Vacant Spaces, Bold Heights: The Questions Left Unanswered in Rockville’s Big Plan for Downtown
At its Monday, January 27, 2025 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss a Zoning Ordinance Rewrite, addressing comprehensive rezoning. The Mayor and Council will also adopt amendments to the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District Plan and the Town Center Master Plan. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are a contract for electric infrastructure improvements at King Farm Farmstead ($708,856) and approval to purchase a utility truck for city use ($283,582), among others.
This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Key Agenda Items:
Continue reading →Shaping Rockville’s Future: Preserving Lincoln Park and Urbanizing Town Center
At its Monday, January 6, 2025 meeting starting at 6:30 pm, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss revisions to the Lincoln Park Conservation District and the Town Center Master Plan. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) is an additional loan of $1.5 million from Montgomery County to RHE Scarborough Square. This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Key Agenda Items:
Continue reading →Rent Stabilization, ADUs, and Vape Shop Regulations on July 8 Council Agenda
At its Monday, July 8, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will receive public comments on the development of Champion Billiards at 900 Rockville Pike (adjacent to Twinbrook) and a process to amend neighborhood conservation districts (affects Lincoln Park). On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are $250,000 security system repair contract. The Mayor and Council will also consider changing the law on rent stabilization, detached accessory dwelling units, and regulating vape and tobacco shops. The Mayor and Council are now also holding meetings on Thursday mornings; those will rarely be discussed on this blog due to time constraints.
Champion Billiards Planned Development: The City Council will discuss a proposed amendment to the Champion Billiards Planned Development (PD), which aims to allow the development of 4,400 square feet of retail space with ancillary surface parking at 900 Rockville Pike (at Edmonston). This amendment replaces the previously approved plan for a furniture retail store. This particular site has a storied history and has been notoriously difficult to develop (see pages 12-228!). Formerly a gas station, this small parcel of land at the end of a long strip mall has faced numerous challenges due to its size, city easements, stormwater retention requirements, public art obligations, and the necessity to accommodate a sidewalk, bike path, and Bus Rapid Transit. Its location between the Pike (a state highway) and the railroad tracks (Metro) adds further complexity. Additionally, development efforts have been hampered by the adjacent property owner’s resistance to public access through his property, a matter that escalated to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Efforts to develop this site have been ongoing since 2006, and it’s remarkable that there is still interest despite the numerous obstacles.
Rent Stabilization: A staff report provides preliminary information on rent stabilization to discuss whether a new policy should be developed (pp 272-328). Incomes have not kept pace with rising rents, and low housing supply exacerbates the problem. The median rent in Rockville is $2,101 per month, requiring an income of $84,040 to afford it, marking a 34% increase since 2010. This rent level is similar to nearby areas like North Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. In contrast, Takoma Park has lower rents due to its rent stabilization policy and limited new housing construction. Over 55% of Rockville renters are housing cost-burdened, with over 20% severely burdened, paying more than 50% of their income on housing. Hispanic, mixed-race, and Black households are disproportionately affected.
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units: The proposed change to the Zoning Code would allow detached ADUs in all residential-detached zones (R-400, R-200, R-150, R-90, and R-60)(pp 329-390). These ADUs would be located on the same lot as a single-unit detached dwelling. The amendment includes regulations for setbacks, and footprint and height limitations, with accessory buildings limited to a 750 square foot footprint and a maximum height of 20 feet, typically allowing for a second story. The term “accessory dwelling unit” has been updated to “detached accessory dwelling unit” for clarity and consistency with county, aligning with the previously adopted term “attached accessory dwelling unit.” These changes support the city’s Comprehensive Plan and aim to expand housing availability and affordability within the community.
Regulations for Vape and Tobacco Shops: The Mayor and Council are set to discuss the proposed zoning text amendment to regulate smoke shops, including vape and tobacco stores (pp 390-468). Staff recommends a zone-based regulation approach rather than extensive buffer requirements. Under this proposal, smoke shops would be prohibited in zones that permit retail use near or within residential neighborhoods. Specifically, smoke shops would not be allowed in the Mixed Use Commercial (MXC), Mixed Use Transition (MXT), and Mixed Use Neighborhood Center zones, as well as equivalent zones within Planned Developments (PDs). Permitted zones for smoke shops would include Mixed Use Business (MXB), Mixed Use Commercial Transition (MXCT), Mixed Use Corridor District (MXCD), Mixed Use Employment (MXE), Mixed Use Transit District (MXTD), and the Light Industrial (IL) Zone. This zone-based regulation aims to provide clear and consistent guidelines for the location of smoke shops, avoiding the complications of buffer requirements that could make existing smoke shops nonconforming due to nearby sensitive uses, such as childcare centers. The draft amendment does not include an amortization period for existing businesses to come into compliance with the new regulations.
