WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
December 16, 2022
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Town Submits Comments on Amended Application to Rezone 7100 Connecticut AvenueThe Town has submitted comments on the amended application to rezone the former 4-H property at 7100 Connecticut Avenue, to the Montgomery County Planning Department. The developer, Corso Chevy Chase, resubmitted its application to construct a retirement community to the Planning Department on December 5. The Town reviewed the amended application documents (see documents dated 12/7/2022), received advice from the Town's 4-H Committee and our legal counsel, and developed and prepared our comments. Planning staff forwarded our response to the developers today, along with their own comments on the resubmitted application. In our response, we note that the developer continues to seek to construct five story buildings around the three sides of the property adjacent to Town residences and has not accommodated the Town's position that these buildings be reduced to four stories. The developer has only reduced the height of the proposed buildings along Connecticut Avenue. The Town’s response also includes comments related to the proposed public pathways, parking, traffic, tree preservation, project phasing, and storm water management. We conclude that the Town remains supportive of a retirement community on this site, but that the changes we are requesting are reasonable and necessary for the finding of compatibility to be made for such a large scale development within a single family residential community, and that the Town will oppose the rezoning application unless our concerns are addressed. The developer will now have an opportunity to respond to the comments it receives today and submit a revised and final application on December 23. The Planning staff will then prepare its staff report in preparation for a public hearing by the Planning Board in early February. The Town will be able to testify at this public hearing.
We will continue to keep residents informed on the rezoning application as it proceeds through the County review process and will notify residents when there will be opportunities for public engagement.
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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 are using gas-powered leaf blowers this fall (allowed from October 15 to December 31), pleas
e 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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Please take a moment to review the Town’s Winter Weather Preparedness flyer. We would like to remind residents that, in the event or threat of a snowstorm or icy road conditions, cars must be parked either in driveways or on the even-numbered side of the street to ensure safe passage for the snow removal crews. Please do not park cars on the odd-numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted.
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We would like to remind residents that the Town's contractor will clear public sidewalks if snowfall totals 6 inches or more, with discretion by Town officials to mobilize when icy or other conditions warrant. As soon as possible during or following winter storms, the Town will announce by Town Crier whether our contractor will clear and/or deice the public sidewalks.
If the Town does not activate its sidewalk snow removal program, residents are responsible for clearing the sidewalks adjacent to their homes within 24 hours after precipitation has ended. This is a vital responsibility, as we frequently receive complaints from residents about packed snow and ice on Town sidewalks, creating dangerous conditions. Therefore, if you are away from Town or unable to clear your walks, please make arrangements for snow or ice on the sidewalk adjacent to your home to be cleared. And please be sure to monitor and treat sidewalks for icy conditions caused by thawing/freezing precipitation in the days following winter storms.
If you need assistance clearing snow from sidewalks and private property, we suggest contacting your current landscaping company, if applicable, to inquire about snow removal services, or you can contact any of the service providers listed on the Town website. We are currently updating this list to ensure that it is accurate for this winter. The Town also maintains a list of Town Teens who are willing to shovel, but please note that this online list is available only to residents who have an account on the Town website and have submitted a Resident Verification Form. You may contact the Town Office directly to obtain the names of the service providers and teens willing to help.
We ask all teens and others willing to shovel this winter to contact the Town Office so that we can keep our list current.
We also encourage residents to use the private Town Neighbors listserv to seek help or offer assistance with snow removal.
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On Sunday, December 18 from 5 to 7 p.m., residents of all ages are invited to walk a short route through Town singing the songs of the season. We will meet at the Lawton Center at 4:45 p.m. for a brief presentation by our singing troupe leader before proceeding. Also, there will be three singing stops for residents who would like to hear and join in on the merriment: Lawton Center Basketball Court at 5:15 p.m., Dennison Garden at 5:45 p.m., and at the corner of Oak Lane & Meadow Lane at 6:30 p.m.
There is no need to RSVP, but each resident is asked to wear a headlamp and reflective clothing (if possible) for safety reasons. Snacks and beverages will be served at the Dennison Garden stop of the sing-along. Rain date: December 19.
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Any holiday tips that residents wish to provide to the Town’s waste collection crews may be given directly to the crew members (either by hand or taped to a waste container in a conspicuous location) or mailed to the company at GCI Residential, Inc.,1701 Olive Street, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Checks should be made out to Goode Companies. When mailing tips, please indicate if the tip is for a specific crew member or the entire crew. Below are the names of the waste collection crew members. Thank you.
Main Crew (Monday-Friday)
-- Jose Melendez
-- Sifelani Moyo
Supplemental Crew (Monday & Wednesday)
-- Jorge Vasquez
-- Isaac Garcia
-- Nicholas Johnson
-- Wallace Walker
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Purple Line Construction Updates
Overnight Road Closure and Detour of Connecticut Avenue On or about January 13, 2023, for one night, Connecticut Avenue will be closed to place the new Capital Crescent Trail pedestrian bridge over Connecticut Avenue, adjacent to the Purple Line light rail bridge. From 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., a detour will be implemented while the work occurs. Additionally, night work, including single-lane closures on Connecticut Avenue will occur the week prior between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
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Montgomery County Recreation fitness passes will be free for Montgomery County residents in 2023. Starting Jan. 3, 2023, the free pass will provide access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities and game rooms at any recreation center during regularly scheduled hours.
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We can do something to help Montgomery County families who are struggling with the pernicious effects of domestic violence and trying to make ends meet. Here’s how to make the holidays a little brighter for these families:
- Donate gift cards of $10 to $50 from stores like Target, Marshalls, Kohl’s, Safeway, or Giant.
- Make checks -- of any amount -- out to “FJC Foundation” (Montgomery County Family Justice Center). Designate “Safe Start” in the memo line if you want the money to go to the children’s counseling program.
Donations can be dropped off at Cathy Wolf’s house: 7624 Lynn Drive, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (please put in basket in carport) or Quynh Tran’s house: 7203 Ridgewood Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. You can also take your donation to the Town Office on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 4301 Willow Lane. The deadline is Friday, December 23, but donations will be accepted gratefully at any time of year. Please note that checks received before December 9 will be deposited by December 23. Checks received from December 10 to December 23 will be deposited by January 15. If you want to receive a tax-deductible receipt, please include your name and email.
Beneficiaries of your generosity are clients of the Montgomery County Family Justice Center and Chesapeake Counseling (Safe Start). One hundred percent of the donations are applied to direct service. There are no administrative costs. Questions? Email Cathy at cathrynwolf2@gmail.com or Quynh Tran at vanstinger2205@gmail.com.
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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 open only part time, the clothing box will be located on the front porch of Marjorie Shaw and Barney Rush, at 6917 Maple Avenue (at the corner of Maple and Pine Place).
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Residents are encouraged to connect with fellow residents through the private Town Neighbors listserv.
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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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