Town Submits Comments on Amended Application to Rezone 7100 Connecticut Avenue

The 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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