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Long Branch

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Planning Board to Tour Long Branch Amid Backlash to Redevelopment

Residents have testified that a redeveloped Long Branch would be short on affordable housing.

Members of the Montgomery County Planning Board will take part in a guided tour of the Long Branch neighborhood Thursday, ahead of a pair of a worksessions to study the Long Branch Sector Plan.  The public tour begins at 10 a.m. and will stop at the following areas: Arliss Street and Garland Avenue; Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard; Flower Avenue and Piney Branch Road.  The Long Branch Sector Plan offers a framework for land use in the neighborhood over the next 15 to 20 years. Officials have said they hope that two planned Purple Line light rail stations—at Arliss Street and at University Boulevard—will "catalyze redevelopment and reinvestment" in the area. Residents and elected officials in the area have expressed concern that …

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Reports: Long Branch Residents Fear Loss of Affordable Housing

Some renters in the Long Branch community of Silver Spring fear rent hikes and the loss of affordable housing once the neighborhood becomes home to two light rail stations on the proposed Purple Line

Some renters in the Long Branch community of Silver Spring fear rent hikes and the loss of affordable housing once the neighborhood becomes home to two light rail stations on the proposed Purple Line, according to the Gazette. At a recent community meeting to discuss the Long Branch Sector Plan, a framework for the next 15 to 20 years focusing on the area on Piney Branch Road between Flower Avenue and University Boulevard, residents expressed concerns over the plan to redevelop their neighborhood.  One apartment dweller said that she's been following the plan for two years and thinks that her and most of her family and friends would be at a disadvantage if the plan decreases affordable housing in the neighborhood, the newspaper reported.  …

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Have Your Say on Future of Long Branch

A redevelopment plan for the Long Branch neighborhood emphasized transit options.

Got something to say about the future of the Long Branch neighborhood? The time is now to share your thoughts on the Long Branch Sector Plan, a collection of land use ideas from the Montgomery County Planning Department that hopes to increase community connections and walkability.  A community meeting on the plan will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 and a public hearing with the Planning Board is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31.  County planners hoped to build on the neighborhood's planned Purple Line stations when creating the sector plan, which is a framework for the next 15 to 20 years. The ideas focus on the area on Piney Branch Road between Flower Avenue and University Boulevard.  Officials hope that the two planned light rail stations—at …

Friday, December 14, 2012

Discover Long Branch! Series Continues with Santa Claus

Neighborhood business association partners with a local nonprofit to bring attention to the area.

What do community development and Santa Claus have in common? On the surface, not much, but both will be involved in this weekend's Discover Long Branch events. A partnership of the Long Branch Business League and Montgomery Housing Partnership, a nonprofit, the events are part of series intended to highlight the culture of the neighborhood.  Earlier in the month, the series kicked off with discounted Latino food at El Golfo restaurant.  Both tonight and Saturday night, Discover Long Branch will set up shop at Community Thrift Store, at 706 University Blvd, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Clothing will be half-price and kids get free pictures with Santa in exchange for a donation to Hurricane Sandy victims. 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Redevelopment Plan for Long Branch Emphasizes Transit

County officials presented ideas on land use for the Silver Spring neighborhood.

A bundle of ideas to enhance the Long Branch neighborhood's sense of community and to increase walkability from the planned Purple Line were presented to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday. The Long Branch Sector Plan offers a framework for land use in the neighborhood over the next 15 to 20 years with a focus on the area on Piney Branch Road between Flower Avenue and University Boulevard. Officials hope that the two planned Metrorail stations—at Arliss Street and at University Boulevard—will "catalyze redevelopment and reinvestment" in the area.  An enhanced pedestrian and bicycle network; rezoning that requires developers to make their projects friendly to walkers, cyclists and Metro riders, and a historic designation for …

Sue Ann Gething

11:05 am on Friday, December 14, 2012

The Purple Line offers no better service than what is currently offered by the extensive bus lines that constantly run that area. The buses are reasonably priced and able to be flexible when something blocks their path. After the last few years of high-priced, low service metrorail, I would prefer to stick with reliable, fast, and adaptable buses.   more ›

Friday, December 7, 2012

Nonprofits Plan to Reforest Long Branch with Grant Money

Conservation Montgomery, Safe Silver Spring and Uno Granito de Arena will recruit teens to plant trees in the neighborhood.

Long Branch, the Silver Spring neighborhood with Flower Avenue and Piney Branch Road as its main thoroughfares, doesn't have enough trees, a collection of nonprofits announced this week. Lack of tree cover could influence quality of life for the people, the health of the environment and, possibly, criminal activity.  Three nonprofits—Conservation Montgomery, Safe Silver Spring and Uno Granito de Arena—have pledged to reforest a small area of the neighborhood, which is a sub-watershed of the Chesapeake Bay, with a "Community Greening" project, financed by a $5,000 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  “We’ve known for a long time that a healthy tree canopy contributes to the overall quality of life and health of a community, improving air …

Monday, December 3, 2012

Discover Long Branch! Series Begins with Latino Food

The neighborhood’s business association partnered with a local nonprofit to bring attention to the area.

A group of business owners in Long Branch wants you to know about some of the cool stuff in your backyard, or “the comfortable commercial area tucked between Takoma Park and downtown Silver Spring,” as they describe the neighborhood.  To that end, the Long Branch Business League and Montgomery Housing Partnership, a nonprofit, are offering up a series of food specials and art in Discover Long Branch! The first event happens tonight, Dec. 3, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at El Golfo Restaurant, 8739 Flower Ave. Ada Villatoro, the restaurant’s owner, will host and offer patrons a 25 percent discount on the place’s authentic Latin American fare. A tricycle measuring eight feet in height, created by local sculptor Howard Connelly, will also be …

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