Media Center

Deer Management Work Group Recommends Program to Help Reduce Deer-Related Impacts

SILVER SPRING, MD – To help reduce deer-related traffic accidents and other negative impacts in Montgomery County, MD, an interagency working group program recommends a variety of non-lethal and lethal strategies including new deer population management initiatives on public land.

The Montgomery County Deer Management Work Group has released its annual report and recommendations on deer management in the county for fiscal year 2006. Available online at www.ParksDeerManagement.org, the report presents an overview of the county’s deer management program, actions implemented since the program began in 1995 and lists specific recommendations for implementation in the next year. For more information or to make comments on the report, residents can send e-mails to [email protected] or call 301-949-2909.

The Montgomery County Deer Management Work Group continues to work closely with state and county agencies to address and reduce deer-related impacts. For instance, more than 1,200 homeowners have attended workshops held by the Cooperative Extension Service and Park and Planning to learn tips on landscaping, repellents, fencing and other methods. Homeowner and community associations that would like a free workshop on controlling deer damage around the home can call 301-590-9650 or 301-949-2909.

Managed deer hunting and police-based sharpshooting have been used in 14 county parks, two state parks and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission land to reduce deer populations in communities experiencing a high level of deer-related impacts. The state’s Department of Natural Resources continues to make changes to state deer hunting regulations in an attempt to increase the annual harvest of deer, with an emphasis on deer without antlers. The State Highway Administration and the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation are investigating and implementing measures such as wildlife passages under new roads, wildlife reflector systems, and new signage and driver warning systems to reduce the occurrence of deer-related automobile accidents. Collectively, these strategies are intended to reduce deer-human conflicts countywide.

New deer population management operations, including additional managed hunts and sharpshooting operations, are proposed for this year at several locations throughout the county. More specific information about these actions will be announced later this summer.

This year, M-NCPPC will initiate a new method of notifying residents about M-NCPPC managed hunts and receiving public comments. Rather than holding public meetings, which have had very low attendance in recent years, M-NCPPC will publicize this information through mailings to affected civic and homeowner associations, news releases to local newspapers and the Internet. This new approach will provide convenient opportunities for citizens to learn about and comment on deer population management actions that are proposed on parkland throughout the county. Residents will be able to submit comments through the mail or via e-mail. Information will be provided at www.ParksDeerManagement.org when the new deer population management operations are announced.

Park and Planning Reschedules Sanctions Hearing on Clarksburg Town Center Development

SILVER SPRING, MD - Officials at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission postponed a hearing to decide sanctions against developers who built residential units too tall and too close to streets in Clarksburg Town Center. The hearing was originally slated for Thursday, July 28 and is now scheduled for September 22, 2005.

Planning Board Chairman Derick Berlage said that staff are still receiving and analyzing information from developers regarding the exact heights and setbacks of hundreds of residential buildings in Clarksburg Town Center and the precise circumstances under which the violations occurred.

“I don’t think this is the time to rush things,” said Charlie Loehr, agency director. “With clear information on all the alleged violations, the Planning Board can make a better, more informed decision.”

Becca Lilly Playground Bridge Reinstalled

Takoma Park, MD — The Department of Park and Planning in Montgomery County announced today that the pedestrian bridge has been re-installed at the Central Avenue entrance to Becca Lilly Playground in Takoma Park, Maryland. The previous bridge was swept away by a series of storm events that caused Long Branch Stream to rise.

When Department staff found that the usual process of bidding a contract to rebuild the bridge would take more than one year to complete, they explored the option on using existing materials and staff to replace the bridge. Based on a design by staff engineer Dilip Pandya (who also served as project manager), a crew of five skilled craftworkers from the Department’s Central Maintenance Division used materials found in stock to construct and install the foot bridge. Bob Turnbull, of the County-wide Planning Division, assisted with the installation.

WHO:
Derick Berlage, Chairman, MNCPPC and Tom Perez, President, MC Council

WHAT:
“Healthy Start Saturday” a community gathering to mark the installation of the foot bridge.

WHERE:
Becca Lilly Playground, 7100 block Central Avenue entrance, Takoma Park, MD 20912

WHEN: Saturday, July 23, 2005 9-10:30 a.m.

Duncan, Berlage Announce Freeze on Building Permits in Site Plan Zones: Improvements for Development Reviews and Inspections

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Derick Berlage today announced a freeze on the issuance of building permits in site plan zones until height limitation and setback requirements can be verified on a host of outstanding development projects. Duncan and Berlage also announced a plan to improve the site plan review and inspection process to ensure that developers are complying with site plan agreements in so-called optional method zones in the County. This improved accountability plan will require the hiring of additional zoning enforcement staff, paid for through a hike in developer permit application fees.

