Neighbors urge Rockville to keep 10‑acre parcel at R‑90, warning that RMD‑25 would bring dense development and traffic

Multiple residents of Newmark Commons and surrounding neighborhoods addressed the Rockville Mayor and Council during the community forum on Nov. 17, urging officials to retain the current R‑90 zoning for a 10‑acre parcel adjacent to their neighborhood and opposing a potential rezoning to RMD‑25.

Pat Reber said a petition circulated for two weeks collected signatures representing 59% of the neighborhood’s homes and asked the council not to increase allowed density next to Newmark Commons. Ron Tipton and James Nations described Newmark Commons as a National Register‑listed neighborhood with meadows, forest, wetland mitigation areas and significant pedestrian routes for students. Nations said rezoning the parcel to RMD‑25 could allow up to 250 housing units—changing traffic patterns and harming compatibility.

Speakers asked that the council follow the Rockville 2040 comprehensive plan guidance that future development be ‘‘connected to surrounding community’’ and ‘‘compatible with the adjacent neighborhood.’’ Susan Knowles estimated an increase of 350–400 vehicle trips per day on local streets if higher‑density zoning were allowed and asked zoning staff to keep the parcel at R‑90 before the Dec. 1 vote on the zoning ordinance rewrite and map amendment initiative.

Council members heard the concerns and acknowledged staff briefings and prior outreach; the council noted the Dec. 1 agenda will include zoning decisions and that staff is compiling resident feedback.