Rockville Council Explores Bold Updates to Downtown
At its Monday, December 16, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will approve a concept plan for the Rockville Metro Station and hold a second worksession on the Town Center Master Plan. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are purchase refuse trucks, approve easements and agreements for public and stormwater improvements, install EV charging stations, construct a sidewalk on Virginia Avenue, execute ADA improvements at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, establish affordable housing agreements for a new development, approve meeting minutes, and extinguish a pedestrian path easement on Hardwicke Place, among others. The next meeting will be held on January 6, 2025.
This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Key Agenda Items:
Approval of Concept Plan for Rockville Metro Station (page 238+). This plan envisions the station as an iconic gateway and multi-modal hub, featuring up to 1,200 residential units, retail spaces, public amenities, and improved pedestrian and transit connections. Public feedback has been largely supportive, highlighting desires for higher residential density, enhanced pedestrian safety, and sustainable features like solar canopies. The plan includes a separate pedestrian bridge extension as an add-on project, requiring city-led funding efforts.
Worksession on Town Center Master Plan (287+). This is a follow-up to the worksession on December 9 to discuss four remaining topics. At this meeting, Council will discuss:
- Housing Goals: Increasing the goal for housing units in Town Center from 2,000 to 3,000 by 2040, reflecting current development applications and potential future projects.
- Building Heights: Revising building height allowances to facilitate growth while maintaining community transition zones. Options for increased heights in key areas, with potential bonuses for including affordable housing units, are under discussion.
- Character Areas: Modifications to the planning area’s character zones are proposed, particularly consolidating certain areas along the western edge to simplify development guidelines.
- Transit-Oriented Development: A new “Transit-Oriented Character Area” is recommended along MD-355 to allow higher building heights and promote dense, mixed-use developments near transit hubs.
- Affordable Housing and Green Spaces: Creating incentives for affordable housing and open public spaces, aiming to balance density with livability.
Mayor and Council to Discuss City Branding, Revising Ethics Code, and Allowing ADUs
At its Monday, July 29, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss city branding, a code of ethics, accessory dwelling units, development of 900 Rockville Pike, and regulating tobacco and vape shops. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are public artworks for Twinbrook and College Gardens, tree conservation for the swim center, changes to the Youth Commission, and bus stop maintenance services, among others. They will also receive the 2023 annual report of the Cultural Arts Commission.
Following a comprehensive review of community feedback gathered through focus groups, the Mayor and Council will select a logo and tagline as the city’s official brand (page 90+). This recommendation comes after six focus groups of three people each, facilitated by Medium Giant, provided their preferences and perceptions of the community regarding the three final brand logos and taglines. The the newly elected Mayor and Council requested the focus groups to engage the community in the rebranding process. The selection of a definitive brand logo and tagline will mark the culmination of an extensive branding initiative that began in June 2022. The total cost of research, design, and implementation was not reported in the staff report.
The City’s Code of Ethics is being revised to reflect recent changes in Maryland’s ethics law (138). Changes under consideration include prohibiting former City officials or employees from disclosing confidential information; restricting City officials and employees from accepting gifts from entities representing counties and municipalities; modifying financial disclosure requirements; and adding an anti-retaliation provision for those reporting or participating in investigations of potential ethics violations. The Rockville Ethics Commission has reviewed the proposed amendments and upon adoption, chapter 16 of the City Code will be updated and the Financial Disclosure Forms will be revised.
Since at least 2019, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been discussed as a means to diversify and increase affordable housing options in Rockville (p 161-222). The proposed ordinance, which has been reviewed by the Planning Commission and received lots of public comments, would allow detached ADUs as a conditional use in all residential zones, with regulations on the size, appearance, and parking requirements. It also addresses property ownership, occupancy, and compliance for existing non-compliant units. The Mayor and Council’s approval is needed to move forward with an ordinance, which is slated for presentation on August 5.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 511-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07292024-7242.
