Cutting down Rockville trees to cost more

The fee, which stood at 40 cents per square foot in November, was increased on Monday at the request of the council.

‘‘We’re looking for a dollar amount that will serve as a meaningful deterrent or disincentive for developers who might otherwise want to clear out all the trees as part of their project,” Mayor Larry Giammo said in an interview.

Staff recommended the fee to be increased to $4 per square foot, but Councilwoman Susan R. Hoffmann successfully introduced the amendment on Monday calling for $5.

The council also increased another fee from $300 to $1,500 for off-site planting of trees deemed significant in size.

Much of the new revenue will be put in a newly created Forest Maintenance Fund, to be used for things like controlling invasive species. A portion of the fees will still be used to plant new trees.

New fees were created to cover the city administrative and inspection costs.

The city’s Forest Conservation Manual was updated to reflect the changes.

Tougher rulesfor vacant buildings

Rockville now has a limit to how long a building can remain boarded up.

The City Council unanimously passed legislation Monday establishing a 90-day limit on such buildings. After that time, the structure must appear occupied, with windows and doors in place.

The new requirement fills a gap in city code in which vacant buildings could indefinitely remain boarded without penalty.

Staff counts 13 boarded-up buildings in Rockville, three of which are businesses in Town Center, Police Chief Terrence N. Treschuk said.

One residential building has been boarded up for 20 years, he said.

The new legislation came as welcome news to West End Citizens Association President Patricia Woodward.

Two boarded up buildings along West Montgomery Avenue, the Burbank’s luncheonette building that burned in 2003 and a former boarding house nearby, have been eyesores too long, she told the council.

The new requirements should help in home foreclosures, officials say.

A property owner not complying with the revised city ordinance can be fined $100 for the first offense. If the boards do not come down within a specified period of time, the law allows for a $200 fine per day.

Community center funding approved

The Rockville City Council approved a $5 million bid for the construction of the Thomas Farm Community Center.

Hopkins & Wayson of Owings, Md., will build the center at the corner of West Montgomery Avenue and Fallsgrove Drive.

The 18,000-square-foot facility will be the first community center west of Interstate 270, something that earned praise from Councilwoman Anne M. Robbins, a nearby resident.

The building includes a gym, fitness center, two multipurpose rooms, a game room, kitchen, locker room and offices.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Construction is expected to take a year.

Planning parksand open space

As proposed citywide zoning revisions are about to be made public, Rockville is assessing its future recreation and open space needs.

The consulting firm of Environmental Resource Management has been hired for $119,500 to help re-evaluate the city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

The need to update the plan arose from the citywide zoning review process. The Residents of Rockville Zoning Ordinance Review (RORZOR) Committee is recommending the creation of a new open space zone. The draft plan is expected to be made public Oct. 9.

‘‘An updated open space plan will help to define use of land in open space zones and identify parts of city that are under-served, where open space zones should be created,” Burt Hall, director of recreation and parks, said.

The consulting firm is expected to conduct public outreach, survey residents’ recreational needs and develop a list of best practices.

The process is expected to take until July.

Two open house meetings will kick off the pubic outreach.

The first is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Rockville Civic Center Park Social Hall. A day later, an open house will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rockville Senior Center Carnation Room.

Rockville police department gets new commanders

The retirement of Lt. James Main and Capt. Charles Holzberger has created a cascade of internal promotions within the Rockville City Police Department.

Holzberger, a 26-year veteran, retires at the end of the month. Lt. Robert Rappoport will take his position.

Rappoport has risen from the ranks, starting as a patrol officer in 1988. Aside from his upcoming promotion, he recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. The law enforcement leadership training program lasted 10 weeks and included graduates from 48 states and 23 countries.

Police Chief Terrence N. Treschuk graduated from the academy in 1978.

Main, who retired in July, is replaced by Sgt. Eric Over.

Sgt. Timothy Marsh is also moving up to lieutenant, replacing the spot to be vacated by Rappoport.

Cpl. Ronald Merritt and Cpl. William Nieberding both move up to sergeant.