DEMOLITION REQUEST ON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JUNE 19

A demolition request will be among many items on the agenda of the Rockville Historic District Commission on Thursday, June 19. Applicant Ni Linmei is asking for permission to demolish a structure at 215 North Van Buren Street. That appears to be a single-family home between Beale and Dawson Avenues, in Rockville's West End.

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

PLANNING COMMISSION TO VOTE ON ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN JUNE 18

The Rockville Planning Commission will vote next Wednesday on its final recommendation to the Mayor and Council regarding the Rockville Pike Plan. That discussion and vote will take place during the Commission's meeting at 7:30 PM, June 18, in the council chambers at City Hall.

Prior to that, however, the Commission will meet in executive session to obtain legal advice on master plan processes. That 7:00 PM session, in the Diamondback Terrapin Conference Room, will not be open to the public. The 7:30 session, is open to the public, and will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 11.

RESIDENTS/BUSINESSPEOPLE WANTED FOR ROCKVILLE BRT ADVISORY PANELS

Montgomery County will form 2 Rockville Bus Rapid Transit advisory panels later this summer, and if you are a resident or businessperson concerned about the impact of BRT in Rockville, you should get ready to apply. Now.

Currently, there is no funding for construction of the controversial BRT system. But the preliminary Master Plan was rammed through last year by the County Council, and these advisory panels are one of the requirements set forth by that plan.

The potential BRT system would greatly impact traffic in Rockville, as well as the implementation of any Rockville Pike plans passed by the Mayor and Council.

If you have an interest in shaping BRT in Rockville should it go forward, contact Tom Pogue of the county Department of Transportation at 240-777-7170 or tom.pogue@montgomerycountymd.gov.

TACO BELL QUESARITO ARRIVES IN ROCKVILLE - MY REVIEW (VIDEO)

Taco Bell's newest menu item is the limited-time-only Quesarito. Available in beef, chicken and steak variations, the Taco Bell Quesarito includes Latin rice, chipotle sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, and melted cheeses, all wrapped in a grilled quesadilla.

Essentially a burrito wrapped in a quesadilla, the Quesarito is $1.99 at Taco Bell on Rockville Pike.

How does it taste? Watch my review to find out!

PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 23 ON INCREASING ROCKVILLE MAYOR/COUNCIL TERMS TO 4 YEARS

You've had a chance to be heard once at the polls; now you'll have a second chance to speak to the question of whether or not Rockville's mayor and council should serve 2 or 4 year terms. The current 2-year term has provided voters with greater power to hold elected officials accountable swiftly for their actions. Many have suggested that 2-year terms are too short to maintain momentum, and follow through on big initiatives.

53.5% of Rockville voters expressed a preference to adopt 4-year terms during last November's city elections.

Residents can speak at a public hearing during the Monday, June 23 Mayor and Council Meeting, at 7:00 PM, in the Mayor and Council chambers at Rockville City Hall.

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville between June 3 and June 4, according to crime data:

June 3

Theft from vehicle. 400 block Elmcroft Boulevard (King Farm).

Theft. 1 block Maryland Avenue.

Assault. 400 block N. Stonestreet Avenue.

Burglary. 100 block Monroe Street.

Theft from vehicle. Park Avenue at Fleet Street.

Theft. 12800 block Atlantic Avenue.

Sexual assault. 100 block Congressional Lane, 7:44 PM.

June 4

Theft. 200 block Currier Drive.

Theft. 500 block Hungerford Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 200 block Derwood Circle.

Assault. 200 block N. Stonestreet Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 100 block Maryland Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 1000 block Grandin Avenue.

Theft. 800 block Rockville Pike.

THE UPTON/CAMBRIA SUITES ROCKVILLE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The Upton luxury apartments and Cambria Suites hotel have substantially risen skyward since my last update. Here are the latest photos from the construction site at East Middle Lane, in Rockville Town Center. Some of the first glass has been installed on the lower floors (click on photos to enlarge for greater detail):