I enjoyed attending the fourth presentation in the White Flint Partnership Speaker Series: “The Best Public Spaces, Are Public Places” on Wednesday, June 2nd that took place at Dave & Buster’s in the White Flint Mall from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Rollin Stanley, Planning Director, Montgomery County Planning Department, gave an entertaining and informative slide presentation on what makes public spaces great and places where people want to be. He presented examples of some of the best public spaces throughout the world and talked about the fundamental elements these spaces share: these spaces should engage all five senses; not be overly programmed spaces and work for people of all ages and abilities.
Mr. Stanley also talked about how important it is to think of how these public spaces will look and feel through out any given day, in any season of the year. He said that the public spaces planned for White Flint should offer interesting, fun and unexpected features so that the public will be excited to spend time there to relax and socialize.
I am very enthused about the future of White Flint and look forward to seeing its potential come into focus in the years ahead!
To learn more:
http://www.friendsofwhiteflint.org/ ; http://www.whiteflintplanning.org/ and http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/
Showing posts with label White Flint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White Flint. Show all posts
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Grand Makeover Is Set for Maryland Strip City
By Eugene L. Meyer
The New York Times
ROCKVILLE, Md. — Over the last century, Rockville Pike in Montgomery County, Md., has grown, unfettered and unplanned, into a sprawling strip city — a hodge-podge of shopping centers, parking lots and gridlocked traffic that frustrates motorists and discourages pedestrians.
But now, a grand makeover is planned for one section of the pike, which begins as Wisconsin Avenue in Washington and is officially State Route 355, that would create a pedestrian boulevard using the principles of the “smart growth” movement. Planners say it could be a model for transforming clogged suburban arteries into livable, walkable communities with denser development and less sprawl, an improved quality of life and a healthier tax base.
The project, called the White Flint Sector Plan, is a collaboration of major developers, planners, politicians and community groups whose interests are not often in sync. A partnership of six developers, normally competitors, got it off the ground.
“Developers got together three years ago and said ‘We can’t move forward unless we solve this traffic problem,’ ” said Rodney A. Lawrence, a principal of the JBG Companies. JBG, based in Chevy Chase, Md., is completing a 24-story apartment tower and retail complex known as North Bethesda Market, which was begun under a previous plan but is in line with the new one.
The White Flint plan, which is expected to take 20 to 25 years to complete, aims to create a new destination where residents live, dine, work and shop, all within walking distance. All together, there would be 9,800 new residential units and 5.69 million square feet of commercial space.
Developers will be allowed higher densities than current zoning permits, in return for providing more amenities and also by paying farmers in the county’s 93,000-acre rural preserve to keep their land in agriculture. They would be required to finance infrastructure improvements through the creation of a tax district.
The county council approved the White Flint plan March 23, but only after gaining the support of adjoining suburban neighborhoods worried about losing their leafy appeal among the new adjoining high-rises, which they feared would generate more traffic on their streets along with other urban problems.
Some still don’t want to see the scale of what’s recommended, but not a majority,” said Duchy Trachtenberg, a county council member who lives in Old Georgetown Village, a nearby 98-unit townhouse development. “Most are satisfied it will be staged appropriately. People are yearning for a sense of community. They’re really looking forward to development of the boulevard.”
In fact, though, the plan is not expected to decrease traffic but to shift it by creating more parallel roads and cross streets, and by making driving less appealing than mass transit. There will still be six traffic lanes, but bus rapid transit will run along a median strip between two existing Metro rail stations, from which it is about a 25-minute ride to downtown Washington.
Surface parking would be drastically reduced to 20 to 30 acres, from 161 acres today, while high-rise offices and apartment buildings will contain several levels of garage parking.
Click here to read the complete article in the New York Times.
The New York Times
ROCKVILLE, Md. — Over the last century, Rockville Pike in Montgomery County, Md., has grown, unfettered and unplanned, into a sprawling strip city — a hodge-podge of shopping centers, parking lots and gridlocked traffic that frustrates motorists and discourages pedestrians.
But now, a grand makeover is planned for one section of the pike, which begins as Wisconsin Avenue in Washington and is officially State Route 355, that would create a pedestrian boulevard using the principles of the “smart growth” movement. Planners say it could be a model for transforming clogged suburban arteries into livable, walkable communities with denser development and less sprawl, an improved quality of life and a healthier tax base.
The project, called the White Flint Sector Plan, is a collaboration of major developers, planners, politicians and community groups whose interests are not often in sync. A partnership of six developers, normally competitors, got it off the ground.
“Developers got together three years ago and said ‘We can’t move forward unless we solve this traffic problem,’ ” said Rodney A. Lawrence, a principal of the JBG Companies. JBG, based in Chevy Chase, Md., is completing a 24-story apartment tower and retail complex known as North Bethesda Market, which was begun under a previous plan but is in line with the new one.
The White Flint plan, which is expected to take 20 to 25 years to complete, aims to create a new destination where residents live, dine, work and shop, all within walking distance. All together, there would be 9,800 new residential units and 5.69 million square feet of commercial space.
