WECA Neighbors – Two
important items for you, as you start the last weekend of summer: First, a final
reminder that the WECA September meeting is taking place this Thursday, September 24th at 6:30pm (note the
earlier-than-normal start time) at the Rockville Presbyterian Church (215 West
Montgomery Avenue). Information on discussion topics was circulated a few days
ago, and is on the website www.weca.us .
Second, the WECA position regarding the
redevelopment of the Chestnut Lodge site is provided below, along with a petition you may choose to sign, if
you support that position.
We look forward to
seeing everyone for the WECA meeting on Thursday at 6:30pm!
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WECA
Opposition to Proposed Townhouses at Chestnut Lodge - Petition for your
consideration
Chestnut
Lodge - Townhouses Proposed to Replace Main Building
Issue: A developer has proposed 7 townhouses at 500
W. Montgomery Ave., the Chestnut Lodge site.
This requires an amendment to the approved Planned Residential Unit
(PRU) for the Chestnut Lodge housing development. The former Main building was one of the most
significant historic structures in Rockville, providing an iconic view scape
along West Montgomery Ave. In the
original plan, the Main Building was to have been restored as condominiums with
underground parking. To achieve that,
significant development concessions were granted the original developer. Increased density was granted for the new
housing in the rear to enable the front 7 acres to be preserved as a Historic
District. The Main Building was to have
been the centerpiece, giving historic context to the other buildings, including
the Fromm-Reichmann Cottage, Little Lodge, the Ice House and the Stable. Tragically, the Main building was allowed to
deteriorate and was destroyed by fire on June 7, 2009.
The proposed
amendment to the PRU is for a stick of townhouses that faces Thomas Street, not
West Montgomery Avenue. It would present
the rear of the building with surface parking, garages, back porches, garbage
cans etc. to the west, in clear view from West Montgomery Avenue and the
surrounding houses, some in the Historic District. Townhouses were not considered appropriate
anywhere in the original development and there are none on West Montgomery
Avenue. So why would these now be
desirable? There is precedent for the
re-building of historic structures on this site. The Stable was demolished and a replica
built. The Ice House had deteriorated
almost to rubble and was rebuilt, partially from the salvaged pieces. It is possible that the Main building could
be rebuilt as well. There are likely
other uses and/or buildings that could be go on this important historic site,
but a sideways stick of townhouses is not appropriate.
WECA
Involvement: A
WECA committee chaired by Patricia Woodward was formed this summer to look at
this issue. They recommended denial of
the amendment to allow townhouses. This
would give the neighborhood and City time to seriously consider what the most
appropriate use would be for this site.
Both the history of Chestnut Lodge as well as the intent of the original
approved development plan should be respected.
A petition is circulating stating the WECA position (see link below).
Status: The Planning Commission was briefed in
September on the proposal. There will be
additional briefings to the Mayor and Council and the Historic District
Commission in November. Thereafter,
hearings will be held with the final decision to be made by the new Mayor and
Council in 2016. If you have thoughts about
this issue, now would be the time to discuss them with the candidates for
Rockville Mayor and Council.
See the petition
here:
See more
information about Chestnut Lodge here:
