Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 12.12.05 @ 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the November Council meeting include:
Authorized of funds to obtain a Grantor’s List of Town property transferred to private parties from 1937 to the present.
Adopted Ordinance No. 2005-05; Charitable, Religious & Educational uses within Residential Zones.
Introduced Ordinance No. 2005-07; General Revisions to the Zoning Ordinance including; Article IV, Section 1, add (e) Swimming Pool to the list of things that require a building permit from the Town; adding a new Section 8, Temporary Use Permit, which requires residents to obtain a permit for the use of temporary storage units (i.e. “PODS”) and the use of construction dumpsters; adding a new Section 9, Building Permit Expiration Limits, which puts limits on the life of a building permit. Article VII, Section 3.38c, (New) Fence height for swimming pools; Section 3.328, Additions to fence requirements; Section 4.2, revised and added new definitions including Accessory Building, Fence, Front and Temporary Use.
Introduced Ordinance No. 2005-08; Municipal Infractions Ordinance.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Washington Grove Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 5, 2005, 7:30 p.m., in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Avenue, Washington Grove, Maryland. The purpose of this meeting will be to take public comment regarding the proposed Municipal Infractions Ordinance No. 2005-08.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Washington Grove Town Council will hold a public hearing preceding the Council meeting on Monday, December 12, 2005, 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Avenue, Washington Grove, Maryland. The purpose of this meeting is to take public comment regarding the proposed Zoning Text Amendment No. 2005-07. The amendment proposes general revisions to Article IV and Article VII of the Town zoning code (see summary under November Town Council actions).
Development Updates…
Casey Field: Comments were sent to the Development Review Committee at M-NCPPC concerning the proposed site plan for an Oct.24th meeting. A meeting with all parties involved in the condemnation/annexation process has been scheduled for later this month.
Cator Property: The Mayor and Town Council received a formal annexation proposal from the present property owner and it is being reviewed.
Deer Park Bridge: Although things have been quiet on this issue, it is not dead yet. Stay tuned. As soon as it heats up again, residents will be asked to help.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 12.07.05 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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.
NEW NOTIFICATION PROCESS
The following building permit applications will be reviewed at the next PC meeting:
125 Grove Ave. » Addition
113 Grove Ave. » Porch & Roof
The above list may not be all inclusive. Permits received after this printing may also be reviewed.
Building permits were issued for the following:
301 W.G. Lane Garage Roof
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Appeal from denial of a building permit for the construction of a breezeway connecting the house to the garage at 205 Grove Avenue.
Date: December 17, 2005
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Council Room in McCathran Hall
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 12.20.05 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public.
Did you misplace your questionnaire? You’re in luck, we’ve attached another one. Please return it to the Town Office when finished. Thanks!
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
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
Residents, pet owners in particular, should be aware that a coyote was spotted October 23rd in the 100 block of Ridge Road.
» Oct. 1: Near McCathran Hall – Dogs off leash caused an elderly woman to fall. The woman suffered a back injury. Ambulance was called.
» Oct. 18: Near Grove Rd. & Brown St. – Middle-aged man sitting in a blue car near the intersection for 2 hours. Police were called to investigate.
» Oct 19: 400 block of Chestnut Rd. – Dogs from the 100 block of McCauley St. running loose. The dogs entered the yard of the Chestnut Rd. resident and killed his pet cat of 18 years.
» Oct. 24: 300 Block of Ridge Rd. – An incoherent, drunken man came to the front door of the residence. The screen door was damaged. Police were called, but the man eluded them.
» Nov. 4: Woman’s Clubhouse – Three youths broke a screen and gained entrance to the clubhouse. A witness called the police and the boys were picked up.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 01.25.05 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Thanksgiving Weekend Art Celebration
Come celebrate the 2nd Annual Art in The Grove exhibition on…
Friday, November 25th (7 – 9 p.m.) &
Saturday, November 26th (Noon – 4 p.m.) at McCathran Hall
A variety of art, all done by Grove artists, will be shown including paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, charcoals, pottery, ceramics, jewelry, and works in wood. A youth art exhibit will be held in the downstairs meeting room. There will be music and refreshments will be served. Come help celebrate the creative spirit that’s alive in our Town!
