Planning Commission recommends Rockville accept annexation plan for Silverwood/CarMax site

A plot of land in Derwood housing a CarMax dealership is on its way to being incorporated into the City of Rockville. The 4.032 acre site at 15931 Frederick Road is across an access road from the new Bainbridge Shady Grove apartment development, which was already annexed into Rockville from Montgomery County.

Known previously as Silverwood, the site would be the future home of a 425-unit apartment building, with 500 structured parking spaces. No retail or office components have been proposed, despite the potential Mixed-Use Transit District (MXTD) zoning the site would likely be granted, once incorporated into the city.

That lack of mixed uses did not sit well with some on the Rockville Planning Commission last night. Several commissioners expressed concern that, while the site is indeed proximate to the Shady Grove Metro station, it is otherwise isolated along a busy state highway. A lack of complimentary, walkable retail and restaurant development nearby would likely put residents into their cars to drive elsewhere. Commissioner Jack Leiderman said the isolated nature of the site "sort of robs the rationale for higher density." The site is two blocks from the King Farm Village Center shopping center, along King Farm Boulevard.

Ultimately, Commissioner David Hill made a motion to recommend the Mayor and Council accept the applicant's annexation plan, with a notation of concerns and possible conditions.

Hill suggested the city examine the fiscal impact of the project, investigate environmental concerns regarding the site (including monitoring wells), and consider pedestrian safety, by reserving part of the site's public use space for a pedestrian bridge.

He also recommended the Mayor and Council consider the following potential conditions, based upon last night's discussion by the commission:

1. Capping the building's height at 7 stories. A representative of the applicant said last night that such a cap would be acceptable.

2. Requiring retail space. The applicant says its advisors did not find a viable market for retail space in their review of the site, and that such a requirement would reduce the profit margin for the developer.

A third condition, proposed by Chair Don Hadley regarding the question of whether or not MXTD was the appropriate zoning for the site, was rejected as a friendly amendment by Hill.

Commissioner John Tyner seconded Hill's motion.

Following discussion, the commission voted 4-3 to recommend the Mayor and Council accept the annexation plan. Hill, Tyner, and Commissioners Anne Goodman and Gail Sherman voted in favor; Hadley and Commissioners Leiderman and Charles Littlefield were opposed.

A public hearing on the annexation before the Mayor and Council is expected to take place on November 16, 2015.

Commissioners also voted 5-1-1 to give 300 N. Washington Street's 35% parking waiver request a deferral until the September 30 meeting, with Leiderman dissenting and Littlefield abstaining.

Prepare for an Xtreme Halloween in Rockville (Photos)

If there weren't any ghosts lurking in the shadows at the former Pier 1 Imports space at 1590 Rockville Pike, there are now. Xtreme Halloween is getting ready to open their pop-up Halloween costume, accessory and decoration store there. The store was still getting unpacked in the 11,345 SF space when I stopped by, but expect the scares to begin soon.

Rockville 2040 public listening session in King Farm tonight

The Rockville 2040 listening sessions being held citywide continue tonight in King Farm. Residents, and business and property owners, are invited to the King Farm Clubhouse tonight at 7 PM, at 300 Saddle Ridge Circle.

These sessions are one source of public input on the Rockville Planning Commission's major task of updating the city's Master Plan. Commissioners and city planning staff want to know what you think Rockville should look like in the year 2040, both citywide and in your neighborhood.

If you can't attend, you can find more information on the Rockville 2040 website. There will also be future opportunities to address the Planning Commission directly, as the process goes forward.

New banner, liquor license request up at New York Mart in Rockville (Photos)

More signs of the impending opening of Asian grocery store New York Mart in Rockville - literally. A new banner has been tacked up touting "Coming Soon", and the store has applied for its liquor license from Montgomery County. New York Mart will be located in College Plaza, at the intersection of Route 355 and College Parkway.

Tea Dó hiring in Rockville (Photos)

Tea Dó Contemporary Tea House is hiring a cashier and a barista in Rockville. The bubble tea shop and Japanese eatery is located at 838-C Rockville Pike, and replaces the departed Yocake.

Yesterday, the lights appeared to be on inside, and a roof-height ladder was up against the building, suggesting work continues on the conversion of the space. Of course, that same ladder has been there a week or two ago...

New "coming soon" signage at Miso Fusion Café in Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Miso Fusion Café, which has been delayed from its expected summer opening, has added some window screen "coming soon" banners to its future space in Rockville Town Square.

The Korean fusion restaurant is from the owners of the existing Miso in Annandale, and will be located at 33-E Maryland Avenue. Note that the new signage has a modified name for the restaurant - it was previously just "Miso Café".

Veteran DC-area chef to convert Kam Sam Supermarket into high-end restaurant; New York Mart opening soon

Another big addition to Rockville's burgeoning dining scene is on the way. DC-area restaurant veteran Liu Chaosheng has negotiated a lease with the owner of the recently-vacated Kam Sam Supermarket space, and is planning to convert the building into a high-end restaurant. Liu, who has established restaurants in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia over the last 15 years, says this will be a white tablecloth dining room. His other restaurants include the popular Mala Tang, Uncle Liu's Hot Pot, China Jade and Hong Kong Palace.

The former supermarket is located at 300 N. Washington Street. Liu's new venture would be the latest addition to a booming number of Asian restaurants, grocery stores, and shops in that area. Many are calling it the DC region's new Chinatown. The growing concentration of businesses in the vicinity of N. Washington Street likely played a role in the decision to locate there. Liu noted to Eater in 2011 that because one of his restaurants was located right by the Great Wall Supermarket, he didn't have to spend much on advertising to reach the target audience.

On that front, I can also report that New York Mart - a new Asian supermarket in the College Plaza shopping center - is finally and rapidly moving forward. When I stopped by this week, the shelves were not only in place, but lined with new groceries. It appears the opening is imminent, and that is fabulous news for Rockville.