WF Relies on Metro -- But How Safe?

Last week from February 23 – 25, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held hearings on the June 22, 2009 metro accident that occurred at the Fort Totten Metro Stop in Washington, D.C. A number of documents were also released by the NTSB, to be found here. They make for fascinating reading, BTW. A synopsis of the hearings and some video can be found here.

While the White Flint Sector Plan is predicated on additional train cars and, as Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson has stated repeatedly, 2-½-minute headways, the reality is quite different. How will the non-auto driver mode share, or NADMS, be achieved? NADMS refers to any other type of travel, carpool, bicycling, walking, or public transit, anything other than driving your car alone. To meet the stated goal the White Flint Sector Plan must meet an ambitious mode share – 51% for residents; and 50% for employees. Good luck with that.  Read about it in the latest staff report, here.

When will that happen? How will it happen? Will it happen? Let’s take off the rose-colored glasses and look at reality. As a first step, let’s compare our 30-year old system to the 100+ year system in New York City. The website http://www.nycsubway.org/ has posted all the accidents on this system, starting with an accident that took place on October 3, 1918. In that accident, according to the report in The New York Times the next day, two people were killed, including the motorman, and 28 people sustained injuries.

Our own metro system has been in place for almost 34 years, starting on March 27, 1976. The Washington Post has provided a list of all the fatalities in that time. In that time there were 14 fatalities. Four of these deaths, 29%, occurred in one year, 2009. In that same time 12 people died in New York subway system accidents, including in 1986, one motorman who suffered a heart attack and died. It is worth remembering the difference in the number of cars, trips, and miles between the two systems. According to Wikipedia, our Metro system has 86 stations, 5 lines, and 106.3 miles of track. In 2008, there were 218.5 million trips, and 727,684 trips each weekday. According to Wikipedia, the New York system has 468 stations and covers 229 miles of routes, or as the Wikipedia article states, “229 miles (369 km) of routes, translating into 656 miles (1,056 km) of revenue track; and a total of 842 miles (1,355 km) including non-revenue trackage;” and in 2008, delivered over 5 million rides each weekday. That year, it delivered approximately 1.623 billion rides. While I am not about to do the math, it strikes me that if we use the data from a 100+ year-old system that is almost seven times the size of our own metro (based on weekday trips) with fewer fatalities in the same time span, and compare those data with the data from metro, including of course the qualitative knowledge that our own metro is now under investigation by the NTSB, this could mean that the official county government expectations for the public transit capacity of the White Flint Sector Plan may be somewhat wide of the mark. We shall see.

Paula Bienenfeld

Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone: the vote for the Closed Session

Before the public session on the CR Zone, the council held a closed session, apparently with their attorney, as the legality of this zone was questioned.  We don't know because the discussion was "closed."  The motion was made by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, and Councilmember Valerie Ervin seconded the vote.  Here is the document recording that vote.

CR Zone Closed Meeting Vote Montg Co Council MD

Two Important Upcoming Meetings from our friends in Gaithersburg

Hi Everyone,


Two upcoming meetings will provide excellent opportunities to express our concerns about the Gaithersburg West Master Plan and get answers from the County Council. Please make every effort to attend as everyone is invited to both meetings and is encouraged to attend.

What: The Cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg will meet with the County Council

When: Monday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: In the Mayor and Council Chambers, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

Key Topic: City officials from Rockville and Gaithersburg will discuss their concerns about the traffic and other issues regarding the Gaithersburg West Master Plan with the County Council.

The entrance to the Rockville City Hall is on Vinson Street which across the street from the County Council Building. There is parking in the lot next to the City Hall and an overflow parking lot off of South Washington Street behind City Hall. Google maps does not give the correct location for the City Hall. There is a map on the Rockville website: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/parks-facilities/cityhall.htm .

For those who live in Gaithersburg or Rockville, please email your Mayor and Council members to urge them to ask the tough questions.

Rockville: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/government/mc/

Gaithersburg: http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=258&TOC=256;258

What: Town Hall Meeting, hosted by the North Potomac Citizen Association (NPCA)

When: March 9, 2010, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Where: Quince Orchard HS, Cafeteria

Key Topic: Gaithersburg West Master Plan

Participants: The Four "At-Large" Montgomery County Councilmembers: Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal, Duchy Trachtenberg, and Mark Elrich

If you haven’t had a chance to read the “Science City vs. The Pentagon” comparisons, please visit www.scale-it-back.com . I guarantee you will have LOTS of questions to ask the Council once you see that the Science City will be equivalent in size to four and a half Pentagons...without the transportation options.