Developers will be allowed higher densities than current zoning permits, in return for providing more amenities and also by paying farmers in the county’s 93,000-acre rural preserve to keep their land in agriculture. They would be required to finance infrastructure improvements through the creation of a tax district.
The county council approved the White Flint plan March 23, but only after gaining the support of adjoining suburban neighborhoods worried about losing their leafy appeal among the new adjoining high-rises, which they feared would generate more traffic on their streets along with other urban problems.
Some still don’t want to see the scale of what’s recommended, but not a majority,” said Duchy Trachtenberg, a county council member who lives in Old Georgetown Village, a nearby 98-unit townhouse development. “Most are satisfied it will be staged appropriately. People are yearning for a sense of community. They’re really looking forward to development of the boulevard.”
In fact, though, the plan is not expected to decrease traffic but to shift it by creating more parallel roads and cross streets, and by making driving less appealing than mass transit. There will still be six traffic lanes, but bus rapid transit will run along a median strip between two existing Metro rail stations, from which it is about a 25-minute ride to downtown Washington.
Surface parking would be drastically reduced to 20 to 30 acres, from 161 acres today, while high-rise offices and apartment buildings will contain several levels of garage parking.
Click here to read the complete article in the New York Times.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Councilmember Trachtenberg Briefs Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure and Land Use Committee
Councilmember Trachtenberg briefed the Infrastructure and Land Use Committee of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce on issues related to the FY10 fiscal situation and the County Executive’s Recommended Operating Budget for FY11 at a morning meeting yesterday in Rockville.
Among the topics discussed were the County Executive’s Recommended FY11 Operating Budget, the FY10 Savings Plans, current revenue write-downs, and the status of the County’s bond rating. Councilmember Trachtenberg also discussed recent Council action regarding the White Flint Sector Plan and the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan (formerly the Gaithersburg West Master Plan).
Among the topics discussed were the County Executive’s Recommended FY11 Operating Budget, the FY10 Savings Plans, current revenue write-downs, and the status of the County’s bond rating. Councilmember Trachtenberg also discussed recent Council action regarding the White Flint Sector Plan and the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan (formerly the Gaithersburg West Master Plan).
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Councilmember Trachtenberg Speaks at Coalition of Kensington Communities Meeting
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was the guest speaker at last night’s meeting of the Coalition of Kensington Communities which took place at the Ken-Gar Community Center, 4111 Plyers Mill Road in Kensington, Maryland. The Councilmember’s opening remarks touched on several issue areas ranging from details concerning the current budget crisis to the White Flint Sector Plan to the Costco project.
The Councilmember then took questions from the 20+ people assembled that included official representatives from the several communities represented by the Coalition as well as from members from the community. The questions focused on the infrastructure and traffic issues with the White Flint Plan; opposition to a proposed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) which would allow Costco to include a 16 bay gas station at the Wheaton Westfield Mall site. Councilmember Trachtenberg told everyone that she supports the plan to have Costco come to this location but that she would not vote for it if it included the 16-bay gas station. She pointed to the extensive research showing the health risks to especially the elderly and the very young.
Others expressed concerns about the prospective closure of the Noyes Library for Young Children. Councilmember Trachtenberg said that the library would be closed only temporarily, for a projected two years, while the building is brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Community members asked if there was any way to have these upgrades made in less that two years and the Councilmember told the community members that they should let their various elected officials know of their concerns and questions regarding this project.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg on the White Flint Sector Plan
I am very pleased at the Council’s strong affirmative vote in support of the White Flint Sector Plan. During its consideration, we witnessed a very strong, effective and positive collaborative effort among key community stakeholders which has resulted in an exciting plan for a safe, healthy, and pedestrian-friendly urban community. This “partnership” with the community stands as a model for future master plans in Montgomery County.
With this effort, we have worked hard to design a plan which promotes growth, respects established neighborhoods, and incorporates innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions for traffic and mobility.
Our work, however, is not over. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues on the development of a sustainable financing plan for the White Flint plan area and a development coordination mechanism which will give comfort to our neighbors and the business community about infrastructure and financing issues.
With this effort, we have worked hard to design a plan which promotes growth, respects established neighborhoods, and incorporates innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions for traffic and mobility.
Our work, however, is not over. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues on the development of a sustainable financing plan for the White Flint plan area and a development coordination mechanism which will give comfort to our neighbors and the business community about infrastructure and financing issues.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Montgomery County Council Unanimously Approves White Flint Sector Plan
The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved the White Flint Sector Plan that will transform the North Bethesda area around Rockville Pike into a more urban and more dense community strongly supported by public transit and designed to make residents and workers less dependent on automobiles.
The Montgomery County Planning Board began its work on the White Flint Sector Plan more than three years ago, working with an advisory board of about 50 stakeholders. The County Council and its respective committees have held extensive worksessions on the plan over the past six months.
The plan targets future growth along the Pike with development clustered around about 430 acres near the White Flint Metro Station. It will allow replacement of aging low-rise commercial properties in the area with mixed-use buildings as tall as 30 stories. The revitalized new urban neighborhood would include residences, offices, service-oriented businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues. The neighborhood would evolve through creation of a grid of streets to promote walkability for residents and employees.
