MPI Backs Successful Reversal of Illegal Rezoning in the City of Gaithersburg

On January 12, 2012 Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals issued a decision that declared the rezoning and associated site plan for the “Wilson property” in Gaithersburg to be illegal. The Court of Special Appeals said that the City “disregarded the express mandatory language” of the City Code and the governing master plan, and “erred as a matter of law.” The property is located at the corner of South Frederick and DeSellum Avenues in the Observatory Heights neighborhood.

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MPI participated in the rezoning proceedings, arguing that the proposed rezoning ran counter to the master plan’s recommendations, decades of City commitment to protecting long-established neighborhoods from the intrusion of commercial development, and threatened the nearby Observatory Heights neighborhood, which has been discussed in the past as a possible National Register historic district.

The City nonetheless rezoned three residential parcels to the City’s Corridor Development zone and simultaneously approved a concept site plan that contemplated more than 20,000 square feet of medical office space and a 116-space surface parking lot that would result in the demolition of a single-family home more than 100 years old and worthy of historic protection. MPI joined adjoining property owner Suzanne Shayt and nearby property owner Scott Henry in the first appeal, but was dismissed for lack of standing. MPI continued to fund the case out of its Wayne M. Goldstein Preservation Action Fund in the belief that the City acted in derogation of its own zoning code and master plan and that this community and its resources should be protected. MPI takes great pride in the fact that the Court of Special Appeals ultimately agreed.

Advocacy

COMSAT Building designed by César Pelli

Through advocacy, Montgomery Preservation has saved historic buildings and properties, hosted preservation conferences, established a fund for preservation research and supported other local preservation groups.

B&O Railroad Station
Rentals and Open Houses

The historic B&O Railroad Station in Silver Spring is available for rentals for your special occasions.

We also hold open houses at the station on the first Saturday of the month.

MPI 2011 Montgomery County Historic Preservation Awards

The 2011 Awardees were honored at a reception hosted by MPI in the B&O Railroad Station on Saturday December 3. These awards honor individuals and groups who, through personal or community action and efforts, have made significant contributions to the preservation of Montgomery County’s historic resources and landscapes. The awards present an opportunity for Community and Civic organizations, as well as individuals, to recognize significant preservation efforts in all districts and cities in Montgomery County.