September 28, 2009
Board of Appeals
Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850
Dear Sirs:
I am writing to you on behalf of the West End Citizen’s Association (WECA) in regards to the Victory Housing proposal for affordable senior housing.
At the most recent Board of Appeals meeting on September 12, 2009, I came before you requesting additional time for WECA to review and evaluate the potential impact of this development on the community. This letter is a follow-up to my testimony.
At that meeting the final decision regarding this project was delayed until your October meeting; this delay provided an opportunity for WECA to invite Victory Housing to its September 17, 2009 meeting. This was an effort on our part to make the citizens of the WECA community aware of the project and provide them with an opportunity to provide input.
Jim Brown of Victory Housing along with the lead architect from Grimm & Parker Architects attended the meeting and gave a presentation of the Victory Housing project. At the meeting, we had over 25 residents in attendance of which 17 were block area captains. By way of background, organizationally, WECA is made up of 43 block area captains and 5 executive board members who are responsible for disseminating information about issues within the West End to neighbors within their block. In addition, the board and block area captains have voting rights at our monthly meetings on all issues requiring a vote. There are over 1600 residents in WECA and while every meeting is open to every resident, only block captains are eligible to vote at regular meetings. Twice a year we hold general membership meetings per year where all residents are eligible to vote on issues. Our September meeting was not a general membership meeting.
Many residents asked questions and sought clarification on the size and design of the project. Specific questions included: accessibility features, the length of the lease, parking, if religious affiliation will be required given that Victory Housing is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Washington, income qualifications, the need for a Special Exception, the financing process, construction time, rent fees, competition in area from other such facilities, and design issues, notably the high roof and the number of units for this particular lot.
After Victory Housing’s presentation, we had a presentation by Alice Liu of Courthouse Walk to review the concerns of area residents.
At the end of Alice’s presentation there was general discussion about the project and ultimately a motion was made to write a letter to the Board of Appeals stating WECA’s concern over this project’s height and density and that both be reduced. This motion was passed 10 in favor, 6 against and 1 abstention.
As such, I respectfully request that you take the concerns raised at our September meeting into consideration as you evaluate Victory Housing’s request for a special exemption.
If you have any questions about this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me at (301) 762-5354 or by email at sprince@cadencemarketing.com.
Thank you or your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Susan Prince
Susan Prince
President of West End Citizen’s Association
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
WECA Candidates Debate Scheduled for Oct 8
A WECA sponsored Candidates Debate will be held on October 8, 2009, at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. This forum will be televised on Rockville Channel 11, the City's cable TV station, and will start at 7 p.m. promptly.
WECA members are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing to forum@weca.us, as this gives WECA members an opportunity to carefully consider good questions. Questions can also be submitted at the debate.
City of Rockville elections are held every two years, at which time the mayor and four council seats are up for election.
For the mayoral seat, Mayor Susan R. Hoffmann will seek re-election and current Councilmember Phyllis Marcuccio will also run.
Ten will vie for the four council seats. They are:
* John Britton
* Piotr "Peter" Gajewski
* Carl Henn
* Trapper Martin
* Tom Moore
* Mark Pierzchala
* Bridget Newton
* Virginia Onley
* Waleed Ovase
* Max van Balgooy
Councilmember Anne M. Robbins will not seek re-election.
The elections will be held on November 3.
WECA members are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing to forum@weca.us, as this gives WECA members an opportunity to carefully consider good questions. Questions can also be submitted at the debate.
City of Rockville elections are held every two years, at which time the mayor and four council seats are up for election.
For the mayoral seat, Mayor Susan R. Hoffmann will seek re-election and current Councilmember Phyllis Marcuccio will also run.
Ten will vie for the four council seats. They are:
* John Britton
* Piotr "Peter" Gajewski
* Carl Henn
* Trapper Martin
* Tom Moore
* Mark Pierzchala
* Bridget Newton
* Virginia Onley
* Waleed Ovase
* Max van Balgooy
Councilmember Anne M. Robbins will not seek re-election.
The elections will be held on November 3.
Road Closures Planned, Traffic Impacts Anticipated in Rockville for Event
Light the Night Walk Set for Oct. 10
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On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Light the Night festival and walk, sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will be held 5:30-9 p.m. in Rockville's downtown and throughout the City's West End.
