Community Issues
Development Update
News
October 2008
Development projects facing budget challenges
Most of you already know that the State has delayed several road projects as a result of budget shortfalls (not unexpected). This includes projects that are integral parts of the ICC infrastructure and will likely affect surrounding communities. Two other critical projects also put on hold are the improvements of the failed intersections of Randolph Road/Georgia Avenue and Norbeck Road/Georgia Avenue; both will be significantly affected not only by the opening of Section A of the ICC, but also by several commercial and retail development proposals in the immediate area.Indian Springs (Poplar Run)
Winchester Homes still plans to break ground this fall, according to its latest statement. Rumors that the land may revert back to a country club are untrue and have no basis.Layhill Overlook
Planned for the northwest corner of Homestead and Bel Pre, plans were approved and ground breaking will likely occur this spring.Privacy World
Proposed by JBG for the area adjacent to the Glenmont Metro, work has been put on hold indefinitely and JBG has withdrawn its rezoning application.Greenbriar
The proposed housing development (over 380 units on 85 acres) at the intersection of Norbeck and Georgia has been scrapped by Winchester Homes. The latest proposal calls for 256 homes on 31 acres. Their original application has been amended, but no hearing has been scheduled by the Planning Board. The Greater Olney Civic Association had openly expressed concern with the size of the development at the already failed intersection.The Association wishes to thank Rocky Lopes, President of the Layhill Alliance, for his assistance in compiling this information.
October 2007
Indian Spring
The County Planning Commission recently held an hearing on the development of Indian Spring, now known as Poplar Run. The only roadblock stopping approval of the developer's proposal to build 770+ units is the county's request for the developer to set aside some land the county could purchase to build a school. The AGWG, a member of the Layhill Alliance, signed onto a letter objecting to the hearing time, mid-morning during the week. This type of scheduling significantly limits civic and homeowners associations from appearing to present testimony, but is ideal for developers and their attorneys. This was standard operating procedure under the former Chairman of the Commission and it appears unchanged under the new Chairman. The Alliance also requested assistance from Council President Praisner, who contacted the Commission. A spokesman for Chairman Hanson responded that there were other activities scheduled in the evening, all of which have a history of sparse attendance. The association felt that any discussions of a project this size should be as transparent as possible and scheduled at a time for to allow optimal citizen input.Privacy World & Leisure World Expansion
As mentioned in earlier announcements, the projects at Privacy World, Leisure World and at Norbeck and Georgia are still under review. Unfortunately, the Planning Commission are treating these projects as mutually exclusive especially in relationship to traffic. Funding has still not been earmarked to rebuild the Georgia and Randolph intersection, a priority within the county, but not the State. Apparently Metro and the county have reached an agreement to locate the fire station on the same parcel (West side of Georgia), where Metro plans to be a second Glenmont parking garage. But, it appears that plans will proceed for these housing projects before the intersection issue is resolved, which will only add to the traffic woes of the area. ICC construction will also worsen the situation. The Western section will be built first, followed by the Eastern portion and finally the middle section that will begin at Georgia and move East. The association has just learned from a reliable source that when the Western section is complete, all ICC traffic will be spilling onto Georgia Ave until the entire road is built; the State Highway Administration has not developed any contingency plans, even knowing this in advance.Privacy World & Leisure World Expansion
As mentioned in earlier announcements, the projects at Privacy World, Leisure World and at Norbeck and Georgia are still under review. Unfortunately, the Planning Commission are treating these projects as mutually exclusive especially in relationship to traffic. Funding has still not been earmarked to rebuild the Georgia and Randolph intersection, a priority within the county, but not the State. Apparently Metro and the county have reached an agreement to locate the fire station on the same parcel (West side of Georgia), where Metro plans to be a second Glenmont parking garage. But, it appears that plans will proceed for these housing projects before the intersection issue is resolved, which will only add to the traffic woes of the area. ICC construction will also worsen the situation. The Western section will be built first, followed by the Eastern portion and finally the middle section that will begin at Georgia and move East. The association has just learned from a reliable source that when the Western section is complete, all ICC traffic will be spilling onto Georgia Ave until the entire road is built; the State Highway Administration has not developed any contingency plans, even knowing this in advance.McMansions Thwarted
Last year, a developer purchased a parcel of land at the end of Gilpin and planned to build two McMansions on a very small portion. They developer has abandoned this effort and the property is on the market. Jim Humphrey, Chair of the Planning and Land Use Committee of the Montgomery County Civic Federation requested information on the owner and offered to investigate how this developer got original approval from the county for this project. As you know, building large homes on small land parcels is a critical county-wide issue especially in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area and there will likely be a legislative effort by County Council to stop this practice.Recently, Jim Humphrey wrote an article that was published in The County Sentinel, which provides a concise summary of the county's new pending growth policy and its pitfalls.
May 2007
Indian Spring
Final plans were just presented to the Planning Commission. They differed little from the preliminary plans that were approved last year that call for 700+ dwellings. The Planning Commission’s decision has not alleviated the traffic concerns in the area. The development will have only two ways in and out, Randolph through the Tivoli residential neighborhood and directly onto Layhill. The County recently sent a list of transportation priorities to Governor O’Malley. Number 1 was the Georgia and Randolph intersection, which will likely bear the brunt of the additional traffic resulting from Indian Spring. A county traffic engineer projected a couple of years ago that 62 percent of these new residents would be taking public transportation to the Glenmont Metro.The most recent development related to the project is that a resident of the Bel Pre Strathmore area has filed a lawsuit that explicitly challenges the Commission’s approval of the project. The lawsuit specifically states that the Commission violated their own regulations during the approval process. No immediate action has been scheduled.
