Update: [8/9/07] The planning commission last night was generally supportive of the redevelopment of the 201 E Diamond Ave property, somewhat split on the height issue, and more or less speaking as one in their dislike of the architecture and what it would do to the streetscape. Several members of the public spoke, again generally supportive of redeveloping the property but having varying levels of concern about the building’s size and appearance as shown in the concept plan. Other issues that were raised include the width of the front sidewalk, the lack of sidewalk on the west (alley) side, and the question of parking and space for such things as dumpsters. It was explained that CBD zoning allowed for buildings up to four stories (including any sub-surface stories, if which this building would have one) by right — and thus they could build up to three stories above ground without a waiver. Waivers are allowed up to nine stories in this zone, but Mr. Ossont mentioned that such tall buildings were intended for the wye site. The developer was encouraged to continue on with this project but also advised to put a little more thought into the facade.

This Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting has several major items on the agenda, including final site plan reviews of Neighborhood 3, Phase I of Aventiene (Crown Farm), and a new 43-unit neighborhood of villas at Asbury (the latter will be located near the corner of N Summit/Goshen Rd and Odendhal, on land recently used for garden plots). But the item I find most concerning is a new proposal — up for concept plan review — to replace the Chris’ Steakhouse building with a new four-story office strucuture, as shown above. Chris’ has been closed for some time; the building was constructed around 1924 and used as a restaurant since the 1930’s. The restaurant had operated as Chris’ since 1964. Now, I’m not going to say that I think the building should be preserved. It is much altered from it’s original design, and I don’t think it is particularly attractive or useful as it stands. The opportunities for adaptive reuse in this core business district are limited. From a preservation standpoint, I think there are other properties on that block which are much more valuable, and thus this property would be a good candidate for redevelopment. The property was reviewed by HPAC last week, and they voted unanimously to not recommend it for historic designation. Following are a couple of pictures of the streetscape containing the building in question:

As you can see, this is not a street presently containing tall buildings. While I think that taller buildings will eventually come to, and will be welcome on this block, I think that this new building is just too far out of scale with what’s there now; this is too big a step, too soon. It also, from the initial concept drawings, is entirely out of character from an architectural standpoint. Below is the only drawing provided in the background materials of the east side of the building, facing the present Guatemalteca bakery (the image didn’t reduce all that well, sorry). The diagonally-shaded portion at the bottom is the profile that the bakery will make against the side of this building, so you can see how much out of scale it will be. It is also apparent, from the lack of any features on this side, that the architects are expecting that the bakery building will be similarly torn down and replaced with a high-rise.

I think that this building is just too generic, too insensitive to context, and perhaps even a bit ugly. I hope that the Planning Commission will turn a jaundiced eye toward this project.

Agenda - Planning Commission Meeting, 8/8/2007
Posted 7/30/2007

City of Gaithersburg
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

Telephone: 301-258-6330

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA [subject to change]
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
7:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

July 25, Planning Commission Meeting
TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

RECORD PLATS

CONSENT

AFP-07-021 –   Stefanou Property
R-90 Zone
20 Maryland Avenue
New Garage (Demolition of Existing)
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format - 2.5M)

 AFP-07-027 – Lee Property
MXD Zone
656 Bright Meadow Mews
Addition of Storage Room Under Existing Sunroom
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)

SITE PLANS

AFP-07-025 – Gaithersburg North Research
MXD Zone
200 Professional Drive
Modifications to Parking

AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format - 3M)

SP-07-0007 – Bank Street
C-2 Zone
1 Bank Street/Quince Orchard Road

One-Story Bank
PRELIMINARY PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format - 3.7M)

SP-07-0004 – Aventiene
MXD Zone

Neighborhood 3, Phase I
FINAL SITE PLAN
Background Material (pdf format - 12.5M)

SP-07-0001 – Asbury Methodist Village

R-90 Zone
201 Russell Avenue
43 Single-Family Homes
FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format - 5.4M)

CSP-07-002 – 201 East Diamond Avenue
CBD Zone
(Formerly Chris Steakhouse)
Four-Story Office Building
CONCEPT PLAN REVIEW

Background Material (pdf format - 5.2M)

FROM THE COMMISSION

FROM STAFF

ADJOURNMENT