Rockville Historic District Commission Meeting No. 32026 – March 19, 2026

The Historic District Commission (HDC) of Rockville held its meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in the Mayor and Council Chambers. Chair Peter Fosselman presided, joined by Commissioners Seth Denbo, Michael Goldfinger, Anita Neil Powell, and Mercy Senghi. Staff present included Preservation Planner Sheila Bashiri, Deputy City Attorney Cynthia Waters, and Principal Planner Megan Flick. The meeting was broadcast live on Rockville Channel 11 and via WebEx.

Commission Organization Reports

• Peerless Rockville: Collections Manager Catherine Rogers reported on the Rockville 250 programming for the nation’s 250th anniversary, including exhibits at the Historic Red Brick Courthouse and a virtual presentation on the Hungerford Resolves on Monday, March 30 at 7 p.m. Rogers also noted a meeting between Peerless Rockville’s Nancy and Chair Fosselman and Commissioner Denbo regarding the May preservation celebration.
• Lincoln Park Historical Foundation: The president (unidentified by name) reported on the foundation’s 49th anniversary event on February 28, 2026, themed “Gospel Train Ride to Freedom, Harriet Tubman on the Run.” Upcoming events include the first Maryland African American Preservation Conference (May, date TBD) and the Lincoln Park community’s 135th anniversary celebration on June 13, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Male Calvary Baptist Church.

HDC and Staff Comments

• Commissioner Goldfinger highlighted the history of the Jerusalem Mount Pleasant Parsonage (19 Wood Lane), noting its origins after the Methodist church split in 1868, use as a parsonage until 1986, and restoration after an arson fire in 1999. He called it one of the few remaining historic church and parsonage units in Montgomery County.
• Commissioner Senghi thanked Commissioner Powell for the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation event and praised the community’s contributions.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the February 19, 2026, meeting.

Evaluation of Significance: 718 Bell Avenue (2026-250 EOS)

• Staff Presentation: Preservation Planner Sheila Bashiri stated that the property (a small house built circa 1949–1950) does not meet HDC criteria for historic significance. The applicant (Robert Shapiro of Goshen Valley Investments, owner Andrew Miller) seeks demolition for new construction. Staff recommended against historic designation.
• Commissioner Discussion: Commissioner Denbo noted the house represents post-World War II growth but that demolition erases historic context; he suggested the city fund documentation. He also pointed an error in the staff description (driveway location). Commissioner Denbo (a neighbor) said the house likely is not historic but asked for a future rough idea of the replacement home. He also recommended donating salvageable materials to Habitat for Humanity.
• Public Comment: Terry Pinkston, a neighbor on Anderson Street, stated she lives in a small house and advocated for keeping smaller houses. She raised concerns about erosion from two recently built large houses and about trees already cut down on the subject property. She called for city oversight of grading and runoff on new construction.
• Staff Response: Bashiri clarified that environmental and erosion control issues fall outside HDC purview; other city departments handle permitting and inspections. Commissioner Goldfinger noted that drainage plans are typically required during the permitting process.
• Vote: Commissioner Denbo moved to recommend against historic designation. The motion carried 4–1, with Commissioner Powell opposed. (Chair Fosselman did not vote on this item; he participated in the discussion and vote as per the transcript).

Certificate of Approval: 401 West Montgomery Avenue (2026-256 COA)

• Recusal: Chair Fosselman recused himself because the owner of the adjacent property is his attorney. Commissioner Goldfinger presided for this item.
• Staff Presentation: Bashiri presented a revised proposal to replace an unapproved basketball court and concrete slab with a small patio. The revised plan (submitted March 16) reduces the footprint to a small patio abutting an existing patio. Staff found the revised plan meets Secretary of Interior Standards and recommended approval with conditions: remove existing concrete, plant privacy evergreens along the west fence, and complete work by April 20, 2026.
• Public Comment: Neighbor Erin Mahoney (405 West Montgomery) expressed support for the revised proposal and requested tall plantings along the fence.
• Applicant Comment: Owner Kelly Kaleppe thanked the commission, requested approval, and noted willingness to complete work by a deadline. She asked for 60 days instead of 30 to accommodate her landscaper.
• Commissioner Discussion: Commissioners agreed to extend the deadline to May 20, 2026 (60 days).
• Vote: The commission approved the certificate of approval with conditions (remove concrete, plant privacy evergreens, work completed by May 20, 2026). The vote was 4–0 with Chair Fosselman abstaining.

Discussion Items: Preservation Month Planning (May 2026)

• Chair Fosselman and Commissioner Denbo reported on a meeting with Peerless Rockville’s Nancy, who offered partnership opportunities for preservation events.
• Proposed Events: Commissioner Denbo suggested HDC partner with Peerless Rockville for their Thursday, May 14, 2026, event at Glenview Mansion (commemorating the 100th anniversary of the mansion and the 250th anniversary of the nation). This would give HDC a visible role. Additionally, Commissioner Powell and other commissioners expressed interest in HDC hosting its own event, such as an open house at a historic property.
• Owner Kelly Kaleppe, present at the meeting, volunteered her home at 401 West Montgomery Avenue for an open house, offering to share experiences of working with HDC. Staff supported the idea given its timeliness.
• Consensus: The commission agreed in principle to pursue two Preservation Month activities: (1) partnering with Peerless Rockville on the May 14 event at Glenview Mansion, and (2) hosting an open house at 401 West Montgomery Avenue on a separate, to-be-determined date (likely a weekend). Chair Fosselman and Commissioner Denbo were to coordinate logistics with staff and the city’s public information office for publicity. No formal vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Recommendation Against Historic Designation for 718 Bell Avenue: The commission voted 4–1 to not designate the property as historic, clearing the way for demolition (subject to further permitting).
• Approval of Certificate of Approval for 401 West Montgomery Avenue: The commission approved (4–0, 1 abstention) a patio replacement for an unapproved basketball court, with conditions requiring concrete removal, privacy plantings, and completion by May 20, 2026.
• Preservation Month Events: The commission decided to hold two events: a joint participation in Peerless Rockville’s May 14 Glenview Mansion event and a separate open house at 401 West Montgomery Avenue, with logistics to be finalized.