8 March 2004 | Approved: 12 April 2004
Mayor John Compton called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. In attendance were Councilors Betsy Klinger, Tom Land, David Stopak, and John Tomlin. Town residents Charlie Challstrom, Ed Roberts, Jamie Holtzclaw, Satoshi Amagai, Chris Kirtz, Bruce Rothrock, Missy Yachup, and Georgette Cole were also present, as were Treasurer Mary Challstrom and Planning Commission Chairman John McClelland. Peggy Odick arrived later.
Approval of Minutes
David Stopak moved, Tom Land seconded, that the Town Council minutes of February 9, 2004 be approved. Vote: 4-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Tom Land moved, John Tomlin seconded, that the Treasurer’s report for February be accepted. Vote: 4-0. Tom Land moved, David Stopak seconded, that the Treasurer be authorized to transfer funds. Vote: 4-0.
Town Ordinance Revisions
Mayor Compton began with a review of the Ordinance revisions. David Stopak moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2004-01. Discussion. Tom Land seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0.
Tom Land moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2004-02. Peggy Odick asked for clarity in reference to screening in the Open Porch definition. A discussion about new open porches, existing open porches and mosquitoes ensued. David Stopak seconded the motion. Vote: 4-1.
Discussion of Charitable, Religious & Educational Uses Within Residential Zones
Mayor Compton did a review of the reasoning and intent behind these changes/additions to the Town ordinances based on lengthy input from Town Attorney Bill Roberts. Discussion. The Council’s sense was that Mr. Roberts should be asked to come to the next meeting to discuss the following:
- The potential additional uses as a result of zone expansion.
- Size limit on use.
- Special exception process.
- Concerns about Town playground/field uses. Can we limit?
- Specific criteria for traffic, noise, and land use burdens.
Road Bid Opening
The Town received completed bid packages from AB Veirs in Rockville and from Superior Paving in Gaithersburg. Although the Superior Paving bid gave a concrete figure for a bottom line, the AB Veirs did not. John Tomlin and the Clerk will meet to compare the two bids and report back to the Mayor and Council.
Council Reports
Contracts
Tom Land reported that he received no calls about trash/recycling pickup last week so he is assuming that things are better.
Maple Lake
Committee will meet on April 6th. John Hutchinson is the new Chairman.
Historic Preservation Commission
Peggy Odick reported that the HPC is working on its guidelines. They did a review for 309 First Avenue. The HPC would like to see the proposed height requirements be lower than 30 feet. Mayor Compton stated that he would like to know if the HPC had plans for a presentation at this years’ Annual Town Meeting.
Website
Peggy Odick reported that the minutes were up to date but a Bulletin was missing.
Maintenance
David Stopak reported that the drainage at Oak Street near Woodward Park was bad again. David will ask Jim Fletcher’s opinion.
Recreation Facilities
David Stopak reported that April 17th was the day for installation of the new piece of playground equipment. March 28th will be the volunteer work day for the preparation of the site. David asked for the work day to go in the next Bulletin. David will also consult with Jim Fletcher about mulch and ask him to get an estimate.
Roads and Walkways
John Tomlin reported that a re-graveling project seemed to have started. He asked Jim Fletcher for an update but did not get a response in time for the meeting.
John also said that he thought the Town should have a gravel pile stored at the Maintenance Garage so that Jim could fill various holes, as needed. Intergovernmental – John Tomlin reported that he attended a meeting of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League in Rockville. Items discussed at the meeting included a mansioning law, and hiring off-duty police officers for code enforcement.
Public Safety
Betsy Klinger reported that Neighborhood Watch had a few incidents reported and would include them in the next Bulletin.
Recreation
Betsy Klinger reported that Tami Williams has adult volunteers to help with Summer In The Parks and is arranging interviews for the teachers on March 13 & 14. The Rock n’ Roll Relics have been hired for the Saturday night entertainment during Music Weekend.
McCathran Hall
The McCathran Hall Committee will have its report for the Mayor and Council by the April Council meeting. Ed Mroczka will do the storm windows for the lower hall.
Mayor’s Announcements
- Shady Grove Master Plan Update – Chairman Derick Berlage has asked the Planning Board Staff to justify the passive use of the Legacy Open Space Field by the April meeting. Mayor Compton has drafted a Town response to this and will send it shortly.
- Nagem Update – Town Attorney Bill Roberts notified Mayor Compton concerning the original agreement for access to Cherry Avenue. It seems that the agreement only applied to those residents who fronted on Ridge Road and, therefore, never applied to Mr. Nagem at all. Mr. Roberts also told Mayor Compton that the language in the 1976 Cherry Avenue Resolution seems to be based on the people who live the farthest away from Brown Street moving away first. So, technically, everyone fronting on Ridge Road still has access. In reference to the parking of a commercial vehicle, the current Ordinance does state that it may not be parked where it is visible from an avenue.
- Deer Park Bridge – Mayor Compton reported that the bridge study determined the foundation to have 5-7 years of life left. The traffic counts in the study showed 9,000 vehicles through the on-grade crossing and 6,000 vehicles over the bridge per day. Based on this information, keeping things the way they are is no longer an option.
Peggy Odick moved and John Tomlin seconded the motion to adjourn. Vote: 5-0
The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 a.m.