“The revelation that developers in Clarksburg violated height and setback restrictions was a serious abuse of the public trust, one that highlights some shortcomings in the current development review process,” said Duncan. “The steps we are taking will address these shortcomings and ensure that developers are complying with zoning restrictions.”

Currently, more than 190 building permit applications are pending with the Department of Permitting Services (DPS). Applicants are being notified that their permits will not be issued until they resubmit site plans that disclose height and setback calculations. Before issuing permits, DPS and Park and Planning will verify setback and height restrictions spelled out in the site plan approvals.

Beginning immediately, developers will be required to provide, as part of their permit application to DPS, clear evidence of compliance with height restrictions on any site plan approved by the Planning Board. Planning Board staff will review the evidence of height and setback compliance on site plans as part of the agency’s development review process.

“We’re taking initial steps that we know will make a huge difference,” said Berlage. “The goal is to put better systems in place to ensure developers comply with every letter of the law and our strict land use regulations.”

Additional enforcement staff will be needed in DPS and Park and Planning to take on this increased oversight responsibility. Duncan said that the additional staff will be paid for by developers through an increase in permit fees.

“Increasing zoning enforcement staff is necessary, but should not come at the expense of taxpayers – it should be paid for by the developers who benefit most from these development projects,” said Duncan.

Earlier this month, the Planning Board ruled that developers and builders constructed 433 townhouses too tall and 102 too close to streets. On July 28, the Board will consider sanctions against the builders and developers responsible for violating approved plans for the town center.

“We’re taking a collaborative approach even before the Office of Legislative Oversight begins its review because these interim changes can certainly help in the meantime,” said Berlage.

Park and Planning Director Charles Loehr also announced that he ended an internal practice that allowed mid-level planning staff to approve select administrative amendments to site plans. Now, only Loehr himself will issue such approvals.

The Planning Board and DPS will cooperate fully with OLO’s review of the development issues related to Clarksburg Town Center. In addition, the Planning Board will issue a request for proposals to management consulting firms who specialize in process reviews.

The Board will seek an independent, outside review of its development review division. “The OLO review will be very helpful, but we know there will be an additional need to take a broader look at our internal processes,” said Berlage. “We want to be ready to start that work just as soon as OLO has completed its work.”

Berlage Announces Planning Commission Contacted by State Special Persecutor

SILVER SPRING, MD – Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Derick P. Berlage announced today that the Maryland State Special Prosecutor has contacted the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The prosecutor has initiated a preliminary investigation to determine if any criminal activity took place during the planning process of Clarksburg Town Center.

Berlage said M-NCPPC would cooperate fully with the investigation.

“We have seen absolutely no evidence whatsoever of criminal wrongdoing,” said Berlage. “But, we welcome an outsider who will take a comprehensive look and make an independent determination.”

British Soccer Camps are Coming Back to Three Montgomery County Parks

SILVER SPRING, MD — The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning and Challenger Sports, the leading soccer company in the United States, are planning another series of British Soccer Training Camps in three Montgomery County Parks during the week of August 1-5, 2005.

Those who missed the first sessions in June now have a second chance to experience this unique special soccer program at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park, Falls Road Local Park and Ray’s Meadow Local Park.

Each camper will be coached by a member of Challenger’s British coaching staff flown to the USA exclusively to work on these programs. Challenger will offer more than 1,200 British Soccer Training Camps this summer, coaching more than 55,000 players ages 4-18 and more than 20,000 parents and coaches.

British Soccer Training Camps are more than a week of drills and skills. In addition to taking part in a daily regimen of foot skill development, technical and tactical practices and daily tournament style plays, each child will also be treated to a rich cultural experience and lessons on teamwork, sportsmanship and self discipline. One of the most popular parts of each camp is “Camp World Cup.” Coaches use this daily tournament to teach the players about life, customs and traditions of other countries.

M-NCPPC and Challenger Sports are offering British Soccer Training Camp sessions for the following ages:

• First Kicks (3-4yrs.) 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. $75.00
• Mini Soccer (4-5yrs.) 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. $100.00
• Half Day Camp (6-9yrs.) 9:00 a.m. –12 noon $155.00
• Half Day Camp (10-14yrs.) 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. $155.00
• Full Day Camp (6-16 yrs.) 9:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. $210.00

Teams are also welcome to attend and receive a week of focused instruction to prepare them for the fall season.

Each camper will receive a free camp tee shirt, soccer ball, bag tag and player evaluation.

