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Gaithersburg HDC approves window and door changes for 16 Russell Ave.; limited to those elements
Summary
The Gaithersburg Historic District Commission voted 3-0 to approve changes to the location and arrangement of windows and doors for a rear addition at 16 Russell Avenue, limiting approval to only the door and window alterations and not to other aspects of the addition.
The Gaithersburg Historic District Commission on Aug. 27 approved changes to the windows and doors for a rear addition at 16 Russell Avenue, finding the proposed alterations comply with the Brooks, Russell and Walker Historic District design guidelines and section 24-9.4 of the city code.
Preservation planner Kate San Gregorio, presenting the staff report, said the commission was being asked to review only the proposed window and door locations because work had already been done on other parts of the addition and staff was investigating those discrepancies. "Staff recommends that the historic district commission, based on the exhibit submitted, the applicant's testimony, staff report findings and recommendation, and the additions section of the Brooks, Russell And Walker historic district design guidelines, approve HIST10158-2025," San Gregorio said.
An immediate neighbor, Matthew Glinsman of 12 Russell Avenue, told the commission he supported the proposed change: "We support the change in windows and doors as it's proposed." Commissioners asked whether the new openings would match the existing house's window sash and confirmed with the applicant that the proposed windows are the same 6-over-1 sash previously approved and that the applicant had checked the existing sash model.
Commissioners raised construction-related questions that are outside the HDC's purview, including footing depth relative to the Maryland frost-line (discussed as about 30 inches). Commissioner Rudy Morgan emphasized that frost-line and footing issues are building-permit matters and not HDC decisions. Commissioner Mark Feinstein and others also noted concerns that other aspects of the addition as built may not match earlier approved drawings, but the commission limited its decision to the windows and doors on this application.
A motion to approve HIST10158-2025 for the doors and windows only passed 3-0, with Commissioners Rudy Morgan and Mark Feinstein and Chairman Dean Bentoza voting aye. The approval record states the commission's action applies only to the door and window alterations; any other discrepancies between the constructed addition and previously approved plans were not part of this decision and remain subject to staff/code follow-up.
Votes at a glance HIST10158-2025 — Alteration of approved plans (windows/doors only) for new rear addition at 16 Russell Ave. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Morgan: Aye; Feinstein: Aye; Dean Bentoza (Chair): Aye. Tally: Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0.
Next steps: The approval covers only the door and window changes shown in the application; staff indicated it will follow up separately on any work that appears inconsistent with the approved permit documents.
