Thursday, July 31, 2014

NEW BURGER KING COULD BE IN THE WORKS FOR ROCKVILLE!

A large local Burger King franchisee is seeking to build a new, drive-thru location at the Red Roof Inn on Shady Grove Road. To allow this to happen, Potomac Foods Group must first obtain a zoning text amendment from the Rockville Planning Commission, to permit construction of a restaurant with drive-thru facilities on a hotel property in the MXE zone. Phew! And they said zoning was going to be simpler... The zoning change would alter the current language that forbids drive-thru restaurants in MXE zones, making it a "conditional" permitted use hereafter.

If successful, the ZTA would permit other hotels in MXE zones throughout Rockville with a minimum of 200 feet of a major highway along an existing hotel's property frontage, and which has frontage onto a major arterial road at its front line. In addition to the Red Roof Inn, this might also extend to the Crowne Plaza, the Sleep Inn at Shady Grove, Courtyard by Marriott, Quality Suites, and the Best Western. All of these are near the I-270 corridor in Rockville.

I think this should be permitted to go forward for several reasons. First, the use in this case is entirely consistent with the general commercial nature of Shady Grove Road. And those existing properties are designed with automobile access in mind. Second, a drive-thru Burger King has already been in operation there on the other side of the road. Third, it provides a convenient amenity for the Red Roof Inn. Fourth, the location is right off of I-270, which will bring travelers into Rockville, where they might see other businesses and spend further money in the city. It could also be pointed out that this location would not require a U-turn for those exiting 270 to reach. Fifth, despite the best efforts of county politicians to drive fast food restaurants out of the county, drive-thru fast food establishments remain highly appropriate for suburban and exurban areas (and even in urban areas).

Should it be built, I know I'll be a customer there.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

ROCKVILLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY

The Rockville Development Review Committee will meet Thursday, July 31, at 9:00 AM, in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall. If you have any questions, call 240-314-8228.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

ALL YOU CAN EAT WINGS TODAY AT HOOTERS OF ROCKVILLE

Today is National Wing Day. To celebrate, Hooters of Rockville is offering all-you-can-eat chicken wings for $12.99. You can choose traditional, or boneless. This offer is good only for dine-in customers, not carry-out.

Hooters of Rockville
1584 Rockville Pike

Monday, July 28, 2014

KING FARM AUTO BREAK-INS - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

At least four vehicles in King Farm were broken into on Friday, according to crime data. If you live in King Farm, make sure your car is locked, and all valuables removed from the cabin. Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to Rockville or Montgomery County Police immediately.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on July 25:

Vehicle burglary. Ivy League Lane at Martins Square Lane.

Burglary. 200 block Martins Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 200 block Marsh Hollow Place (King Farm).

Vehicle burglary. 600 block Grand Champion Drive (King Farm).

Vehicle burglary. 500 block Lawson Way (King Farm).

Vehicle burglary. 200 block King Farm Boulevard (King Farm).

Friday, July 25, 2014

COURT ORDERS I-270 SOUND BARRIER PROJECT TO STOP AT WOODLEY GARDENS SHOPPING CENTER

I-270 is located behind this
barrier at the
Woodley Gardens Shopping
Center in Rockville
A Montgomery County judge ordered the Maryland State Highway Administration to terminate a planned sound barrier project along I-270 in Rockville last week.

The Daily Record reports that the judge determined the state violated the property rights of the Woodley Gardens Shopping Center on Nelson Street. Soil sampling and jackhammering of asphalt on shopping center property were determined as not permissible under Maryland's eminent domain law.

Daily Record reporter Danny Jacobs writes that the SHA has not yet determined if it will appeal the ruling. Now imagine what might happen should the county and state decide to widen 270!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

TOWN CENTER PHASE II DEVELOPER GETS PARKING WAIVER ON 2ND TRY

The Rockville Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a parking waiver to Hungerford Retail, LLC at last night's meeting. While virtually every future transit-oriented project in the city will likely meet the basic criteria for a parking waiver, the issuing of one is at the discretion of the commission. The planning body reached a consensus around the suggestions of commissioners Charles Littlefield and Jack Leiderman. Littlefield argued that the impact of the future Dawson Avenue extension was detrimental to the JBG Companies' project at 275 N. Washington Street, and reduced their available space for parking. It should be noted that future Town Center road extensions will also impact the Walgreens and an Asian grocery store's property and parking, as well.

