Council Notes
The next meeting will be Monday, May 8, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited to
attend. March Council actions included:
· approved Mayor’s appointment of Ralph Hurst to the Board of Zoning Appeals
· deferred action on application to rezone WSSC property (Parcel 360) from RR-3 to RR-1
with conditions (see attachments). Will accept written comments on the application until
May 8
· enacted ordinance to add low-density RR-4 residential zone
· introduced resolution to annex lots in Washington Grove Hills subdivision and two
adjacent parcels along with Ridge Road right of way (see map and notice of public
hearing 5/30/00)
· introduced ordinance to put annexed Washington Grove Hills area in new RR-4 zone
(18,000 square foot minimum lot size)
Town Budget Work Session
Wednesday, April 26 7:30 p.m. Council Room. Come, learn, and participate as the Town
Council balances competing priorities putting together a budget for the Town’s approval in
June.
Public Hearing on Commercial Corner Uses
The April 4 public hearing on a Planning Commission proposal to clarify and expand uses in the
Town’s commercial zone was well attended. The Town Council voted to keep the record
open for written comments for 60 days. Comments for the record may be sent to P.O. Box
216 or dropped off at the Town Office.
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Council have closed. Town elections will be held on Saturday, June
10, from 4-7 p.m. at McCathran Hall. The nominees are:
· Mayor (1-year term): John Compton
· Council (3-year term): Darrell Anderson
· Council (3-year term): Nick Suzich
Planning Commission
The Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 2, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
Building Permits Issued
· none to report
Special Trash Collection
Wednesday, April 26
Collection may include furniture, appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small
auto parts, etc. Materials may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or
tires. Items must be placed curbside.
Application to Rezone WSSC Parcel from RR-3 to RR-1 with Conditions
The public record on this application will be held open for comment until the May 8
Council meeting. Please let your elected representatives, the Town Council, know if you
have an opinion on this matter before them. Send written comments to P.O. Box 216 or
drop them off at the Town Office. In 1992, the Grove expanded its border across Ridge Road
to annex property being held in reserve by the WSSC. This 1½-acre parcel is located on the
corner where Ridge Road bends to the east (see diagram). In February 2000, a developer filed an
application to rezone this property from RR-3 (20,000 sq ft minimum lot size) to RR-1 (11,250
sq ft minimum lot size). The effect of this request would permit the developer to build five
houses rather than three on this parcel. Prior to filing the application, the Town Planning
Commission worked with the developer to create a list of conditions including prior Planning
Commission approval of the design, size, configuration and placement of all buildings to be
erected on the property (including front facades of the houses). The Town Zoning Ordinance
governs only setbacks, lot coverage and height. However, the Zoning Ordinance has been
recently changed to permit the Town Council to attach conditions to a development in the case of
a rezoning or zoning (WSSC parcel). Though the Town Council will make a decision on the
application, the proposed conditions resulted from Planning Commission discussions.
State to Spray for Gypsy Moths
State agriculture officials will control gypsy moth caterpillars in Town by spraying with B.t.
(Bacillus thuringiensis) sometime between April 27 and May 10. Spraying by helicopter will
begin at dawn when weather conditions are optimum. Signs will be posted at major intersections
and the web site updated the day before.
Leaf Collection Completed
U.S. LAWNS made the final leaf collection on March 31. Put leaves in brown paper bags or
reusable containers marked yard trim, and the leaves will be picked up on Wednesdays with
recyclable yard waste.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED ANNEXATION
Date: Tuesday, May 30
Place: McCathran Hall
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Town Council will take public comment on Resolution 2000-06, proposing annexation
of approximately 13.55 acres of land including the Washington Grove Hills subdivision,
Parcel 238, Parcel 303, and the Ridge Road right of way extending approximately 1,444 feet
from its end at Bounding Bend Court to Washington Grove corporate limit. Resolution No.
