WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
February 3, 2023

Corso Chevy Chase Final Rezoning Application

On January 30, the Town hosted a public forum to hear from residents about the final rezoning plan for 7100 Connecticut Avenue. The audio recording of this meeting is available here, and all documents associated with the rezoning plan are available here.

The Town will now prepare final comments to the Planning staff, whose report to the Planning Board on the rezoning application will be posted on February 27. The Town also will prepare testimony for the public hearings to be held by the Planning Board on March 9 and the County Hearing Examiner on March 24. The Town will provide more information about our comments and testimony, the Planning staff report, and the public hearings in subsequent Town Criers and in the Forecast newsletter.

Children's Scavenger Hunt and Play Date in the Park, February 19

Meet your neighbors and new families for coffee and a children’s play date on Sunday, February 19 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Lawton Center playground. As part of this event, there will be a free kids’ winter scavenger hunt. Snacks will be provided. Sponsored by the Community Relations Committee.

Reduced-Price Tickets Available for On The Far End, April 16

The Community Relations Committee has secured twenty-five tickets for a front-row balcony performance of On The Far End on Sunday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the reduced price of $55.50 each. 

On The Far End is playing at the Round House Theater. This astonishing one-woman play portrays Muscogee leader Ella Jean Hill as she traces her family’s history from the Trail of Tears to her grandfather’s allotment in central Oklahoma. Ella shares her story -- the Native boarding school she fled on foot, her marriage to a young Bengali scholar, and the advocacy that became her life’s work. 

Tickets are limited to 25 and are selling out for this performance. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis with confirmed payment via check or Venmo. Teens are welcome. Contact townoffice@townofchevychase.org with your name and number of desired tickets to receive payment details.

Purple Line Construction Updates

Work Continues in the Jones Mill Road Area
Crews continue work in the Jones Mill Road underpass area through February. Work includes utility relocation, construction of retaining walls, and completing the east side of Jones Mill Road. Work may take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and overnight 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Work Continues on Noise Walls Along the Former Georgetown Branch Trail
Crews continue construction of noise walls along the alignment adjacent to the Town near East-West Highway. Work may take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Temporary Lane Closures on Connecticut Avenue 
Work continues on the light rail bridge over Connecticut Avenue during the month of February. Temporary lane closures may be periodically implemented on Connecticut Avenue between Chevy Chase Lake Drive and Laird Place. Lane closures may occur during non-peak hours between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.   

Long-Term Lane Closure on Wisconsin Avenue at Elm Street 
Crews continue work at the future Purple Line Bethesda Station located at Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. A long-term lane closure of the southbound right lane of Wisconsin Avenue at Elm Street will continue through completion of the station construction to facilitate a work zone buffer and construction access. Pedestrians will need to use the signed pedestrian detour to access the northbound side of Wisconsin Avenue.  Work will occur in two shifts from 7 a.m. 5 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Work Zone Safety 
As work increases along the alignment, the Purple Line team remains committed to keeping everyone safe. Pedestrians and motorists are advised to follow construction signage and use the open sidewalk(s). For the safety of the public and our construction team, entry into construction work zones is not permitted.

Montgomery Parks Announces February Special Events and Programs

Montgomery Parks has an engaging lineup of special events and programs in February, including birdwatching opportunities, the annual GreenScapes landscape design symposium, and special programs in celebration of Black History Month.

Winter Weather Preparedness

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.

Sidewalk Snow Removal and Assistance Resources

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.

Town Neighbors Listserv

Residents are encouraged to connect with fellow residents through the private Town Neighbors listserv.

Free COVID Test Kits & Masks

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.

Town Office Hours

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.