JBG was credited by commission chair Don Hadley for its efforts to work with the adjoining property owners, and the West End Citizen's Association, to revise its initially-disastrous waiver presentation. Susan Prince spoke on behalf of WECA, and expressed concern at the downsizing of the planned restaurant space in the development. Prince said the neighborhood would prefer that JBG be required to contract with its neighbor, to provide additional parking in its monthly garage.

Ultimately, the commission declined to stipulate such a contract, which Sam Stiebel of JBG said would put the developer in a poor negotiating position, were it required to make a deal. It deemed sufficient, with some reservations, a deal JBG reached with Town Center II neighbor Shelter Development, that will provide 18 attended spaces in its future Brightview residential project for 275 N. Washington Street customers. A below-grade garage will hold 45 spaces, in addition to some surface parking. In addition, a valet service must begin immediately, rather than the original proposed delay.

The eventual agreement was briefly threatened when Commissioner John Tyner made a motion to grant the waiver, as he preferred to include the findings of the basic waiver criteria in the language. Leiderman and Littlefield said they could not support such a motion. After Leiderman advised Tyner to present a motion a majority could agree upon, Tyner relented. Littlefield seconded Tyner's motion.

There was still a matter of JBG's ability to be released from the parking agreement, should it be able to show there was indeed a surplus of parking available on two occasions, between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. A friendly amendment by Leiderman restored the criteria to the original number of 5 study times.

Overall, several commissioners expressed the feeling that the desire for development in Town Center Phase II - as well as JBG's good-faith efforts in revising their proposal - outweighed their remaining concerns that parking will be a problem there in the future.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

ROCKVILLE NAMED 8TH SNOBBIEST SMALL CITY IN AMERICA

Rockville, snobbish? Hard to believe. But Rockville has now been named the 8th "Snobbiest Small City in America," tied with Encinitas, CA. The list, created by the Movoto blog, claims to represent a serious study of data on small towns across America.

Criteria for earning a high place on the list included median home price, median household income, percent of population with a college degree, private schools-per-capita, performing arts-per-capita, art galleries-per-capita, and the number of fast food restaurants.

The only snobbish attitude I've encountered in decades in Rockville, is coming from outsiders who want to urbanize the small-town atmosphere that exists in it today. People who believe that state highways are not designed to move commuters, but are places well-suited to dining on croissants and cappuccinos.

To suggest the presence of the arts equals snobbery makes little sense, when you consider that the arts often flourish in areas less wealthy than Rockville. H Street?

"Fast food restaurants per capita (the more the better[)]?" Either Movoto needs to hire a copy editor, or this was off-base. Ordinarily, fast food restaurants are not considered snobbish. Rockville could actually use more fast food restaurants, in my opinion. Starting with restoring one to the now-vacant Chicken Out in College Plaza, which used to be an A&W Restaurant.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

" HORSEWHIPPED " APPLICANT RETURNS TO ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION TO SEEK PARKING REDUCTION

A car wash, senior housing and a controversial parking reduction request for Rockville Town Center Phase II are among the items on the agenda at Wednesday night's meeting of the Rockville Planning Commission.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is seeking permission to construct a car wash behind its current facility.

A 7-story multifamily building for seniors and the disabled is proposed by Shelter Development, LLC. The developer is asking for several waivers - to allow the rooftop deck to extend beyond the wall of the building, to add 2 above-ground electrical transformers, and an exemption from the city's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for school requirements. That latter request is due to the planned demographics of the residents. However, projects built as "senior housing" have been known to later shift to being all-ages apartments.

Item #2, the parking reduction request by Hungerford Retail II, LLC, could prove the most interesting of the meeting. The town center project's waiver request imploded during its initial presentation to commissioners this spring, and left the applicant subject to what the body's chairman later described as a "horsewhipping."

The meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, and will be broadcast live on Channel 11.

Monday, July 21, 2014

COSI, PHO & ROLLS CLOSE IN ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE (PHOTOS)

Rockville Town Square could have been renamed Shutter Island in recent days. Two restaurants have shuttered for good - the ubiquitous Cosi, and the trendy Pho & Rolls. The closure of Cosi is perhaps the more shocking of the two. After all, how often do you see a Starbucks, Panera Bread, or Chipotle close? Although Cosi resided in a quieter, out-of-the-way spot in the town center, the closure does raise questions about whether any other locations of the chain might be under financial pressure to close.
Pho & Rolls

Interior of Pho & Rolls

Pho & Rolls

Cosi

Cosi gets the classy paper
window treatment

DOUGH ROLLER OPENS IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS AND VIDEO)

The much-anticipated Dough Roller in King Farm Village Center opened on Saturday. A first step in the Ocean City, MD-favorite's expansion into the DC area, the Rockville location is currently the only Dough Roller outside of the Maryland resort town. This is arguably one of the biggest restaurant openings in the region this year, given the following Dough Roller has among Ocean City vacationers.