2000-06 provides that the Town extend its services to the annexed properties beginning on
the first day of the month following the date the annexation becomes effective, that any use
or structure within the annexed property lawfully existing pursuant to the provisions of the
Montgomery County Code at the effective date of the annexation which may not comply
with the requirements of the zone assigned to the annexed property by the Town Council
may continue as a lawful non-conforming use or non-complying structure pursuant to the
provisions of Section 5, Article VII of the Code of Ordinances of the Town, and that the
annexed properties will be subject to the Town of Washington Grove municipal taxes and
annual dwelling fee for fiscal year 2000-2001, prorated from the date annexation becomes
effective. The proposed annexation would include Ordinance 2000-07 classifying the
property in the Town’s RR-4 Zone (residential, one family, minimum lot size 18,000 square
feet).
Voter Registration
To vote in Town elections, you must be currently registered to vote with Montgomery County at
an address in Washington Grove. To verify your registration with the County, please call
County Voter Registration Information at 240-777-8683. If you need to register, please call
them soon so you will be eligible to vote at Town elections and at Town Meeting on Saturday,
June 10.
Reminder: Enroll Now for Summer-in-the-Parks!!
This relaxed program of creative projects, sports, nature activities, and fun at the lake for
children ages 4 through 11, meets at McCathran Hall from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday for four weeks beginning Monday, July 3. To ensure a place for your child, send the
enrollment form to
Nancy McCullough
P.O. Box 102
by April 29. Please make out checks to “Town of Washington Grove”. Resident fees are $80 for
the first child, $65 for a second, and $50 for a third child in the same family. Call Karen Kelly at
301-987-9529 for more information. Extra enrollment forms are available at the Town Office, as
well as program guidelines.
Grove Singers Begin Rehearsals
Calling all singers! Rehearsals will begin for the Music Weekend Concert on June 16. Come to
McCathran Hall on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. for the first rehearsal. If you have
questions or would like to sign up call Director Doris Gordon at 301-926-8603. All voices are
needed and encouraged to join the fun!
Your Lake Needs You
The annual lake cleanup will be on Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m. Please join in and bring your
rake, a trash bag and a wheelbarrow if you have one. There will be drinks and snacks for all.
Rain date is Sunday, April 30. Call Dodie Tippens at 301-869-1682 if you have questions.
Town Information
Office/Clerk-Treasurer
Phone: 301-926-2256
Fax: 301-926-0111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.washgrov.sailorsite.net
Mail: P.O. Box 216
Washington Grove, MD 20880-0216
Town Hall: Center Street & Chestnut Road
Washington Grove
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesday mornings
Maintenance 301-963-5850
County Animal Control 301-279-1066
New Grove Tee Shirts Debut at May Flower Show
Beautiful new tee shirts will be available at the Woman’s Club Flower Show on May 21. Adult
shirts are $15; Children’s shirts are $10.
Attention Young Artists and Writers
This spring, The Washington Post will begin publishing a page in the paper for kids from ages 9
to 13. KidsPost will appear in the paper every day, Monday through Friday, right next to the
Comics in the Style Section. We’ll publish articles about sports, animals, kids who do
interesting things, life at school and many other subjects. There will be contests and games and
puzzles, stuff that will help you with your schoolwork and stuff that will just make you laugh.
And we need your help. Send us your ideas for stories. What do you want to read about? What
do you want to know? We also need your art. Every day, we will tell our readers what the
weather will be like that day. Next to the description of the weather, we want to publish an
illustration of the day’s weather drawn by one of our readers. The artist will have his or her
name in the paper, and thousands of people will see the picture. Interested? The pictures must
be in color. Markers, paints and other brightly colored tools work best. We need pictures that
illustrate these weather conditions: Sunny, Cloudy, Rain, Sleet or Freezing Rain, Hot, Mostly
Sunny, Showers, Flurries, Partly Sunny with Thunder Storms, Cold, Partly Sunny, Thunder
Storms, Snow, Ice. Try some, or all. And please tell any interested friends you have about this
project: We need lots of good art. We hope you’re interested in participating, and we look
forward to seeing the really cool stuff you make. When you’re done with your pictures, mail
them to:
John Kelly
The Washington Post
1150 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20071
Lake Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 25 McCathran Hall Council Room, 7:30 p.m. New members welcome!!
