New-Construction Pause Discussed

Rockville, Maryland's third-largest city, took preliminary steps last night toward approving a year-long moratorium on new large developments while officials debate tougher requirements for open space, building heights and sidewalks, among other concerns.

A majority of the nonpartisan Rockville City Council, a part-time panel that helps govern the city of 57,000 residents, expressed support for some type of pause in new construction, after a contentious debate over the scope and timing of the proposed moratorium. The council plans to reconsider the issue next month.

A more sweeping moratorium had been proposed by an advisory group, which is also revamping city zoning laws. That proposal, which would have affected some developments in various stages of approval, did not garner much support last night, although it was backed by the city's planning staff. The proposal favored by the majority in discussions last night would affect only those development plans that have not yet been filed with the city's planning office.

Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo said he had hoped to win approval of the more sweeping moratorium so the city could more closely regulate the design of large developments still in nascent stages. He added that he wanted to include some that had been approved but were not yet built.

"I have lost confidence in the [current] rules," Giammo said in an interview before the vote. "We need to have a new set of rules to govern development."

Giammo said that the weaknesses in the zoning laws came to light in recent years as the city began examining several development proposals and realized its planners lacked the legal tools to compel developers to include more open space, wider sidewalks and recessed building facades that allow more light along the street, among other features.

"The city has no green space requirement. We need to codify and have a vision for what we want to achieve," he said.

While several of his colleagues expressed similar concerns, they were opposed to the moratorium because it would require builders to incorporate changes after winning earlier approvals from the city.

Builders often complain about midcourse rules changes, saying they make it difficult to plan and also affect profit margins.

The city's examination of its zoning laws will continue for at least another year, officials said.

Council member Robert E. Dorsey, one of four members who expressed reservations about the more sweeping proposal, said he supported zoning revisions but thought a moratorium was too extreme.

"I never, ever think that drastic an approach is necessary. . . . It is too chilling and unfriendly," he said. "My fear is that it brings an unnecessary cloud over the city and the county."

Rockville officials have worked over the past several years to portray the city as a business-friendly municipality. The city is in the midst of redevelopment that includes high-rises, retail space and offices in downtown Rockville and along Rockville Pike. The city recently was named the nation's 26th-best place to live in a survey by Money Magazine.