Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Rockville Planning Commission held meeting number 12-26 on October 14, 2026, at 12:15 PM. Chair Mong Sen presided, and commissioners Jamie Esponosa, Susan Pitman, Jeff Zains, Eric Fute, and Cheyenne Salah Hading were present. The meeting was conducted in person and virtually. The agenda included two review and action items: a level two site plan for a bank building at Falls Grove Village Center and a mandatory referral for the Red Gate Park and Arboretum, followed by commission items.
Staff from Community Planning and Development Services presented the application by FG Retail LLC, an affiliate of Learner Enterprises, to construct a 3,000-square-foot bank building with a drive-thru at 521 Falls Grove Drive. The site is 13.74 acres within the Falls Grove Village Center, zoned Plan Development Falls Grove (PDFG) with equivalent MXNC zoning. The proposal would remove approximately 25 parking spaces, leaving 811 spaces (per staff calculation) on the site. Signage for the building was previously approved under the center’s comprehensive sign plan. Staff found the proposal consistent with applicable zoning and comprehensive plan standards and recommended approval subject to conditions in the staff report.
Commissioner Jeff Zains asked about the exact number of parking spaces lost and signage. Staff clarified that the applicant’s count of 814 remaining spaces differed from staff’s 811, but that the final number would be confirmed in the signature set.
No public testimony was offered.
A motion to approve the site plan application based on the findings and conditions in the staff report was made and seconded. The commission voted unanimously in favor, with all commissioners in attendance voting aye.
The City of Rockville Recreation and Parks Department submitted a mandatory referral for the transformation of the 131-acre former Red Gate Golf Course at 14500 Avery Road into a park and arboretum, implementing the Reimagining Red Gate Master Plan adopted in October 2022. Principal Planner Nelson Ortiz presented the first phase, which includes a nature-based inclusive playground, three picnic pavilions, a restroom building, community garden, dog park, and accessible trail loops (one mile and half-mile). Future phases may include an amphitheater, aqua garden boardwalks, and a visitor center. Staff recommended approval, finding the project consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Commissioner Susan Pitman questioned the criteria for providing restroom facilities in city parks. Chris Henry, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks, explained that the decision is based on expected park usage, and that the city is working to expand restroom access at other parks during daylight hours with security measures.
Commissioner Jeff Zains inquired about a pedestrian connection along Avery Road and from Taft Court. Staff acknowledged that the path was not included in the initial budget but that the city is committed to completing it through reallocation of capital funds and coordination between Recreation and Parks and Public Works.
Commissioner Eric Fute commented on the conceptual nature of the plans. The chair noted that the mandatory referral review under state law is limited to determining consistency with the comprehensive plan and does not require detailed design.
Commissioner Cheyenne Salah Hading asked about public art. Chris Henry responded that the city’s Art and Culture Manager is collaborating on integrating functional art into park features.
No public testimony was received.
A motion to approve the mandatory referral subject to the conditions in the staff report was made and seconded. The commission voted unanimously in favor.
Staff liaison Mr. Westlack provided an update on upcoming meetings: October 28 (mandatory referral for 260 East Jefferson Street), November 4 (potentially combined with a Zoning Ordinance Rewrite update), and December 9 (next regular meeting). Chair Mong Sen announced that the commission received a proclamation from the city recognizing Community Planning Month.
Under old business, the development of guidelines for street naming is ongoing and expected after the first of the year.
Under new business, Chair Mong Sen declared October as Walktober in Rockville and highlighted a community walk and roll event on October 15 at 6 PM starting at Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, followed by a candlelight vigil for traffic victims.
Commissioner Jeff Zains proposed a review of the commission’s rules of procedure, noting that they were last revised in 2023 and several commissioners are new. After discussion, it was agreed that staff would circulate the current rules, and commissioners would provide feedback before any redrafting.
The minutes from the September 9 meeting were presented. A motion to approve them as drafted was made and seconded. The commission approved the minutes, with one abstention from a commissioner who was absent.
The meeting adjourned after the conclusion of business.
Good evening, Rockville. Today is Wednesday, October 14th, 2026. This is meeting number 12-26 of the City of Rockview Planning Commission. I am Mong Sen, Chair of the Planning Commission. I am joined in Chamber by Commissioners Jamie Esponosa, Susan Pitman, Jeff Zains, Eric Fute, and Commissioner Cheyenne Salah Hading. Tonight's meeting is being conducted in person and virtually by WebEx. Tonight's agenda includes two review and action items, and then will be followed by our regular scheduled commission items. So before we start, any commissioners have any questions or comments. Okay, here and then let's proceed with today's first agenda. Review and action item A level tool site plan application 2026 301 STP to a permit construction of 3,000 square feet at 521 False Grove Drive in the PGFG False Grove Plan Development Zone. FG Retail LLC is the applicant. So Mr. Westlack, is there a presentation from staff? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair and members of the Commission. This is a level two site plan, and the Planning Commission is the approving authority. It's being processed under the 2009 uh zoning ordinance as one of our pending projects. And with that, I'm going to turn it over to Richard Lawrence to make the staff presentation after I swear him in. Thank you. Richard, if you could identify yourself for the record. My name is Richard Lawrence. And will you provide truthful testimony this evening? I will do so. Please proceed. Good evening, Madam Chair and members of the Planning Commission. Again, for the record, my name is Richard Lawrence. I'm a principal planner with uh the community planning and development services development review team. The request before you tonight is a level two site plan application for 521 Falls Grove, Falls Grove Drive, located in the Falls Grove Village Center. Hold on. There we go. The applicant FG Retail LLC requests approval to construct a three a new 3,000 square foot bank building within the existing Falls Grove Village Center. The property is approximately 13.74 acres and is zoned PDFG, Plan Development Falls Grove. Per section 14.25, the retail and commercial uses within the PD has an equivalent zoning of MXNC, mixed use neighborhood commercial. The new building is proposed along the Shady Grove Road side of the center. The property is surrounded on the south, east, and north by the Falls Grove planned community. Falls Grove Boulevard borders the property to the south, beyond which are four story multifamily residential buildings. To the east of the property, it's bordered by Falls Grove Drive, with townhouse developments located beyond Falls Grove Drive. To the north is a city-owned open space and an and a hotel north of the open space. And the property is bordered by Shady Grove Road on the west, which represents the western border for the city of Rockville. The sites to the west of Shady Grove Road are office and medical office type uses, as well as the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Falls Grove Village Center is an established commercial and office uh development within planning area 15. The broader plan development is approved under Resolution 1-00 with a program development allowing up to 150,000 square feet of retail and 75,000 square feet of office space. The center already contains existing retail and restaurant uses, structured and surface parking, internal circulation, sidewalks, landscaping, as well as site utilities. The proposal is an infill modification to the existing center, not an expansion beyond the previously approved development program.