Thanks and best regards,

Donna Baron
Coordinator
The Gaithersburg - North Potomac - Rockville Coalition

Today at the Council: White Flint and the CR Zone

So much going on at the council today it was hard to keep track, as the council rushes at breakneck speed through the different master plans and today, it was the White Flint Sector Plan, with a full council session and overview by staff members Glenn Orlin and Marlene Michaelson, whose reports are here and here (note: the financing staff report is from January 26, which was the only one I could find online); and the discussion and 'straw' votes on the controversial CR Zone (Commercial/Residential Zone), for those of you not ‘in the know.’ Here is what went on at the Council this afternoon for the CR Zone, as reported by intrepid girl reporter Miranda Spivack, in the Post:

"The Montgomery County Council endorsed major revisions to its zoning code Tuesday, the first stage of a broader debate over how to transform strip malls and commercial buildings into more walkable, livable settings.

The council took a series of straw votes on the details of a proposed "commercial-residential" zone that would encourage mixed-use projects while also reducing parking, allowing taller buildings and, in some instances, limiting required green space."

And, she reports, Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson stated that this new zone would produce "a really great environment."  Apparently others were not so sure, as the Council staff actually recommended against the zone, as did the Montgomery County Civic Federation; and former Planning Board member Pat Baptiste, who stated, "It is structured so that there is no interest in what the local community wants."

As for the speedy review of the White Flint Sector Plan, which will be reviewed next week as well, wow, it went by so fast your reporter can barely remember what happened. What a blur!  Staff reviewed all the developer properties and sped by the transportation issues.  Not to worry, though, we have assurances that the 50% mode share will be no problem.  Then within the hour the full council adjourned to discuss the financing mechanisms, at the PHED worksession.  Perfect timing, too, as April 15 is almost here!  Financing will be on the table for awhile, we hear.

And as for staging, that is tomorrow, February 24, read the staff report here.

Tuesday Feb 23rd at the Council: WF Sector Plan Worksession and CR Zone Vote

According to the latest Council agenda, the full Council plans to hold a work session at 9:30am this Tuesday morning to discuss the White Flint Sector Plan. That same morning the Planning Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) committee will have their work session on Financing with another PHED work session the next day February 24th, on Staging.  Read the staff report here.


And, that same afternoon of Tuesday, February 23rd, at 2pm, the Council will hold a closed session to discuss the legality of the proposed Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone. And...the vote on said CR Zone will take place just a few minutes later, at 2:30pm.  Read the staff report on the CR Zone here.

Be there folks to watch your county council discuss these issues which will impact your quality of life in the coming decades. The Montgomery County Civic Federation has sent a letter to the Council stating they have ‘grave doubts’ about the CR Zone.

And, according to a memo signed by former Planning Board members Pat Baptiste and Meredith Wellington,

“…the Legislative Attorney told the members of the PHED Committee that, as presently drafted, he could not recommend the CR zone to the full Council.”

Time to Speak Up on Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone

We received the following from Meredith Wellington, a former Montgomery County (MD) Planning Board member.  She asks that you contact the County Council by this Monday, February 22, and tell them to reject this zone.  To send an email to Nancy Floreen, click here.  To send an email to the whole council, click here.

Dear Friends,

It is time to speak up again about the CR zone. The Full Council took it up yesterday, and is supposed to have its final vote next Tuesday, February 23rd in the afternoon. In a three and a half hour work session, it became clear that the CR zone is inferior to existing zones, and that it carries with it a serious set of problems, as explained in the attached memo. We ask that you send an email to Nancy Floreen, Council President (Councilmember.Floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov)--it should arrive no later than COB on Monday, February 22-- that includes some of the following ideas:

The CR zone should be rejected because it is untimely, untested, legally deficient, overly complex, and contrary to Montgomery County’s tradition of public participation. Further, it is a “one size fits all” zone when, in fact, one size does not fit all in communities as different as White Flint, Kensington, and Takoma/Langley. The imposition of the zone throughout the entire County will result in fewer significant public benefits throughout, and, in certain parts of the County, little, if any, benefits at all. Please reject this zone, and look to existing zones, like the TMX, that do not have the problems currently found in the CR zone.

