ROCKVILLE RESIDENTS TELL PLANNING COMMISSION: CURRENT BIKEWAY PLAN WOULD BE "DISASTER"

The president of Regents Square's condo board told Rockville planning commissioners that the draft Bikeway Master Plan would be "a disaster for our community," at last week's public hearing on the document. Joe Covey said his community of 252 townhouses on Azalea Drive, and Nelson Street, were planned with street parking designed to complement off-street lot parking. Woodley Gardens Civic Association President James Reschovsky shared Covey's concern, although both emphasized that their communities are not opposed to improving bike mobility through their neighborhood.

A primary issue is the plan for a .4 mile bike climbing lane on Azalea Drive, that would displace existing street parking. Reschovsky said he did not have the precise number of parking spaces that would be lost, but estimated them as 50-75. "What I can say with confidence," Reschovsky added, is that "the street is totally parked, the off-street parking lots are full [and] there’s already a parking problem now." "50 to 75 is a substantial number of cars," Planning Commissioner Jack Leiderman said, describing the parking elimination as "a major change."

Reschovsky suggested the city examine alternative routes for the new bike connection between Nelson Street and Gude Drive. Pressed by commissioners for specific routes, Reschovsky said it would be inappropriate to speculate, without input from Woodley Gardens residents. He said Crocus Drive and Aster Boulevard would be possible alternatives, but that residents had not had a chance to address that specific question yet.

Montgomery College also expressed opposition to the draft plan's route that passes through its Rockville campus. Don Smith, director of the college's Evening and Weekend Office, and a member of its bike task force, said the college "strongly supports" biking, noting its participation in the Capital Bikeshare program. But "it cannot compromise security by opening the perimeter fence" in the northwest area of the campus, Smith said. "Controlling access is critical to the prevention” of crime on campus, Smith argued. The college "does not endorse" the plan's proposed through-campus route for that reason, Smith said.

The solid opposition of the college to opening the fence needs to be taken into account before passing the draft plan, two commissioners argued. Commissioner John Tyner said the campus is "not to be breached in any place." Leiderman pointed out that, while the city can put any route into the plan, the college cannot be compelled to open its property. To go forward with the college segment as written, would be "exercising futility, to put something in a master plan that cannot be," Leiderman argued.

Proponents of the plan stressed the importance of bike route connectivity both within the city, and to bike infrastructure outside of it. Rockville is already ahead of most in the county in its number and route miles of bike trails. It seems realistic that the goal of more connections could be accomplished while addressing community concerns, such as those expressed at the hearing.

Leiderman moved to hold a second public hearing after the commission holds work sessions, and to keep the public record on the plan open until after that hearing is held. That would ensure the public can comment on finer details not yet known, he said. Tyner agreed, and urged citizens to get involved on the issue. Commissioner David Hill recommended the record close one week following the second hearing. Leiderman and Tyner concurred. Leiderman's amended motion passed unanimously.

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on April 18, according to crime data:

Liquor arrest. 2000 block Veirs Mill Road (Twinbrook Shopping Center area).

Theft. 300 block Rutgers Street (College Plaza area).

Disorderly conduct. Rockville Pike at Thompson Avenue.

Drug arrest. 800 block 1st Street (Maryvale Park area).

Vehicle burglary. Unit block of W. Montgomery Avenue (Town Center).

Drug arrest. N. Stonestreet Avenue at Lincoln Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 14300 block Travilah Road.

JBG ASKS ROCKVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR PARKING WAIVER IN TOWN CENTER PHASE II

At next Wednesday's meeting of the Rockville Planning Commission, attorneys for JBG's Hungerford Retail II, LLC project at 275 N. Washington Street will seek a waiver to eliminate 46 parking spaces at the 2-story office/restaurant building. The applicant says the waiver is justified because of sufficient garage parking within Rockville Town Square, and the percentage of clients who will not drive to the bank and restaurants planned for the development.

The waiver request documents, submitted by Ballard Spahr attorney Erica Leatham, include numerous exhibits and citations of both national trends, and specific parking studies conducted recently in Rockville. They also reference a parking waiver recently granted to the 1800 Rockville Pike development.

Leatham argues that most customers will walk to the restaurants from nearby office buildings, and the adjacent residential neighborhood. At the same time, the letter notes that parking tends to be available around the clock in the Town Center garages. JBG's petition also cites the high percentage of Americans who now do their banking online. Of course, this trend does not seem to have stopped a current explosion of new bank branches opening in lower Montgomery County.

The building will have a single below-grade parking garage.

The meeting will be Wednesday, April 23, at 7:00 PM in City Hall.

51 MONROE STREET REBRANDED IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

The tallest building in Rockville (for now) is still called 51 Monroe Street. But it's looking a bit different these days. Recently renovated by owner Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT), the 1978 office tower complex has a new logo. Look closely at the top of the building, and you can see where the iconic "51" numerals were pried off, and replaced with the new design. WRIT also renovated the main lobby. Sorry, but I'm a fan of the old, larger 70s font numerals.

See the remnants of the
old logo? I preferred it
to the new design, which
is a step down, in
my opinion

Still one of the top
office buildings in
Montgomery County

The renovated lobby

EASTER BRUNCH IN ROCKVILLE 2014

Searching for Easter brunch in Rockville? This is the place to find the answers.

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano

This longtime Rockville favorite has not yet posted a menu or specials, but its Sunday hours are 1:30-9:00 PM.

12307 Wilkins Avenue

301-770-7888

American Tap Room

Let's hope for good weather and outdoor patio dining at Rockville Town Square! American Tap Room will be serving brunch from 10 AM to 3 PM on Easter Sunday. Here's the menu:

36 Maryland Avenue

(301) 838-4281

Chef Geoff's Rockville

Check out the fabulous Easter brunch menu at Chef Geoff's. Including one of my favorites, Big Shrimp and Very Gouda Grits - not that I'm trying to influence your decision or anything. For just $25.95, your brunch also includes a basket of Cheddar Drop biscuits, coffee and your choice of orange juice, mimosa or Bloody Mary. Sides and desserts are extra, and beignets are one of the options. I also like the convenient and free parking here.

12256 Rockville Pike

(240) 621-3090

Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers will open an hour early, at 8 AM, on Easter Sunday. Due to popularity, the restaurant says its remaining reservations are for parties of 4 or less. They'll also serve brunch on Easter Monday, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Here's their brunch menu.

12505 Park Potomac Avenue

(right off I-270 at Montrose Road exit)

(301) 340-8783

MAIBOCK TAPPING PARTY TONIGHT AT GORDON BIERSCH IN ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE (PHOTO)

Gordon Biersch is time traveling back to the decade in which it was founded tonight - and you're invited. Stop by their Rockville Town Square location between 6:00-8:00 PM, as they tap their new Maibock, an Einbecker-style lager, with hints of caramel and roasted malt.

Come in 80s costume, or just your favorite 80s outfit from the back of your closet, and you could win a prize. Enjoy music, food, games, prizes, and a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Patty Pallatos Fund.

FREE CHIPS AND QUESO TODAY AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA IN ROCKVILLE!

Got those taxes done? Celebrate turning your hard-earned cash over to The Man with free chips and queso today, at California Tortilla in Rockville!

Taxes not done? Fortify yourself with free chips and queso at California Tortilla for the long night ahead!

Either way, just tell the cashier at Cal Tort this double-secret password:

TAXES SCHMAXES

And that free side of chips and queso is all yours, with any purchase! While supplies last. And depending on your tax situation, this may be all you can afford today.

California Tortilla

199 E. Montgomery Avenue