Glenview Designation and Reed Brothers Annexation on Council Agenda

An agreement to annex the former Reed Brothers Dodge site for a mixed-use development and a hearing on whether to place Glenview Mansion in a historic district highlight the Rockville City Council’s agenda for Monday night.

The council in June approved an annexation plan for the former Reed Brothers property at 15955 Frederick Road, clearing the way for the city to annex the site.

Monday’s discussion will flesh out details and conditions of a resolution to annex the property. A final vote on the annexation is set for Oct. 10.

Silverwood/Shady Grove LLC is seeking to build a six-story 417-unit multifamily building with ground floor retail on the 4.3 acre property. The site is in the Gaithersburg High School cluster and is close to the Shady Grove Metro station.

in July, against the recommendations of the County Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee and the county Planning Board. County Executive Isiah Leggett also opposed the project.

At a Sept. 12 City Council public hearing on the property, county representatives argued that the site is unsuitable for housing due to its close proximity to the county’s Shady Grove waste processing and transfer station.

“Smart growth” advocates support the proposal based on its proximity to Metro.

The council also is scheduled to hold a hearing on whether to give historic district designation to Glenview Mansion. If approved, the designation would require that the city’s Historic District Commission approved any exterior changes or new construction at .

The proposed designation is controversial among city committees. Some view the designation as a “power grab,” The Gazette reported in February.

The agenda also includes a discussion of the city clerk position.

The consent agenda includes a resolution naming Deputy City Clerk Brenda F. Bean as acting city clerk. . She has been on administrative leave since then. Her resignation is effective Oct. 19.

The consent agenda also includes a recommendation by city staff that the council award a $20,800 contract to Springsted, Inc. of Richmond, Va. to conduct a search for a new city manager. .

The council is scheduled to hear a presentation on a draft of the city’s Culture and Entertainment Plan, which aims to set goals for cultural programs and entertainment and make Rockville a “cultural destination.”

The council also is expected to vote on the Cultural Arts Commission recommendations to commission sculptures at the Rockville Senior Center and at the Gude Drive Maintenance Facility and to reject the submissions for an art project for .

Correction: The sixth paragraph of this article has been changed. The words "due to" have been substituted for "despite."