Media Center

Montgomery County Planning Board Hires New Planning Director, Filling Two-Year Void

SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Board has selected a new planning director, placing a professional who has held top planning jobs in St. Louis and Toronto at the helm of the county’s 170-member planning department.

Rollin Stanley, St. Louis’ director of planning and urban design, will begin his post in Silver Spring beginning February 4.

“We are thrilled to have Rollin lead our professional planning staff as we continue to work to improve quality of life in Montgomery County through smart land-use planning,” said Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson. The Planning Board, which has been vetting candidates for more than a year, selected Stanley earlier this month.

Stanley’s five-year tenure in St. Louis includes authoring a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines ways to revitalize the historic city. Stanley also laid the groundwork for a 1.3-mile-long civic open space corridor that will bisect the city and oversaw staff teams addressing neighborhood revitalization, tax incentives and other initiatives.

Before his stint in St. Louis, Stanley spent 20 years in Toronto as a planner who was instrumental in transforming the city’s industrial district into a mix of residential and retail.

Stanley becomes Montgomery County’s first planning chief since November 2005. Since then, the department – which is responsible for making recommendations to the board on subdivision plans, site plans, zoning amendments, forest conservation and a host of other land-use issues – has been led by interim directors, including current Acting Planning Director Gwen Wright.

Stanley, 49, has a degree in urban and regional planning from Ryerson University, Toronto. The Canadian native has twice won a World Leadership Award and is a division chairman in the American Planning Association. He is married and has a grown stepson.

Special note: Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson will host a press conference on Friday, January 4, to introduce Rollin Stanley. Details to follow.

Capital Crescent Trail Coalition Donates More Than $20,000 to Parks Department to Battle Non-Native Invasives

BETHESDA, MD—The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail (CCCT) donated $20,170 to the Montgomery County Department of Parks this month to remove non-native invasive plants along the Capital Crescent Trail.

“The coalition’s number one priority is protecting the trail,” said CCCT Board Chair Peter Gray, “and one of the biggest threats to the trail is the non-native invasives that are taking over.”

With its members support, the coalition raised the funds and the board identified combating non-native invasives as a project worth backing financially. The group approached the parks department to make arrangements for the donation. The funding will be used for removing non-native invasives along the Capital Crescent Trail in order to protect several large decades old trees along the trail that are being threatened by non-native vines.

The bulk of the initial machete work will be completed by Highway Safety Services under the department’s supervision with some additional native planting completed by parks staff and volunteers. The project is expected to get underway this Friday.

“Invasive species present one of the greatest threats to the health of our parklands,” said Department of Parks Forest Ecologist Carole Bergmann. “So we are very appreciative of this support from the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail to continue to battle these alien invaders.”

Recently, the department launched a new Wild Montgomery initiative, which celebrates Montgomery County’s protected wild areas and inspires a sense of protection of them from threats such as non-native invasives. The Wild Montgomery initiative also points out ways to get involved in protecting these treasured resources, such as participating in some of the many volunteer opportunities in the parks throughout the year.

“When it comes to combating non-native invasives, you can never have too many helping hands working to tackle the problem,” said Bergmann.

Since the spring of 2007, the Department of Parks has been organizing and hosting Save the Forest volunteer opportunities throughout county parks to help fight against non-native invasive plants. These volunteer non-native invasive plant pull projects are open to the public and require no experience to participate. Students can also earn Student Service Learning hours by participating. The next Save the Forest volunteer event is planned for Sunday, January 13, from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm along the Capital Crescent Trail. 

CCCT Board Chair Peter Gray, a certified Department of Parks Weed Warrior volunteer, with the guidance of parks staff is leading the volunteer group on Sunday.

“The Capital Crescent Trail Coalition doesn’t just point out the problems, they roll up their sleeves and get out there and help,” added Bergmann. “They are great park partners.”

