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Rockville introduces annexation of 1000 Westmore Ave., sets July 27 public hearing
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Summary
The council introduced an annexation petition from Interstate Westmore LLC for about 10.45 acres at 1000 Westmore Ave., including two parcels addressed as 0 Stone Street; staff recommended the requested zoning and the council set a public hearing for July 27, 2026 while asking staff to further analyze environmental and public-safety concerns raised by council members.
The Rockville mayor and council on Feb. 2 introduced a resolution to begin annexation of roughly 10.45 acres at 1000 Westmore Avenue (the Interstate Westmore LLC petition) and adopted a second resolution setting a public hearing for July 27, 2026.
Planning staff said the petition includes three parcels—one primary parcel at 1000 Westmore and two smaller parcels addressed as 0 Stone Street—and that the property is currently outside public water and sewer service. The petitioner requested RMD‑25 (residential) for the primary parcel and IL (industrial) zoning for two small parcels that the applicants want to retain for existing industrial uses. Staff recommended the requested zoning as consistent with Rockville’s 2040 comprehensive plan and noted this is the start of a statutorily prescribed annexation process that will include public hearings at the planning commission and then mayor and council review.
Staff and applicant counsel Sue Lee Cho explained the property’s long history and said the owner’s residential concept is mostly townhouses and two‑over‑two units; the concept plan included an RMD‑15–level layout but the applicant requested RMD‑25 to preserve flexibility during the protracted review process.
Councilmembers pressed staff on environmental and public-safety issues tied to an existing nearby natural‑gas field and heavy‑vehicle uses that abut Lincoln Park. Councilmember Miles and others asked how mitigation and oversight would be handled and who regulates the gas field; staff said Washington Gas and other state/county authorities have jurisdiction and that mitigation could be considered but may depend on parties beyond the city’s control. Staff said the city has previously engaged Washington Gas and has documentation from earlier reviews and a recent tabletop safety exercise.
The council introduced the annexation resolution and then voted to adopt a separate resolution setting the public hearing for July 27, 2026. Mayor and council members said they expect detailed annexation and site‑plan materials, environmental reviews and targeted outreach to Lincoln Park and East Rockville communities before any final zoning or acceptance of an annexation plan.