Coming up on July 29: Rezoning 5906 Halpine Road, murals for Twinbrook and College Gardens, ordinances on vape and tobacco shops, floating zones, and conservation districts.
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 500-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07082024-7230.
Mayor and Council to Consider Major Funding Boost for Climate and Pedestrian Plans
At its Monday, March 4, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss fees, taxes, and federal earmarks for FY2025. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are a water meter easement for 1151 Fortune Terrace. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the proposed budget for FY2025.
For FY2025, the City Council will be considering increasing staffing levels by 12 fulltime positions, half of which will be police officers in response to the decrease in support from Montgomery County. Other positions range from transportation engineer and building plan examiner to preschool teacher and board and commissions coordinator. They are also funding efforts to advance the Climate Action Plan ($3.7 M), Vision Zero Action Plan & Pedestrian Master Plan ($10.7 M), Town Center Master Plan, and economic development (primarily $1.4 million for REDI and its efforts to make Rockville a business destination for the life sciences) (page 7+). Capital improvements are expected for parks, including replacement of playground structures, renovating an outdoor pool, implementing the master plan for Red Gate Park, and improvements for the Lincoln Park Community Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, and David Scull Park (some of which will require taking out a loan for $30 M). There seems to be nothing related to housing or other commercial districts (i.e., Rockville Pike). The City Council will be accepting comments at their meetings on March 18 and April 8, or you can make suggestions online at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/951/Budget.
While property tax rates should remain unchanged, utility rates for FY2025 may go up:
- Water and Sewer: 4% or $52.56 annual increase
- Refuse/trash: 6% or $32 annual increase
- Stormwater Management: 4% or $6 increase
Senator Cardin, Senator Van Hollen, and Congressman Raskin have invited Rockville to submit requests for projects for which the City wishes to partner with the Federal government and seek funding support. Congress revived earmarks in FY22 after a decade-long prohibition (pork barrel politics has returned!) (page 57+). Some suggested projects from staff include:
- Inspecting more than 8,000 water lines for lead to ensure safe drinking water.
- Replacing “orangeburg” sewer lines to prevent backups, overflows, and ground contamination.
- Rehabilitate aging water mains and asbestos cement pipes in southeast Rockville (Twinbrook).
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 133-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042024-7129.
Should the Mayor and Council Give Themselves a Raise?
At its Monday, July 17, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss whether to ask voters to lower the voting age, allow non-citizens to vote, adopt term limits for council members, adopt ranked choice voting, and create representative districts for council members. They are also considering an annexation of 1202 Seven Locks Road (an office building south of Wootton Parkway near Seven Locks Plaza); a revision of the maximum rental rate for Moderately Priced Housing; adoption of Floating Zones; affordable housing on North Stonestreet Avenue in Lincoln Park; and a letter to the County Council regarding rent control. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are agreements for employee retirement management, workers’ compensation, and water quality management, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the final Rockville branding initiative and compensation for council members.
Many residents assume that the Mayor and Council are volunteers, but they are considered “part time” positions and given an “annual stipend” of $37,560 for the Mayor and $30,483 for council members. Ten years ago, it was $25,750 for the Mayor and $20,600 for council members. They are also issued a laptop computer and printer; can request office supplies, furniture, and equipment; have access to all City facilities at the same rate as City staff; and have access the City’s health, dental, vision, and life insurance at their own expense. To consider whether this should change or remain the same, the Compensation Commission conducted a city-wide survey that received 95 responses (of which 56% felt that the current compensation was reasonable; the rest were mixed) and a public forum (only two residents provided comments). They also compared stipends with other jurisdictions (Gaitherburg’s Mayor is paid $37,560 and Frederick’s is $105,937–but that’s a fulltime position), but did not consider the income of Rockville residents ($57,336 per capita; $116,031 per household; 7% live in poverty according to the US Census Bureau). The Commission is recommending that the annual stipend increase at the same COLA rate given to City staff; increase the travel allowance for council members according to the Consumer Price Index and for the Mayor by 10% to $6,600 (travel for Sister City events is provided elsewhere in the budget). Otherwise, no additional benefits (e.g., no additional funds for cell phones). The Commission also discussed the role of the annual stipend on attracting candidates for council. More details starting on page 50 of the agenda.
