Rockville Historic District Commission Meeting 5-2026: May 20, 2026
Rockville Historic District Commission Meeting 5-2026: May 20, 2026
The Rockville Historic District Commission (HDC) held its fifth meeting of 2026 on May 20, 2026, at the Marin Council Chambers. Commissioners Peter Fosselman (Chair), Seth Denbow, Michael Goldberg (virtual), and Anini Neil Powell were present. Commissioner Mercy Schenge was absent. Acting City Attorney Cynthia Walters and planners Megan Flick and Andrew Reichelbach also attended. The meeting included committee reports, a consent agenda, a postponement, a certificate of approval, an evaluation of significance with a vote, and a continuation of another evaluation case.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the HDC 4-2026 meeting (April 16, 2026) by unanimous voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Hill (733 Beale Avenue) expressed concern about the aging of the city's historic resources documents, noting they are nearly 40 years old. He urged the city to proactively update the historic resources inventory, stating that owners of potentially historic properties have no warning of a historic designation until a demolition request is before the commission.
Committee Reports & Presentations
- Peerless Rockville (Nancy, representative): Announced the opening of a pictorial exhibit called "Rockville 250, our American story" celebrating 250 years of history, open Wednesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Redbrook Courthouse through at least September. Also thanked attendees of the May 14th reception at Glenview Mansion for the 100th anniversary of its major renovation, noting over 100 people attended a tour.
- Lincoln Park Historical Foundation (Commissioner Anita Neil Powell, president): Promoted a preservation conference on preserving Black history, titled "Preserving Black History in Museums and Historic Places Conference: Connecting Communities and Heritage," to be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rockville. The conference will cover museums, grants, and archival systems.
Discussion Items
- Postponement of 24 Martins Lane (2026-331-EOS): The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to postpone discussion of the evaluation of significance for 24 Martins Lane to a later HDC meeting, citing late-arriving information requiring further staff research. Commissioner Seth Denbow expressed concern that the pending zoning ordinance rewrite (ZOR) may lead to future significance evaluations being handled administratively rather than by the HDC, arguing that a building of this age and importance should still come before the commission. Chair Fosselman noted the motion was made after consulting with legal counsel.
- Certificate of Approval – 8 Thomas Street (2026-343-COA): The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to approve a certificate of approval to replace front steps and install handrails at 8 Thomas Street, finding it meets Secretary of the Interior Standard for Rehabilitation #9. Homeowner Alex Daskalakis spoke in support, citing safety for elderly parents. Commissioner Goldberg expressed mild concern about the design's differentiation from existing porch railings but accepted the owner's intent to match the existing style.
- Evaluation of Significance – 508 Beale Avenue (2026-302-EOS): Staff recommended against historic designation for the ranch-style home built in 1946, stating no significant history was found. Owner Thomas Kehoe spoke, stating he had owned the property for five years and plans to demolish and rebuild for his family. The commission voted 3-1 to find the property does not meet HDC criteria for historic significance, with Commissioner Powell opposing. This decision suffices for the demolition permit; the owner may proceed to file a demolition permit without further HDC review.
- Evaluation of Significance – 200A and 200B Monroe Street (2026-330-EOS): This case involves two structures on one parcel: 200A (non-historic) and 200B (1906 Samuel Heag House with 1983 additions). Staff recommended: 200A is not historic; for 200B, the 1906 home should be designated historic (criteria A and E), but the 1983 additions and parking structure should not. Applicant Patrick Bloomfield (PT Blooms Development) requested a postponement to engage a historic consultant, citing the staff report did not address the 1980s additions he wished to demolish. The commission voted unanimously to continue the case to the next regularly scheduled HDC meeting, allowing staff to clarify how a partial historic designation would work (e.g., map amendment for an overlay), and whether the A and B properties should be split into separate applications.
- Old Business – Historic Preservation Month Letter: Chair Fosselman presented a draft letter on the importance of historic preservation for public comment. Commissioners approved the letter and discussed dissemination methods: an email to HDC mailing list, inclusion in Rockville Reports (likely for June due to timing), and posting on the HDC web page. Fosselman will prepare a short summary to accompany the full letter.
