Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 07.08.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the June Council meeting included:
- approval of Ordinance 2013-03; Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement.
- approval of Resolution 2013-04; Budget Transfers FY 2013.
- introduction of Ordinance 2013-05; Modifying Minimum Side Set Back Requirements.
- approval of the Mayor’s appointments of Steve Werts to the Planning Commission, Wendy Harris to the Historic Preservation Commission, Marc Hansen to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Christine Dibble to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Towne Crest Rezoning Case is Over
The Towne Crest rezoning case is over. The Town has been participating in this case, opposing the rezoning plan which called for more than three times the current number units in this development adjacent to the Town. Our opposition was based on incompatibility with surrounding residential areas, proximity of a proposed large apartment building to the homes in Town on Daylily Lane, and the negative impacts on the Town’s trees in our West Woods. Members of the County Council voted unanimously on June 25 to deny further oral arguments in this case. The County Council adopted a resolution finding that the rezoning application and development plan are denied for the reasons stated in the Hearing Examiner’s Report and Recommendation.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 8, 2013, 7:30 PM, in McCathran Hall. The purpose of this hearing is to take public comment regarding the proposed Ordinance No. 2013-02; Ordinance to Amend Article IV, “Building Permit Regulations” to Modify the List of Structures for which Building Permits are not Required.
The ordinance change will modify Section 5, Special Structures-Permits;
- (a) – Residents will now be required to obtain a building permit when constructing a deck of any size or height and
- (b) – Clarity in the language.
A copy of the proposed amendments is available at the Town Office.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 07.02.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
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. All permit applications must be received in the Town Office fourteen (14) days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which they will receive their initial review. The applicant must post a "Notice To Neighbors" sign within seven (7) days of receiving it from the Town Clerk. The Planning Commission will not act on an application unless the Notice To Neighbors sign was posted in a timely fashion as confirmed by the Commission. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 07.16.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.
Two members of the HPC participated in a Preservation Maryland-sponsored program on Saturday, June 1 at the National Park Seminary. They learned about various Endangered Maryland Sites in Montgomery County from their nominating organizations and had the opportunity to present an overview of the threats facing Washington Grove to other program participants.
Endangered sites in Montgomery County that were discussed include Belward Farm, the pristine Civil War-era farm at the intersection of Route 28 and Key West Highway that faces redevelopment by Johns Hopkins University as a large office complex; the Cider Barrel on route 355 in Germantown, which is threatened with relocation away from the context of the roadway and the community; and Montanverde, a summer retreat near Seneca Creek, built by a military officer commissioned by George Washington, which is suffering from deferred maintenance and the threat of possible residential development on the site.
The day included an architectural field trip and walking tour of the National Park Seminary at Forest Glen, a part of which (the Gymnasium) is an Endangered Maryland Site.
Interestingly, like Washington Grove, the seminary has roots in its history as a stop on the B&O rail line, when that line was first constructed. Over the years, the seminary has been a resort, a finishing school for young ladies, and an army hospital. The school’s founder drew inspiration from the architectural eclecticism of the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and the grounds are dotted with a whimsical collection of buildings that include a Japanese pagoda, a Dutch windmill, an Italian villa, and a Swiss chalet.
The seminary was nearly lost during years of neglect and vandalism. The condition of the few buildings that remain un-restored drives home just how threatened the entire site had been. However, through the efforts of the non-profit organization, Save our Seminary, in conjunction with various innovative partnerships, today the seminary is a unique residential community that includes single family houses, townhouses, condos, moderately priced apartments, and even transitional housing for men moving out of homelessness.
You can learn more about National Park Seminary and its guided tours (generally offered the fourth Saturday of the month) at https://www.saveourseminary.org.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 07.18.13 @ 7:00 p.m. in Clubhouse. We will not have any events in August.
June’s Progressive Porch Party was a rousing success, and a good and filling time was had by all! Many thanks to all the hostesses and their helpers!
Our first porch, hosted by Liz Robertson and Joli McCathran, started the evening off with a wonderful selection of appetizers. Congratulations to Liz on the unexpectedly early arrival of her new twin granddaughters! We missed you at your party :. Another feast awaited us at our second porch, hosted by Lynne Luca-Dreiss and her helpers, Lucretia, Pat DiBella and Sue Roth. We were all happily full and walking noticably slower by the time we headed for the last porch, hosted by Sylvia Appleby and her daughter Sam. They had not only prepared the array of lucious desserts, but they’d made many of them from berries grown and picked from their own garden.
Our next Club event will be a card writing party! We’ll spend an evening writing out friendly greeting cards for the psychiatric patients at Suburban hospital. Many of them have little or no support system, so we want the staff to have cards available to give them from time to time, to hopefully cheer them up and make their days a little better. Everyone’s invited to join us. Please bring a box of note cards to share.
