Rockville council authorizes filing of zoning rewrite and map amendment amid neighborhood pushback

The Rockville Mayor and Council on Dec. 1 authorized city staff to file a draft zoning ordinance rewrite and a comprehensive map amendment — a procedural step that begins a months‑long adoption process but does not itself change land use rules.

Holly Simmons, a planning staffer, told the council the authorization to file is “really just a starting point” that initiates Planning Commission work sessions, public hearings and further revisions before any final vote. Jim Wasilek, who presented the map amendment, said the adoption process is planned to run through public review and concludes with a target adoption of June 1, 2026.

Why it matters: the draft implements the Rockville 2040 comprehensive plan’s recommendations, including denser zoning near transit stations and a new set of residential designations intended to allow more housing types — from duplexes and townhomes to higher‑density apartment options — in selected areas of the city.

The staff presentation outlined several notable changes: new mixed‑use transit district zones around metro stations (MXTD), an expanded RMD “infill” zone to allow duplexes, triplexes and townhomes, and a proposed RHD (residential high‑density) zone for parts of East Jefferson Street. The plan also brings forward a recommendation in the comprehensive plan to rezone a 9.75‑acre former school site (identified in staff materials as Zord/ZORID 17) from single‑family zoning toward RMD25 to enable more flexible redevelopment.

Residents seek alternatives and delay: Several New Mark Commons residents and other community members urged the council to delay filing or adopt a lower‑density alternative for the 9.75‑acre site. Alex Belida, who said he has lived in New Mark Commons since 1985, asked the council to “rescind the proposed redesignation of an undeveloped 9‑acre plot” and to preserve tree canopy, wetlands and neighborhood compatibility. Speakers raised concerns about traffic, stormwater and notice, and reported petition signups (Pat Reber said the petition had about 630 signatories, described in testimony as roughly 67% of New Mark homes).

Staff said the RMD25 recommendation in the comprehensive plan was intended to provide development flexibility given the parcel’s topography, tree cover and stormwater infrastructure, but acknowledged alternatives could be considered during the adoption process. Wasilek said staff had had preliminary conversations with the property owner (identified in the meeting as Tower Oaks‑related ownership) about potential access that would not route traffic through New Mark Commons.

Council direction and next steps: Councilmember Jackson moved to authorize filing of the zoning ordinance rewrite; Councilmember Fulton seconded. Councilmember Fulton then moved to authorize filing the comprehensive map amendment; Councilmember Lehi seconded. Both motions passed by voice vote with aye recorded as unanimous. Staff will post the draft materials to the city’s Engage Rockville site and begin a public engagement schedule that includes virtual orientations and Planning Commission review. The council asked staff to add explicit narrative on the public site highlighting the specific issues the council directed staff to track (including New Mark Commons, Montrose, neighborhood shopping centers and MD‑355/Pike corridor considerations).

What’s next: the filing initiates a formal process that includes Planning Commission work sessions, public hearings and the opportunity for the council to amend the drafts before a final adoption vote. Staff said they expect a multi‑month review with additional public meetings and will update engage.rockville.md.gov with an interactive zoning map and supporting materials.

Quotes: “Authorization to file does not indicate approval of or concurrence with the draft… it’s really just a starting point,” Holly Simmons said. Alex Belida told the council, “We’re not blind to the need for more housing in Rockville, especially affordable housing. But we don’t believe that should mean stripping away trees and filling every vacant plot of land with high‑rise residences.”

Funding, timing and legal notes: the action taken was to authorize staff to file the applications with the city clerk; no rezoning takes effect tonight. The comprehensive plan recommendations guide staff provisions; where the council or planning commission wants to make changes, those will be incorporated into later drafts and hearings.