For 8 years, the Department of Parks has maintained the Weed Warrior volunteer program. More than 500 volunteers have been trained as certified Weed Warriors on the identification of non-native invasive plants found in park natural areas, removal and control techniques suitable for parklands and how to stay safe in the woods. Weed Warrior volunteers assist park staff on a regular basis in monitoring and removing non-native invasive plants from Montgomery County parkland.

For more on non-native invasives and parks, upcoming Save the Forest volunteer opportunities or becoming a Weed Warrior see www.ParkPlanningandStewardship.org and for more on the new Wild Montgomery initiative, visit www.WildMontgomery.org.

Other groups interested in making a donation to the Department of Parks can visit www.MontgomeryParks.org and click on “Volunteers & Partnerships.”

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Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Construction to Begin on Pine Lake in January; Lake and Surrounding Area to Remain Closed over Winter

WHEATON, MD—Construction is set to begin in early January 2008 on Pine Lake in Wheaton Regional Park. As a result, the lake and surrounding area will remain closed to public access over the winter with fencing and signage up around the lake.

“We expect this construction phase of the project to be complete in late spring 2008,” said Department of Parks Project Manager Andy Frank. “Although an inconvenience, this project will be well worth it as we welcome park patrons back to the lake for their summer activities.”

Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection began planning for this major rehabilitation of Pine Lake that includes dredging significant quantities of sediment accumulated within the lake. Another goal of the rehabilitation project is to improve dam safety at the lake, water quality, aquatic habitat and stormwater management control.

Pine Lake was constructed in the early 1960s and provides significant recreational opportunities to park users and water quality benefits to the tributary stream of the Northwest Branch. The lake has not been previously dredged and this is the first major rehabilitation of the lake since its initial construction. The 5-acre lake is a favorite of fishermen, for bird watching, picnicking and hiking along the nearby park trails.

In addition to Pine Lake, Wheaton Regional Park is also home to the Wheaton Ice Arena, Wheaton Indoor Tennis Facility, Brookside Nature Center and Brookside Gardens.  For more on Wheaton and other Montgomery County parks, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.

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Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Planning Board to Consider Amendments to Clarksburg Town Center Plan During Public Hearing Thursday

SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Board will consider amending a previously approved development proposal for Clarksburg Town Center that would bring the development into compliance with height, setback and other county standards during a public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 13 at approximately 10 a.m. 

In addition, the amendments would specify lighting and landscaping plans, clarify lot lines, add pavement to allow for better emergency access and disperse 48 moderately priced homes throughout the town center.  

The entire town center is proposed to encompass 1,300 residential units, 150,000 square feet of retail and 100,000 square feet of office on 270 acres near the Clarksburg historic district. The amendments would affect 118 homes – seven single-family residences, 52 townhouses and 59 apartment units – within the three phases of development.

Originally approved in the mid-1990s, construction in parts of Clarksburg Town Center was halted in 2005 when a community group uncovered and the Planning Board confirmed violations to county setback and height rules. 

Since then, at the Planning Board’s direction, the advisory group and Clarksburg developers have jointly developed a plan to bring the Town Center into compliance with county rules.

The third and final phase of the Town Center, which will include a new library, recreation center and retail area, should come to the Board for review sometime next year. The third phase of the plan of compliance calls for a review of the whole site for conformance with county rules.

WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board

WHAT:
Public hearing on Clarksburg Town Center site plan amendments

WHEN:
Thursday, December 13, 2007 – approximately 10 a.m.  

WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Md.

Planning Board Renames Cabin John Indoor Tennis Facility to the Pauline Betz-Addie Tennis Center

SILVER SPRING, MD—Last Thursday, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved renaming the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility to the Pauline Betz-Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park after the world-class tennis player and Montgomery County resident.

“This proposal is a win-win for the county and the parks,” said Department of Parks Special Projects Coordinator Terry Brooks. “Renaming the facility significantly recognizes the local, national and international contributions of Ms. Betz-Addie and creates an opportunity to enable the Department of Parks to make much needed upgrades to the very popular indoor tennis facility at Cabin John Regional Park.”

