Should part of the Southlawn industrial area be redeveloped as residential? (Photos)

One residential vision for
currently-industrial land on
N. Horners Lane in
Rockville

Consultants unveiled two possible visions for the future of Rockville's Southlawn industrial area, and its interactions with the surrounding residential neighborhoods in East Rockville, at a public meeting last night. They wanted feedback from residents and business owners on what strategies and directions the City should pursue in the short and long-term in that area. Also there to hear that feedback were Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton, Councilmember Beryl Feinberg, and members of City staff.

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton
and Councilmember
Beryl Feinberg

The basic choice offered was to make some modest improvements in pedestrian safety and cut-through traffic, or to allow a part of the industrial area along N. Horners Lane to be redeveloped as residential, a transformation that would cut off several roadway connections that currently exist between the industrial uses off Gude Drive and the residential neighborhoods.

The more-modest
Alternative A 

Alternative B's
more radical makeover,
including townhomes

To encourage redevelopment along Horners, a new road would be constructed. Horners would no longer have an industrial use, and be fully integrated with the residential area. Townhomes and low-rise apartments would have industrial uses behind them, and a buffer zone in-between.

Buffer area for
proposed new residential
development along
N. Horners Lane

One option for buffer
area between homes
and industrial along
N. Horners

The latter plan is more ambitious, sure to be controversial, more expensive and involves private property not under City control. But, "everything's for sale, my brother," one of those private landowners said last night.

Another major proposal in both alternatives is to rezone the public housing development David Scull Courts from industrial to residential. I asked one of the consultants if that would make David Scull Courts vulnerable to redevelopment through a public-private partnership. In other words, does the inability to build residential on the currently-industrial site prevent a knock-down such as is being proposed at Halpine View, where residents end up scattered - if they are lucky - to other affordable housing, while their building is replaced with a luxury development most will never return to.

He suggested the new residential zoning might actually help preserve David Scull Courts from being replaced by an industrial use, by zoning it what it actually is today.

During break-out sessions following the presentation, residents discussed a number of concerns. These included how the changes would relate to the new Maryvale Elementary School building, which will eventually include the addition of the Carl Sandburg Learning Center, which will relocate from Meadow Hall Drive. That will add at least 100 more students and 100 staff members, Melissa McKenna of the MCCPTA CIP Committee said, as well as 15-17 more buses and a second bus loop to the site.

Those types of changes could determine what the City should and should not change regarding pedestrian safety and parking in that vicinity. Currently, cars line up on both sides of the street to pick up kids after school, which offers a county-wide French immersion program. Sandburg is also a countywide magnet program.

These pylons or other
signage would attempt
to brand the neighborhood

Helicopter view over Gude Drive looking down
Taft Street at First Street

Both alternatives show improvements at the intersection of First Street and Taft Street. But there is also a middle school and high school bus stop at that intersection, McKenna said.

Plans to use signage to discourage cut-through traffic met with skepticism from some residents. "I don't think it will work," one predicted. "[Drivers] don't pay attention to it."

Scenario A
recommendations

Attendees' feedback on
Scenario B 

Scenario B
recommendations 

Southlawn Industrial Area Study public meeting in Rockville tonight

Community meetings tend to slip by during the holidays, but if you have an interest in the future of the Southlawn industrial area and the surrounding neighborhoods, there is a meeting on that topic tonight at 6:30 PM, at the Lincoln Park Community Center at 357 Frederick Avenue in Rockville.

Tonight's meeting will present "possible redevelopment scenarios" for the industrial area, sure to be of concern to current residents, and owners and employees of the Southlawn industrial land and businesses.

Derwood resident charged with sexual assault at Red Door Spa in Kentlands (Photos)

A Derwood masseur is facing sexual assault charges, following alleged acts he committed this year while employed at the Red Door Spa in the Kentlands. Gavin Anthony Otto, 42, of the 7200 block of Blanchard Drive in Derwood, has been charged with one count of second-degree sex offense, and one count of fourth-degree sex offense, after being arrested at his home last week.

Otto is now free on $20,000 bond.

He was accused of sexually assaulting and inappropriately touching two different women while giving them a massage, on July 7 and November 17, respectively, at the Red Door Spa.

But Montgomery County Police detectives say they believe there may be additional victims among clients of the Red Door Spa. Anyone who believes that he/she was a victim of inappropriate contact by Otto, or has any information about inappropriate contact by Otto, is urged to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5050.