- New Business: The commission noted that staff member Sheila (Bashiri) is on leave and expressed intention to formally honor her when she returns, possibly in June.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of HDC 4-2026 meeting (unanimous).
- Postponed 24 Martins Lane evaluation to a future meeting (unanimous).
- Approved certificate of approval for 8 Thomas Street (unanimous).
- Determined 508 Beale Avenue is not historically significant (3-1, Commissioner Powell opposed), clearing the way for a demolition permit.
- Continued the evaluation for 200A/200B Monroe Street to the next HDC meeting (unanimous), with staff to provide clarification on partial historic designation and the possibility of splitting the application.
- Approved the historic preservation month letter for dissemination via multiple channels.
- Adjourned the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This is Historic District Commission meeting number 5-2026. It's Thursday, May 20th, 2026. I'm Peter Fosselman. I'm chair of the Historic District Commission. I'm joined this evening by fellow commissioner Seth Denbow, Michael Goldberg as virtual, and Anini Neil Powell. Our fellow commissioner Mercy Schenge is not able to attend this evening. She's at her son's graduation. We're also joined this evening by our uh Cynthia Waters, Walters, who is our acting city attorney, our fellow planners Megan Flick and Andrew Reichelbach. Okay, got it there. Is that all right, Randall? Got it. Okay, thank you. Um the Historic District Commission meets in person at the Marin Council Chambers. Um, and this evening you may view the meeting on Rockville MD.gov forward slash Rockville 11, and then each of the meetings are recorded, and you can see it later on RockvilleMD.gov forward slash video on demand. So this evening we have committee reports. Uh the first one is Peerless Rockville. I know Nancy's in the audience. Thank you for being here and your continued support. Thank you very much. Good evening, Chair Fosselman and fellow commissioners. Thank you for always inviting me here on behalf of Peerless Rockville. Just two quick updates on some programming that we've been doing. Yesterday we had uh opening ceremony for our exhibit celebrating 250 years of history here in Rockville and also in Montgomery County and our nation. Um it's a pictorial exhibit called Rockville 250, our American story. We had an opening reception from four to six yesterday, and the exhibit is now open Wednesday through Friday from 10 to 4 at the Redbrook Courthouse. And we will have select Saturday openings as well. Uh let's see, we anticipate being open at least through September, likely further into the fall as well. And I hope that you will all stop by. In addition to that, I want to just thank all of the wonderful people that came out on Thursday, May 14th, so one week ago, to Glenview Mansion to join us to celebrate uh 100th anniversary of the major renovation of Glenview into the estate property that we know it today. We had over a hundred people that joined us for a tour of the property. Um we did an architectural tour on the exterior and all through the building. Um it was very well received, and I think that there's a program that the city's gonna put on in September. Um so if anyone missed the opportunity to do it, they can join again with the city in September. So that's all I have for now. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next on the agenda is the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation, Commissioner Powell. Good evening. My name is Anita Neil Powell, president of the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation. The foundation and partners will be hosting a preservation conference on preserving black history in museums and historic places conference, connecting communities and heritage Saturday, May 30th from 11 to 2 p.m. in Rockville. This conference will focus on stories that forage new ideas for museums, creative expression, unique presentation, and diverse ways black history can be woven into American history. Here from experts, historians, preservationists, educational educators, professionals, advocates, and community leaders who will share stories and lessons learned from building, managing, operating, and securing museums with unique beginnings, including types of museums that interpret the historic significance of African American stories and local communities, finds and grants available to preserve African American culture and heritage, say buildings and historic sites, and promote public places, ways to strengthen museum presence by safeguarding collections, preserving artifacts, and building historical archival systems. For more information, send an email to Lincoln Park H I S T at AOL.com. That concludes my report. Thank you, Commissioner Powell. Next on our agenda is item C, which is public comment open forum. This is an opportunity for anyone here this evening, whether you're in the audience or you're online to make a comment about an item that's not on the agenda this evening. So if there's anyone here, if you could raise your hand and just come forward, please.
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