White Flint was proposed as an urban, mixed-use community as the center of North Bethesda more than 30 years ago as the influence of Metro’s Red Line was starting to take hold. The sector plan covers an area bounded by the CSX train tracks and White Flint Mall to the east, the merge point of Montrose Parkway and Old Georgetown Road to the north, Old Georgetown Road to the west and an area just below Edson Lane to the south. The Georgetown Prep school and the Strathmore Performing Arts Center are south of the plan. All of the plan is within a walkable three-quarters of a mile from the White Flint Metro Station.
“I am very pleased at the Council’s strong affirmative vote in support of the White Flint Sector Plan,” said Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, who lives close to the White Flint area. “During its consideration, we witnessed a very strong, effective and positive collaborative effort among key community stakeholders which has resulted in an exciting plan for a safe, healthy and pedestrian friendly urban community. This ‘partnership’ with the community stands as a model for future master plans in Montgomery County.
“With this effort, we have worked hard to design a plan which promotes growth, respects established neighborhoods, and incorporates innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions for traffic and mobility. Our work, however, is not over. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues on the development of a sustainable financing plan for the White Flint plan area and a development coordination mechanism which will give comfort to our neighbors and the business community about infrastructure and financing issues.”
Read the full Council press release here.
The Montgomery County Planning Board began its work on the White Flint Sector Plan more than three years ago, working with an advisory board of about 50 stakeholders. The County Council and its respective committees have held extensive worksessions on the plan over the past six months.
The plan targets future growth along the Pike with development clustered around about 430 acres near the White Flint Metro Station. It will allow replacement of aging low-rise commercial properties in the area with mixed-use buildings as tall as 30 stories. The revitalized new urban neighborhood would include residences, offices, service-oriented businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues. The neighborhood would evolve through creation of a grid of streets to promote walkability for residents and employees.
White Flint was proposed as an urban, mixed-use community as the center of North Bethesda more than 30 years ago as the influence of Metro’s Red Line was starting to take hold. The sector plan covers an area bounded by the CSX train tracks and White Flint Mall to the east, the merge point of Montrose Parkway and Old Georgetown Road to the north, Old Georgetown Road to the west and an area just below Edson Lane to the south. The Georgetown Prep school and the Strathmore Performing Arts Center are south of the plan. All of the plan is within a walkable three-quarters of a mile from the White Flint Metro Station.
“I am very pleased at the Council’s strong affirmative vote in support of the White Flint Sector Plan,” said Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, who lives close to the White Flint area. “During its consideration, we witnessed a very strong, effective and positive collaborative effort among key community stakeholders which has resulted in an exciting plan for a safe, healthy and pedestrian friendly urban community. This ‘partnership’ with the community stands as a model for future master plans in Montgomery County.
“With this effort, we have worked hard to design a plan which promotes growth, respects established neighborhoods, and incorporates innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions for traffic and mobility. Our work, however, is not over. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues on the development of a sustainable financing plan for the White Flint plan area and a development coordination mechanism which will give comfort to our neighbors and the business community about infrastructure and financing issues.”
Read the full Council press release here.
Montgomery Council to Take Action on White Flint Plan Today
Approval Would Lead to Creation of More Urban, More Dense Community Strongly Supported by Public Transit
Today, the Montgomery County Council is scheduled to take action on the proposed White Flint Sector Plan that would transform the North Bethesda area around Rockville Pike into a more urban and more dense community strongly supported by public transit and designed to make residents and workers less dependent on automobiles.
The Council is scheduled to take action on the plan at its meeting that will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov. The broadcast will be repeated at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 2
Today, the Montgomery County Council is scheduled to take action on the proposed White Flint Sector Plan that would transform the North Bethesda area around Rockville Pike into a more urban and more dense community strongly supported by public transit and designed to make residents and workers less dependent on automobiles.
The Council is scheduled to take action on the plan at its meeting that will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov. The broadcast will be repeated at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 2
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
County Council Votes Unanimously for Trachtenberg Amendment to Provide Enhanced Accessibility for the Disabled
Today the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved an amendment proposed by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) that will provide new housing opportunities for the County’s disabled population.
The “Enhanced Accessibility for the Disabled” amendment introduced by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, and member of the Health and Human Services Committee, was endorsed by the Chair of the Planning Board and the Executive Branch. Trachtenberg’s amendment adds an additional public benefit in the “Diversity of Activities and Uses” category to the new “Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone” passed by the Council today.
Zoning Text Amendment 09-08, creating a new family of Commercial/Residential (CR) Zones, will allow some future redeveloped areas designated in master plans to become more dense mixed-use communities that will encourage residents and businesses to be less dependent on automobiles and more reliant on public transit.
Trachtenberg’s amendment will provide incentives to developers who opt to provide dwelling unit modifications for disabled persons, which will exceed County requirements and satisfy the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1 Residential Type A standards—specifically established for wheelchair-bound individuals; and incorporates larger kitchens and bathrooms for wheelchair turns and lower counter heights to accommodate wheelchair heights.
