AGENDA for April WECA Meeting - Thurs, Apr 24 at 7pm

AGENDA for WECA Executive Board Meeting on Thursday, April 24

MEETING TIME: 7pm

LOCATION: Rockville Presbyterian Church  (215 W. Montgomery Avenue)  

• 7:00pm - Welcome and Organizational/Business Items

o   Approval of Minutes for March 2014

o   Treasurer’s Report

o   Presentation of WECA Officer Slate from Nominating Committee

o   Report from City

o   Report from Lt. Over

• 7:15pm - Update on 255 N. Washington St.  Kettler Building                                             
• 7:45pm - Presentation on Bikeway Master Plan by City Staff
• 8:15pm - Presentation on Engage Rockville by City Staff

• 8:30pm - Review status of on-going development projects

o   New Proposal for a Cell Tower at Julius West

o   Brightview Senior Housing

o   275 N. Washington St.- parking waiver of 41%

o   Duball- Should these units be condos?

o   731 W. Montgomery Avenue

o   628 Great Falls Road

• 9:00pm - Adjourn

April WECA Mtg on Thursday, April 24 at 7pm + 2 Items

WECA Neighbors – Happy spring! We wanted to provide you with an early “heads-up” that the date for our April WECA meeting has been changed to Thursday, April 24^th (rather than our normal third Thursday of the month). It will still be held at the Rockville Presbyterian Church and begin at 7pm. An agenda will be sent a couple days in advance.

Please also note that if you are interested in receiving information on issues and events which affect Rockville residents generally, you can sign-up to receive e-mails from the City of Rockville through the “Notify Me” area of their website, available through this link: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/list.aspx  Through our WECA listserv notifications, we aim to provide information which would be of specific interest to residents of the West End.

For those neighbors interested in the City’s Bikeway Master Plan, below is information on an upcoming Planning Commission Meeting, from a recent City of Rockville press release:

The City's Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the draft update of the Rockville Bikeway Master Plan on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.

The hearing will be preceded by a public open house. City staff will be on hand to answer questions about the plan from 5-7 p.m. in the Blue Crab Room at City Hall.

The plan guides planning of the City's bicycle facility network. It was last updated in 2004, laying the groundwork for an expansion over the past decade to more than 34 miles dedicated to bicycles. The 2014 Bikeway Master Plan update offers the opportunity to shape the way people get around Rockville for years to come.

The Planning Commission heard a presentation of the draft plan on March 12. Video of the presentation is available at http://rockvillemd.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=3098 .

City staff has also presented the draft plan and collected testimony during meetings with neighborhood associations. Staff remains available to visit neighborhood associations and other groups to discuss the plan. Please call Transportation Planner/Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Kevin Belanger at 240-314-8509 to schedule a staff visit.

The 2004 Bikeway Master Plan, Draft 2014 Bikeway Master Plan and Draft Bikeway Recommendations Map can be viewed at www.rockvillemd.gov/bikewaymasterplan .

Those wishing to testify during the Planning Commission hearing may sign up by calling 240-314-8200  by 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Priority will be given to speakers who sign up in advance. Those speaking as individuals will be allotted three minutes. Those speaking on behalf of an organization will be allotted five minutes.

Public comments also may be submitted:

By letter to the City of Rockville Planning Commission, c/o Kevin Belanger, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850.

__._,_.___

March WECA Meeting - Thurs, March 20 at 7pm

Agenda for WECA Executive Board Meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2014

MEETING TIME: 7:00pm

MEETING LOCATION: Rockville Presbyterian Church (parking available in lot off Harrison Street)

7:00pm  Welcome and Organizational Business Items

·        Approval of Minutes for February 2014

·        Treasurer’s Report

·        Report from City

·        Report from Lt. Over

7:15pm   Presentation Re: Brightview Senior Housing in Town Center

8:00pm   Verizon Cell Tower Proposal for Julius West Middle School

8:15pm   Report on Board of Appeals Reconsideration of Day Care Center at 731 West Montgomery Avenue

8:30pm   Review Status of On-Going Development Projects

·        New Proposal for a Cell Tower at Julius West

·        Duball – Parking Study is in

·        Pink Bank building

·        628 Great Falls Road

8:45pm   Adjourn

February WECA Meeting: Thurs, Feb 20th at 7pm

The February WECA Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, February 20^th, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Rockville Presbyterian Church (215 W. Montgomery Avenue). The agenda is provided below. Parking is available in the lot off of Harrison Street. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend; we hope that you can join us.

 

Agenda for WECA Executive Board Meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2014

MEETING TIME: 7:00pm

MEETING LOCATION: Rockville Presbyterian Church

 

7:00pm  Welcome and Organizational Business Items

• Approval of Minutes from Sept, Nov, Dec 2013 and Jan 2014
• Treasurer’s Report
• Report from City
• Report from Lt. Over

7:20pm   Review status of on-going development projects

7:30pm   Report on Board of Appeals Reconsideration of Day Care Center at 731 West Montgomery Ave

7:50pm   City’s Response on 23 Wall Street – Maria Luginbill

8:10pm   Intersection of Mannakee and Anderson – Jack Baur

8:30pm   Engage Rockville – Letter of Questions for the City

8:40pm   Adjourn

WECA Request and Of-Interest Items

Request for Donations to WECA

As you probably know, your West End Citizens Association (WECA) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization.  We do incur costs, including the publishing of a twice-yearly newsletter which is distributed to 1,500 households, a voluntary and modest donation to the Rockville Presbyterian Church who graciously provides our meeting space, as well as some other small, administrative costs to keep the organization operating smoothly. Some these costs are off-set by advertising revenue from our newsletter, however, we are not always able to fill the cost/revenue gap. Therefore, we are reaching out to you as our neighbors, and requesting you consider making a small donation to WECA. This is completely voluntary, and we promise to continue vigilantly watching out for our entire neighborhood’s best interests no matter what.

If you would like to donate, please make a check out to “WECA” (cash is also accepted) and send it to our WECA Treasurer, Dennis Cain, at 502 Carr Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. No tax deduction can be claimed since we are not a registered 501 (c)(3) organization. Thanks for your support.

Demolition of 255 N. Washington (the pink bank building)

Some will clap and some will cry – either way, the landscape around Town Square will be changing this week. Demolition on the pink bank building (at 255 N. Washington Street) will start on Monday, January 27^th. There is not a scheduled time as the work will proceed throughout the day. The activity that has been going on for the last few weeks is asbestos removal in the office spaces and building utility terminations.

 Sanitary Sewer Repairs in Rockville and West End

The Rockville Department of Public Works has contracted to make repairs to sanitary sewers around Rockville and our neighborhood Feb. 3 through March 28. Locations include Great Falls Road and East Jefferson Street in the West End, among others around the City. Temporary lane closures and parking restrictions may be necessary. If you will be affected and asked to refrain from using water during specific hours while the work is being performed, the contractor will place a notice on your front door two business days in advance. Repairs of each segment are expected to take one day to complete (weather permitting) and not all segments of each street will be rehabilitated during this project. For more information, contact Jim Woods, Rockville Project Manager at (240) 314-8521  or  jwoods@rockvillemd.gov

January WECA Meeting - Thurs, Jan. 16th at 7pm

The agenda for the WECA Executive Board Meeting scheduled for this Thursday, January 16th, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Rockville Presbyterian Church (215 W. Montgomery Avenue) is provided below. Parking is available in the lot off of Harrison Street. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting. We hope that you can join us.