To sign up for the camp either visit www.challengersports.com or contact Steve Chandlee, Southern Region at 301-299-1981 or email Stephen Chandlee. Challenger has been conducting soccer camps in the US for over 15 years and in addition to coaching youth players throughout the country, Challenger also runs European Soccer Tours, holds soccer tournaments and now manufactures and sells their own brand of soccer apparel. To find out more about Challenger Sports visit their web site www.challengersports.com.

For more information on this press release please contact: Steve Chandlee at 301-299-1981 or email Stephen Chandlee.

Portion of Little Falls Trail Closed Due to Unsafe Conditions

Silver Spring, MD — The Department of Park and Planning in Montgomery County announced today that a portion of Little Falls Trail in Bethesda has been closed due to unsafe conditions of a concrete slab that has been undermined by storm flows in the adjacent stream.

The closed trail section is located between Massachusetts Avenue and Westmoreland Hills Local Park on Elliot Road. Park management is encouraging trail users to use the Capital Crescent Trail as an alternative since it parallels Little Falls Trail in this area.

Andy Frank, an Engineer with the Department, describes this portion of Little Falls Trail as “actually a cantilevered concrete slab, which was built over stone that has since been scoured away by the stream water that rushes by during storm events.” He stated that these storm events through the years have caused the concrete to be undermined, and it appears to have recently shifted slightly. A recent inspection confirmed the need to close access to assure public safety.

Park management installed jacks temporarily to prevent further damage. During the next eight weeks, a system of approximately ten concrete piers with steel support beams will be installed under the trail to permanently provide the needed support. “A future stream restoration project, planned for later this year, will provide even more stabilization to this situation,” said Frank.

Trail maps of both the Capital Crescent Trail and the Little Falls Trail can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/parks/ppsd/parktrails/trail_maps.shtm.

(Cut Line to Photo A)
A portion of the Little Falls Trail in Bethesda has been closed due to unsafe conditions.

(Cut line for Photo B)
Park management installed jacks to temporarily stabilize the trail section along Little Falls Stream.

Montgomery County Planning Board Unanimously Finds Developers in Violation of Approved Planning Agreements

SILVER SPRING, MD – The five-member Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously ruled that a development company along with numerous builders violated previous Board approvals by erecting hundreds of residential units too tall and some too close to streets within the Clarksburg Town Center. In the coming weeks, the Planning Board will likely impose fines on those at fault.

In 1995, the Planning Board initially approved a project plan for the Clarksburg Town Center development with maximum height limits of 45 feet and four stories for residential buildings including single-family detached homes, townhouses and condominium buildings. The same approval included a requirement of a 10-foot setback for all residential buildings.

Following the 1995 Board approval, developers submitted required plans in which they set lower building height limits of 35 feet for single-family houses and townhouses, and 45 feet for condominiums. Although more restrictive, those standards were never amended or changed – and therefore – are fully enforceable by the Planning Board.

Developer Newland Communities and builders Craftstar Homes, Inc,; NVR, Inc.; Miller & Smith; and Bozzuto Homes Inc. erected approximately 433 townhouses taller than 35 feet; built one condominium building taller than 45 feet; and constructed approximately 102 townhouses too close to residential streets which violated setback requirements.

In addition, the Board unanimously voted to allow home purchasers who already have contracts on townhouses or condominium units – built or not -- to move forward with their purchases. The Board also agreed to grandfather all existing residential buildings that exceed height or setback limits in order to remove any potential cloud of title on those units.

All Planning Board members expressed their strong desire not to hinder any person who has a home currently under contract in the town center.

The board also ruled that all unbuilt single-family and townhouse units not under purchase contract must comply with the 35 feet height requirement and the 10-foot setback requirement. Should the developers desire to change the standards, they must return to the Board for approval.

A chronology of events regarding the Clarksburg Town Center is detailed in a departmental staff report that can be read by visiting the Clarksburg Town Center page. An unincorporated community group in Clarksburg conducted extensive research on the height and setback matters and brought its findings to the Planning Board.

Based on the numerous problems that have come to light regarding development in Clarksburg, Planning Board officials announced last week they would hire an outside firm to conduct a comprehensive and independent top-to-bottom review of the agency’s development approval and enforcement process.

“There’s no doubt that we fell short,” said Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Derick Berlage. “We invite and plan to fully cooperate with a review that comprehensively scrutinizes how development plans are approved and enforced as they are built.”

Residents of the Clarksburg community raised other issues including the placement of moderately priced dwelling units and community amenity timelines. Board directed staff to take a thorough look at such issues. Those matters could be brought to the board for consideration in the coming months.

Another hearing on Clarksburg matters specifically to discuss potential sanctions and other remedies will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2005.