Interested in running for Mayor or Council? Right now there are two candidates for Mayor and nine for Council. There were 13 candidates for Council in 2019. The deadline for petitions is Friday, September 8. More details at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2262/Running-for-Office.
Coming up on the next agenda is a report from Rockville Housing Enterprises, allowing accessory apartments as a conditional use in single family residential zones, revising the responsibilities of the Cultural Arts Commission, and extending the moratorium on vape shops.
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 463-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07172023-6963.
Mayor and Council Tweaking FY2024 Budget
At its Monday, May 1, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss the FY2024 Budget (that’s it!). On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are four proclamations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Historic Preservation Month, Older Americans Month, and National Public Service Recognition Week.
The City Council is continuing to adjust the budget. Reductions include the Movies in the Park series, residential street sweeping, composting, Latino Youth Development Program, Lincoln Park Community Center, Thomas Farm Community Center After School programs, Twinbrook rentals, and Peerless Rockville [just in time for Historic Preservation Month!] (page 18). Increases include fall protection at the Senior Center, mowing for cross country events at RedGate, Teens on the Go program, energy audits, badge system annual fees, and overtime pay for Rockville Police (page 18). Concerned? Community Forum happens at 7:10 pm (but you have to request to speak by noon of the day of the meeting at mayorandcouncil@rockvillemd.gov; no more opportunities to just drop in!).
More details in the 92-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05012023-6892.
Mayor and Council to Choose Earmarks and Decide Upcoming Election Changes
At its Monday, February 27, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss proposed earmarks for the FY24 federal budget, requests from the Board of Supervisors of Elections, and recommendations from the Charter Review Commission. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are the preservation of public art, funding for the Rockcrest Ballet Center, Taste of Rockville agreement, and funding for the flood resilience master plan, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on operating budget and capital improvements budget for FY2024.
Yes, Congress is openly using earmarks again, “funds provided for projects or programs where the congressional direction (in bill or report language) circumvents the merit-based or competitive allocation process, or specifies the location or recipient.” For some, it’s simply another form of pork barrel politics but for others it’s a vital project. Perhaps the most famous earmark was by US Senator Ted Stevens to construct the Gravina Island Bridge or the “Bridge to Nowhere” for $250 million in 2002. But if you want federal funds for a specific project, the best way to ensure it is through earmarks. This year, the City of Rockville is considering several potential requests to Senator Cardin, Senator Van Hollen, and Congressman Raskin, including the emergency operations center at 6 Taft Court, police radio equipment ($1.4 million!), storm drain improvements in Potomac Woods, security for the water treatment plant, and water main or sewer main rehabilitation in an “equity focused area” (not identified but somewhere in southeast Rockville).
Preparations for the 2023 Mayor and Council election are underway and candidate information packets should be ready by May 1—however, there is still lots to be done. The Board of Supervisors of Elections is waiting for approval from the Mayor and Council on several changes to the City Charter and City Code in limbo; proposed translation of outreach materials in Spanish, Chinese, and French; adding a second vote center at Thomas Farm and placing ballot drop boxes in Montrose, Lincoln Park, and the Rockville Senior Center. Indeed, if the minimum voting age is lowered from 18 years to 16 years and the deadline for submitting nomination petitions is increased from 60 to 90 days prior to the election, the City may have already missed its ability to implement these changes for the November 2023 election.
Discussion of the 30 recommendations by the Charter Review Commission continues, this time on a more “precise, open, transparent, and definitive administrative process” for filling a vacancy on the city council after two years; adding a “none of the above” option on election ballots; increasing the size of the Board of Supervisors of Elections; increasing the number of ballot drop-off boxes; lowering the voting age to 16; and limiting the number of consecutive terms of council members to three four-year terms (but allowing a person to serve 12 years as a councilmember and 12 years as mayor—really? 12 years is plenty, give other people a chance!).
More details in the 450-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02272023-6820.
Pandemic Resulted in High Subsidies for Recreation and Parks in 2021
At its Monday, November 21, 2022 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss financial management policies, annexing 1201 Seven Locks Road, and the new Comprehensive Plan. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are employment agreements for the Deputy City Manager and Assistant City Manager for Project Management, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on staff vacancies and hiring.