Arbor Day Success!
Many thanks to all who came and helped plant trees on Arbor Day, April 8. The planting went
so quickly that the volunteers were back before the sandwich makers were ready. Jim Fletcher’s
preparation — digging holes and putting trees and mulch out — was what made it possible. An
added attraction was the kid’s mural.
Forestry Committee
Tuesday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. McCathran Hall. New members welcome!!
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, May 7
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station
Building Permits
If you are going to erect a building or structure (including fences), make structural alterations to,
or move any existing building or other structure, you must first obtain a building permit from the
Washington Grove Planning Commission. The Town zoning ordinance governs setbacks, lot
coverage, and height. Applications are ava ilable at the Town Office at 301-926-2256. Please
allow at least 10 days for review by the Commission. Call John McClelland at 301-963-3328 if
you have questions about zoning code requirements. Interior renovations, which involve
electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. All
applications for County-required building permits must first be signed off by the Town.
“Spring Cleaning?” – Woman’s Club Yard Sale
Remember the annual yard sale to benefit the Woman’s Club when you do your “spring
cleaning”. The sale will be held on Saturday, June 3. If you have items to part with now (no
clothing please), call Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941 or Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416.
Rent the Woman’s Clubhouse!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, graduation gala, wedding reception, planning
session or business meeting . . . consider the charming wooded setting, spacious main room,
screened porch, kitchen and restroom facilities of the Woman’s Club House. For information or
reservations call Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416. Heat and air conditioning!!
Concert
The Washington Balalaika Society Spring Concert
“Balalaika Serenade”
featuring The WBS Russian Folk Orchestra and Soloists with a Balalaika Solo by David
Rapkievian
Saturday, May 13, 2000 – 7:30 p.m.
Northern Virginia Community College
Ernst Cultural Center Auditorium
8333 Little River Turnpike (Rt. 236), Annandale
Admission: $18 ($15 Seniors and Students)
Tickets: Fairfax County Arts Council/703-278-8655
or in Washington Grove/301-519-2021
Visit the WBS Web Site at https://www.balalaika.org
WMAL-AM Joins Campaign Against Domestic Violence
Tim Brant and Andy Parks, morning drivetime team for WMAL-AM, have announced that they
will be collecting used wireless phones to be donated to victims of domestic violence through the
national Donate a Phone campaign. Created through a partnership between the Wireless
Foundation and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, with funding from Motorola,
the program’s goal is to collect one million used wireless phones from the public. If you would
like to donate a used wireless phone, please drop it off at 411 Oak Street. There will be a box on
the porch.
Two Very Shady Gardenplots Available
Call Tom Land at 301-869-4334 if you are interested.
Fourth of July Hot Dog Picnic
For several years, the Recreation Committee has put on a hot dog picnic right after the parade
instead of an evening potluck supper. Committee members feel that there has been a lot of
enthusiasm for the picnic but they are hot dogged-out. If this is an event that you would like to
see continue and you would like to help put on the picnic, please call Leila Keese at 301-926-
4318. We are looking for 6 helpers.
Fire Board Rep Sought
The Town is seeking a representative to serve on the local Fire Board of the Gaithersburg-
Washington Grove Fire Department. The Board meets monthly and is important to the financial
management of the Department. If you are interested in serving on the Fire Board please call
Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264.
Recreation Committee
Thursday, May 4. Town Council Room, 7:30 p.m. Come to help finalize plans for a fabulous
Music Weekend and Fourth of July celebration as well as to brainstorm about plans for next
year. More brains the better!
Ordinance Passed to Add Low Density RR-4 Residential Zone
The Town Council adopted an ordinance initiated by the Town Planning Commission to amend
Sections 2 and 9 of the Town Zoning Ordinance to add a low density RR-4 residential zone
appropriate for areas to be annexed. The minimum lot size of 18,000 square feet will help to
meet forest conservation requirements.