The County requires compliance with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines for accessibility for all multi-family buildings and dwellings. All residential multi-family buildings and all units in those buildings must satisfy those standards. The amendment is an addition to the County’s Commercial Residential (CR) Zone, and is one of 28 possible public benefits. If the amendment is adopted for future plans, the Planning Board would then determine the percentage of Type A units necessary to receive density increases.
“Adding enhanced accessibility for disabled persons is a very important public benefit,” says Councilmember Trachtenberg. “Today’s decision by the Council will go a long way in extending equitable access for the disabled community.
The “Enhanced Accessibility for the Disabled” amendment introduced by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, and member of the Health and Human Services Committee, was endorsed by the Chair of the Planning Board and the Executive Branch. Trachtenberg’s amendment adds an additional public benefit in the “Diversity of Activities and Uses” category to the new “Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone” passed by the Council today.
Zoning Text Amendment 09-08, creating a new family of Commercial/Residential (CR) Zones, will allow some future redeveloped areas designated in master plans to become more dense mixed-use communities that will encourage residents and businesses to be less dependent on automobiles and more reliant on public transit.
Trachtenberg’s amendment will provide incentives to developers who opt to provide dwelling unit modifications for disabled persons, which will exceed County requirements and satisfy the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1 Residential Type A standards—specifically established for wheelchair-bound individuals; and incorporates larger kitchens and bathrooms for wheelchair turns and lower counter heights to accommodate wheelchair heights.
The County requires compliance with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines for accessibility for all multi-family buildings and dwellings. All residential multi-family buildings and all units in those buildings must satisfy those standards. The amendment is an addition to the County’s Commercial Residential (CR) Zone, and is one of 28 possible public benefits. If the amendment is adopted for future plans, the Planning Board would then determine the percentage of Type A units necessary to receive density increases.
“Adding enhanced accessibility for disabled persons is a very important public benefit,” says Councilmember Trachtenberg. “Today’s decision by the Council will go a long way in extending equitable access for the disabled community.
# # #
Montgomery Council Approves Zoning Change to Allow Creation of More Urban, Walkable, Transit-Supported Communities
The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved Zoning Text Amendment 09-08 creating a new family of Commercial/Residential (CR) Zones that will allow some future redeveloped areas designated in master plans to become more dense mixed-use communities that will encourage residents and businesses to be less dependent on automobiles and more reliant on increased public transit. The CR Zone could have significant impact on the redevelopment of the White Flint area of North Bethesda that includes the White Flint Metrorail station.
Provisions of CR Zones include “optional methods of development.” Optional methods of development are allowed in local zoning codes to grant developers considerations beyond what is allowed by a standard method of development (such as greater heights for buildings or increased density) in exchange for other amenities that would benefit the community. Under CR Zones, some buildings in the White Flint area could be built as high as 300 feet (approximately 30 stories) with four square feet of floor area for every one foot of land area.
Among the provisions of CR Zones is allowance for increased density if properties are developed near public transit and provide other public benefits. This would encourage greater use of transit, control sprawl, reduce vehicle miles traveled, reduce congestion, and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition to awarding increased density for projects built near transit, CR Zones could allow increased density by providing other public benefits for improved building designs, buildings with environmental programs (including green roofs, green walls, creating vegetative areas and energy production), buildings that provide easy connections to services, projects that include affordable housing alternatives, residential projects that include units that are fully wheel chair accessible and projects that help solve traffic problems beyond their regulator requirements.
The zone lowers the number of parking spaces required and establishes a maximum number of parking spaces.
For more information, click here to read the full Council press release.
Washington Post article: Montgomery County Council approves new building zone
Provisions of CR Zones include “optional methods of development.” Optional methods of development are allowed in local zoning codes to grant developers considerations beyond what is allowed by a standard method of development (such as greater heights for buildings or increased density) in exchange for other amenities that would benefit the community. Under CR Zones, some buildings in the White Flint area could be built as high as 300 feet (approximately 30 stories) with four square feet of floor area for every one foot of land area.
Among the provisions of CR Zones is allowance for increased density if properties are developed near public transit and provide other public benefits. This would encourage greater use of transit, control sprawl, reduce vehicle miles traveled, reduce congestion, and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition to awarding increased density for projects built near transit, CR Zones could allow increased density by providing other public benefits for improved building designs, buildings with environmental programs (including green roofs, green walls, creating vegetative areas and energy production), buildings that provide easy connections to services, projects that include affordable housing alternatives, residential projects that include units that are fully wheel chair accessible and projects that help solve traffic problems beyond their regulator requirements.
The zone lowers the number of parking spaces required and establishes a maximum number of parking spaces.
For more information, click here to read the full Council press release.
Washington Post article: Montgomery County Council approves new building zone
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 2010 Newsletter
Click here to view my February 2010 Newsletter.