Although the restaurant is open, some finishing touches will be added in the coming weeks, according to a Dough Roller spokesperson. One example is a new exterior sign that is directed toward pedestrians passing outside the store. A sign holder appears to be in place to the left of the main sign, for a third sign installation. A lot of work has been done on the gleaming interior since I came past a week ago.




The menu for the Rockville Dough Roller features breakfast (starting at 7:30 AM), burgers, a hot dog, sandwiches, salads, chicken wings and fingers, crab bites, and - of course - their famous pizza and all-day pancakes. I like that their crab cake is made with 100% blue crab.

What from the OC menus doesn't show up here? Dayton's Chicken (which is only available at one of the OC locations, anyway); the Dough Roller Supreme, Meat Explosion and Pepperoni Obsessed pizzas; Italian and Seafood Dinner platters; and funnel cake fries. But many favorites did make the leap across the Bay, including the Crab Burger. And at least a couple of items that seem to be exclusive to Rockville. Having said all that, the menu changes with the time of day (for example, the breakfast items were not on display in these photos), and additional items may be added over time.  Click menu photos to enlarge for detail:

I stopped by the new Rockville location to pick up a cheese pizza, and here is my review.



Friday, July 18, 2014

HERR'S SLOPPY JOE POTATO CHIP REVIEW (VIDEO)

One of the great American dinner solutions for decades has been the Sloppy Joe. Some say it was invented in Iowa in the 1930s, but many of us tend to think of the Manwich of the 1970s-present.

"What's a Manwich?"

Of course, now Manwich-type products exist that don't even require you to add your own ground beef - it's already in there. Now Herr's of Pennsylvania brings us a Sloppy Joe potato chip. As a major Sloppy Joe/Manwich fan, I'm skeptical it can be done. Particularly given the fact that I don't see either beef or green pepper on the ingredient list.

Let's go ahead and test it out. Will it be just the equivalent of a sandwich, or a Manwich? Watch my review and find out.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

PUBLIC RECORD NOW OPEN FOR ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN FINAL DRAFT

The public record is now officially open for written comment on the final draft Rockville Pike Plan, the master plan that will guide future development along MD 355 within the city of Rockville. Rockville's Mayor and Council will be briefed on the draft plan at their July 21 meeting.

A public hearing will be held after Labor Day. You can start reading the plan draft here.

To submit written comments, email cityclerk@rockvillemd.gov, or mail them to: City Clerk’s Office, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVE 4 YEAR TERMS FOR CITY ELECTED OFFICES

Rockville's Mayor and Council ended years of debate over whether 2 year terms were too short to accomplish the people's business Monday night, voting 3-2 to extend them to 4 years. Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and Councilmembers Beryl L. Feinberg and Virginia D. Onley voted for the longer terms, but the change was opposed by Councilmembers Tom Moore and Julie Palakovich Carr. The new terms take effect in the 2015 city election. A 54% majority of voters approved of the idea in a 2013 city ballot question.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

SIGN INSTALLED AT FUTURE ROCKVILLE DOUGH ROLLER! (PHOTOS)

Construction continues inside the future Dough Roller restaurant, in the King Farm Village Center in Rockville. The popular Ocean City, MD-based pizza and pancake chain's first DC-area location now has its permanent sign installed. It looks like there is still some more work to do on the interior, however. But this has to be one of the most-anticipated restaurant openings in the region for 2014.

The sign was actually lit last night, but the circular part with the Dough Roller character would only occasionally light up for a millisecond.

Monday, July 14, 2014

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on July 11, according to crime data:

Theft. 800 block Rockville Pike.

Drug arrest. Falls Road Park vicinity.

Theft. 300 block Crabb Avenue.

Drug arrest. Unit block of N. Washington Street.

Theft from vehicle. 800 block College Parkway.

Theft. 400 block Redland Boulevard.

Theft. Safeway, 403 Redland Boulevard.

Vehicle burglary. 15900 block Frederick Road.

