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September

Date: September 14, 2021

Place: Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue

Time: 7:30 PM

Present: Greg Chernack, Josh Galper, Phil Giordano, Maryann Luongo, Ashley Kavanaugh, 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 June Council Meeting Minutes

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

Agenda Item: Residents comments

A resident asked about the recent sale of the 4-H Club located within the Town of Chevy Chase. He expressed concern at the onslaught of current and potential development on Connecticut Avenue, and the negative impact it will have on traffic as well as the overall character of the neighborhood. He suggested that the Section 5 Council take a more proactive approach and ask to be given a formal role in the discussions with the developer. The Council agreed, and Chairman Chernack will reach out to the Town of Chevy Chase.

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

At the end of August, Section 5 was approached by the Montgomery County Parks and Planning Department regarding Lacy Rice’s proposal 120210070. The County indicated that for most applications of this nature, the County requires the developer to also include plans for sidewalk installation on the effected properties. Since this proposal deals with homes on Brookville Road, a state road, the State Highway Administration had also been consulted since any new sidewalk construction would require SHA authorization. MCPP indicated that SHA’s reviewed the project and made the determination that sidewalk installation would not be required for this particular application. They noted that given the location of the property there would not be a connecting sidewalk on either side of the project. Additionally, there are complicated infrastructure issues such as large utility poles, limited space, a historic wall, and the possible removal of a number of mature trees. MCPP asked for the Section to weigh in on this matter. The Section Council decided to review the issue at the September Council meeting. After a discussion, the Council decided that while the Section is generally in favor of sidewalk installation for new projects, given this particular location, current perimeters, and potential infrastructure issues, the Section would not be in favor of requiring the current applicant to pay for sidewalk installation as part of their current pending application.  However, the Section would like to entertain the possibility of future sidewalks should circumstances change and asks that that MCPP include as a condition of approval that no structures be built that would preclude a future sidewalk installation.

Agenda Item: Update on 4-H Site Sale Information

The Town Manager provided an update regarding the purchase of the 4-H site following a zoom meeting that the Town of Chevy Chase held with the developer, Gallery Living. The developer team introduced themselves, and then went through some of the projects they have done in our area, including the Lauren apartment complex in Bethesda.

They said the site will be a senior living community. It will be a mix of independent, assisted living, and memory care. The minimum age to live there will be 55. All units will be rentals.

Regarding a timeline, they indicated for the rest of the year, there will continue to be a number of zoom meetings for the community to get to know the developers and vice versa. They expect to close on the property by the end of the year. It will then take several years to go through the “entitlement” process, which is the process of the developer working with the community, the Town, the County to make a collaborative design. Their goal is to make it a win for all. Construction is likely three years away.

They noted there are no set plans yet. Therefore, they do not have information as to how many units there will be, the height of the building, or have any access or egress information as it relates to the site. It is not clear if they will use any of the existing structure or not. They are aware and will adhere to stormwater and tree protection as dictated by the Town and County. They said there will likely be underground parking. Other amenities may also be available to the community depending on what the community wants. In the past they have had auditoriums in the complex for community use, in some areas they have had coffee shops and florists. They stressed this is just the beginning. It will be a long process.

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 met with the auditors in early August. The audit should be completed in October, and it could be presented to the Council at the December meeting.

-The Manager said that Building Administrator Joe Toomey has given formal notice that he plans to retire in December. We are actively looking for a replacement. It will be a tough role to fill. Joe has been a wonderful resource to the Section.

-The Manager asked if the Council would like to go forward with plans for the Fall Block Party this year? The Council indicated that they are in favor of this. The Manager proposed the party be held on Sunday, October 3. She will notify residents and line up vendors immediately.

-The Manager asked if the Council would like to continue to offer the Section’s Free Tree Program again this year? The Council would like to continue with this program. The Manager will begin work with the Section arborist and residents.

- The Section’s Leaf Vacuuming contract expires this fall. The Section put the project out to bid and received three proposals. The responses came from BHV, Four Seasons Property and Management, and Lee’s Tree Service. All three proposals included reasonable pricing. The Section decided to continue contracting with Lee’s Tree Service. Chairman Chernack moved that the Section enter a three-year contract with Lee’s Trees; there was a second, and the motion passed.

Adjournment

Chairman Chernack adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held October 12, 2021, at 7:30 P.M. at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. The Village Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.