Topics in this issue, include:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Montgomery Council Retains Ride On Bus Routes in Approving $70 Million Savings Plan
Reproductive Health Services Report
Crisis Pregnancy Center Regulation
Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill
White Flint + Gaithersburg West Master Plan Updates
Youth Town Hall
In the News
Duchy in the Community
Census 2010
Alert Montgomery
The Family Justice Center
Duchy's Recipe
Stay in Touch
Trachtenberg Staff News
Duchy's Pledge
Topics in this issue, include:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Montgomery Council Retains Ride On Bus Routes in Approving $70 Million Savings Plan
Reproductive Health Services Report
Crisis Pregnancy Center Regulation
Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill
White Flint + Gaithersburg West Master Plan Updates
Youth Town Hall
In the News
Duchy in the Community
Census 2010
Alert Montgomery
The Family Justice Center
Duchy's Recipe
Stay in Touch
Trachtenberg Staff News
Duchy's Pledge
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Trachtenberg Office Follows Land Use Issues
Councilmember Trachtenberg attended that the County Council’s recent work session on the establishment of a Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone. The CR zone is for mixed use development with respect to a blend of commercial and residential/non residential development. One of the goals of the CR zone is to create walkable communities as well as healthier lifestyles. Councilmember Trachtenberg requested specific language with respect to health and well being in a CR zone. A vote is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 23rd. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the work session.
Staff from the Trachtenberg Office also attended the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee’s meeting his week on staging for the White Flint Sector Plan. It was the Committee's seventh work session on the White Flint Sector Plan. The staging plan is guided by four principles: coordinating development with public infrastructure; promoting a sense of place; promoting balance; and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Representatives from the Planning Board had an opportunity to discuss the staging process. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the committee meeting.
Staff from the Trachtenberg Office also attended the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee’s meeting his week on staging for the White Flint Sector Plan. It was the Committee's seventh work session on the White Flint Sector Plan. The staging plan is guided by four principles: coordinating development with public infrastructure; promoting a sense of place; promoting balance; and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Representatives from the Planning Board had an opportunity to discuss the staging process. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the committee meeting.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Residents call for large-scale development supervisor - Gazette
White Flint Sector Plan would be in crosshairs
by Jen Beasley - Staff Writer
Residents of the White Flint area are praising a proposal to create an overseer for the county's long-term development projects as a needed step toward accountability.
The bill, sponsored Jan. 19 by County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) of North Bethesda, would allow the county executive to designate a person in the executive's office to keep tabs on progress when sector plans — like the White Flint Sector Plan and the Gaithersburg-West Master Plan currently before the council — call for large-scale development. The overseer would monitor financing and infrastructure development in such areas.
Trachtenberg, who lives in White Flint, said problems that arose when development in Clarksburg happened slowly and off-track from the way it was planned, coupled with concerns from her neighbors about accountability, led her to introduce the legislation.
"I know from comments from my neighbors they have questions about who is going to be in charge, and how do we know that the money will be there," Trachtenberg said. "It gives people a sense of assurance."
To view the complete article in the Gazette, click here.
by Jen Beasley - Staff Writer
Residents of the White Flint area are praising a proposal to create an overseer for the county's long-term development projects as a needed step toward accountability.
The bill, sponsored Jan. 19 by County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) of North Bethesda, would allow the county executive to designate a person in the executive's office to keep tabs on progress when sector plans — like the White Flint Sector Plan and the Gaithersburg-West Master Plan currently before the council — call for large-scale development. The overseer would monitor financing and infrastructure development in such areas.
Trachtenberg, who lives in White Flint, said problems that arose when development in Clarksburg happened slowly and off-track from the way it was planned, coupled with concerns from her neighbors about accountability, led her to introduce the legislation.
"I know from comments from my neighbors they have questions about who is going to be in charge, and how do we know that the money will be there," Trachtenberg said. "It gives people a sense of assurance."
To view the complete article in the Gazette, click here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee Meetings Today
The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) and the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) committees are meeting jointly today to discuss financial issues of the White Flint Sector Plan. For more info, click here.
Following this joint meeting, the MFP will meet at 3:30 p.m to discuss Bill 46-09: Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is the chair of the MFP Committee.
Following this joint meeting, the MFP will meet at 3:30 p.m to discuss Bill 46-09: Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is the chair of the MFP Committee.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Development Oversight Press Conference Video
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg hosted a press event yesterday to discuss newly introduced legislation to require the Montgomery County Executive to designate an official to coordinate developments regarding new master-planned development. Representatives from the civic, development and business community joined Councilmember Trachtenberg to discuss the proposed legislation.
Click here to see the video of the press conference.
Click here to see the video of the press conference.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Duchy Trachtenberg Holds Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (At-Large) hosted a press event today to discuss newly introduced legislation to require the Montgomery County Executive to designate an official to coordinate developments regarding new master-planned development. Representatives from the civic, development and business community joined Councilmember Trachtenberg to discuss the proposed legislation.
“With this legislation, we can provide all of the stakeholders in the development process—neighbors, taxpayers, labor, business owners, the development community, and County officials—with the assurances that our critically important development efforts will move forward, efficiently, effectively, expediously, and at reasonable cost to our County,” said Trachtenberg. "With this legislation, we can bring much needed oversight and coordination to the complex development process—something that I think we can all agreed is welcome and needed.”
Attending today’s press event were: Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Councilmember; Rollin Stanley, Director, Montgomery County Planning Department Paul Meyer, Friends of White Flint; Rod Lawrence, representing JBG Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Suzanne Hudson, a Garrett Park resident; Francine Waters, representing the Lerner Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Barnaby Zall, representing Friends of White Flint; Ed Rich, a resident of Old Farm; Vance Ayres, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council; Dan Hoffman, Randolph Civic Association; Della Stollsworth, Luxmanor Civic Association
The press event was broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).
Attending the event on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg were Naomi Bloch, Laurie Edberg, Wil Gutierrez and Chief of Staff Alan Bowser.
Click here for the County Council Press Release.
“With this legislation, we can provide all of the stakeholders in the development process—neighbors, taxpayers, labor, business owners, the development community, and County officials—with the assurances that our critically important development efforts will move forward, efficiently, effectively, expediously, and at reasonable cost to our County,” said Trachtenberg. "With this legislation, we can bring much needed oversight and coordination to the complex development process—something that I think we can all agreed is welcome and needed.”
Attending today’s press event were: Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Councilmember; Rollin Stanley, Director, Montgomery County Planning Department Paul Meyer, Friends of White Flint; Rod Lawrence, representing JBG Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Suzanne Hudson, a Garrett Park resident; Francine Waters, representing the Lerner Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Barnaby Zall, representing Friends of White Flint; Ed Rich, a resident of Old Farm; Vance Ayres, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council; Dan Hoffman, Randolph Civic Association; Della Stollsworth, Luxmanor Civic Association
The press event was broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).
Attending the event on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg were Naomi Bloch, Laurie Edberg, Wil Gutierrez and Chief of Staff Alan Bowser.
Click here for the County Council Press Release.
Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Press Event for Development Oversight
Statement of Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg
January 20, 2010
Yesterday morning, I joined with my colleagues—Councilmembers Mike Knapp, Phil Andrew, and Roger Berliner—to introduce a bill that will require important oversight of our County’s future development efforts.
Our bill requires that the County Executive to designate an employee in the Office of the Executive or in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer as the development coordinator for each planning area for which a newly revised master or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment.
The coordinator would oversee the financing and development of County infrastructure in the planning area. The coordinator also would serve as the primary point of contact for residents and businesses located in the planning area and the developer of any development located in the area.
With this legislation, we can provide all of the stakeholders in the development process—neighbors, taxpayers, labor, business owners, the development community, and County officials—with the assurances that our critically important development efforts will move forward, efficiently, effectively, expediously, and at reasonable cost to our County.
With this legislation, we can bring much needed oversight and coordination to the complex development process—something that I think we can all agreed is welcome and needed.
I am particularly proud of the coalition of stakeholders who are present with me today.
The business community is represented so ably by many, many individuals and groups. While our legislation would apply to all future master-planned development in the County, I want to particularly acknowledge the work of the White Flint Partnership with regard to the discussions regarding the White Flint Sector Plan. I commend their hard work and their outreach to the community.
The civic community is well represented today by the Friends of White Flint and leading civic organizations. I have benefited from many conversations with our very well informed neighbors and have attended many meetings where important development issues have been discussed and debated. I thank them as well for their interest in these matters and their support.
And, I am particularly proud of the support that this concept has received from working men and women. Mr. Vance Ayers, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council, is here with us today—heralding a valuable and “constructive” new partnership with all of the individuals and groups who are interested in the development of new walkable urban environments that will provide housing, new businesses, jobs, access to transit, and attractive public amenities.
I look forward to our future conversations about economic development and growth, the coordination of our development efforts, and the financing of infrastructure, among others.
This is the beginning of an important discussion, not the end of it. I am confident that, at the end of the day, we will forge an impressive and important partnership between all of these stakeholders that will work in the best interests of Montgomery County.
###
For more information, contact Alan S. Bowser, Office of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, 240-777-7965.
January 20, 2010
Yesterday morning, I joined with my colleagues—Councilmembers Mike Knapp, Phil Andrew, and Roger Berliner—to introduce a bill that will require important oversight of our County’s future development efforts.
Our bill requires that the County Executive to designate an employee in the Office of the Executive or in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer as the development coordinator for each planning area for which a newly revised master or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment.
The coordinator would oversee the financing and development of County infrastructure in the planning area. The coordinator also would serve as the primary point of contact for residents and businesses located in the planning area and the developer of any development located in the area.
With this legislation, we can provide all of the stakeholders in the development process—neighbors, taxpayers, labor, business owners, the development community, and County officials—with the assurances that our critically important development efforts will move forward, efficiently, effectively, expediously, and at reasonable cost to our County.
With this legislation, we can bring much needed oversight and coordination to the complex development process—something that I think we can all agreed is welcome and needed.
I am particularly proud of the coalition of stakeholders who are present with me today.
The business community is represented so ably by many, many individuals and groups. While our legislation would apply to all future master-planned development in the County, I want to particularly acknowledge the work of the White Flint Partnership with regard to the discussions regarding the White Flint Sector Plan. I commend their hard work and their outreach to the community.
The civic community is well represented today by the Friends of White Flint and leading civic organizations. I have benefited from many conversations with our very well informed neighbors and have attended many meetings where important development issues have been discussed and debated. I thank them as well for their interest in these matters and their support.
