Warner Circle Principals

Preamble. As the Planning Board and Town of Kensington enter into the final drafting phase of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding future planning and uses for Circle Manor, also known as the Warner Property, we the undersigned community organizations believe the following principles are of crucial importance and in keeping with the intent of the Legacy Open Space Program. We respectfully proffer these key elements as a strong foundation on which to successfully restore and maintain Circle Manor for the enjoyment and beneficial use of current and future Montgomery County residents.

Citizens United to Save the Circle

  Kensington Historical Society

Kensington Land Trust

1. Education: The Warner Property should be an important educational tool in the telling of the story of this nationally-recognized Victorian garden park suburb and of the early history of Montgomery County.

2. Massing, Scale and Density. Any development of the Warner Property should preserve the existing pattern of small-scale buildings surrounded by generous open space, as befits the original design for the Victorian garden park town of Kensington. Existing views and sightlines to and from original structures should be preserved from all angles -- front, sides, and rear -- of this 360-degree property.

3. Zoning and Historic Preservation. As the preeminent site within the original plan for Kensington, and now the most important historic resource which is at the heart of Kensington’s Historic District, the Warner mansion and carriage house should be afforded special care in the restoration of their exteriors and interiors. The full spirit and intent of all zoning, subdivision, and other land use rules, guidelines, and regulations applicable to this historic district should be applied to any alterations and new construction.

4. Quality. Any new structures should be constructed to a standard of quality consistent with the existing historic buildings. The surrounding open space, or grounds, should be kept consistent with Legacy Open Space standards for preserving historical and environmental space of the highest quality.

5. Use. Potential use of or activities on the property, singly or in combination, should not detract from either the special and unique status of the Circle as the heart of the Historic District of Kensington, or from the core historic district itself. All due care should be taken to enhance the park-like setting with uses and activities appropriate to such a setting.

6. Impact. Impact on the residential community resulting from any redevelopment and community uses – such as noise, air pollution, traffic, parking, water runoff, etc. – should be minimized to the greatest extent possible, and should be respectful of the original design and of the tranquil nature of the historic garden community.

7. Access. Public access to the grounds and historic structures should be carefully balanced through appropriate site design, regulation, and enforcement, in order to minimize potential impacts on the neighborhood and to avoid unnecessary degradation of the historic property.

8. Resources. Careful consideration should be given to selecting appropriate revenue-generating activities that provide renewable funding for building and site maintenance, upkeep, and community activities. Supplemental revenue from the private sector, through charitable giving, the possible creation of a charitable foundation, and other fundraising activities, should be encouraged.

9. Collaboration. Decision-making by county authorities should be based not only on financial resources contributed by the town, county or state and through fundraising activities, but also on the impact of those decisions on the community, thereby requiring community input prior to making decisions on design and use of the Circle Manor property.

10. Governance. The Planning Board and Town of Kensington should ensure that fair and due consideration is given to the views of community residents before and after the Memorandum of Understanding is adopted. A citizens’ advisory group should be established at an appropriate time after the MOU is adopted, but before the aforementioned development/improvement project is completed, to advise elected officials on oversight of ongoing restoration, maintenance and community activities.