Lincoln Park Conservation District Amendments (formerly Design Guidelines)
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In 2022, the City of Rockville Department of Community Planning and Development Services, in partnership with Lincoln Park residents and a design consultant, began working with community members to help review standards and develop draft design guidelines for new construction and additions to single-unit detached housing properties in the neighborhood. These efforts were made primarily to address issues with existing building standards in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District.
After extensive review, the Mayor and Council decided not to proceed with new design guidelines for the neighborhood. Instead, on January 27, 2025, the Mayor and Council adopted ordinances to amend the Lincoln Park Conservation District Plan and overlay zone to focus on needed revisions to existing standards relative to building footprint and height requirements.
Changes approved with the amendments include:
Establishing an 1,800-square-foot maximum building footprint (area taken up by the building on the first floor), replacing the previous 1,500-square-foot lot coverage requirement; a 2,100-square-foot maximum building footprint is also allowed when a one-story home is retained.
Revising the building height to a maximum of 30 feet, replacing a complex height requirement of either 25 or 29 feet, depending on certain conditions.
Removing standards that are either already established in the zoning ordinance or are unclear and not necessary to meet the purposes of the conservation district.
An alternative compliance process to accommodate appeals to district standards through an administrative review procedure, rather than the more complex variance process previously allowed.
In 2022, the City of Rockville Department of Community Planning and Development Services, in partnership with Lincoln Park residents and a design consultant, began working with community members to help review standards and develop draft design guidelines for new construction and additions to single-unit detached housing properties in the neighborhood. These efforts were made primarily to address issues with existing building standards in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District.
After extensive review, the Mayor and Council decided not to proceed with new design guidelines for the neighborhood. Instead, on January 27, 2025, the Mayor and Council adopted ordinances to amend the Lincoln Park Conservation District Plan and overlay zone to focus on needed revisions to existing standards relative to building footprint and height requirements.
Changes approved with the amendments include:
Establishing an 1,800-square-foot maximum building footprint (area taken up by the building on the first floor), replacing the previous 1,500-square-foot lot coverage requirement; a 2,100-square-foot maximum building footprint is also allowed when a one-story home is retained.
Revising the building height to a maximum of 30 feet, replacing a complex height requirement of either 25 or 29 feet, depending on certain conditions.
Removing standards that are either already established in the zoning ordinance or are unclear and not necessary to meet the purposes of the conservation district.
An alternative compliance process to accommodate appeals to district standards through an administrative review procedure, rather than the more complex variance process previously allowed.
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At its March 13 meeting, the Planning Commission considered a recommendation on a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) related to Neighborhood Conservation Districts. This ZTA proposes a process to amend a neighborhood conservation district, as none currently exists. This amendment does not include adoption of the proposed Lincoln Park design guidelines, as that will be considered at a later date. However, this ZTA is needed in order to move the design guidelines project forward. After discussion on the ZTA, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the ZTA to the Mayor and Council. A public hearing on the ZTA is tentatively scheduled before the Mayor and Council on July 8. View the draft ZTA.
At its March 13 meeting, the Planning Commission considered a recommendation on a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) related to Neighborhood Conservation Districts. This ZTA proposes a process to amend a neighborhood conservation district, as none currently exists. This amendment does not include adoption of the proposed Lincoln Park design guidelines, as that will be considered at a later date. However, this ZTA is needed in order to move the design guidelines project forward. After discussion on the ZTA, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the ZTA to the Mayor and Council. A public hearing on the ZTA is tentatively scheduled before the Mayor and Council on July 8. View the draft ZTA.
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Review of Design Guidelines Draft #2
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
7:30pm at Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Ave, Rockville, MD 20850)
Lincoln Park residents are invited to review the second draft of the neighborhood design guidelines for new single-family detached construction and additions in the neighborhood. This meeting will be an open house where residents can view and comment on the different elements of the design guidelines. The full draft is also available to read and comment on online until January 12, 2024.
Review of Design Guidelines Draft #2
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
7:30pm at Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Ave, Rockville, MD 20850)
Lincoln Park residents are invited to review the second draft of the neighborhood design guidelines for new single-family detached construction and additions in the neighborhood. This meeting will be an open house where residents can view and comment on the different elements of the design guidelines. The full draft is also available to read and comment on online until January 12, 2024.
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Review of Draft Design Guidelines
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
7:00pm at Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Lincoln Park residents were invited to review the draft design guidelines for new single-family detached construction and additions in the neighborhood. At the meeting, City staff and the consultants presented draft design guidelines and reviewed feedback from the community. The City hosted an in-person meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church (608 N Horners Ln, Rockville, MD 20850).
Review of Draft Design Guidelines
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
7:00pm at Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Lincoln Park residents were invited to review the draft design guidelines for new single-family detached construction and additions in the neighborhood. At the meeting, City staff and the consultants presented draft design guidelines and reviewed feedback from the community. The City hosted an in-person meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church (608 N Horners Ln, Rockville, MD 20850).
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"What are Design Guidelines" Meeting 2 Thursday, October 27, 2022
7:00pm virtually via WebEx and in-person at the Lincoln Park Community Center
Lincoln Park residents were invited to learn more about creating neighborhood design guidelines for new single-family detached construction and additions that will promote creative and high-quality design, and encourage compatibility between new and existing homes within the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The city held a hybrid meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct 27, virtually via WebEx, and in-person at the Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850).
At the meeting, City staff provided an update on the project and recent community survey about what design elements are important for the neighborhood. Residents were asked to provide feedback on how design guidelines could be applied to address any issues that were identified in the survey.
"What are Design Guidelines" Meeting 2 Thursday, October 27, 2022
7:00pm virtually via WebEx and in-person at the Lincoln Park Community Center
Lincoln Park residents were invited to learn more about creating neighborhood design guidelines for new single-family detached construction and additions that will promote creative and high-quality design, and encourage compatibility between new and existing homes within the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The city held a hybrid meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct 27, virtually via WebEx, and in-person at the Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850).
At the meeting, City staff provided an update on the project and recent community survey about what design elements are important for the neighborhood. Residents were asked to provide feedback on how design guidelines could be applied to address any issues that were identified in the survey.
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What are Design Guidelines? Thursday, October 6, 2022 7:00pm via WebEx & In-Person at Lincoln Park Community Center
Lincoln Park residents were invited to learn more about creating neighborhood design guidelines for new construction and additions that will promote creative and high-quality design, and encourage compatibility between new and existing homes within the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The city held a hybrid meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct 6, virtually via WebEx, and in-person at the Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Avenue, Rockville MD 20850).
At the meeting, city staff provided an update on the project’s history and also described the purpose of design guidelines and how they could be applied and presented possible design issues to address. Residents were able to ask questions.
City planning staff will be working in partnership with neighborhood residents over the next several months to identify issues, determine goals, and establish design guidance for new or modified Lincoln Park residences.
What are Design Guidelines? Thursday, October 6, 2022 7:00pm via WebEx & In-Person at Lincoln Park Community Center
Lincoln Park residents were invited to learn more about creating neighborhood design guidelines for new construction and additions that will promote creative and high-quality design, and encourage compatibility between new and existing homes within the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The city held a hybrid meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct 6, virtually via WebEx, and in-person at the Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Avenue, Rockville MD 20850).
At the meeting, city staff provided an update on the project’s history and also described the purpose of design guidelines and how they could be applied and presented possible design issues to address. Residents were able to ask questions.
City planning staff will be working in partnership with neighborhood residents over the next several months to identify issues, determine goals, and establish design guidance for new or modified Lincoln Park residences.
