Edward U. Taylor Elementary School and Weller’s Dry Cleaning: An Amendment to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation
About the project
The Edward U. Taylor Elementary School and Weller’s Dry Cleaning are under evaluation for designation to the County’s Master Plan for Historic Preservation. The decision whether to place a resource on the Master Plan for Historic Preservation is based on criteria set forth in Chapter 24A-3 of the County Code. If the property is included in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation after review by the Planning Board, County Executive, and County Council, then exterior changes must be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) before issuance of any permits.
The MARC Rail Communities Sector Plan (2019) directed Montgomery Planning to evaluate the Edward U. Taylor School for designation as a Master Plan Historic Site. Planning staff collaborated with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) who provided access to archival records. At a hearing in April 2021, the Board of Education and former Superintendent Jack R. Smith supported the designation and recommended that Planning staff proceed with the public hearing process. In October 2022, the HPC found that the property satisfied three designation criteria as outlined in Chapter 24A, Historic Resource Preservation of the Montgomery County Code, and recommended listing the property in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation. On February 23, 2023, the Planning Board found that the Edward U. Taylor Elementary School meets three designation criteria as listed in Chapter 24A-3 of the Montgomery County Code and recommended the County Council designate the former Taylor School as historic.
The Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan (2022) directed Montgomery Planning to evaluate the Weller’s Dry Cleaning for designation as a Master Plan Historic Site. In December 2022, the HPC found that the property satisfied two designation criteria as outlined in Chapter 24A, Historic Resource Preservation of the Montgomery County Code, and recommended listing the property in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation. On February 23, 2023, the Planning Board found that the former Weller’s site did not meet the designation criteria for listing to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation.
Evaluation process
The Planning Board transmitted the Planning Board Draft to the County Council in February 2023. Public hearings will be scheduled at a later date.
View the Planning Board Draft Plan here (February 2023):
Appendix: Edward U. Taylor Elementary School Designation Form
Appendix: Weller’s Dry Cleaning Designation Form
View the Public Hearing Draft Plan here (January 2023):
Appendix: Edward U. Taylor Elementary School Designation Form
Appendix: Weller’s Dry Cleaning Designation Form
Read more about the historical and architectural significance of the Edward U. Taylor Elementary School and Weller’s Dry Cleaning.