Mayor and Council to Approve 82-Townhouse Development Despite Environmental and School Capacity Concerns
At its Monday, October 2, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss permission to build 82 townhouses at 2200 Tower Oaks Boulevard and reduce parking by 18% at 2000 Tower Oaks Boulevard. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are increasing funding for stormwater management from $95,000 to $422,000 and appointing David Sklar to the Board of Supervisors of Elections. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the Seven Locks Road Diversion Center (aka “county jail”), Financial Advisory Board, and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The Planning Commission, Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Pedestrian Advocacy Committee reviewed and approved the proposed 82-townhouse development, but strangely, the Mayor and Council excluded the Environment Commission and Education Commission. This project will replace about 10,000 sf of forest and with 7,600 sf of “new” forest; is adjacent to a stream; and subject to an existing Forest Conservation Plan (pages 47-8)—aren’t these environmental issues? For those who are concerned about school capacity in the Richard Montgomery Cluster Area, the proposed townhouse development will generate 18 students at the elementary school grade level; 10 students at the middle school level; and 14 students at the high school level (page 44). That means capacity is expected to rise to 99% for Bayard Rustin Elementary School, to 95% for Julius West Middle School, and to 123% for Richard Mongomery High School. By fall 2027, however, “capacity at Richard Montgomery is slated to be adequate due to an approved CIP project that will reassign students among Gaithersburg HS, Richard Montgomery HS, Quince Orchard HS, Thomas S. Wootton HS, and Crown HS.” What’s the purpose of the Education Committee if they aren’t aware of one of the most contentious school issues?
On pages 135-166, the Financial Advisory Board, chaired by Bob Wright, presented its FY2023 Annual report and found no discrepancies in Rockville’s financial reports; had no recommendations on the financial policies (although noted that no policies on donations was needed); found that the investment portfolio declined in value due to rising interest rates; stated that the city staff had done an outstanding job in preparing the annual budget; made three recommendations regarding the Capital Improvements Program; made complex findings and recommendations regarding the 2015 Purchasing Study; reported that the City has spent nearly $6 million on the King Farm Farmstead (and noted that the Mayor and Council do not agree on future uses); and that City is making good progress on including performance measures in the budget.
On pages 167-189, the Pedestrian Master Plan seems to be running ahead of itself and should take a step back. It offers five goals and ten recommendations, but nothing sufficiently specific nor any priorities to help the Mayor and Council know what to do next and why. Strangely, the Traffic and Transportation Department is hoping to propose an ordinance to City Council on October 23 even though the nearly 300 public comments collected since May haven’t been summarized (it doesn’t even close until October 13!). Perhaps they’re trying to get in done in “Walktober” month but it looks like they need to do a lot more research and analysis. For examples, here are pedestrian master plans from Portland and Seattle. Let’s hope the Mayor and Council provides clarity on expectations for a master plan.
October is National Arts and Humanities Month and the Rockville’s Cultural Arts Commission recommends that you celebrate by reading book, putting your child’s art on the fridge, and singing in the car, among others. Alas the expectations are pretty low, so here are five better suggestions from the non-human ChatGPT:
- Visit a Local Museum or Art Gallery: Explore the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent in your community by visiting local museums and art galleries.
- Attend a Workshop or Lecture: Many institutions offer workshops, lectures, or webinars during National Arts and Humanities Month. These can provide a deeper understanding of various art forms and humanities topics.
- Participate in a Community Art Project: Engage with your local community by participating in a collaborative art project or humanities event. This could be a mural painting, a community theater production, or a local history project.
- Read a Book: Celebrate the humanities by reading a book on a topic you’re interested in, such as history, philosophy, or literature. Consider joining a book club to discuss and share insights.
- Support Local Artists and Scholars: Purchase artwork from local artists or attend performances and presentations by local scholars. Your support can help sustain the arts and humanities in your community.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 197-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022023-7016.
Clouded Judgment? Mayor and Council to Discuss Vape Shop Regulations
At its Monday, July 31, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss a park impact fee for new residential developments, taxes for FY2024, amending the responsibilities of the Cultural Arts Commission, and extending the moratorium on vape shops. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are contracts for improvements to the King Farm Farmstead. This regular meeting will be preceded by a Closed Session to discuss the retention of a business (in an unusual move, the public may join the audio conference by phone).
