Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, Dec. 13, 2004; 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
November Council actions included:
Approval for Town attorney to draft an ordinance that would restrict over-weight and over-sized vehicles on Town roads.
Notice of Public Hearing
Text Amendment to the Code of Ordinances Article VII Zoning. The proposed ordinance will address; Charitable, Religious & Educational uses within Residential Zones.
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2004
Place: McCathran Hall
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Copies of proposed Ordinance available in the Town Office, please call first.
Casey Field
Still expecting a hearing date before the Planning Board in December. While the submitted plan provides a 10 acre Legacy Open Space field and relief to the Town from some of the impacts of the development, there remain areas of disagreement over density incompatibilities, impact on wildlife, and impact on Ridge Road. Your letters to the Board and presence at the hearing will let the Planning Board know how much the details of the plan will affect the Town. For more information call or e-mail Shelley Winkler (301-330-6446; [email protected]) or Kathy Lehman ([email protected]; 301-926-2256).
Shady Grove Master Plan: SPEAK OUT!
The plan update now before the County Council will guide conversion of the area to a high density mixed residential/commercial “Town Center”. Mayor Compton presented testimony to the Council on Nov. 4th at a public hearing on the Master Plan update. The hearing was very well attended by concerned Grove residents. Among his remarks, the County Council was urged to support and fund the new elementary school site requested by MCPS on the Casey property, to moderate the density of development under consideration, and to provide for strong oversight and staging requirements to insure that adequate infrastructures (road capacity, schools, parks, services) are in place, lest the high-density residential build out create more problems than good. Copies of Mayor Compton’s remarks are available at the Town Office, or by e-mail requests to [email protected]. Council committees will take up detailed consideration of the plan in January. Let your voice be heard.or at least read! Changes at the Metro station area are coming, no matter how the new plan goes forward, which will affect our lives in Washington Grove. Consider the options, and then let the Council know how you feel about the proposed plans. Please copy the Town with your letters or e-mails.
Deer Park Bridge
Everyone should now be aware that an engineering study of the Deer Park humpback bridge has concluded that the bridge will become unsound for vehicular traffic in 5 to 7 years. The DPWT Bridge Study Group is studying 3 rebuilding options (the Town is represented by Ned Helme, Darrell Anderson and John Compton) and will hold hearings this winter. In order to evaluate the potential impact of these and other Deer Park Bridge options on Washington Grove, the Deer Park Bridge Work Group has been formed. This group will be led by Ann Briggs. Residents who have previously expressed interest have been contacted but others still wishing to participate should contact Mayor Compton ( [email protected]; 301-330-8264) or Ann Briggs (301-926-6347; [email protected] )
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004; 7:30 p.m. Council Room. Please note the change to Wednesday. The public is invited to attend.
Changes in Building Permit Process
All building permit applications must now be approved or denied by the Planning Commission as a Commission. Residents will continue to deliver the required documentation to the Town Office for initial log-in and dissemination to the Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions. A Planning Commission member will be responsible for reviewing the submitted documents and, if necessary, requesting additional information. Applications will be approved or denied at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings. The Planning Commission meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Residents are urged to plan accordingly. For additional clarification, you may pick up a Permit Process Form and a Flow Chart at the Town Office. Web-posting will happen shortly.
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 available at the Town Office at 301-926-2256. The permit fee is $10.00, payable to the Town of Washington Grove. Interior renovations, which involve electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. A shed requires a County permit as well. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permits as well.
One More PC Thing.
Calling all house location surveys! Currently, one of the things required when applying for a Building Permit is a house location survey. That has not always been the case. Many of the properties in Town only have a small bit of written information (and maybe a drawing on a napkin : ) attached to a request for a building permit. If you have a house location survey or, better yet, a boundary survey that you would be willing to let the Town copy for our records, please call the Town Office 301-926-2256. Thanks!
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Dec. 21, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: January 26, 2005, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
You Are Cordially Invited to A Holiday Music Weekend.
Come to our traditional holiday choral concert on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Program includes The Washington Grove Singers and more.