The Light the Night festival and walk will begin at 5:45 p.m. with a remembrance ceremony at Courthouse Square. The walk, which travels through the City of Rockville's West End, begins at 6:45 p.m. The walking route will be as follows:
- Beginning at Courthouse Square, going north on Maryland Avenue
- Turn left on Beall Avenue
- Turn right on N. Van Buren Street
- Turn left on Dawson Avenue
- Turn left on Forest Avenue
- Turn right on Carr Avenue
- Turn left on Luckett Street
- Turn left on Anderson Avenue
- Turn right on Forest Avenue
- Turn left on Harrison Street
- Turn right on N. Van Buren Street
- Turn left on W. Middle Lane
- Turn right on N. Washington Street
- Turn left at Courthouse Square and end
Rockville City Police will provide a rolling roadblock, and walkers are encouraged to use sidewalks and crosswalks where available. There will be temporary road closures throughout the course of the walk.
Beginning at 7 a.m., E. Montgomery Avenue will be closed between N. Washington Street and Maryland Avenue and between Maryland Avenue and Monroe Street. Maryland Avenue will remain open.
Beginning at 4 p.m., Maryland Avenue and Jefferson Street and Maryland Avenue at E. Middle Lane will be closed for the duration of the event.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Four Meetings Scheduled to Learn About Rockville's Recycling and Refuse Program
| Rockville will implement the final phases of its once-per-week, semi-automated, curbside collection system before the end of the year. Approximately 7,400 homes in Phase 1 and 2 are already part of the new system and another 6,500 will transition to it during the coming months. Phase 3 will begin the week of September 28 and Phase 4 will begin the week of December 7.
Certain components of recycling and refuse collection, such as bulky item collection and the holiday schedule, will change. Learn more about the new program at www.rockvillemd.gov/recycling-refuse or call 240-314-8568. |
Monday, September 21, 2009
Upcoming Deadline to Let the City Know What You Think of the Victory Housing Proposal for Fleet Street
Note: Please be advised that the Board of Appeals has decided to continue the public hearing of this matter to its November 7, 2009 meeting.
The WECA Board met last Thursday, September 17, and heard a presentation from Victory Housing about their proposal for the Victory Housing project. If you wish to comment to the City, now is your chance because the project is before the Board of Appeals and they’ve left the public record open until Saturday, September 26, 5 pm. The Board asked for comments from WECA when it reviewed the project on Saturday, September 12 and will continue the hearing on Oct. 3.
Send your emails to: cchasten@rockvillemd.gov (City Planner III and staff liaison to the Board of Appeals) and citymanager@rockvillemd.gov (Scott Ullery, City Manager)
More information will be available in the forthcoming newsletter, but due to the upcoming deadline, we are sending this now. Information can be found at two web sites: www.victorycourt.com, created by Victory Housing, and savefleetstneighborhood.wordpress.com, created by neighbors adjacent to the project.
Background - Victory Housing, an arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington DC, and Montgomery County are proposing to build affordable housing for independent seniors on the property between the historic houses on Fleet St. and the Courthouse Walk townhouses. The County owns the land at this site and has agreed to provide a long-term lease in an effort to facilitate this use of the land.
Status - The developer has submitted a Special Exception application, which is required because of the type of use (senior housing) and the height of the proposed building. The City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Appeals approve the special exception. The Board of Appeals is the commission that is charged with making a decision regarding the Special Exception. It met on 12 September 2009. After an all day session the process was not complete and the Board will continue testimony and deliberations on 3 October.
If you wish to comment to the City, now is your chance because the project is before the Board of Appeals and they’ve left the public record open until Saturday, September 26, 5 pm.
The WECA Board met last Thursday, September 17, and heard a presentation from Victory Housing about their proposal for the Victory Housing project. If you wish to comment to the City, now is your chance because the project is before the Board of Appeals and they’ve left the public record open until Saturday, September 26, 5 pm. The Board asked for comments from WECA when it reviewed the project on Saturday, September 12 and will continue the hearing on Oct. 3.
Send your emails to: cchasten@rockvillemd.gov (City Planner III and staff liaison to the Board of Appeals) and citymanager@rockvillemd.gov (Scott Ullery, City Manager)
More information will be available in the forthcoming newsletter, but due to the upcoming deadline, we are sending this now. Information can be found at two web sites: www.victorycourt.com, created by Victory Housing, and savefleetstneighborhood.wordpress.com, created by neighbors adjacent to the project.
