White Flint Sector Plan: The Resolution

Hot off the presses, here is the resolution for the White Flint Sector Plan.  Ahd let's take a look at Page 20:

"Amend the Growth Policy to expand the White Flint Metro Station Policy Area (MSP A) to encompass the Sector Plan boundary, and to exempt development within White Flint from the Policy Area Mobility Review (PAMR) test. The traffic from existing and approved development in the White Flint MSP A would still be counted in the PATR of all other Policy Areas, including North Bethesda."
Paula B.

White Flint Sector Plan Resolution Mar19 2010

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.”

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 Meetings scheduled

Here are the dates for the next Planning Housing and Economic Development aka the 'PHED' committee meetings on the White Flint Sector Plan.  The meetings are at the County Council office building in Rockville.  Some of the meetings are being televised on the county cable network.

Dec 10:


9:30AM (1) • White Flint Sector Plan - transportation (Orlin) 7th FL

2:00 PM (2) • White Flint Sector Plan - land use issues (Michaelson)  7th FL
To be televised live on County Cable Montgomery
 
 
Jan 19:
 
2:00 PM - 3CHR White Flint Sector Plan -- no topic has been announced for this date; Council Staff Marlene Michaelson has been identified as the person writing the staff report and recommendations.

Next PHED Session - Land Use Issues, December 7, 2PM, 7th FL Council Building

Be there or be square! The next PHED Session will focus on Land Use Issues.  That means density.  The staff report is broken out in sections according to development properties.  From what I can read there is no attention to existing surrounding neighborhoods that will be heavily impacted by these discussions and decisions.

The staff report was prepared by Marlene Michaelson, Senior Legislative Analyst, and is available online, here.  This session will be televised.  Please send letters to the council and comment on this staff report.  I was surprised to see that after two years of working on this plan and dozens of hours of meetings, testimony, and letters from residential property owners, the only 'testimony' addressed in the staff report was from the developers, with one exception, Natalie Goldberg, a property owner in the White Flint Garrett Park Estates neighborhood.

Is this really how the Montgomery County, Maryland government works? Your choice, these are the people you voted for.  If you are a residential property owner with concerns, write and email the council; call them at 240-777-7900.

Here is the email address:

county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov

Here are the emails for the PHED Committee Members:
councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov
councilmember.knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov
councilmember.Elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov