Historic District Commission approves rear addition at 310 West Montgomery Avenue, 4-0 with one recusal

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission on June 26 approved a certificate of approval for a rear addition, covered porch, patio and landscaping at 310 West Montgomery Avenue, voting 4-0 with one commissioner recused.

The commission found the proposed work meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and related technical guidance. The project would replace a mid-20th-century rear addition with a slightly larger one, add a covered porch, a masonry curved seating area with a fire pit, an outdoor grill area, a hot tub screened with planting, and screening arborvitae visible from the right of way.

The commission’s action followed staff presentation of existing and historic photos showing multiple prior alterations to the house, including removal of a front porch and later additions. Architect Scott H. Allen and owners James and Megan Owen described the intent to replace an apparently 1950s-era addition and to design the new work to blend with the house’s existing architecture. "Our intention here was... to match as much as possible and blend it into the architecture," James Owen said.

Staff noted the new addition projects about five feet farther to the rear than the existing element. Exterior materials noted in the application include HardiePlank siding for the addition and aluminum-clad windows and doors. The commission discussion touched on the house’s history of alterations; the owners traced prior changes back to an original 1887 house, subsequent mid-century modifications for a doctor’s office and other later additions.

One commissioner recused themself from the discussion and vote because of a personal relationship with the homeowners; the recusal was announced on the record before the public hearing. The motion to approve the certificate of approval as submitted — with the commission citing conformance with the Secretary of the Interior standards and technical guidance for new additions — passed 4-0. The motion and roll call did not record the mover and seconder by name in the public transcript.

The certificate approval allows the owners to replace the rear addition and proceed with the patio and landscape elements as described in the application. The approval requires the applicants to follow the materials and design as presented to the commission; the transcript did not state additional conditions or required follow-up reports to staff.

Commission and staff members directed applicants to coordinate final materials and any required permits with city staff before starting construction.