East Rockville Housing Meeting

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting to discuss the future of housing in East Rockville, and the possible directions that the neighborhood could take to either add people or remain in its current state. Overall, most present seemed very much willing to grow as a neighborhood, although there were several opinions on the manner in which this could be done. Hosted by David Levy and Ann Wallas, different types of housing discussed for addition to the neighborhood included Accessory Dwelling Units (ACDs), duplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, courtyard housing, small multiplexes, and live/work units.

An example of an ACD, with the unit on the right and the main residence on the left. These saw most support at the meeting, however under current codes are difficult to do. Image Credit: accessorydwellings.org

Although ACDs did see widespread support, thanks to existing city codes they are hard to create, and, because they would have to be created by residents on their own initiative, may not be built and would therefore not actually have much support. Most people felt that these would work well in Burgundy Knolls, England's Second Addition, Harriet Park, and Rockville Park. Additionally, there was limit support for duplexes and fourplexes, especially in the Croydon Park and England's Second Addition areas, with concern about historic preservation being present in the Rockville Park. Additionally, live/work units saw support for the Stonestreet corridor, as did small multiplexes. Courtyard housing saw niche support as well, which, if the city takes these findings into consideration, would mean that East Rockville would, though in a limited manner, add some density to its borders and allow for housing to stay affordable and the neighborhood to grow.