Monday, May 27, 2013

WECA - Four Development Items of Interest

Save our Neighborhoods- Say No to Excessive Institutional Concentration
SIGN THE PETITION
WECA has been following the application of the Congregation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to build a second worship hall at 626 and 628 Great Falls Road, directly across the street from Julius West Middle School.  The new facility would be located at the tip of the intersection of Great Falls Road and Maryland Avenue. The existing house at 626 Great Falls Road would be demolished, and an addition to the house at 628 would create a worship hall and supplemental facility, of approximately 5,000 square feet. 

WECA has voted in opposition to this facility because it would lead to excessive concentration of institutions at the gateway, it would cause traffic hazards and risks to pedestrian safety, it would change forever the residential character of the neighborhood in this location.   If you support this position sign the on-line petition.  Go to:  http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-our-neighborhoods-say-no-to-jehovah-s-witness-ex.html  


ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN AND ZONING REVISIONS
Send a letter to the Planning Commission
The written record will be open until June 6th.  If you have not had time to attend the hearings or send your own letter consider sending the following short message to the Planning Commission.  The email address is:  rockvillepikeplan@rockvillemd.gov

 Dear Members of the Planning Commission:
For the reasons which follow I do not support the Pike Plan or the Zoning Ordinance which would implement the Plan.  The Pike Plan and the Zoning Revisions will:
·       Cause too much population increase and density
·       Threaten our Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO).
·       Overcrowd our schools
·       Result in buildings of excessive height along the Pike
·       Increase traffic and traffic congestion rather than reducing it
·       Hurt our small businesses and the local economy
·       Create an area without public parks or green space
·       Discourage rather than enhance walkability.
·       Hurt the quality of life for current residents without providing compensating benefits
Sincerely,   (your name)

 
APPLICATION FOR GROUP DAY CARE CENTER
731 W. Montgomery Ave at Nelson St. intersection
The owner of 731 W. Montgomery Ave has applied to the City to increase the capacity of the daycare center at this address from 8 to 12 children.  This is a significant step because it would change the facility from an in-home business to an institution.  Per the Zoning Ordinance this increase in children and the reclassification requires approval of a Special Exception.  The Board of Appeals is the deciding authority and it is required to find that the application will not change the character of the neighborhood , constitute a nuisance because of noise, traffic, number of people, or type of physical activity; and other criteria.  

I received notification of the following meetings and hearings:
Area Meeting:
            Date: June 6, 2013
            Location:  Rockville City Hall, Black-Eyed Susan Conference Room
            Time: 7 PM

Planning Commission Public Hearing/Recommendations
            Date:  June 26, 2013
            Location:  Rockville City Hall, Mayor and Council Chambers
            Time:  7 PM

Board of Appeals Public Hearing
            Date:  July 13, 2013
            Location:  Rockville City Hall, Mayor and Council Chambers
            Time:  9 AM

If you have questions you may contact the applicant, Rubina Mohammed at 240-715-1399 or the City’s Project Planner, Nicole Walters at 240-314-8215
If you are interested in participating in a WECA committee on this issue, please contact
             Victoria McMullen at victoriamcmullen66@gmail.com     or
             Patricia Woodward at 301-762-3376

SENIOR HOUSING IS PROPOSED IN TOWN CENTER ON OLD GIANT SITE
Where: Behind new Bank of America building at 275 N. Washington St.
What:  190 unit community with ~110 units of independent living and ~80 units of
            assisted living.
Learn more at the Pre-Application Area Meeting
            Date:  June 12, 2013
            Location:   Rockville Library, First Floor Meeting Room
            Time:  6-7 PM

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

WECA General Membership Meeting on May 16 at 7pm + Spring Items of Interest

With welcome spring weather comes lots of activity in our neighborhood and around Rockville! Please see below for information on the WECA General Membership Meeting on May 16th, information on Rockville’s Hometown Holidays festivities over the Memorial Day weekend, and a spotlight on the West End in The Washington Post.

Agenda for WECA General Membership Meeting on May 16, 2013 at 7pm
This month’s WECA meeting, a General Membership Meeting, will be held on Thursday, May 16th at 7:00pm at the Rockville Presbyterian Church (215 W. Montgomery Avenue). Please enter from the rear parking lot on Harrison Street. The meeting agenda is provided below – we hope to see you then.
1.       Welcome and Acknowledgement of Service                       7:00pm
2.       Organizational/Business Items
a.       Election of Officers for 2013-2014
b.      Approval of Minutes from April 23, 2013 meeting
c.       Treasurer’s Report
d.      Approval of Revisions to the By-Laws
3.       Rockville Pike Plan                                                                           7:15 – 7:45pm
a.       Presentation by Jacques Gelin
b.      Discussion
c.       How you can express your views
4.       Institutional Expansion – proposed new Jehovah Witness facility at Great Falls Rd and Maryland Ave       7:45 – 8:15pm
a.       Presentation by Jim Coyle, former Mayor of Rockville
b.      Discussion
c.       How you can express your views
5.       Ideas/Comments from the Floor             
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West End Featured in The Washington Post’s “Where We Live” Section
For those who missed it, the West End was the featured neighborhood in The Washington Post’s “Where We Live” section this past weekend (May 4, 2013), with several quotes from our WECA President, Noreen Bryan. We encourage you to check out the article and share in our West End pride! The link to the article is here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/neighborhood-profile-rockvilles-west-end/2013/05/01/3d14aede-addf-11e2-98ef-d1072ed3cc27_story.html

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Rockville Hometown Holidays Festivities: May 25-27
One of our favorite annual Rockville celebrations is happening this month – Hometown Holidays! The weekend will be packed with free concerts with over 30 bands and entertainers, kids amusements and entertainment, Taste of Rockville activities, and the 69th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade. Hosted by the City of Rockville Mayor and Council, you are invited to participate with your family, neighbors and friends in all the festivities on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 25, 26 and 27. Full details and a schedule of events are available at  www.rockvillemd.gov/HTH

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Volunteer Opportunity with Rockville Recreation & Parks Foundation at Hometown Holidays
The Rockville Recreation & Parks Foundation (www.rrpfi.org), a non-profit Foundation established to raise funds to support City of Rockville recreation programs and facilities, is seeking volunteers to staff two beverage sale booths in Rockville Town Center during Hometown Holidays on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. The booths will be open from 2pm to 10pm both days, and volunteers are asked to assist for a two or three hour time slot. If you are interested, please contact Chip Boylan (President) at (301) 692-3068 or via e-mail at chipboylan@verizon.net  for more information.