Background - Victory Housing, an arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington DC, and Montgomery County are proposing to build affordable housing for independent seniors on the property between the historic houses on Fleet St. and the Courthouse Walk townhouses. The County owns the land at this site and has agreed to provide a long-term lease in an effort to facilitate this use of the land.
Status - The developer has submitted a Special Exception application, which is required because of the type of use (senior housing) and the height of the proposed building. The City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Appeals approve the special exception. The Board of Appeals is the commission that is charged with making a decision regarding the Special Exception. It met on 12 September 2009. After an all day session the process was not complete and the Board will continue testimony and deliberations on 3 October.
If you wish to comment to the City, now is your chance because the project is before the Board of Appeals and they’ve left the public record open until Saturday, September 26, 5 pm.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Paid Parking Hours Extended in Rockville Town Square Beginning Oct. 5
Rates will be in Effect Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Rockville, Md., Sept. 15 - The days and hours of paid parking at the City of Rockville's Town Square garages and town center meters will expand starting Monday, Oct. 5. The hours of paid parking will be Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rate is $1 per hour.
Currently visitors must pay for parking Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The number of hours of paid parking will increase from 60 hours to 90 hours per week. The City estimates it will generate more than $400,000 in annual parking revenues, which will significantly reduce the current subsidy from the budget's General Fund to pay for the parking garages.
The Mayor and Council approved in April a related measure to encourage residents to visit Rockville's downtown. The measure allows each household in the City of Rockville's corporate limits a coupon code for 12 free parking visits in the Rockville Town Square parking garages.
To claim the free parking coupon, residents must visit one of three designated City facilities in person before Thursday, Dec. 31, and present a valid picture ID and proof of residency. Each household is limited to one coupon code that can be used 12 times.
Residents may pick up their free parking coupon code and instructions for how to use it at one of the following locations in the city:
Rockville, Md., Sept. 15 - The days and hours of paid parking at the City of Rockville's Town Square garages and town center meters will expand starting Monday, Oct. 5. The hours of paid parking will be Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rate is $1 per hour.
Currently visitors must pay for parking Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The number of hours of paid parking will increase from 60 hours to 90 hours per week. The City estimates it will generate more than $400,000 in annual parking revenues, which will significantly reduce the current subsidy from the budget's General Fund to pay for the parking garages.
The Mayor and Council approved in April a related measure to encourage residents to visit Rockville's downtown. The measure allows each household in the City of Rockville's corporate limits a coupon code for 12 free parking visits in the Rockville Town Square parking garages.
To claim the free parking coupon, residents must visit one of three designated City facilities in person before Thursday, Dec. 31, and present a valid picture ID and proof of residency. Each household is limited to one coupon code that can be used 12 times.
Residents may pick up their free parking coupon code and instructions for how to use it at one of the following locations in the city:
- City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents are advised to call ahead to verify evening hours, at 240-314-5000.
- Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Fallsgrove Drive, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The coupon codes may be used in any of the three City-owned parking garages in Rockville Town Square. The garages are located at 215 North Washington St., 30 Maryland Ave. and 330 Hungerford Drive (Route 355) between East Middle Lane and Beall Avenue.
There is no expiration date on the coupon codes, and the codes can only be used 12 times.
For more information about parking in Rockville go to www.rockvillemd.gov/parking/index.html.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Agenda Update
The Victory Housing issue wasn’t decided on Saturday at the Board of Appeals as we originally thought would happen. Instead, they’ve continued it into October. Therefore,
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September Meeting Announcement
The next WECA meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, September 17th at the Swim Center Room A at 7:00.
Our agenda for the meeting will include:
MHP/BGII update
Victory Housing update
Candidate’s debate in October
City report
Nomination and election of Recording Secretary*
* Jan Balkam can no longer serve as Recording Secretary. According to the by-laws, we need to fill her vacancy at the next meeting. If you or someone you know is interested in being nominated, please come prepared to submit their nomination. We’ll vote on all nominations at the meeting.
By-law reference:
Section 5. All vacancies in elected offices shall be filled by election at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Board after the vacancy occurs.
Our agenda for the meeting will include:
MHP/BGII update
Victory Housing update
Candidate’s debate in October
City report
Nomination and election of Recording Secretary*
* Jan Balkam can no longer serve as Recording Secretary. According to the by-laws, we need to fill her vacancy at the next meeting. If you or someone you know is interested in being nominated, please come prepared to submit their nomination. We’ll vote on all nominations at the meeting.
By-law reference:
Section 5. All vacancies in elected offices shall be filled by election at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Board after the vacancy occurs.
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