And, I am particularly proud of the support that this concept has received from working men and women. Mr. Vance Ayers, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council, is here with us today—heralding a valuable and “constructive” new partnership with all of the individuals and groups who are interested in the development of new walkable urban environments that will provide housing, new businesses, jobs, access to transit, and attractive public amenities.
I look forward to our future conversations about economic development and growth, the coordination of our development efforts, and the financing of infrastructure, among others.
This is the beginning of an important discussion, not the end of it. I am confident that, at the end of the day, we will forge an impressive and important partnership between all of these stakeholders that will work in the best interests of Montgomery County.
###
For more information, contact Alan S. Bowser, Office of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, 240-777-7965.
Statement by Francine Waters at the Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Craig Sutherland
(813) 787-0525
January 20, 2010
Statement by Francine Waters on Behalf of
Lerner Enterprises and the White Flint Partnership
"The White Flint Partnership, a unique collaboration of property owners in the White Flint area of Bethesda, released the following statement today in support of legislation introduced by County Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp to advance infrastructure improvements as part of a new White Flint Sector Plan.
“In a time of severe economic uncertainty, the redevelopment of the White Flint area has the potential to create almost 8 million square feet of net new office and retail space. This would become home to as many as 30,000 new workers in well-paying jobs, as well as entry level service jobs, all within walking distance of the existing Metro station.
“It will require bold action to transform the current hodge-podge of retail sprawl with $500M of targeted infrastructure improvements --10 new East/West roads and 6 new North/ South roads creating a new network grid of streets, dedicated bike lanes, dedicated transit way all to make a new livable, walkable and safe White Flint community.
“That degree of public and private investment requires a dedicated senior-level official to ensure that the infrastructure planning, funding and construction are well coordinated with open lines of communication within the community. This oversight will give residents and property owners alike the security to invest in a new White Flint community.
“We applaud Councilmembers Trachtenberg and Knapp for their efforts to move the residents of a New White Flint closer to the development of a community that residents, and the whole county, can be proud to call our own.”
Contact: Craig Sutherland
(813) 787-0525
January 20, 2010
Statement by Francine Waters on Behalf of
Lerner Enterprises and the White Flint Partnership
"The White Flint Partnership, a unique collaboration of property owners in the White Flint area of Bethesda, released the following statement today in support of legislation introduced by County Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp to advance infrastructure improvements as part of a new White Flint Sector Plan.
“In a time of severe economic uncertainty, the redevelopment of the White Flint area has the potential to create almost 8 million square feet of net new office and retail space. This would become home to as many as 30,000 new workers in well-paying jobs, as well as entry level service jobs, all within walking distance of the existing Metro station.
“It will require bold action to transform the current hodge-podge of retail sprawl with $500M of targeted infrastructure improvements --10 new East/West roads and 6 new North/ South roads creating a new network grid of streets, dedicated bike lanes, dedicated transit way all to make a new livable, walkable and safe White Flint community.
“That degree of public and private investment requires a dedicated senior-level official to ensure that the infrastructure planning, funding and construction are well coordinated with open lines of communication within the community. This oversight will give residents and property owners alike the security to invest in a new White Flint community.
“We applaud Councilmembers Trachtenberg and Knapp for their efforts to move the residents of a New White Flint closer to the development of a community that residents, and the whole county, can be proud to call our own.”
Statement of Friends of White Flint at the Press Event for Development Oversight
Friends of White Flint
Promoting a Sustainable, Walkable, and Engaging Community
P.O. Box 2222, White Flint Station, Kensington, MD 20891-2222 301-984-1200
http://www.whiteflint.org/
Contact: Barnaby Zall 301-231-6943
Immediate Release
Statement on the Introduction of Legislation to Coordinate and Expedite the Implementation of the White Flint Sector Plan
January 20, 2010
In the four-year development of the White Flint Sector Plan, Friends of White Flint and other organizations held hundreds of meetings with thousands of Montgomery County residents. Most people agree with the vision for a transit-oriented, sustainable, walkable White Flint. But there was some opposition; what was surprising was the nature of that opposition.
Why did people oppose the White Flint Plan? It wasn’t, as we predicted, because we were proposing a new kind of urban model – transit-oriented, walkable, sustainable.
Much of the opposition to the White Flint Plan sprang from fear that Montgomery County would not follow-through on its promises. The 1992 North Bethesda-Garrett Park Master Plan, for example, promised transit-oriented development. But what it produced was . . . Rockville Pike today.
Today County Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp will introduce legislation to resolve that problem. The bill would designate a county employee to coordinate the financing and development of County infrastructure in White Flint, advise the County and State about “any action needed to expedite the financing and development of County infrastructure,” “serve as primary point of contact for residents and businesses,” and “take or recommend any other action needed to assure that County infrastructure keeps pace with private development.” There would be one person with the responsibility for infrastructure, and the accessibility for residents and businesses (who often get lost in the shuffle of complicated planning processes).
Accountability, accessibility, action. A good prescription. Would it be a guarantee of success? No, but it’s a good start, and it’s precisely what’s needed to resolve many peoples’ concerns.
