WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
February 17, 2023

Town Submits Comments on Corso's Final Rezoning Application

On February 15, the Town submitted comments to the Planning Department on Corso Chevy Chase's final application to rezone the former 4-H property at 7100 Connecticut Avenue.

The Town's comments: 1) support the developers' rezoning application, as a result of the developers reducing the outside height of the perimeter buildings; 2) note that the Town will be carefully monitoring a number of key issues during subsequent reviews by the Planning Board, including traffic, parking, lighting, stormwater management, and forest protection; and 3) cite the developers’ commitment to enter into agreements with the Town about construction management and to submit to the Town’s tree removal variance process.

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

"Bethesda Market Park" Community Meeting, March 15, Lawton Center

On March 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawton Community Recreation Center, the County Parks Department will host a community meeting to review and discuss ideas for activating the new parks to be developed adjacent to the Farm Women's Market site. For the past few years, the Town has reported on progress of redeveloping and expanding the Farm Women's Market and creating these two new parks (referred to by the Town as "Farm Women's Market" parks) on existing County parking lots 10 & 24. While much work remains to be done to make this project a reality, we are excited to announce this next step forward.

The March 15 meeting will feature a brief presentation followed by an interactive session for attendees to learn more about the project and provide their ideas and feedback. A second community meeting will be held at Bethesda Elementary School on March 16 at 7 p.m. Following these meetings, for a period of 30 days, the Parks Department will provide an online survey for interested residents to offer input.

We encourage residents to attend these meetings and participate in the online survey. This is the opportunity for Town residents to review and influence the amenities these new parks will have and to demonstrate our interest in creating urban parkland that will truly serve neighboring communities. More information on this project and the community meetings is available here.

Purple Line B-CC Community Advisory Team Presentation

On February 7, the Purple Line consortium hosted a meeting for the B-CC community to present and answer questions on the status of the light rail project in this area. The presentation from this meeting provides a project update, a construction overview, and progress photos.

Evan Glass to Attend March 8 Town Council Meeting

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass will attend the Town Council’s March 8 meeting to brief the Council and Town residents on several County initiatives that are of interest to, or impact, the Town. Among other issues, Mr. Glass will address the County’s proposed ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. Residents are invited to attend this meeting either in person or by Zoom video conference.

Spring Tree Planting Program

Request a Tree

The Town is preparing its spring tree planting list. If you have a spot in your yard suitable for a tree, we encourage you to take advantage of the Town’s Private Native Tree Planting Program. Under this program, the Town will purchase and plant a tree on your property at no cost to you. Residents are responsible for the long-term care of the trees once planted.

You also may request to have a tree planted along the street in front of your home. The Town is responsible for the long-term care of the trees once planted.

RainScapes Supplemental Rebate Program

The Town offers a program that provides residents who complete a County RainScapes project with a supplemental rebate of up to 50% of the County rebate amount, with the total combined rebate limited to 85% of the total cost of the project. Residents who wish to take advantage of this Town program should sign up to participate in County’s RainScapes program. (Note: The County program is open until March 31, 2023.)

If you need assistance identifying a suitable RainScapes project for your property, you may sign up for the Town's Consulting Water Management Program, wherein the Town's consulting engineer will visit your property and provide a written report with recommendations on improving water drainage and runoff, including recommendations for RainScapes-eligible projects.

After completing an eligible RainScapes project, the homeowner should submit copies of project receipts and a copy of the paid County rebate receipt to the Town to receive the supplemental rebate.

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.

Town Tiki Party, February 24

It's back! Tiki Time in the Town! Even though it's cold outside, step inside for a true Tiki party to warm up these dark days, 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Town Hall on Friday, February 24. There will be tiki drinks, appetizers, and breezy music to set the tone.

Wear your coolest Hawaiian shirts or other-tiki-themed clothes and come on over to tiki with your TOCC neighbors. This is a grown-up-only event and perfect for a date night. Please RSVP to townoffice@townofchevychase.org by February 17.

TOCC Book Club, February 27

Our Town of Chevy Chase Book Club will meet February 27 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall to discuss My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. Our group enjoyed Lucy by the Sea so much that we are reading the first in the trilogy. Please join us! Sponsored by the Community Relations Committee; all are welcome!

RSVP for March 12 Chili Dinner & Sign Up to Help!

After a COVID-induced delay of three years, the Town will be holding its popular Chili Dinner on Sunday, March 12 at 5 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Jane E. Lawton Center. Dinner will include chili (including vegan chili), hot dogs, sides, and desserts. Also, the Town will continue its support of the Manna Food Center, so please don’t forget your checks or cash to help feed families in Montgomery County.

As always, chili will be served by Community Relations Committee members, but we need additional volunteers. If you are able to help, please let us know when you send in your RSVP. Please RSVP by March 3 to https://bit.ly/toccchili.

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.

American Red Cross Certification Training for Town Residents, April 16

On Sunday, April 16 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Lawton Center, the American Red Cross will be providing First Aid, CPR, and AED training to 50 Town residents at the reduced price of $25 per person (normally priced at $113 per person).

This training, which includes a 2-year certification and all digital training materials, will train you to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illness. There will be one instructor per 10 participants.

Registration is limited to 50 and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis with confirmed payment via check or Venmo. Older teens are welcome to participate although this training is geared toward adults. Contact townoffice@townofchevychase.org with the names of all participants to receive payment details.

This training is brought to you by the Community Relations Committee.

Winter Clothing Drive Continues Thru February 28

Did you get a nice warm coat or sweater as a holiday gift? There are people who could use your last year’s clothes. Interfaith Works provides free clothing to thousands of Montgomery County families. Please donate clean, gently used or never used warm coats, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, sweaters, pants, and socks to those in need. Also needed are 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 Maple and Pine Place).

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.

WEEKLY TOWN UPDATESFebruary 17, 2023