Your Input on Development is Key!

Join Last Q&A Session with County Planning 
to Discuss Traffic, School, Parks & Other Impacts
Saturday, June 1, 11 a.m., Town Hall

The Montgomery County Council has authorized the Montgomery County Planning Department to update the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan through a Minor Master Plan Amendment (MMPA). Thus far, more than 30 million square feet of development has been approved, but because much of the approved new development is still pending construction, the full impact on infrastructure, such as schools and roads, is yet to be seen. This MMPA will specifically address whether the development cap in the Bethesda Overlay Zone (BOZ) should be raised or removed. 

Montgomery Planning will be in the Town Hall on Saturday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to share information, answer questions, and hear your feedback about the Minor Master Plan Amendment:

About the Bethesda Overlay Zone

The Bethesda Overlay Zone (BOZ) was created to implement the recommendations of the Bethesda Downtown Plan as it relates to density, building heights, affordable housing, parks, and open space and design. 

The BOZ cap on development was set to ensure that total density in the Plan Area, including existing, approved, and new development would not exceed 32.4 million square feet of gross floor area. The Plan recommended that once development came within 2 million square feet of the cap, the Montgomery Planning Department would check in with the County Council to assess the implementation of the Plan and to see if additional recommendations are needed to help implementation of public amenity and infrastructure recommendations like new parks and transportation-related improvements.  

During the fall of 2023, development (existing, new, and approved) triggered the soft cap limit as well as a call for a review of the Plan that would include the possible removal or raising of the hard cap. The Town testified about this issue at a Planning Board hearing. Afterward, it was decided that the appropriate approach was to study the issues and update the Plan using a Minor Master Plan Amendment.

About the Minor Master Plan Amendment

A Minor Master Plan Amendment (MMPA) provides an update of an existing Master Plan or Sector Plan, with a narrower focus, either in terms of geography or the topics to be covered. These plans follow the same process steps as a Master Plan and Sector Plan, with community outreach, a public hearing, and the Planning Board and County Council’s review.

The MMPA will not re-open the entire 2017 plan. The existing zoning, park plans, transportation improvements, and other recommendations will remain unchanged while the Montgomery Planning Department explores how better to implement those recommendations. The Planning team is working closely with the Bethesda Downtown Plan Implementation Advisory Committee, which is a volunteer panel that consists of representatives from the resident and real estate development communities on this update. With many opportunities to engage and provide comments, the current schedule anticipates a Planning Board Public Hearing later in the fall and a County Council review in early 2025.  

Questions, comments? 
Contact: Elza Hisel-McCoy, Chief, Downcounty Planning
Email: elza.hisel-mccoy@montgomeryplanning.org
Telephone: 301-495-2115

Compost Crew to Deliver Liner Bags to Participants in Household Organic Waste Collection Program

In early 2023, Compost Crew conducted a pilot with several hundred customers where they provided a supply of liners for the customer to line their own bin instead of the Compost Crew driver providing a liner each week. The feedback they received was overwhelmingly positive with customers reporting they enjoyed having more control over the supply of liners, which reduced the number of problems with missing or wet liners. Based on this feedback, Compost Crew is expanding the program to provide all participants with a one year's supply of liners.

Here are the key details:

Rolls of Liners: Customers will receive two rolls with 26 liners each (total 52).  

Delivery Date: Rolls of liners are scheduled to arrive via regular mail during the week of June 3.  During the week of June 10, the Compost Crew driver will stop providing a liner each week. Instead, you will use one liner from your supply each week. If you have not received liners in the mail by June 7, please contact Compost Crew to let us know.

Liner Tips: Upon receipt, please store your rolls of liners in a cool, dry place. Please use only one liner in your bin each week. Do not leave the roll of liners at the bottom of your bin, where they may get overly saturated, which will cause the liners to break down prematurely. Liners stored in warm/humid conditions will break down prematurely.

Additional Resources: If you have any questions or need further information, please visit the FAQ page on Compost Crew's website https://compostcrew.com/faq/. Or visit Compost Crew's YouTube channel or social media for more composting tips like Tips for Keeping Your Bin Clean video.

If you have any questions please contact info@compostcrew.com or 301-202-4450.

Seriously Fun Singers, June 2

Join the Seriously Fun Singers (SFS) for its third performance for Town residents on Sunday, June 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Town Hall! With many singers hailing from the Town, SFS will feature its signature eclectic mix of popular music through the ages: madrigals, Broadway tunes, sea shanties, pop hits, and more. 

Come early, as the doors open at 3:45 p.m., and spend some time mingling with neighbors as you sample the refreshments. Singing begins at 4 p.m. Please RSVP to bit.ly/SFSJune2.

Discussion and Desserts, June 4

A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence with Dr. Katherine Hoops

In honor of the Town’s recognition of the 10th National Gun Violence Awareness Day in early June, join us on Tuesday, June 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Town Hall. Dr. Katherine Hoops is a physician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and she is a faculty leader in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions. She conducts research to find effective policy measures and clinical strategies to reduce gun violence. RSVP to bit.ly/DDJune4. 

TOCC Book Club Meets June 17

The Town of Chevy Chase Book Club has selected Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan for our next read. It’s based on a true story of espionage, suspense and love in WWII Italy. We will meet on Monday, June 17 in the Town Hall at 7 p.m. All residents are welcome.

Report Crimes & Incidents to MCPD and Town

In an emergency, please call 911. Please report all crimes, incidents (including non-emergency vehicle accidents), or suspicious activity to MCPD’s non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. See MCPD’s guidance on when to call the non-emergency line. Both 911 and the non-emergency line are equipped for callers with hearing and/or speech impairments.  

Additionally, please report all crimes, incidents, and suspicious activity to the Town Office so that we can notify our contracted police officers and work with the 2nd District to respond accordingly.

Crimewatch

Lock Your Cars
We want to remind residents to ensure that your cars are locked at all times. Also, please do not leave house or car keys, or any valuable items, in your vehicles. If you observe any suspicious activity, please report it to the police immediately at 911.  Report any crimes that have already occurred to the police at 301-279-8000. 

Mail Theft & Check Washing
We also want to remind residents of ongoing theft of mail from U.S Postal Service mailboxes. Montgomery County has seen a rise in cases that can also include check washing. More information on check washing and how to protect yourself from check washing is available here. Those who believe their mail was stolen should report it immediately by submitting an online complaint here or by calling USPIS at 877-876-2455. If you observe any suspicious activity, please report it to the police immediately at 911. Report any crimes that have already occurred to the police at 301-279-8000.

Fraud
The County's Financial Crimes Section of the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) is part of the Criminal Investigations Division. The Section investigates fraud, forgery, embezzlement, confidence games, counterfeiting checks and credit cards, financial exploitation of the elderly, and identity theft.  

Town Neighbors Listserv

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

Chevy Chase at Home (CC@H)

CC@H is a member organization providing social and educational programs to neighbors of all ages and support services to older adults. You can learn more at www.chevychaseathome.org.

Do You Want To Assist Older Adults in Your Neighborhood?
Have you considered volunteering with Chevy Chase At Home? Would you like to spend an hour or two each month assisting a local neighbor? We invite you to learn more about providing services to older adults in your neighborhood including friendly visits, rides to the grocery store or medical appointments, running an errand, tech help, minor repairs, and household tasks depending on your interests. Please contact us at info@chevychaseathome.org or (301) 657-3115 to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Chevy Chase At Home.