You Are Invited to Join the Fun!
Holiday Celebration Concert – Show for all ages. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005; 7:30-9:00 p.m. Contact David Rapkievian for details, 301-519-2021. Refreshments will be provided by the Recreation Committee.
New Years Eve-Fest!
A great way to welcome 2006, and right in your own BACKYARD!!! We have been fortunate to secure the services of world-class musicians Alexander Mitchell and Friends for Saturday, December 31st from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at McCathran Hall. The band offers a blend of Celtic, Folk, Cajun and general good-time dance stuff.
Beer, wine, soft drinks, water and party munchies will be on hand, PLUs champagne at the midnight hour. Alex and the guys will keep things rolling along until we pull the plug at 1:30 a.m. Join the hilarity by bringing your favorite appetizer to enter in our just for fun Best Appetizer Contest.
Tickets are $25 per adult and will be available at the Town Office and/or from Ralph Hurst (301-948-2424) beginning November 28, 2005. This is not just for Town-folk, invite your friends!
Calling all Grove Kids!
If you would like to sing together in the Holiday Concert on December 10th, Doris Gordon will hold three (3) rehearsals on Tuesdays: Nov. 22nd, Nov. 29th, and Dec. 6th at 4:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall. Rehearsals will be 30 to 45 minutes long, and attendance at all 3 rehearsals will not be mandatory. The group will work up 2 or 3 delightful songs for their part in the program. Any parents who can sit in on the rehearsals will be welcome. Call Doris at 301-926-8603 with any questions.
Final Recyclable Yard Waste Pick Up
Per our contract with Waste Management, November 30th will be the last date for collection of big brown bags or containers of recyclable yard waste for this year. This service will resume in early March. Town Maintenance will continue to collect your reasonably-sized brush piles.
Leaves Are Falling…
Leaf pickup will begin November 1st. 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 Street, 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., 4th Ave., 5th Ave., and Boundary Street. This service begins November 1 and ends January 1, 2006, or as soon thereafter as we agree that the work is complete. This is your opportunity to have leaves removed without the additional work and expense of bagging.
Weather frequently affects this process, as rain can restrict movement of large trucks on the avenues. Also, one or two spectacular fall weekends in November or early December usually see most of us raking at the same time. As the contractor will time pickups based on the availability of full truckloads for vacuuming, if you rake when most other people rake the windrows will probably disappear relatively quickly. If you feel that a particular pile has been ignored for an inordinate amount of time, pleas call Tom Land at 301-869-4334 or at [email protected].
Please place your windrows with an eye towards traffic visibility and flow, and don’t include brush 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.
New County Legislation on Dogs at Large
Some time ago, the Town of Washington Grove adopted the Montgomery County legislation concerning animal control. On September 27, 2005 the County Council amended this legislation. The definition of “at large” is as follows;
A dog, except a service animal, is at large if it is outside the owner’s premises and not leashed, unless it is in a dog exercise area designated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission or is participating in a qualified activity. Any other animal is at large if it is outside the owner’s premises and is not leashed or immediately responsive to verbal or non-verbal direction. For purposes of this Chapter or any other animal control law, the common area of a homeowners’ association, condominium, or cooperative is not the owner’s premises.
Animal Control: 240-773-5900
Halloween Head Count
A resident on Grove Avenue reported that this year’s head count of goblins for trick or treating was a whopping 119 with very few adults and no doggies!
Clerk’s Corner
Happy Thanksgiving!
VERY IMPORTANT…
SHADY GROVE AREA REDEVELOPMENT MEETING
Open House on the County Service Park Relocation and Redevelopment sponsored by Shady Grove Metro Partners – Monday, November 28th from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. – McCathran Hall. Come learn more about the potential relocation of County Service Park facilities to the Webb Tract (8787 Snouffer School Road) and Casey 7 (intersection of Shady Grove Road and Crabbs Branch Way) and the redevelopment of the existing County Service Park on Crabbs Branch Way.