Come one; come all to a Grove holiday sing-a-long on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 at 3:00 p.m.. All you need is a voice and good cheer. The Recreation Committee will provide musicians, song books and refreshments. If you would like to play an instrument or suggest music, please call Carolyn Rapkievian at 301-519-2021 or Missy Yachup at 301-947-4159 by Dec. 3rd. If you can help with refreshments, call Heather Hoerle at 301-990-0568. Kids are welcome to bring jingly bells to play. Hope to see you there!
Playgroup Forming
The group will meet on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. starting on Nov. 24, 2004. This group is open to Grove residents. Parents or care-givers must stay, this is not a drop-off group. Please bring a toy to share. Call Karen Kelly (301-987-9529) for more information.
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
Incident Report:
On October 21st a home on lower Ridge Road was entered at 4:00a.m. by two intruders. The homeowner frightened them away and struggled briefly with a third accomplice to prevent him from removing the stolen car in which they apparently arrived. The Police were called and traced the car to its owner.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Jan. 20, 2005; 7:30 p.m. at the home of Georgette Cole. Come to the White Elephant Auction! Bring a slightly used item to be auction off. Cocktails will be served and there will be a door prize.
Film Society
On December 5th at 7:00 p.m., the Film Society will screen the classic western Red River. During a cattle drive across the Red River to Kansas, a young cowboy rebels against his powerful foster father. John Wayne stars and Montgomery Clift makes his screen debut with a host of memorable character actors. With a sweeping sense of history, spectacular landscapes, and superb performances, Red River is an essential part of American cinematic history. Round up your friends and join us for the show.
Subscriptions to the 5-film series are $20.00. Send a check, payable to the Town of Washington Grove, to Birgit Henninger at PO Box 355. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $7.
Forestry Meeting
The Forestry Committee will meet in the Council Room on Wednesday, December 8th at 7:30 p.m. For more information please call Carol Uhlendorf at 301-926-1933.
The Leaves Are Here!
Fall leaf collection has begun. New and long-time residents alike are reminded that the Town contracts for the removal of leaves in bulk each autumn. US Lawns will make regular but unscheduled pickups of leaves raked or blown into windrows within six feet of any walkway or roadway, excluding Railroad St., 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., 4th Ave., 5th Ave. and Boundary Street. This service runs through January 1, 2005, or as soon thereafter as we agree that the work is complete. The contractor will time pickups based on the availability of full truckloads for vacuuming. If your pile/windrow is missed, please contact Tom Land at 301-869-4334 or at [email protected] Please place your windrows with an eye towards traffic visibility and flow and please don’t include brush, vines, or limbs that foul the vacuum. Happy raking! It’s the rite of autumn, particularly in a town graced by so many beautiful deciduous trees.
Brush Pickup Reminder
November 24th will be the last collection date for brown bags or containers of recyclable yard waste for the season. This service will resume in early March. Town Maintenance will continue to collect your reasonably-sized brush piles.
A Note From Phyllis
I want to express my sincere appreciation to all who helped make my retirement party at the Town Hall a resounding success. It was so nice of you to take time from your busy schedules to organize the party and be there. Your kind expressions and presentations are deeply appreciated. The silk screened painting is beautiful! I’m sure we will find just the right spot for it to be displayed when we get into our home in Ohio. The cash gift will go towards a tree to be planted where I can be reminded of my dear friends in Washington Grove. Thanks again, for your friendship and generosity. Phyllis Strite
Clerk’s Corner
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE REMOVAL OF A TREE, PLEASE BE SURE THAT IT IS YOURS TO REMOVE! Questions??? Call the Town Office 301-926-2256 before you call the tree service.
TREE WORK ON WASHINGTON GROVE LANE
The Town has been working with PEPCO to determine a solution to recent power outages due to falling tree limbs on Washington Grove Lane. Jim Fletcher and Darrell Anderson have been in discussions with PEPCO since August to identify trees that can be trimmed or cut down. Currently, approximately 40 trees have been identified and marked with red paint and/or yellow ribbons. Most of these trees are on Town property and are in rather tenuous condition, although a few have been identified on resident properties. Those residents have been notified and discussions are underway between the Town and PEPCO for replacement trees or other compensation. Once final preparations are completed and work is scheduled, we hope to be able to notify Town residents when work will begin and our final agreement for replacements. If you have questions, please call Darrell Anderson at 301-963-8555.