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Health & Fitness

Community Concerns about White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan

Community Concerns about White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan

Silver Spring, Neighbor
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At Prezco’s July 20, 2014 meeting, there was discussion about the proposed White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan. Prezco representatives expressed concern about the proposed size of the plan, the proposed amount of residential development, transportation issues and, most importantly, the proposed elimination of “staging” from the Master Plan document. The representatives agreed to draft a letter to the County Council about these concerns, signing as individual community leaders. The letter follows--

July 21, 2014

The Honorable Craig Rice, President
Montgomery County Council
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850

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Dear Council President Rice and Members of the Montgomery County Council:

As civic leaders in Silver Spring, we strongly support economic development in the White Oak area, and we welcome the additional quality employment opportunities and community amenities that the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan envisions.

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However, we are greatly concerned about the proposed density for the Master Plan area, the proposed emphasis given to residential housing in the Plan, and the proposals to diminish the importance of staging throughout the development process. We support the Master Plan process and staging throughout Montgomery County as essential elements of the planning process that ensure vital community input and adequate public facilities to reinforce development.

Consequently, we support:

The County Council’s staff recommendation to include appropriate and effective staging in the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan. We support the use of staging in master plans that the County Council approves as a way of ensuring that adequate infrastructure is developed and provided to accommodate the level of density of development anticipated by the plan. The Council staff recommendation to reduce the residential zoning in the Plan, while placing more emphasis on employment. In order to address the jobs/housing imbalance, one of Montgomery County’s policy goals must be to increase employment in the East County area, which will provide needed jobs and critical transportation benefits.The Council staff recommendation to reduce the overall density in the Plan by 25%, a reduction which we believe should be spread equally among all of the developers. We are concerned about the size of this Plan in light of the limited transport infrastructure and public facilities in the area.

Moreover, we request that:

When adopted, this Plan will be in land use/transportation balance which is consistent with Montgomery County policy and with other Master Plans that this Council has adopted. Route 29 should not be classified as a freeway like I-495 and I-270 since it does not function like those interstate highways. The Master Plan recommends that the Montgomery County Government work with the Federal Government to develop a roadway between New Hampshire Avenue and the proposed Montgomery County/Percontee Life Science Village. This would improve overall circulation and reduce the impact on local traffic by providing an alternative to exiting to Cherry Hill Road and Tech Road.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.

Sincerely,

Alan Bowser, President, Park Hills Civic Association

Woody Brosnan, Past President, North Woodside Civic Association

Jean Cavanaugh, President, Seven Oaks-Evanswood Citizens Association.

Tony Hausner, Past President, Indian Springs Citizens Association

Harriet Quinn, Vice President, Woodmor-Pinecrest Citizens Association

Justin W. Chappell, South Silver Spring

Chris Richardson, Vice President, Park Hills Civic Association

Paul Guinnessy, Park Hills Civic Association

J. Michael McDounough, Woodmor-Pinecrest Citizens Association

Carole Ann Barth, Past President, Montgomery County Civic Federation

Jim Zepp, Northwood - Four Corners Civic Association

William R. Mentzer, Jr., President, Sligo Branview Community Association

Kathleen Samiy, Past President, Seven Oaks Evanswood Citizens Association

Jay Elvove, North Hills of Sligo

Larry Dickter, Vice President, South Four Corners Citizens Association

Dawn Leaf, President, Woodside Park Civic Association

Rev. Jeffrey Thames, Sr. Executive Director, Hope Restored, Inc.

Dr. Charlotte Coffield, President, Lyttonsville Community Civic Association

John Collins, President, Burnt Mills Citizens Association

Peter Murtha, Silver Spring

Danila Sheveiko, Kensington Heights

Robert E. Oshel, Vice President, Woodside Park Civic Association

D’Juan Hopewell, Silver Spring

Barry Wides, President, North White Oak Civic Association

Valarie Barr, President, Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association

Marilyn Piety, Sligo Branview Community Association

Nancy Gurganus, East Silver Spring Citizens’ Association

George Zokle, Silver Spring

Eileen Finnegan, President, Hillandale Citizens Association

Will Jawando, Silver Spring

Tom Armstrong, Silver Spring

Bernadine Karns, President, Calverton Citizens Association

cc: Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett

For more information about the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan, visit the website http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/wosg/

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