Baskin Robbins finds opportunity in closure of Robeks in Rockville

Seeking a smoothie at Congressional Plaza, but running into locked doors at the shuttered Robeks? Baskin Robbins would like you to come next door to satisfy your smoothie craving. And they've posted a sign to point you in the right direction.

If that's not enough, they'll give you a dollar off.

Rockville Planning Commission postpones vote on next Chair

Planning Commission Chair
Don Hadley said he is ready to
turn the gavel over

The Rockville Planning Commission declined to vote on who its next Chair will be last night. Commissioners were undecided as to who wanted to take on the responsibility, and wanted the two absent members to have a say in the decision. That decision will now come in January.

Commissioner Jack Leiderman was next in line under the traditional criteria, but declined the Chair position when asked by his colleagues. Leiderman cited his often-outspoken opinions, and the fact that his term is winding down with no guarantee of reappointment, as reasons for declining the chairmanship.

David Hill, a longtime commissioner who has served as Chair in the past, said he felt he would continue to be most effective without the title of Chair, as it frees him up to fully engage in the discussion and make motions on planning items. Commissioner John Tyner, another veteran who has chaired the body, said he would be willing to do it again if necessary. All agreed they would prefer if one of the newer members of the Commission would take the Chair position. Commissioner Anne Goodman declined for personal reasons. Commissioners Charles Littlefield (who was floated as a potential chair by several commissioners) and Gail Sherman were not at the meeting.

Current Chair Don Hadley said it would be a negative for the institution of the commission for him to serve in that role beyond this month. He said the commission is best-served if the leadership chair doesn't become too closely associated with one person. Hadley asked Hill to lead an offline discussion to attempt to reach a consensus on who is interested in the seat. At the commission's January meeting, members will have to either vote at the outset of the meeting, or appoint a pro-tempore chair to get through the meeting agenda that night. Then a discussion and vote can be held later in the evening.

As the commissioners prepared to adjourn, they were stunned to hear of the departure of Senior Assistant City Attorney Marcy Waxman. Waxman said she appreciated the opportunity to work with the Commission over the past several years, and would miss them personally and professionally. She noted she had been working for the City on a temporary basis since August.

Waxman did not mention what her next career move would be, but her LinkedIn page says she is now a Real Estate Agent and Attorney with RE/MAX Realty Group. The commissioners expressed their gratitude for her service. Waxman said she will be succeeded at the Commission by two new attorneys hired by the City.

Sculpture commemorates Rockville's legendary Reed Brothers Dodge (Photos)

The Bainbridge Shady Grove apartment building now stands on the former site of the legendary Reed Brothers Dodge dealership at 15955 Frederick Road. But a sculpture now installed on the property pays tribute to the first Dodge dealer in Montgomery County history, and Dodge vehicles themselves. More than 20 feet high, and over 6 feet wide, the public art is inspired by 1939 Dodge headlamps, and the fender of a 1957 Dodge pickup truck.

There's a website that's a must-read if you are interested in learning more about Reed Brothers and Rockville history, or even Dodge vehicle history in general. Reed Brothers Dodge History 1915-2012 had an ongoing series about the design and installation of the sculpture.

Hemi Piston lamps line
the walkway outside

But you have to see it yourself at night for the full impact. Also look for the Hemi piston-inspired light fixtures that line the promenade leading to the Metro station.

New retail proposed for Research Boulevard area of Rockville (Photos)

A project proposed for an existing office park along Research Boulevard and W. Montgomery Avenue is advancing through the planning process. An existing 105,000 research building, and some surface parking, would be demolished to make way for new retail and office space at 1401 Research Boulevard. The retail use is expected to include quick-serve restaurants and shopping, targeted at daytime workers and nearby residents.

Another existing office building will remain on the site.

Planners say a sizable setback from W. Montgomery Avenue will retain the natural setting along that road. The Best Western hotel is just south of the project site, which faces the Collingswood nursing home. Woodley Gardens Shopping Center is across I-270 from the site, as well.

The redevelopment will bring 94,000 SF of retail/restaurant space, and 15,000 SF of office space, to the site. Planners have determined that the 776 remaining surface parking spaces will be sufficient for the volume of vehicle traffic expected at the site.