Friday, July 11, 2014

2 PROPOSED HOME DEMOLITIONS ON AGENDA FOR ROCKVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

Two small, single-family homes will be considered for demolition at the July 17 meeting of the Rockville Historic District Commission. One is at 209 Elizabeth Avenue in Lincoln Park, and the other is in the West End, at 112 North Street.

Also on the agenda, are approval for tax credit applications for two historic properties.

The meeting will be in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, and will begin at 7:30 PM.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION GRANTS DEFERRAL FOR CONGRESSIONAL PLAZA APTS. PROPOSAL

Developer Federal Realty requested a deferral for its Crest II apartments site plan, after the matter was discussed by the Rockville Planning Commission last night. Commissioner David Hill moved to allow the deferral to the commission's first August meeting; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Jack Leiderman, and approved 6-0 by the commission.

The plan was originally scheduled to be presented for approval at last night's meeting.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

NEW CONGRESSIONAL PLAZA APARTMENTS ON ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA TONIGHT

A Federal Realty proposal to construct an apartment building at E. Jefferson Street and Halpine Road, by Congressional Plaza, is the main item on the agenda at tonight's meeting of the Rockville Planning Commission. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, and will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 11.

The 5-story, stick-built project will hold 49 apartments, and an at-grade parking facility for 26 vehicles. Overflow parking is planned to be accommodated on the existing surface lot adjacent to the building.

Because the development does not meet or exceed 50% of the site's development, the project is exempt from updated stormwater, forestry, art and public space requirements. Federal Realty also proposes to correct a flawed loading dock ingress on Halpine Road during the project, making it easier for tractor-trailers to maneuver when making deliveries.

Any children in the development enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools will attend Farmland Elementary School, Tilden Middle School, and Walter Johnson High School.

It appears the project will be called Crest II, a nod to The Crest, an existing residential building at Congressional Plaza.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

BAINBRIDGE SHADY GROVE APARTMENTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Work continues on the Bainbridge Shady Grove apartments, currently scheduled to open in 2015 in Rockville. Located on MD 355 near King Farm Boulevard, the Bainbridge Shady Grove will feature a cardio and fitness theater, a game room, "South Beach-style" pool with tanning deck and cabanas, and a cyber cafe.








Monday, July 7, 2014

HOSTESS BLUE RASPERRY CREME TWINKIES REVIEW (VIDEO)

Hostess has created 3 new Twinkies flavors for Summer 2014: Blue Raspberry Creme, Strawberry Creme, and Chocolate Creme. I like almost any food or drink in the color blue, so I decided to try the Blue Raspberry variety first.

How do they taste? How do they compare to the "new" classic Twinkie? Watch my review to find out! Plus, we get the latest on our expert's suddenly-burgeoning Hollywood career, which has taken another strange turn.

Friday, July 4, 2014

ROCKVILLE ROY ROGERS DELAYED UNTIL FALL

Another disappointment for Roy Rogers fans in Rockville - the return of Roy's to Rockville Pike has been postponed again. A spokesperson said Thursday that permitting issues are holding up the new restaurant. The future Roy Rogers will be on the former Century Ford dealership site, across from Marlo Furniture on the Pike. It is now scheduled to open sometime in September or October.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

WENDY'S STEAKHOUSE JR. CHEESEBURGER REVIEW (VIDEO)

Wendy's Steakhouse Jr. Cheeseburger has arrived in Rockville, at the Wendy's located on the Pike at First Street. Before you start thinking about a 1/3 pound Wagyu beef patty, that's not the kind of Steakhouse Wendy's is talking about. This is the standard Dave's Hot and Juicy 100% junior beef patty, with Steakhouse seasoning added.

A garlic aioli finishes the steakhouse theme, along with other standard toppings: lettuce, tomato, red onion, and American cheese.

Does the Steakhouse Jr. Cheeseburger live up to the steakhouse hype? Watch my video for the full report!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

THE UPTON/CAMBRIA SUITES HOTEL ROCKVILLE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here is the latest progress at the construction site of the future Upton apartments and Cambria Suites hotel, in Rockville Town Center along E. Middle Lane. Remember, a second tower will be built later on the remaining portion of the public parking lot in front of the Regal Rockville. A second new hotel, Even Hotel, is opening further down Rockville Pike.






Tuesday, July 1, 2014

USA VS. BELGIUM WORLD CUP MATCH IN ROCKVILLE AT AMERICAN TAP ROOM

American Tap Room will be offering its special World Cup Menu today, during the USA vs. Belgium game at 4:00 PM. The restaurant/bar is located in Rockville Town Square. Click the menu to enlarge for detail.