Agenda for WECA Executive Board Meeting on 16 Jan 2014

MEETING TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: Rockville Presbyterian Church

7:00pm                 Welcome and Organizational/Business Items

·         Approval of Minutes from May, June, Sept, Nov and Dec 2013
·         Treasurer’s Report
·         Report from City
·         Report from Lt. Over
7:20pm                 Review status of on-going development projects
7:40pm                 Report on Board of Appeals Reconsideration of Day Care Center at 731 West Montgomery Ave
7:50pm                 Thinking Ahead – Vision for WECA
8:30pm                 Adjourn

Dec WECA Meeting: Thursday, Dec 12th at 7pm

The agenda for the WECA Executive Board Meeting scheduled for this Thursday, December 12th, 2013 at 7:00pm at the Rockville Presbyterian Church (215 W. Montgomery Avenue) is provided below. Parking is available in the lot off of Harrison Street. We hope that you can join us.

 

7:00pm - Welcome and Organizational/Business Items                                         

• Approval of Minutes from May, June, Sep and Nov 2013
• Treasurer’s Report
• Report from City
• Report from Lt. Over

7:20pm - Review status of on-going development projects  

7:30pm - Presentation by Shelter Group on proposed Brightview Senior Housing project at 285 N. Washington St.

8:15pm - Presentation by Duball on Building II at 198 E. Montgomery   

• Presenters:  Marc Dubick and John Segreti

9:00pm - Adjourn

 

Nov WECA Meeting - Thurs, Nov, 21st at 7pm + 2 Of-Interest Items

Please see the information and agenda below for our next WECA meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Nov 21^st at 7pm, as well as two other items of interest. And congratulation to our new City of Rockville Mayor (Bridget Donnell Newton) and Councilmembers (Beryl Feinberg, Tom Moore, Virginia Onley and Julie Palakovich Carr) who were sworn recently!

 

1. Agenda for WECA Executive Board Meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 7:00pam at the Rockville Presbyterian Church (215 W. Montgomery Avenue). Parking is available in the lot off of Harrison Street.

7:00pm - Welcome and Organizational/Business Items

· Approval of Minutes from Sep and Oct 2013

· Treasurer’s Report

· Block Captains

· December Meeting- recommend 2nd Thursday Dec 12^th

· Report from City

· Report from Lt. Over

7:20pm - Review status of on-going development projects

· Update on Historic Designation of 628 Great Falls Road

· Denial of continuing historic designation process for the pink bank

· Reconsideration of decision on Daycare Center at 731 W. Montgomery Avenue

7:30pm - Presentation by Kettler on proposed revisions to project at 255 N. Washington St.

8:00pm - Discussion of Committee on Preventing excessive institutional development in the West End

8:30pm - Adjourn

2. Post Application Area Meeting for Brightview Rockville Town Center (proposed senior housing development at 285 North Washington Street - west of the new Walgreen’s store that fronts on Hungerford Drive).

Shelter Development, LLC, a Maryland‑based owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the Mid‑Atlantic region, has prepared and submitted to the City of Rockville, a Site Plan Application, assigned Application No. STP2014-00189, for its newest planned community currently called "Brightview Rockville Town Center." The project will be a 195 unit senior housing community with 117 independent living units, 78 assisted living units and street level retail available to the public. The site is located north of Beall Avenue on part of the former Giant Food site and at the future corner of Maryland Avenue extended and Dawson Avenue extended east of North Washington Street. The site's location may also be described as "behind," or west of, the new Walgreens store that fronts on Hungerford Drive. You are invited to a Site Plan post-application filing area meeting.

AREA MEETING DATE AND TIME:

· December 3, 2013, 6:00-7:00PM

· Location: Rockville Library in Rockville Town Square, First Floor Meeting Room, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850

CONTACTS:

· Andrew Teeters, Vice President of Development, Shelter Development, LLC at 410-246-7486 or ateeters@sheltergrp.com

· Timothy Dugan, Esq., Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. at 301-230-5228 or dugan@shulmanrogers.com

NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE (DRC) DATE AND TIME:

· December 5, 2013, 11:00AM

· City of Rockville, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850

For additional information, please contact Cas Chasten, Project Planner, City of Rockville, at (240) 314-8223 or see: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/documentcenter/view/6382

3. A notice from our Rockville City Police department on recent Utility Scams

Crime Tip: Utility Scams

Across the country there has been an increase various types of Utility Scams. The Rockville City Police Department would like to provide residents with ways to protect themselves against these types of scams.

