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Plan development spanned more than a year and included a community survey and dozens of meetings with the public, community groups, Maryland Historical Trust, Department of Natural Resources, clients of the conference center, our hospitality advisory committee, the faculty and student representatives. The master plan received final approval by the HCC Board of Trustees on February 28, 2007. Though “final,” a master plan is largely conceptual, like a roadmap, not detailed blueprints. Each project will go through its own design and approval process. Below are highlights of the master plan on: Existing buildings and plans Existing Buildings The Belmont estate includes ten buildings and structures. Manor House (about 12,000 sq. ft) The two-story Georgian-style house is used for small meetings and overnight stays in 15 guest rooms (11 private baths, two shared baths, and two hallway baths). Sections of the house were built from 1738 to 1927 (renovations as late as 1996). The Manor House will remain intact. Dobbin House and garage (about 2,500 sq. ft.) The Dobbin property is about 13 acres near the conference center off Belmont Woods Road. It is not part of the easement held by the Maryland Historical Trust. On the property is the Dobbin House, which currently houses five bedrooms for guests (for a total of 20 guest rooms). Dobbin House is critical to the conference business. When additional rooms are built on the Belmont property, this building may be refitted as an environmental science lab which could be shared with the county, public schools, and university partners. Carriage House (4,000 sq. ft) The building houses a conference room, receiving kitchen, and offices. Exact age unknown, it was converted between 1989 and 1991 and renovated in 1999. Plans call for expanding the Carriage House to add a meeting room and a kitchen to support the Manor House and include a teaching area. Old Stone Barn Dating to the 1700’s, the barn has a silo, hand-hewn logs, stone rubble walls, concrete and dirt floors, and a stable with a loft. Adjoining the barn is a small finished office area and fitness room. Plans call for preserving and renovating the barn so that it can be used for a meeting room or classroom. Currently the barn is deteriorating. Pool House (130 sq. ft) Built in 1927, the stucco building houses two bathroom and a covered walkway. The Pool House will remain intact. Maintenance shed (2,900 sq. ft) The shed has board and battened siding, shed-style roofing, and six garage doors. Plans call for relocating the shed and incorporating it into the sustainability (green technology) building (see below). Manager’s Residence (1,900 sq. ft.) The residence is a mansard style, older two story with composition shingled roof and wood exterior. The residence is being repaired (windows and siding), bathrooms and septic system upgraded. There will be four additional sleeping rooms in the house for guests upon completion of the renovation (expected July 2007). Caretaker’s House (2,100 sq. ft) The Cape Cod house will continue to be the caretaker’s residence. Stone Smokehouse and Well House (800 sq. ft) Located near the kitchen of the Manor House, the structure is utilized for storage and will remain. New Buildings Three new structures are being proposed in the Master Plan. The size, architectural style and exact location for each of these buildings have not been determined. However, these elements have been roughly estimated and reflected on the Master Plan for concept purposes only. Belmont Inn A new Inn provides 40 additional guest rooms and conference amenities that will improve the economic viability of the conference operations. The project is divided into two stages. The first stage provides 24 guest rooms and a dining room and living room lounge with a beverage server. The second stage adds 16 guest rooms. (Approximate size with both stages: 21,530 NASF, 32,450 GSF.) Conservatory Conference Center The center will accommodate larger conferences and events. Additionally there may be an observatory. (Approx. size: 22,880 NASF, 39,450 GSF) Sustainability Technology Building This project supports the college’s future courses in landscape technology and green construction. In addition, it supports Belmont with maintenance shops (use of the existing maintenance building would be discontinued). (Approx. size: 17,995 NASF, 29,992 GSF). Supporting Facilities Vehicle access Alternative means of providing access to the Belmont Conference Center are being explored. Each alternative has strengths and weaknesses with regards to cost, maintenance, environmental impact, and impact on neighboring properties and roads. Importantly, access must be safe, convenient, and attractive in order to serve clients. Alternatives include the following: 1. Minor improvements to Belmont Woods Road, including, potentially, lane widening at key locations, lessening the turning radii at sharp turns, improving the bridge, adding more pull-off areas, improving drainage and storm water run-off, and repaving/reconstructing the road surface; 2. Constructing a new, public road to Landing Road within the existing right-of-way (ROW); 3. Exploring other possible connections to Montgomery Road or Landing Road by connecting with existing roads. Water/sewer Maintaining a world-class conference center and first class educational environment will require a conversion from the current well and septic system to public water and sewer. Keeping well and septic was considered, but such a scenario would have to include water storage tanks, pumps, and generators to feed each building’s sprinkler system, a larger, shared, and expandable septic system, and additional wells, pumps, and generators on the site. Instead, water and sewer could be extended to the site from Landing Road. The alignment could be within the existing ROW or within the ROW of the connection described in option 3 above. Parking Parking for the Belmont Conference Center is provided in small surface lots near each building, with minimal grading and impact and without need for a single, large surface lot. Parking for larger events will be accommodated in these lots, as events will be timed to coincide with the times when the buildings are used minimally, if at all, and upon temporary grass lots as needed; much the same way that Recreation and Parks provides parking for events at Centennial Park. Additionally, and where feasible and accepted by the county, surface lots will be constructed of grasscrete or similar non-impervious materials. Site Lighting Site lighting is recommended to be low impact, cut-off type fixtures that will not spoil the night sky. Low bollards are suggested for lighting pedestrian pathways to and from parking and buildings. Pedestrian-scaled street lamps, with decorative fixtures and cut-off lenses, are recommended for roads. Pathways Pathways connecting buildings and parking will be concrete, brick, stone, asphalt, or a combination of these materials. Pathways that connect to the Park’s trail system will be dirt and/or grass paths. Some paths, between buildings and those that are less traveled, may be stone dust, decomposed granite, or similar. Architectural Style The Master Plan for Belmont does not presuppose any particular building style. Rather, the architecture must respect the site’s context, including the historic buildings and the natural setting. Buildings should not attempt to duplicate an historic style, nor should they be overtly modern or in very stark contrast to the existing buildings. New buildings should blend in and enhance the appreciation of the historic buildings and the rustic environment. The design of each building should respect and borrow from the scale, mass, and materials of the existing historic buildings while exploring more contemporary applications. Each building will be reviewed by the Maryland Historical Trust as it enters the building phase. Project Sequence Plans for Belmont would be implemented over the next 10 years in phases. Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
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