Please feel free to forward this to other civic organizations.

Thanks very much,

Meredith Wellington

CR Zone and Staging

I spent from 9:30 until 1:10 today at the Council worksession on the CR zone and I really think they got nowhere. Councilmember Berliner is introducing an amendment on the Density Transfer which was my major concern. They will be meeting again next week in Executive session to discuss the legality issues with the zone, and then to discuss the zone and to vote on it. But nothing was decided today with lots of vague conversations about incentive densities and how do we know which incentive will be implemented. There was also a lot of discussion about whether or not they should use the TMX zone instead as the Zoning Rewrite Committee is still producing a report which will have many changes for the CR zone, or possibly use a unique CR zone for White Flint only.

This afternoon was the PHED Committee and they discussed staging, but didn't really agree to anything, except they seemed to agree on dropping Phase 4. The staff was pushing for mode share requirements for staging criteria rather than specific projects, even though some specific projects seemed to be okay if they were for "placemaking". Councilmember Floreen seemed to favor specific projects. Maybe they all agreed on the 2nd Metro entrance during Phase 2.

After the PHED Committee worksession, during conversation, it was suggested that they take the optional incentive densities from the CR zone (like green roofs) and put them in the White Flint Plan so we know they have a chance of being implemented.

Next week at the PHED Committee is financing followed by staging and supposedly the Plan also goes to the Council for discussion next week and the following week. Then we're done.

Some time ago I suggested that the process needed more time. I still feel that way if they are going to get a quality project.

Natalie

Staging: Staff Report is Out

The Staff report on Staging is out, and you can read it here. The PHED work session is February 16, at 1:30 in the 7th Floor Conference Room, at the Montgomery County Council (Maryland) Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville.

PHED Committee Work Sessions in February – Staging and Financing

The next two work sessions of the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee (PHED) on the White Flint Sector Master Plan are scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th, on Staging, at 1:30 in the 7th Floor of the County Council Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville; and Tuesday, February 23rd on Financing at 11:30AM, in the 3rd FL Conference Room of the County Council Building. The February 23rd work session appears to be a joint session with the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee. That committee is headed by Duchy Trachtenberg (D-at large), and other members are Valerie Ervin (D-District 5) and Nancy Navarro (D-District 4).

Staff reports are not out yet but will be on this blog, so stay tuned!

Development - Coordination, Oversight Bill 1-10

Today I testified for the WFCC at the Montgomery County Council on Bill 1-10, Development-Coordination, Oversight. The WFCC supports the bill believing that an objective coordinator could provide the monitoring of mode share for White Flint as well as for the other Sector Plans for which White Flint makes assumptions, plus financial monitoring, plus provide for regular reporting to the Council. We recommend funding this position as part of the financial plan for the White Flint Sector Plan. Major suggested change is to allow residents in nearby communties to use this position as a primary point of contact.

Snow Emergency Information: All the News that Fits

The Coalition is passing on this information from Montgomery County Government

* If there is an emergency, County residents should call 911. The Police non-emergency number is 301-279-8000. Please do not call 911 with snow plowing questions, as that delays responses to emergency calls.


* Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Montgomery to have emergency alerts, notifications and updates sent to a cell phone, e-mail address, PDA, Twitter or Facebook.

* Stay safe. Stay off the roads if at all possible. Also, be careful of not to overexert yourself when shoveling.

* To report snow removal problems, downed trees, social service needs or other storm-related issues, call 240-777-6000.

* To report "hot" wires or sparking wires, especially those across roadways, call 911.

* For power outages, call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662, Allegheny Power at 1-800-255-3443 or Baltimore Gas and Electric at 1-877-778-2222.

* Clear snow away from fire hydrants if you are able. If not, mark them with some sort of flag (even a broomstick will do).

* The shelter at Richard Montgomery High School, 2500 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville, remains open. Transport to the center is being handled by County volunteers with four-wheel drive vehicles and by Maryland National Guard Members. Two more shelters have opened at the Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Center in Silver Spring and Seneca Valley High School in Germantown.