In November, the Montgomery County Tennis Association and Education Foundation, Inc. (MCTAEF) submitted a public/private partnership proposal to the Department of Parks to rename the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility. As part of the deal, MCTAEF will make a $100,000 donation to the department for improvement and expansion of the indoor tennis facility at Cabin John. A portion of the funds will be used for commemoration and new facility signage, with the remainder set aside for planning for the possible construction of six new indoor tennis courts with tournament quality lighting, new central heating and air conditioning and an adequate viewing area at the facility. MCTAEF has also committed to another $400,000 to fund the cost of a portion of the construction for this addition to the facility.

Other parks in the county’s parks system have been previously named in honor of individuals, for example, the Stuart Kaufman Playground at Garrett Park Estates Local Park and Becca Lilly Neighborhood Park in Takoma Park.  There is an existing tennis court at the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility already dedicated in Ms. Pauline Betz-Addie’s honor.

The Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility recently re-opened after being closed since September for renovations. Department of Parks contractors installed a brand new reflective ceiling for the facility and energy-efficient high-quality fluorescent lighting.

The county’s parks system includes two indoor tennis facilities, this one at Cabin John Regional Park and one at Wheaton Regional Park.  The Wheaton Indoor Tennis facility is also currently being renovated with an anticipated April re-open. The Wheaton facility is getting brand new central heat and air, new lighting and a brand new fabric exterior. 

For more on either the Cabin John or Wheaton indoor tennis facilities, see www.CabinJohnTennis.com or www.WheatonTennis.com.

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Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Planning Board Finds Silver Spring Apartment Complex Eligible for Historic Status, Halting Proposed Development

SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Board today decided that a Silver Spring 1930s-era complex of garden apartments, a portion of which had been proposed to be replaced with high-rise apartment buildings and stores, should be considered eligible for historic designation.

Called the Falkland Apartments, the complex at East-West Highway and 16^th Street was built between 1936 and 1938 in the wake of federal New Deal programs that brought an influx of new residents to the Washington, D.C., region. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt cut the ribbon at the Falklands dedication in 1937.

Board members agreed that the complex merited eligibility for historic designation, saying that the Falklands represents a key part of history and should be preserved even as the county approves more dense projects in downtown Silver Spring.

“This is a very good example of suburban apartment design and architecture,” said Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson. “The idea of preserving historic and architecturally important communities even in dense urban areas may be as important, if not more important, than preserving them somewhere else. This is a rare opportunity to preserve something of real value.”

Their decision followed the recommendation of county historic preservation staff, the county Historic Preservation Commission and more than 20 people who testified yesterday in favor of finding it eligible for preservation. Staff pointed out the Falklands’ connection to New Deal history, praised its Colonial revival architecture and said its two- and three-story layout in a natural setting added complexity and interest to the design of downtown Silver Spring.

The board’s consideration of the historic eligibility request was triggered when the owner of the Falklands property submitted an application to the Planning Department to build a mix of apartments and stores on about a third of the complex on the north part of the site.

The board’s action sends the Falklands to be considered under the full historic designation process – through the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), to the Planning Board and then to the County Council – for a final decision on whether to actually designate the property as a historic landmark.

Properties on the list are protected from significant alterations, although other Montgomery County development projects on historic sites have occurred with HPC and Planning Board oversight.

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Planning Board Asks Department of Parks to Develop Another Alternative for North Four Corners Local Park to Include One New Athletic Field

SILVER SPRING, MD—The Montgomery County Planning Board today heard testimony and Department of Parks staff recommendations for amending the facility plan from September 2005 for North Four Corners Local Park to include a new large athletic field and improved parking at the park.

“We’re really trying to create a better park,” said Department of Parks Landscape Architect Heidi Sussmann, “while balancing the need for athletic fields in the county with the need to maintain the integrity of the surrounding park neighborhood.”

Department of Parks staff presented an overview of four alternatives to the Planning Board today for North Four Corners Local Park. One, which reduces activity on the park’s existing field, adds a new large field for use by all ages and improves parking at the park—a modification to the existing facility plan for the park which calls for two large fields for use by all ages; another which renovates and makes larger the existing park field, adds open space and improves parking; and a third alternative which includes no fields at the park and makes no improvements to parking. The alternative recommended by parks staff today at the Planning Board includes replacing the existing park field with open space, seating areas and paths, adding a new large park field for use by all ages and improving parking at the park. 

“Our recommendation today is really a compromise,” said Sussmann. “This change to the renovation and expansion plan for the park addresses park neighbors’ expressed concerns about how increased use of the park might impact the surrounding neighborhood, but does not add an additional park field to an area that needs it.”

More than a dozen community members signed up to testify at today’s Planning Board meeting about this park project.  Public testimony was limited to one hour and community feedback provided about the project was mixed. Several park neighbors and the Northwood Four Corners Citizens Association asked the Planning Board to reject the parks staff’s recommended alternative and to keep the park’s new large parcel—where the recommended new athletic field would be developed—as open space, an area the community has affectionately named “Rachel Carson Meadow.” Others, including a Blair High School student and a representative from the Takoma Park Neighborhood Youth Soccer League spoke in support of renovating and expanding the park and the need for more athletic fields in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park area.

The Board acknowledged the need for more soccer fields in the county. At the County Council’s request, over the past year parks staff has analyzed the need for athletic fields in the county. Based on data in the County’s approved 2005 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan there are almost no opportunities available to meet an estimated year 2020 need for nearly 11 additional large athletic fields in the Silver Spring area.

After much discussion and consideration of the testimony provided today by the community, the Planning Board directed parks staff to develop a new alternative for the park which rotates the position of the proposed new athletic field, reconfigures parking at the park, provides additional buffers from field activity at the park for some of the adjacent community and leaves a portion of the new park area in its existing state.

Before concluding today’s discussion on this park project, Chairman Hanson asked parks staff to bring this item back to the Board as quickly as possible so that the Board might take action and get this project scheduled for design and construction in the FY09-14 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

It was also noted that the parks staff recommended alternative presented today has not been ruled out. 

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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Planning Board to Consider Whether Silver Spring Apartment Complex Proposed for Partial Demolition is Eligible for Historic Status

SILVER SPRING, MD – On Thursday, Dec. 6 at approximately 3 p.m., the Montgomery County Planning Board will consider whether a Silver Spring complex of garden apartments, a portion of which is proposed to be demolished to make way for new high-rise apartment buildings and stores, should be considered eligible for historic designation.

Called the Falkland Apartments, the complex at East-West Highway and 16^th Street was built between 1936 and 1938 in the wake of federal New Deal programs that brought an influx of new residents to the Washington, D.C., region. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt cut the ribbon at the Falklands dedication in 1937.

The owner of the Falklands property has submitted an application to the Planning Department to build a mix of apartments and stores on about a third of the complex on the north part of the site.  That parcel, part of Silver Spring’s Central Business District, allows mixed residential and retail. The project plan proposes 1,059 residential units, a 50,000-square-foot grocery store and a 15,000-square-foot retail area that might include a restaurant.

The Falklands, already listed on a county inventory of potential historic sites, is currently protected from demolition. Under the county’s Preservation Ordinance, the historic inventory identifies properties that might merit historic designation. Historic preservation staff researches and makes recommendations on the historic and architectural importance of those properties. The Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning Board and the County Council then consider whether to actually designate the properties as historic landmarks.

On Thursday, the board will evaluate whether the entire Falklands complex is eligible to be considered for historic status. The board may find the whole site is significant, only a portion is significant, or none of it merits designation.

If the board finds all or some of the site eligible, the Falklands would go through the full historic designation process and, if deemed worthy by the County Council, would gain historic designation. Properties on the list are fully protected from significant alterations.

The Historic Preservation Commission, as well as historic preservation planners, have recommended that the board find the entire Falklands eligible for historic designation.

Some 25 individuals have signed up to testify before the board. Chairman Royce Hanson plans to limit testimony to two hours, but will try to hear from all interested parties in that timeframe.

 

WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Department 

WHAT:
Public hearing on Falklands historic designation 

WHEN:
Thursday, December 6, 2007 – approximately 3 p.m. 

WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Md.

Montgomery Planners Invite Public to Learn More about Pending Germantown Master Plan

SILVER SPRING, MD – As planners begin to compile the options for a new vision for Germantown, the Montgomery County Planning Board will hold a public meeting at 7:30 p.m., Monday, December 17 at the Black Rock Center for the Arts to highlight the upcoming recommendations.

The Germantown master plan looks ahead 10 to 20 years in a comprehensive guide to the area’s land use. Planners have been working to update the 1989 Germantown Master Plan, focusing on 2,400 acres in the center of the community. The plan will recommend new zoning, mixed uses such as residential coupled with retail, and revitalized employment areas.

The Planning Board meeting is one of five upcoming informational sessions on Germantown, a growing community in north central Montgomery County about 26 miles from Washington, D.C.  The public is welcome to attend any of the following meetings, which involve a variety of subjects and presiding agencies:

2 p.m. Tuesday, December 4. Community meeting focused on new zoning designed for transit station areas. Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.

2 p.m. Thursday, December 6. Community meeting with a Maryland Transit Administration representative regarding the status of the Corridor Cities Transitway, a proposed light rail or bus line connecting Shady Grove and Clarksburg. Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.

7 p.m. Tuesday, December 11. Community Advisory Committee to discuss school and transportation issues for the upcoming master plan. Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.

7:30 p.m. Monday, December 17. Planning Board meeting. Black Rock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 19. The Historic Preservation Commission will consider three Germantown sites for historic status – the Little Seneca Viaduct, the Germantown Culvert and the Germantown Presbyterian Church. Park and Planning Headquarters, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.

The staff’s draft master plan will be considered by the Montgomery County Planning Board in work sessions and during a public hearing in early 2008. After the board finalizes its version of the plan, it will go to the County Council for review and eventual approval.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Park Items on This Week's Planning Board Agenda

SILVER SPRING, MD—Thursday, December 6, the Montgomery County Planning Board will take up the following two park items of interest:

- Dredging Lake Needwood: Department of Parks Project Manager Andy Frank will present the preliminary engineering plans for dredging Rock Creek Regional Park’s popular Lake Needwood and plans for structural improvements to the lake’s existing forebay and upper portion of the main lake. Continued siltation since about 1990—when regular dredging of the lake was discontinued—has impacted the function of the lake’s forebay and limited boating and fishing within the main body of the lake. The Department of Parks hosted a public meeting in September on these plans to gather community feedback. At Thursday’s Planning Board Meeting, parks staff is requesting approval of the preliminary engineering design as proposed in the FY 09-14 Capital Improvement Program.

- North Four Corners Local Park: Department of Parks Landscape Architect Heidi Sussmann will present recommendations for renovating and expanding North Four Corners Local Park in Silver Spring, which includes replacing the existing park field with open space, adding a new large park field for use by all ages, expanding the park’s existing parking lot and developing a new parking lot at the park. After a community meeting in June, parks staff developed and shared an additional alternative for the park which included no park fields and continued to collect public input. Parks staff is asking the Planning Board on Thursday to amend the approved facility plan from September 2005 for the park to incorporate these recommended enhancements. Public testimony on this item will be limited to one hour.

WHO:    
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Department of Parks

WHAT:   
Park agenda items

WHEN:
Thursday, December 6, 2007 at approximately 9:30 am

WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

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Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866