Phone Call Scam

A victim receives a call from someone claiming to be with their local utility company. The caller says that they’re about to cut off your service due to an overdue bill. The caller then tells the victim that they can stop prevent the cutoff, if the victim provides them with a debit, credit card or a Green Dot MoneyPak or some other type of money card. IT’S A SCAM. Should you receive such a call, do the following:

*Check the phone number the caller is calling phone and make a note of it. Many scammers use “spoofed” telephone numbers that actually look like your local utility company, but are not. When in doubt, call your local utility company’s customer service number to verify your account.

*Pull out your last utility bill statement and ask the caller to tell you the account number and the amount due.

*Never ever give out your personal information, such as your credit card, social security number, date of birth, etc.

*Hang up on the caller and contact your local police department and your utility company. If possible, please provide to the police the caller’s name, company they supposed stated they were with, and if you have caller ID, the phone number from which the caller has called from.

Utility Worker Imposter Scam

SCAM #1 - A subject posing as a Utility Employee knocks at the door and states to the victim that there is a major water leak (or gas leak) in the area and that he/she needs to come inside the house to check the pipes/lines in the basement. The unsuspecting victim allows the worker into the home and takes them down to the basement to view the pipes/lines. While the victim and the worker are in the basement, a second subject enters and removes valuables from the home. Then after a few minutes the worker tells the victim that all is okay and that he/she needs to leave. It isn’t until later that the victim discovers their property missing.

SCAM #2 – A subject posing as a Utility Employee arrives at the victim’s residence and tells the victim that they have an overdue bill. The subject then tries to solicit a “payment” from the victim in order to avoid a cut off of their utility.

SCAM #3 – A subject posing as a Utility Employee arrives at the victim’s residence and tells them that he/she is there to reset the victim’s meter. The subject then tells the victim that there is a monetary charge for the service, and if the victim doesn’t comply, then he/she will be back to remove the meter.

IT’S A SCAM. Should you have someone arrive at your door stating that they are with a utility company, do the following:

*Ask to see their company ID. If the individual does not have the property ID then contact the police immediately.

*If you are unsure of the Worker’s ID, contact the utility company to verify the employee and about the nature of the work that is to be done.

*Utility workers do not collect a bill payment by going to residences. Nor do they engage in soliciting products or services.

*Never let anyone in your home to check for electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have schedule an appointment or reported a problem.

If you have any questions regarding utility services, solicitation or fraud, contact your local utility company:

· PEPCO customer service – 202-833-7500 / http://www.pepco.com

· WSSC customer service – 301-206-9772 / http://www.wsscwater.com

· City of Rockville Water – 240-314-8420

· Washington Gas customer service – 703-750-1000 / http://www.washgas.com

You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357

To report a crime contact the Rockville City Police Department – 240-314-8900

__._,_.___

Reply via web post

Reply to sender

Reply to group

Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

WECA Of-Interest Items: Duball Project Meetings - Rockville Police Request

DUBALL PROJECT AMENDMENT AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

Duball Rockville has applied for an amendment to their approved second building (the building not yet under construction) at 198 East Montgomery Avenue, just north of the Regal movie theater. The first building, bordering on Maryland Avenue, is currently under construction. The amendment is proposing to add 178 additional dwelling units. This translates to a shift to units of smaller square footage, and decreasing the number of 2-bedroom units in favor of increasing the number of 1-bedroom and studio apartments. Note that no changes to the building footprint or architecture (no external changes) are proposed. Construction on this second building is not scheduled to commence until the first building is complete and operational (at the earliest), and not later than May 2019 (at the latest).

The issues at hand are the following: 1) conditional approval of 178 dwelling units until APFO school test satisfaction per APFO section 25.20.02.d, and 2) application of the currently approved project parking waiver to the residential use in Building 2.

