Rockville Historic District Commission Meeting – February 19, 2026
Rockville Historic District Commission Meeting – February 19, 2026
The Rockville Historic District Commission (HDC) met on the evening of February 19, 2026, to conduct evaluations of significance for three properties, approve meeting minutes, and discuss plans for Preservation Month in May. The meeting was chaired by Peter Fossman and included commissioners Seth Dumbo, Michael Goldfinger, Niddy Neil Powell, and Mercy Shanghai, along with staff members.
Commissioner Reports
- Lincoln Park Historical Foundation Update – Commissioner Niddy Neil Powell (also president of the foundation) announced the foundation's 49th anniversary event on February 28, 2026, and the 135th anniversary of the Lincoln Park community in June 2026. She highlighted a Black History Month showcase at City Hall and the African American Heritage Walking Tour, which recently added the former Carver Junior College site.
- Historical Building Highlight – Commissioner (likely Michael Goldfinger) presented a talk on the Farmers Banking and Trust Company building, the only Art Deco building in Rockville, which received historic designation in 2025. Commissioner Powell noted that her great-grand uncle, Walter Johnson, had an account there. A public attendee, John Dufief, shared a personal memory about the bank.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval – The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the January 15, 2026 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2026-232 EOS (St. Raphael's Catholic Church Office Building) – Seven members of the public testified, all expressing concerns about the lack of transparency, safety during construction, and the overall process. Speakers included:
- Caitlin Warwick (parishioner and former school parent): Noted she first learned of the project at this meeting.
- Jose Padin (parishioner and Rockville resident): Asked about next steps and community involvement.
- Kelly Shires (parishioner and school nurse): Raised safety concerns for students.
- John O'Brien (community member): Stated he was not opposed but wanted more design details.
- Neilo Kennedy (parishioner and parent): Requested information on project timing and child protection.
- Kelly Shires spoke a second time to reiterate safety impacts.
- Applicant representative John Dufief (parishioner) provided informal responses about fencing and dust control, and explained that the parish had not engaged the community earlier because they were awaiting city approval.
Discussion Items
- Item 2026-232 EOS – St. Raphael's Catholic Church Office Building (1592 Kimblewick Road) – Staff planner Katie Gerbase clarified that the HDC's role is only to determine if the building meets historic designation criteria; it has no authority over future construction. She also noted that an active minor site plan (STP2024-00478) is under review by the city's Development Review Committee. Preservation planner Sheila Bashiri presented the staff report, finding the building (a former farmhouse/chicken coop with multiple additions) does not meet any of the nine designation criteria. The commission voted unanimously to recommend against historic designation.
- Item 2026-229 EOS – City of Rockville Maintenance Building (14625 Roth Gap Drive) – Staff presented that the building, constructed around 1970 with trailers added in the late 1980s, has no notable architecture or historical associations. It is part of a city-owned maintenance yard. All staff have relocated to a new facility. The commission voted unanimously to recommend against historic designation.
- Item 2026-245 EOS – 931 Maple Avenue (Residence) – Staff described the house as a 1947 minimal traditional/ranch style home with no notable features. Commissioner Goldfinger commented on the importance of documenting post-World War II neighborhoods as they change. Staff noted they have requested funding for a citywide windshield survey but have not received it. The commission voted unanimously to recommend against historic designation.
- Preservation Month Planning (Old Business) – Commissioners Dumbo and Fossman presented a proposal for a public tour of historic homes and buildings in May 2026, potentially including bus transportation. Commissioner Powell suggested coordinating with Peerless Rockville. Staff reported that Peerless Rockville already has programming in May and expressed openness to a partnership (e.g., co-branding an exhibit at the Red Brick Courthouse or a walk-through at Glenview Mansion). The commission agreed to continue discussions with Peerless Rockville and aim to finalize plans by April. The logistics will be led by commissioners with minimal staff support due to upcoming staffing changes.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: Three evaluations of significance all resulted in unanimous votes recommending against historic designation, allowing demolition permits to be pursued (pending additional city approvals).
- Next Steps for St. Raphael's Project: The minor site plan application remains active; the public was directed to contact case planner Christopher Davis (cdavis@rockvillemd.gov) for information and to submit comments.
- Preservation Month: The HDC will collaborate with Peerless Rockville to develop a joint event in May, with further planning to occur in March and April.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the City of Rockville's Historic District Commission. It's Thursday, February 19th. This is meeting number two, 226. I'm joined, I'm Peter Fossman. I'm the chair of the HCC, and I'm joined by fellow commissioners Seth Dumbo, Michael Goldfinger, and Niddy Neil Powell, and Mercy Shanghai. With us this evening also are staff member, Sheila Bashiri, who's our preservation planner, Cynthia Walters, who's our deputy city attorney, Katie Gerbase, who's comprehensive planning manager, and Megan Flick, who is the principal planner. The meeting may be uh viewed on Rockville's Channel 11. And that website is Rockville MD.gov forward slash Rockville 11. And each meeting is also uh you have the ability to view the meeting later on, and that's also at RockvilleMD.gov forward slash video on demand. Our first item on the agenda this evening are committee and organizational reports. Is anyone from Pureless Rockville here this evening? I do not see anyone. Uh sometimes they show up a few minutes later, so we'll move on if they show up that can report. Uh, next on the agenda is the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and fellow commissioner Nina Powell. Good evening. Again, my name is Anita Neal Powell. I'm the president of the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and the Leroy E. Neal, African American Research Center. The foundation will be hosting its 49th anniversary of February 28th, 4 p.m. at the Mel Calvary Baptist Church in Lincoln Park. And the 135th anniversary of the Lincoln Park community in June of 2026. We would like to ask that you stop by City Hall and visit the showcase depicting Black History throughout Montgomery County. And finally, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month in Rockville, please check out the African American Heritage Walking Tour or Virtual Tour of downtown Rockville. HDC have really included have recently included the former Carver Junior College located at 850 Hungerford Drive as one of the mini stops on the Walking Tour. Currently is the Board of Education. For more information, contact the foundation at Lincoln Park, HIST at AOL.com or HDC staff for more information on the walking tour. And this concludes my report. Thank you, Commissioner. Next on the agenda are any public comments. It's open forum time for anything that is not on the agenda this evening. If anyone has a comment that's here this evening or online, if you could please speak up. Don't see anyone. Okay, thank you. Next is the HCC, the commissioners, and any comments from the staff. Commissioners, anything to say? It is time. Okay. Good evening. As I've been doing for the last several months, I've been highlighting a different historical building within the city of Rockville. Just to make everybody aware that history is there, we just have to look for it. And tonight I've chosen the Farmers Banking and Trust Company building in downtown Rockville. In the late 19th century, attempts to establish banks in Rockville were less successful than in other parts of Montgomery County. Farmers Banking and Trust Company opened in 1900, joining Montgomery County National Bank of Rockville, which opened in 1884. Farmers Banking kept its funds at the National Bank while its original building was under construction. During World War One, Farmers Bank played a significant role in the city as its president, Robert Robert G. Hilton, head of the committee that promoted Liberty Bond sales. Farmers Banking and Trust constructed its Art Deco building in 1931 as construction of the new courthouse required the demolition of the bank's original building, along with several other buildings. At the time, it was reported that this was the first Art Deco design building in Rockville. Today it remains is the only Art Deco building in the city. Farmers Banking and Trust Company survived the Great Depression of the 1930s, closing in March 1933 for the banking holiday and reopening on April 15th of the same year 1933.
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