WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
November 4, 2022
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Corso Chevy Chase’s application to rezone the former 4-H property at 7100 Connecticut Avenue has been certified by the Montgomery County Planning Department and is available for review on the department’s website. The Town now will begin to review these documents and develop a formal response. We encourage residents to review this information and provide feedback to the Town Council at townoffice@townofchevychase.org. The Council also will seek advice from the Town's 4-H Committee and our legal counsel. Below is a list of several documents that we believe residents will want to focus on initially. We will send additional messages with updates on how the application will proceed through the County review process and when there will be opportunities for public engagement. We also will share with residents a draft of the Town's proposed response to the application. - H-148 02_ Statement of Case_Land Use Report.pdf -- This is a thorough description of the project and how the applicant believes the requirements and burdens for receiving County Council approval of the rezoning application are satisfied.
- H-148 07_ Traffic Statement.pdf -- This statement concludes that a full traffic impact study will not be required pursuant to County regulations since former traffic associated with 4-H operations exceeds projected traffic for Corso.
- H-148 08A_ LMA_Floating Zone Plan.pdf -- This is the detailed sketch plan that shows the entirety of the proposed redevelopment. This also contains a list of “binding elements” setting forth which parts of the plan the developers have proposed as absolute requirements with the other required development entitlements. You will note that many, but not all, of the recommendations made by the Town have been accepted in whole or in part.
- H-148 09C_ Submitted Plan PFCP.pdf with H-148 09B_ Tree Variance Request Letter.pdf -- The Preliminary Forest Conservation Plan (PFCP) shows the forest and trees that will be protected and preserved through the redevelopment of the site (that ultimately leads to protective covenants/easements making preservation mandatory and binding). The Tree Variance letter is essentially an application to remove “specimen trees” as defined by State regulations, and these trees can only be removed by approval of this variance request (and the trees referenced in the letter correspond to the trees numbered on the PFCP).
- H-148 10G_ Phasing Plan.pdf -- This shows how the Applicant intends to redevelop the property in two phases.
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On November 3, the newly installed Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved a total of $5 million to support the creation of the new urban parks to replace the surface parking lots behind the Farm Women’s Market and between Leland and Walsh streets. Of this amount, $2.5 million will come from the Parks Department and another $2.5 million is funding from the State being channeled through the Parks Department. Mayor Rush testified on behalf of the Town (forward to 2:01:55). This is a significant milestone for this project.
The next step is seeking approval from the County Council, which must vote both on the appropriation just approved by the Planning Board, and a companion request for $9.225 million from the County Executive to help build the new underground garage which will largely replace the surface parking spaces. A public hearing for both appropriations is scheduled for November 15; committee review for November 28; and final Council action for November 29.
These funds, combined with approximately $8 million from the developers and $5.5 million from the Town ($4.5 million from our funds, and an additional $1 million from the State that will be channeled through the Town), complete the financial plan for the $27.7 million project. Of the money from the Town, $4.4 million will be used to complete funding of the parks, and the remaining $1.1 million will be used for construction of the garage and associated infrastructure.
Following County Council action, if supportive, the parties will negotiate and ratify the necessary legal documents. The Parks Department will then host a public charette process to hear from area residents about possible amenities for the new parks. The developers hope to submit their site plan to the Planning Board by next summer or fall, and break ground a year later, in 2024. The redevelopment and expansion of the Farm Women’s Market and construction of the new park behind the Market should be completed in late 2026 or early 2027, and the park on the adjacent lot between Leland and Walsh should be finished later in 2027.
While there is a long way to go, the vote yesterday was an important milestone and will be noted by the County Council when they deliberate on the appropriations later this month. It is our sincere hope that on November 29, a definitive financial plan for these parks will be in place, and that the four-way partnership comprised of the Parks Department, the County, the Town, and the developers can get to work on this transformative project.
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Leaf vacuuming will continue through December 23. Please rake leaves to the edge of the curb for collection. If you or your landscape company plan to use gas-powered leaf blowers this fall (allowed from October 15 to December 31), please refrain from using them before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays and before 12 p.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekends.