If you would like to learn more about this project, upcoming public meetings include:

• Post-Application Area Meeting (PAM) scheduled for Thursday, Oct 24 at 7pm at Rockville City Hall (Black Eyed Susan Room).
• Development Review Committee (DRC) discussion on Thursday, Nov 7 at 10am. The location has yet to be specified. At this meeting the various city specialists and engineers (e.g. traffic analysts, storm water engineers, etc.) review the project and provide direction to the applicant on whether their application meets city code and standards. The public is allowed to attend, but is not allowed to speak or participate.
• Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, November 13 at 7pm in Mayor & Council Chambers
• Mayor and Council meeting on Monday, December 9 at 7pm in Mayor & Council Chambers

If you have questions about the project you may contact Cas Chasten, Planner, Rockville Dept. of Community Planning and Development, 240-314-8200 or cpds@rockvillemd.gov  or review project plans on-line at http://www.rockvillemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6117

********

ROCKVILLE CITY POLICE: HELP NEEDED IN IDENTIFYING RECOVERED/STOLEN ITEMS
The Rockville City Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit is asking for your help in identifying items recently recovered during an investigation. Items recovered during the investigation include foreign coins and paper currency that are very distinct. In addition, there are several necklaces and iPods recovered. It is important for everyone to check their vehicles to determine if any of the described items, or any OTHER items, may be missing. If you believe you are missing any of the described items please contact the RCPD Investigations Unit at 240-314-8938. If you discover any other items to be missing recently, please contact our communications center at 240-314-8900 to have the theft reported.

REMINDER: WECA Oct General Membership Meeting/Candidate Forum + 3 Of-Interest Items

A freminder that our WECA October General Membership Meeting will be held this Tuesday, October 15th at 7pm, at the Rockville Senior Center, located at 1150 Carnation Drive.We are pleased to be hosting aCandidates Forum, with all the candidates who are running for the City of Rockville Mayor and City Council positions expected to be in attendance. 

 

Our moderator for the evening will be, Sonya Green, who brings over 25 years of experience as a print, television and radio journalist.  Currently Sonya is manager of a news service at the Voice of America.

 

You may submit questions for the candidates in advance by sending them to our WECA Corresponding Secretary, Jacques Gelin, via e-mail at  gelinjac@verizon.net . We are, however, unable to guarantee that your question will be posed to the candidates during the forum. You will also have the chance to submit questions at the forum. Please note this this candidate forum will not be broadcast on Rockville's Channel 11, although we hope to make it available on YouTube afterwards, and through a link on the WECA website (www.weca.us).

The candidates running for Mayor are:

Bridget Newton
Mark Pierzchala

The candidates running for City Council are:
Beryl Feinberg
Don Hadley
Tom Moore
Virginia Onley
Julie Palakovich Carr
Claire Marcuccio Whitaker

More information on each candidate can be found in the most recent edition of Rockville Reports, or on the City website at www.rockvillemd.gov/election13 

Election day is Tuesday, November 5th.

 

*****

East Rockville Civic Association Halloween Parade and Activities

Our neighbors in East Rockville cordially invite everyone to their annual Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31st. The parade will start promptly at Pump House Park at 5:30pm, and traverse the neighborhood with a police escort. Afterwards, light refreshments will be served. 

 

And for brave souls, you can visit the Haunted Pump House - if you dare!

Please check http://eastrockville.net  for last minutes updates, if the weather is looking spooky...

*****

Channel 7 News Piece on Jehovah's Witness Project

 

For those who didn't catch the Channel 7 news on October 4th which aired a piece on the Jehovah's Witness expansion project being considered at 628 Great Falls Road, here is a link to the news article:

 

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/10/rockville-jehovah-s-witnesses-at-odds-with-neighbors-over-expansion-94916.html

*****

City of Rockville Police Calls for Service  - and a reminder to lock your car doors when you park, and hide things of value from sight!

Total calls for service in September were 66 vs. 65 in August, an increase of 1.