A confidence booster. Because a lack of confidence is generating a lot of the opposition to the White Flint Plan. So something that boosts confidence in the likelihood of success will go far in resolving fears about the White Flint Plan.
At its meeting on January 14, the Board of Directors of Friends of White Flint voted to endorse the Trachtenberg/Knapp bill.
Friends of White Flint is a non-profit corporation promoting a sustainable, walkable and engaging community in White Flint. Its Board is divided evenly between residents, businesses and property owners. http://www.whiteflint.org/.
Promoting a Sustainable, Walkable, and Engaging Community
P.O. Box 2222, White Flint Station, Kensington, MD 20891-2222 301-984-1200
http://www.whiteflint.org/
Contact: Barnaby Zall 301-231-6943
Immediate Release
Statement on the Introduction of Legislation to Coordinate and Expedite the Implementation of the White Flint Sector Plan
January 20, 2010
In the four-year development of the White Flint Sector Plan, Friends of White Flint and other organizations held hundreds of meetings with thousands of Montgomery County residents. Most people agree with the vision for a transit-oriented, sustainable, walkable White Flint. But there was some opposition; what was surprising was the nature of that opposition.
Why did people oppose the White Flint Plan? It wasn’t, as we predicted, because we were proposing a new kind of urban model – transit-oriented, walkable, sustainable.
Much of the opposition to the White Flint Plan sprang from fear that Montgomery County would not follow-through on its promises. The 1992 North Bethesda-Garrett Park Master Plan, for example, promised transit-oriented development. But what it produced was . . . Rockville Pike today.
Today County Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp will introduce legislation to resolve that problem. The bill would designate a county employee to coordinate the financing and development of County infrastructure in White Flint, advise the County and State about “any action needed to expedite the financing and development of County infrastructure,” “serve as primary point of contact for residents and businesses,” and “take or recommend any other action needed to assure that County infrastructure keeps pace with private development.” There would be one person with the responsibility for infrastructure, and the accessibility for residents and businesses (who often get lost in the shuffle of complicated planning processes).
Accountability, accessibility, action. A good prescription. Would it be a guarantee of success? No, but it’s a good start, and it’s precisely what’s needed to resolve many peoples’ concerns.
A confidence booster. Because a lack of confidence is generating a lot of the opposition to the White Flint Plan. So something that boosts confidence in the likelihood of success will go far in resolving fears about the White Flint Plan.
At its meeting on January 14, the Board of Directors of Friends of White Flint voted to endorse the Trachtenberg/Knapp bill.
Friends of White Flint is a non-profit corporation promoting a sustainable, walkable and engaging community in White Flint. Its Board is divided evenly between residents, businesses and property owners. http://www.whiteflint.org/.
Development Oversight Director Proposed For Future Montgomery County Projects
Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, chair of the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, joined residents and members of the development community on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Council Office Building in Rockville to detail plans of proposed legislation that would create a new County position to oversee future development projects and ensure that plans are followed as envisioned. Councilmember Mike Knapp, chair of the Planning, Housing and Economic Committee, is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
Bill 1-10 was introduced before the Council at its meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 19. The bill amends the County’s laws governing coordination of development and “provides further coordination and oversight of master-planned development … and further coordination and oversight of development districts.”
The bill directs the county executive to designate an employee in the Office of the Executive or in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer as the development coordinator for each planning area for which a newly revised master or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment. The coordinator would oversee the financing and development of County infrastructure in the planning area. The coordinator also would serve as the primary point of contact for residents and businesses located in the planning area and the developer of any development located in the area.
For the complete press release, click here.
Bill 1-10 was introduced before the Council at its meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 19. The bill amends the County’s laws governing coordination of development and “provides further coordination and oversight of master-planned development … and further coordination and oversight of development districts.”
The bill directs the county executive to designate an employee in the Office of the Executive or in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer as the development coordinator for each planning area for which a newly revised master or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment. The coordinator would oversee the financing and development of County infrastructure in the planning area. The coordinator also would serve as the primary point of contact for residents and businesses located in the planning area and the developer of any development located in the area.
For the complete press release, click here.
Statement of Vance T. Ayers, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council, at the Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation
Vance T. Ayers
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
January 20, 2010
I am delighted to be here today, with Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, and representatives of the development community, the business community and the civic community.
On behalf of the thousands of members of the Washington DC Building Trades Council, I want to say that we are impressed with the forward-thinking that this proposed legislation represents.
Like others, we believe that coordinated planning and oversight of proposed new development in Montgomery County will have a myriad of positive developments for the community, business and labor.
New development, properly planned and supervised, means good jobs for thousands of working men and women.
Of course, we are particularly interested in the good construction jobs for our members that will be created as the new White Flint takes shape.
We look forward to join with all of the County’s stakeholders to help build new, exciting, environmentally friendly livable communities.
For over 100 years, the Washington DC Building and Construction trade unions— elevator constructors, iron workers, painters, electrical workers, UA, insulators, sheet metal workers, among others—have been strong partners in this region’s growth.
It is our great hope and expectation that we will be strong partners for the next 100 year.
For more information about the Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council, click here.
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