Don’t Forget to Start Planning an Act for Our October Talent Show!
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.17.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
New residents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Questions? Call Missy Yachup 301-947-4159 or e-mail at [email protected] .
Independence Day Schedule (Thursday July 4th)
- 11am – COSTUME JUDGING – Woodward Park
- 12 NOON – FLAG RAISING & PARADE – Woodward Park
- 12:30pm AWARDS ETC. at McCathran Hall
Independence Day Ballgame and Picnic
THE GAME; SATURDAY, JULY 6TH
3:00PM; Woodward Park
Bring a glove and the will to win! Who will it be this year, Team McCathran or Team Tippens?
THE PICNIC; 5:30PM; The Fireplace in Woodward Park.
Hot Dogs, rolls, chips, paper goods provided. Bring a dish to share and your blanket and chair!
DECADENCE PARTY
Carol Uhlendorf (90); Ann Briggs (80) and Jim Fletcher (70) want to celebrate their decade birthdays with you.
Sunday, July 21; 2:00 – 5:00 PM at The Woman’s Clubhouse. All are welcome but presents are strictly prohibited!!
Maple Lake News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.17.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Maple Lake Is Open for Business!
Maple Lake is now open for daily use through September 2, 2013. Lifeguards will be on duty from Noon – 6:00 PM. Our full-time lifeguards this year are Caitlin Kelly, Mark Montgomery and Kelly Schreiber. Our substitute guards are Maddie Brasunas and Emily Menge. Regulations for the use of Maple Lake can be found on the Town website and in last month’s Town Bulletin.
Maple Lake Permits
Permits for the use of Maple Lake and permits for parties at Maple Lake can be obtained from Sally Mansfield.
Friends of Maple Lake
Although the Lake Committee has many members, additional help with our Lake is needed. A sign-up sheet was presented to residents at the recent Town Elections with the idea that this group could provide additional help and be an informal communication mechanism for everyone. Please contact John Hutchinson for more information; 301-926-8767.
Swimming Lessons
Lessons run from July 2nd (no lessons on the 4th) through July 26th. The schedule is as follows:
| 12:00-12:45 | Starfish |
| 12:45 – 1:15 | Goldfish |
| 1:15 – 2:00 | Sharks |
| 2:00 – 2:45 | Sharks |
| 2:45 – 3:30 | Dolphins |
| 3:30 – 4:15 | Stingrays |
| 4:15 – 5:00 | Starfish |
| 5:00 – 5:30 | Goldfish |
Grove Tennis 2013
Juniors Tennis:
Monday July 8
Tuesday July 9
Thursday July 11
Monday July 15
Tuesday July 16
Friday July 19
Ages/Times:
| 5 – 10 yrs. | 8:00 – 8:45AM | FEE |
| 11 – 14 yrs. | 8:45 – 9:30AM | $30.00 |
| 15 & older | 5:00 – 6:00PM |
Adult Tennis Social (No camp this year):
| Friday | July 5 | 6:30 – 8:00PM |
| Friday | July 12 | 6:30 – 8:00PM |
| Sunday | July 28 | 9:00 – 11:00AM |
Confused About Brush?
In 2010, the Mayor and Town Council made the decision to cease brush pickup from private property by Town Maintenance. It was determined that since the refuse/recycling contract included the pickup of recyclable yard waste, the time and money involved in this service would be better spent elsewhere. This is still our policy. Town Maintenance does not pickup brush piles from private property. Those residents who trim back overgrowth from Town property must make arrangements ahead of this action in order to have Town Maintenance take the trimmings away. Please contact Bill Robertson 240-912-6080 or [email protected] to make arrangements for the pickup of Town brush. Brush from private property will be picked up by our refuse/recycling contractor (Potomac Disposal) when properly prepared in marked containers, large brown bags and bundles no larger than 30" in diameter and 4 feet in length. No individual pieces larger than 4"in diameter please and thank you!
How do I report a missed refuse/recycling pickup?
If our refuse/recycling contractor misses your home on pickup day (Thursdays), please contact the Town Office to report the miss. You may do this via e-mail [email protected] or by phone 301-926-2256. Please remember that all materials for pickup must be "curbside" by 7AM. Other inquiries regarding Town contracts should be directed to Greg Silber 301-926-1854.
ATTENTION!
Calling all past, current and new members of the "Maple Lake Muskrat Band & Marching Society of Washington Grove"…young and old!
It’s time to dust off that old wind, brass or percussive instrument and join the band for the July 4th 2013 Festivities! To join our musical marching merriment, shoot me an e-mail off line or give me a ring and you’re in. [email protected] home: (301) 963-7073 mobile: (703) 203-8100