Part 1 Crimes
Total part 1's in September were 4 vs. 5 in August, a decrease of 1.
Of Note:  4 Thefts 

9/2 - Unit block of  E. Argyle Street - incident actually occurred on 8/28 - Complainant stated that his iPod was stolen from his vehicle. Report does not state if the vehicle was left unlocked or not.  
9/4 - 100 Block of Lynch Street -  2 vehicles left unlocked were entered.  A GPS and $5.00 were stolen from one of the vehicles. 
9/4 - 110 N. Washington Street - Theft from Building - wallet stolen from purse in an office - NFI
9/16 - Unit block of Wall Street - Theft from Building -  - construction materials (railing caps) were stolen from a residence

Part 2 Crimes
Total Part 2's in September were 6 vs. 9 in August, a decrease of 3.
Of Note:  1 Vandalism and 1 bomb threat 

9/27 - Unit block of N. Washington Street - Complainant came out to her vehicle and discovered that the passenger side window was damaged.  Possibly by a BB round.  Camera is located outside of the building, but upon further investigation, it shows the parking meter instead of the parking lot.    

9/10 Bomb threat - Adclare/Brent Road -On 9-10-13 at approximately 6:59 PM officers were dispatched to the area of Brent Rd / Adclare Rd for report of a bomb threat in the area. The call was through the Crisis Center and the Crisis Center employee advised a male caller stated he had placed multiple grenades throughout the Rockville area, and placed a grenade on a police car. Investigation identified a suspect, taken into custody in the 700 block of Beall Avenue. 

October 1-2, 2013

10/1 - Unit block of  Wall Street - Theft from Auto - Complainant believes he left the vehicle unlocked.  Stolen was a tan/brown camouflage bag w/ misc. documents inside.  Complainant stated that several of his neighbors had experienced similar incidents over the past 4-6 weeks.  
10/1 - 300 block of  W. Montgomery Avenue -  actually occurred 4-6 weeks prior...  Complainant stated nothing was taken, just that her vehicle had been ransacked. Complainant further states that every night for the past 4-6 weeks her dog starts barking out the window.  
10/2  - 260 N. Washington Street (Shell Gas Station)  Complainant stated that an unknown subject entered the business and stated that the subject told him he had just moved from DC and did not have anyone to care for him.  The complainant told the subject that if he was hungry he could have one snack for free but had to leave the store.  The subject stated he wanted a candy bar but then grabbed 8 of the E-cigarettes and ran out the store w/o paying for them. Description:  teenager - LSW: gray hooded sweatshirt, cargo shorts - NFD

October WECA General Membership Mtg - Tues, Oct 15th at 7pm at Senior Center - Meet the Candidates Forum

Our fall General Membership Meeting is just around the corner, and brings with it some changes to be aware of.

 

Please note that the meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at 7pm, at the Rockville Senior Center, located at 1150 Carnation Drive. For this special General Membership Meeting, we are pleased to be hosting a Candidates Forum, with all the candidates who are running for the City of Rockville Mayor and City Council positions expected to be in attendance. This forum will provided you the opportunity to meet each candidate, learn more about their vision for Rockville, and hear their thoughts on issues affecting the West End. 

 

While the format for the forum is still taking shape, you may submit questions for the candidates in advance by sending them to our WECA Corresponding Secretary, Jacques Gelin, via e-mail at  gelinjac@verizon.net . We are, however, unable to guarantee that your question will be posed to the candidates during the forum. Please note this this candidate forum will not be broadcast on Rockville's Channel 11. 

 

The candidates running for Mayor are:

• Bridget Newton
• Mark Pierzchala

The candidates running for City Council are:

• Beryl Feinberg 
• Don Hadley 
• Tom Moore 
• Virginia Onley 
• Julie Palakovich Carr
• Claire Marcuccio Whitaker

• More information on each candidate can be found in the most recent edition of Rockville Reports, or on the City website at www.rockvillemd.gov/election13 
• Election day is Tuesday, November 5th.
• We hope to see you for this special WECA General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, Oct 15th at 7pm at the Senior Center!