Rockville construction update: The Habit Burger Grill (Photos)

Burger lovers who follow nationwide hamburger headlines have to be excited about the future opening of The Habit Burger Grill at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville. In regions that already have locations of the expanding chain, their burgers are attaining Five Guys-level hype.

This is where Ted's 355 Diner used to be on the property. All that's missing is a drive-thru.

Signs pop up all over Rockville Town Center (Photos)

Signs have been installed at three soon-to-open businesses in Rockville Town Center: Old Line Bank and Panera Bread in the Cambria Hotel and Suites/Upton apartment building, and a new additional sign above Mellow Mushroom in Rockville Town Square.

Music was blaring from speakers outside Mellow Mushroom yesterday afternoon, but the window coverings remain on.

Giammo seeks answers on Carver controversy from Rockville city attorney

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton brought a request from former Rockville mayor Larry Giammo to the floor during Old/New Business at last night's Mayor and Council meeting. Giammo is requesting that the City Attorney give definitive answers to two legal questions regarding Montgomery County's plan to use the historic Carver Educational Center as a bus depot.

The questions regard which legislative body has jurisdiction in this case (several at the meeting said they believe the Montgomery County Council is that body), and a clarification on the Rockville Historic District Commission's legal role and authority in reviewing the County's request.

Newton asked City Attorney Debra Yerg Daniel to respond to Giammo's request. Councilmember Mark Pierzchala initially objected to Newton unilaterally making the request, saying such a direction to City staff could only come from the body as a whole. He ultimately made a motion to direct the City Attorney to respond to Giammo's request, which passed unanimously.

Pierzchala also requested that the Carver Coalition citizen group that opposes the depot be able to get its many legal questions answered definitively, as well.

Knock First lingerie and adult toy store coming to Rockville (Photos)

Knock First, a lingerie and adult toy boutique, is coming to the Ritchie Center. The shop will also carry "novelties...and fine art!!!" according to the sign in the window. Ritchie Center is located on Rockville Pike at Wootton Parkway.

Shh.... 

Samovar is hiring at Rockville Town Square

I can't wait for the first Russian restaurant to open in Montgomery County. Samovar at Rockville Town Square is now hiring. The interior remains top secret, as the window coverings have been replaced with drawn curtains. How many days until a beef stroganoff or borscht will be on my plate?

Rockville Planning Commission discusses community facility trends report

Red marks Rockville homes not currently
within 1/4-mile walking distance of a park

A new study of current community facility trends in Rockville was presented to the Planning Commission last night. Community facilities include everything from parks to hospitals to educational institutions. The report forecasts a need to hire 166 new City employees by 2040, notes there is little if any land left for new parks, and warns of shortcomings in the water and sewer system.

Issues such as the latter concerned some commissioners, as they consider public facilities in the context of a citywide Master Plan rewrite currently underway. The Executive Summary of the report cites the Martin O'Malley administration's controversial "12 Visions" for planning statewide. In regards to infrastructure, Vision 5 states, "Growth areas have the water resources and infrastructure to accommodate population and business expansion in an orderly, efficient, and environmentally sustainable manner."

Citing sewer and water deficiencies, school overcrowding and road capacity, Commissioner Don Hadley suggested the City may need to temper growth expectations unless those deficiencies are addressed. "There's a lot of stuff that doesn't add up here," he said. Hadley advised that those who are tasked with making these decisions need to "get out of our dream machines and into reality," before planning any significant expansion.

Commission chair Charles Littlefield noted that "there is a difference between sustainability, and sustainable growth."

The report refers to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' prediction that Rockville's population will increase from its current 65,937 people to 87,000 by 2040. Such growth, however, requires that the City allow construction of however many new housing units would be required to house those 22,937 people. Controversial local figures like former Montgomery County Planning Director Rollin Stanley have told us, "They're coming," and there isn't anything we can do about it. Not true.

In fact, they'll only come if the housing is built. That is where the decisions need to be made, in the context of infrastructure such as the commissioners referred to last night.

The report should be useful tool in that regard. It provides a good overview of City, Montgomery County, and private facilities, and discusses whether they are adequate today - and if they will be so by 2040.

Map courtesy City of Rockville

Sign installed at Mellow Mushroom in Rockville (Photos)

Workers were installing the sign at the soon-to-open Mellow Mushroom in Rockville Town Square yesterday when I stopped by at lunchtime. Each letter was being hammered into place. Unfortunately, the interior is still under wraps. Stay tuned for an opening date.