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Every year, from November to February, the Town’s Community Relations Committee sponsors a Winter Clothing Drive for those in need. We donate to Interfaith Works that distributes to 13,000 income-qualified county residents, including nearly 6,000 children. Please donate clean, gently used, or never worn items: coats, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, sweaters, pants, and socks. Also needed is waterproof warm winter wear for those who are outside in the cold rain or snow. Since the Town Hall is still open only part time, the clothing box will be located on the front porch of Marjorie Shaw and Barney Rush, at 6917 Maple Avenue (between Stanford and Pine Place).
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It’s time for the TOCC Holiday Gift Drive when Town residents help Montgomery County families who are victims of domestic violence. The adult beneficiaries are clients of the Montgomery County Family Justice Center, and the children are clients of Chesapeake Counseling’s Safe Start program. One hundred percent of the donations are applied to direct service. There are no administrative costs.
There are two donation options: 1) gift cards in denominations from $10 to $50 for stores such as Target, Marshalls, Kohl's, Ross, Safeway, and Giant or 2) checks made out to MCFJC Foundation. Please reference TOCC holiday drive on your check. Donations can be delivered to the Town Office (open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) or dropped off at 7624 Lynn Drive (basket in carport) or at 7203 Ridgewood Avenue. (To receive an acknowledgment for tax purposes, be sure to include your name and e-mail address.)
This year the need to support families suffering from domestic violence is even more critical. As an aftereffect of the pandemic, caseloads at the Montgomery County Family Justice Center have increased substantially, and the demand for mental health services has skyrocketed. Counseling services for children exposed to domestic violence is crucial as both an intervention for their trauma and for breaking the cycle of abuse. Annual donations from the Town of Chevy Chase have had a substantial impact on our County’s ability to offer direct services to clients. As in past years, we ask you to consider extending a helping hand to these needy families. This drive is coordinated by the Community Relations Committee. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Gift cards and checks for the Holiday Gift Drive will be collected through Friday, December 23 but will be accepted gratefully at any time of year. Checks received before December 9 will be deposited by December 23. Checks received from December 10-23 will be deposited by January 15. If you have questions, contact Cathy Wolf at cathrynwolf2@gmail.com.
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On November 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Montgomery Parks will host "Acoustics and Ales" at Elm Street Urban Park. Saturday’s event will feature beer from Landmade Brewing and True Respite Brewing, and food from Steezeburger and Salat Food Truck. Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available for purchase. Musician Brian Weber will provide live music. Adults, children (and dogs) are welcome!
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Join us as we watch Luca in the Town Hall on Friday, November 11 at 6 p.m. Luca is a PG-rated animated film released by Pixar in 2021. Set on the Italian Riviera, the film centers on the adventures of a sea monster boy who can assume human form while on land. The movie has a runtime of 95 minutes. Come at 6 p.m. for pizza, snacks, and juice; the movie will start at 6:30 p.m. A responsible adult must accompany children. RSVP to townoffice@townofchevychase.org or 301-654-7144 by November 7.
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The TOCC Book Club will meet on November 14 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall to discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid. The historical novel follows Hollywood starlet Evelyn Hugo as she sits down for a tell-all interview with a struggling journalist. The Cuban American actress pulls back the curtain on her seven marriages, Hollywood scandals, betrayals, and woe. All are welcome.
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Squeals on Wheels is bringing bunnies, guinea pigs, ducks, chickens, and other animals to the Lawton Center grounds on Sunday, November 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.! Kids and adults are welcome to meet and pet the animals. We will have coffee, juice, and snacks for all to enjoy. You will find us on the grassy area adjacent to the playground.
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On December 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Town Hall, support young entrepreneurs (ages 6-14) by shopping at the holiday bazaar featuring artwork, jewelry, treats, and more. Gift wrapping will be offered at this event organized by Town teen Piya Scielzo with the support of the Community Relations Committee. Admission is free.
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Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers (GPLBs) are banned in Town from January 1 to October 14 but are allowed between October 15 and December 31 for the fall leaf cleanup. Residents are also reminded that use is only permitted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and from 12 to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. These rules apply to both residents and their landscapers. Violations can be reported to townoffice@townofchevychase.org or by calling 301-654-7144.
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The Town has COVID test kits and N95 masks available for pick up at the Town office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kits and masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
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The Town office is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On other days, most employees telework. There may be someone to assist on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but please contact the office in advance. |
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