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January

Date: January 12, 2021

Place: Conference Call Only Due to COVID-19

Time: 7:30 PM

Present: Greg Chernack, Pat Xeller, Maryann Luongo, Philip Giordano, Josh Galper, Ashley Kavanaugh, Police Captain Jason Cokinos, Ron Bolt, Julie Sparacino, Lacey Rice, Eric Tidd from CAS Engineering, and several Section 5 residents

Agenda Item: Greetings and Introductions

Chairman Greg Chernack called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

Agenda Item: Review and Approval of December Council Meeting Minutes

Chairman Chernack moved that the minutes from the December meeting be approved; there was a second, and the motion passed.

Agenda Item: Resident Comments

A resident thanked the Section and Police Captain Jason Cokinos for his involvement in a recent incident dealing with the purposeful placement of dog waste at another resident’s home in response to their display of a political yard sign. Several residents indicated that they had also experienced a similar problem. Captain Cokinos noted that an individual was identified at one home through a security camera. Captain Cokinos spoke to the individual, and the individual agreed to terminate this behavior. Captain Cokinos is hopeful that this will be the end of the situation, but he is available should further action be necessary.

Agenda Item: Discussion of applicant Lacy Rice’s proposal 120210070 to the Montgomery County Planning Board that includes the possible subdivision plan for parts of Windsor Place and Brookville Road

Eric Tidd from CAS Engineering led a discussion regarding a proposed subdivision project for parts of several properties on Brookville Road that back up to Windsor Place. Mr. Tidd previously attended the October Section 5 Council meeting and presented a preliminary project plan. The project is a proposal initiated by Section 5 residents, Lacy and Lisa Rice. The Rices own or control all the properties proposed for subdivision. The proposal would create a buildable residential lot at the end of Windsor Place and make small adjustments to property lines on adjacent properties. Mr. Tidd indicated that the proposal is now final, and the plan was submitted in December to the Montgomery County Planning Board. The MCPB is in charge of all zoning laws in Section 5. Because of this, the Section has a very limited role in the subdivision process. The purpose of Mr. Tidd’s presentation was to make all interested parties aware of the final proposal and entertain questions from the Section 5 Council and residents. Section 5 attorney, Ron Bolt, also answered questions from the Council and the residents regarding the MCPB process. Many Windsor Place residents were on the phone call and provided feedback about the proposal. Following the discussion, Chairman Chernack thanked all the residents for their input and time. He encouraged all interested residents to contact the lead MCPB reviewer, Marco Fuster, directly with comments. Mr. Fuster’s phone number is 301-495-4521 and his email is marco.fuster@montgomeryplanning.org. The MCPB will also hold a public hearing on the plan application. The tentative date for this hearing is April 15, 2021.

Agenda Item: Monthly Financial Report

The Town Manager presented an overview of the Section’s current financial status, and entertained questions from the Council.

Agenda Item: Manager’s Report

-The Manager noted that there were two approved private tree removal permits in the past month.

-The Manager noted there were two approved building permits.

-The Manager indicated that the Section 5 Bank of America checking account needs to be updated and noted accordingly in the meeting minutes to include current Treasurer, Maryann Luongo as an authorized signer. Former Council Vice-Chair Scott Livingston should also be removed as a signer from this account. Chairman Chernack made a motion regarding adding Maryann Luongo to the authorized signer list and removing Scott Livingston; there was a second, and the motion passed.

-The Manager said that the Section now has 60 homes signed up for our new composting program through the Compost Crew. This includes 12 homes that were existing clients.

-The Manager said that Councilman Will Jawando has introduced a zoning amendment, ZTA 20-07. It allows for the creation of duplexes, triplexes, and other “missing middle” housing types in R-60 (residential) zones within one mile of Metro stations. It is similar to Thrive Montgomery’s “Missing Middle” Housing goal. “Missing Middle” housing refers to a range of housing types that are compatible in scale, form, and construction to a single-family home, but includes multiple housing units. Missing Middle housing is typically two-to-four story multi-unit, clustered housing such as smaller townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, detached courtyard cottages, or attached courtyard apartments that are typically in walkable, transit-accessible neighborhoods. Currently, the current Metro stations in Bethesda and Friendship Heights are just outside of a mile for most of Section 5. However, if the Purple Line Station is eventually included, most of Section 5 would fall within a mile of that station. Looking at the general mile radius, the first house in Section 5 would fall about .6 miles from the Purple Line Station. In my discussion with Councilman Jawando’s staff, they emphasized that there is much room for negotiation on the details, and his intent in proposing the ZTA was to get the conversation started. The Manager will attend a zoom meeting with Councilman Jawando next week as part of a broader coalition and provide an update at the February meeting.

Adjournment

Chairman Chernack adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held February 9, 2021, at 7:30 PM via conference call. Everyone is welcome.