Church, uh currently known as the Jerusalem Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church. Building currently known as Jerusalem Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church is located at 21 Wood Lane, immediately west of North Washington Street in Rockville's town center. In the mid-19th century, the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church purchased lot 82 of the original town of Rockville for 48 in order to construct a house of worship. Up until then, Rockville Methodists met in private homes with occasional visits from a quote circuit rider minister. And uh up on the screen are some photos. In 1845, the Rockville Circuit was established to serve 715 white and 527 black Methodists. Seven years later, in 1852, Rockville Methodist Episcopal Church incorporated and constructed a brick house of worship on Wood Lane.
openpublica.com