In March 2023, the Mayor and Council adopted a nine-month moratorium on vape shops (businesses that dedicate more than 25% of its floor area to the sale, display, or use of electronic cigarettes; business with less than 25% of floor space dedicated to e-cigarettes are not affected). This moratorium expires on December 27, 2023, so the City is considering whether to adopt new regulations for vape shops or extend the moratorium. There seem to be ten vape and/or tobacco shops located in the city limits, primarily along Hungerford Drive and Rockville Pike (MD 355) along with numerous convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven), grocery stores and other retailers that sell cigarettes and electronic smoking products. Interestingly, the federal government adopted legislation in December 20, 2019 that increased the minimum age of the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old (somehow at 18 you have enough intelligence to vote, get married, or join the army but not enough smarts to buy a cigarette).
It’s unclear why the moratorium was implemented or what the Council is attempting to control, but if it’s to keep children from smoking, this may be the wrong solution. The staff report reveals that, “most underage vape/e-cigarette users do not purchase vapes from vape shops…Numerous studies show that the majority of underage users purchase or borrow vape pens from friends, purchase them online, or purchase them from convenience stores or grocery stores where age verification may be more lax.” Are e-cigarettes worse for your health than cigarettes, thus require additional regulation? Are national laws so insufficient that Rockville needs its own unique response? Somehow, this reminds me of Footloose. More details starting on page 141.
The Mayor and Council is considering revised responsibilities for the Cultural Arts Commission with troubling consequences for citizen involvement. This change is happening at the behest of the Cultural Arts Commission to promote “inclusivity and cultural richness” but they may not have noticed that the revised responsibilities also disempowers them. As proposed, the Commission will no longer review the budget for the Civic Center (where performing and visual arts are primarily presented in Rockville) nor review the design of all new City-owned cultural facilities. Instead, their primary responsibilities are to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council, not encourage, assist, foster, or work. How often will the Mayor and Council ask for their advice or recommendations? The Commission is becoming more passive, less active. More details starting on page 135.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting. More details in the 214-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07312023-6977.
Next meeting on August 7 with a presentation by Delegate Joe Vogel and an update on the Rockville Villages Program.
Courthouse Fountain Getting a Facelift
The walkway around the “Spirit of Rockville” fountain at the Red Brick Courthouse is undergoing a facelift, thanks to a recent commission from the Cultural Arts Commission. Artist Diedre Saunder and craftsman Peter Tabri are installing a huge mosaic carpet around the fountain. The colored tendrils are made of smalti (pieces of brightly colored glass) while the field is commercial floor tile broken into random pieces and set in a bed of latex adhesive. They’re about 75% finished and it’s slow back-breaking work, but portions are already grouted so you can get a sense of the final appearance. I expect it’ll be finished in July, but in the meantime, stop by and get a preview.
If this work looks familiar, Diedre and Peter also worked on the snake that envelopes the Elwood Smith Recreation Center as well as the entry wall at the Croydon Creek Nature Center.
2011 City Boards and Commissions Scorecard
Along with the City Council, the City of Rockville has 23 official boards and commissions to study, advise, and decide on a wide range of issues, from city planning to cultural arts, from human services to animal matters. In addition, there are at least ten other unofficial task forces or committees. All of these boards and commissions are composed of volunteers, usually residents (some include property or business owners who live elsewhere) and most members are nominated by the Mayor and appointed by City Council (a few have members elected in other ways, such as RSI).
Rockville has always encouraged and supported citizen involvement in its government, and used these board and commissions to keep the residents informed and part of the decision-making process. But how well informed are its citizens? All commission meetings are open to the public (I’m going to call them all “commissions” to keep things simple), but only three commissions–Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and the Board of Appeals–have meetings that are regularly broadcast on Channel 11 and the City website (most likely because the City Council has granted them exclusive decision-making powers). For the other commissions, to find out what’s happening you have to attend the meeting, talk to one of the commissioners, or review the minutes. Obviously, the most convenient way is reviewing the minutes or notes of the meeting, so let’s see how we’ve done.
On January 20, 2012, I tallied the number of meetings and minutes posted on the City website for 2011 (cancelled meetings don’t count). By dividing the number of minutes by the number of meetings, I calculated a “public information score.” So if a commission had posted 9 minutes for 12 meetings, that would earn them a Minutes Score of 9/12 or 75%. The higher the score the better, and here’s how they fared: Continue reading →
Max for Rockville 