How much should the city subsidize Recreation and Parks programs, such as summer camps, skate park, or childcare, that are used by a small segment of residents? How should it manage donations it receives annually for the Holiday Drive and Senior Assistance Fund? At the upcoming meeting, the Council will discuss these and other financial management policies.
The City of Rockville has an extensive set of financial management policies that affect eight major areas: achieving and maintaining a structurally balanced budget, fund balance and reserve policies, capital planning policies, investment policies for both retirement plans and City funds, revenue control and management policies, economic development policies, and debt compliance and data analysis policies. For Recreation and Parks programs, the City uses a “five-tier cost-recovery pyramid” ranging from Tier 1 for parks, trails, landscapes, playgrounds, and general-use facilities with a 0% cost recovery to a Tier 5 for private rentals and private lessons with a 100% or more cost recovery. Fees and charges are reviewed and adjusted annually, but the pandemic lowered cost recovery significantly. In Tier 2, for example, the Lincoln Park Community Center is expected to recover 20% of its costs in 2022 (a subsidy of 80%) but in 2021 it actually recovered 3% (a subsidy of 97%). There are a couple of bright spots: Facilities Maintenance and Arts recovered more than expected (in other words, required less of a subsidy), most likely as well due to the reduced use of facilities and arts programs during the pandemic. A summary is available on Packet Page 34.
The Financial Advisory Board recently recommended that the City create a formal donations policy. The City receives less than one percent of its revenues from donations each year, which are accepted by check, made through the City’s website, the recreation registration system, and through the round-up feature with online utility bill payments. During FY 2022, the City received approximately $130,000 in donations from over 1,800 donors, averaging $12 for the Recreation Fund and $300 for the Holiday Drive. It also received two donations over $5,000: one $25,000 donation for the Holiday Drive and one $20,000 donation for the Eat Fresh program. Strangely, when the City explored this topic further, it discovered that a donations policy is not a common practice in municipal governments in Maryland. Geez, this suggests an obvious opportunity for embezzlement in government and I’m glad to see the City is thinking ahead. It’s a common practice in nonprofit organizations.
The big kahuna for the meeting (if not the year), however, is the progress on the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan—the city’s “to do” list for the next twenty years. At this meeting, the City Council will review the progress on tasks that are to be completed in the next 1-3 years. This is an enormous undertaking not only to complete, but also to manage. These tasks include a zoning ordinance rewrite, updating the Town Center Master Plan, adopting a Pedestrian Master Plan, assessing speed limits on Wootton Parkway, redeveloping King Farm Farmstead, installing back-up power generation for critical facilities, promoting backyard composting, preparing a Flood Resiliency Plan, and constructing senior housing. Since the Plan’s adoption in August 2021, 228 actions are currently in the near-term completion timeframe, but are not yet completed or in progress; 43 actions are currently in the “in progress” status; and 19 actions have been completed. If you want details on what’s happening in the City or your neighborhood, start on Packet Page 89. Getting everyone on board and focused is a continual challenge, and residents and businesses (and Council members) always have new ideas—but time and staff are limited so establishing priorities is essential.
It’s also enlightening to see which neighborhoods are most engaged in the community. In October, the City distributed surveys about community needs and interests. Among the highest response rates were College Gardens (156 responses) and Twinbrook (52 responses). Among the lowest were Tower Oaks (1 response) and Lincoln Park (0 responses). I wonder if this correlates with voter turnout?
More details in the 152-page agenda packet are available at https://rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11212022-6754.
Mayor and Council to Design Rockville Metro, Spend $6 Million in Federal Funds, and Battle over the Budget on December 13
At its Monday, December 13, 2021 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss three design concepts for Rockville Metro station, use of nearly $6 million in ARPA funds, and determine 2023 budget priorities. This is a worksession and will not offer public hearings or a community forum, but it will be streamed live if you are interested in these topics.
Continue reading →Mayor and Council to Approve 370 Residences near King Farm with Unusual Conditions
At its Monday, November 8, 2021 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will approve 370 residences at 16200 Frederick Road (aka King Buick), amend the City Code for “moderately priced housing”, and increase water and sewer rates starting in the second half of 2022. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are a replacement shelter at Isreal Park, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive a report from the Planning Commission.
Continue reading →
Max for Rockville 