* If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle and would like to volunteer, call 240-777-2600.

* Montgomery County's Fire and Rescue Service urges residents without power to be aware that using gas or charcoal grills, propane heaters and stoves, kerosene space heaters or generators indoors can be fatal. They are a source of carbon monoxide, which can build up indoors and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

* Montgomery County government's cable television channel-County Cable Montgomery, which can be viewed on Channel 6 on the Comcast and RCN cable systems and Channel 30 on Verizon-is continuing to feature live coverage of road conditions at all major traffic intersections.

* Suspension of enforcement of parking restrictions in all public parking garages and lots will continue through Thursday.

* You can find information on County plowing policies and procedures on the County Web site .

* For a street that may have been missed by County plows, report it via the County Web site .

* For County Council weather-related schedule changes, call 240-777-7900.

* Within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm, all residential and commercial property owners are required by county law to clear their sidewalks. Residents are encouraged to help elderly or ill neighbors with this task. Snow shoveling services for a fee are listed through a web search ("snow removal services, Montgomery County, Maryland") or through the yellow pages ("landscaping and maintenance services"). Casa de Maryland, a non-profit organization, may also be able to provide fee-based services, and can be reached at 301-431-4177 or 301-431-4185.

* Montgomery County Police report that as some roads become more passable, drivers are increasing their speed. However, motorists are advised that they may encounter varying conditions on the same stretch of road, as plowing operations continue.

* If a County plow has damaged your mailbox, the County will install a standard post and mailbox at your residence as soon as all snow plowing is completed. Call 240-777-6000 to file a report. If you have a non-standard mailbox, call the County's Risk Management Division at 240-777-8920. In the meantime, a temporary mailbox will be installed.

* Montgomery County Public Library customers are asked not to return library materials until libraries reopen and are asked not to leave materials outside the library buildings. Materials due Feb. 5 through Feb. 10 will have their due dates extended one week. No fines will be charged for the period from Friday, Feb. 5, through Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services

*** February 9, 2010 - Collection and Facility Status Update ***

Montgomery County-provided residential garbage, recycling and yard trim collection services are cancelled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday February 10 - 12. The normal collection schedule will resume on Monday, February 15.

The Transfer Station will be closed on Wednesday, February 10. Weather and road conditions may cause these schedules to be altered. Any changes will be posted on our web site: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov .

We thank you for your patience and understanding during these extreme weather conditions.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410. If you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

The direct link for the Division of Solid Waste Services is: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/solidwaste

Show us the Data

Miranda Spivack has an interesting article in today’s Washington Post. While the focus is on the enormous Gaithersburg West Master Plan being pushed by Johns Hopkins, there are some nuggets in the article that clearly show the thinking of this Planning Board and Planning Department. The Hopkins Science City could create 23,000 new jobs, according to those favoring the plan. Here in the White Flint Sector, the magic number is 20,000 new jobs. At least at the "Science City" we know where the jobs will come from. Here in White Flint we just have the magic number. And, not a peep from the representatives of those on the East side of the County, Nancy Navarro and Valerie Ervin, asking, why 20,000 new jobs on the west side of the County? Why not any job creation on the East side of the County?

And here’s another nugget. When looking at real numbers and data, Planning Department Director Rollin Stanley is quoted as saying, “Don’t even look at them.” Where have we heard that before? Ignore the data, ignore the numbers. In fact, don’t even provide data. That’s where we are with the White Flint Sector Plan. Where are the data to support the huge mode share percentages promised?  Not even the council staff believes the promises. We already have people living within ¼ and ½ mile of the White Flint Metro station. So, how do those people get to work? Do they bike? Do they walk? Take the metro? Show us the data. Show us some evidence that this plan will work.

Staging: The WFCC Response

The next work session of the Montgomery County Council (MD) Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee is now scheduled for Wednesday, February 10 at 2 PM and the subject is Staging. This is a huge issue for the success of the plan. When should the redevelopment of the Rockville Pike take place? How about the construction of the new, full-service library?  Will there be enough public transit for the enormous number of people? When will additional public transit required be implemented, if the plan is to work? What exactly is ‘Stage 4?’

The staff report is available here. Take a look… The White Flint Community Coalition presents its response to the staff report here.

Tell the Council the plan must be in balance. 

Email the council at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov