Rock Creek Hills Citizens' Association Meeting
May 12, 1999

Meeting Called to order by Pablo Collins, Association Vice-President at 7:35 PM

Mr. Jack Geise, Grace Episcopal Day School, gave a brief overview of the changes planned by the Grace Episcopal Day School. The changes include: a new roof, heating and air conditioning improvements, and field improvements.

Old Business:

  1. Minutes: Approve minutes of the January 13, 1999 meeting.

    2. Motion to approve the minutes.

    Vote: Approved the minutes

  2. Treasurer’s report by Deanna Marcum:

    3. Opening balance $7,734.02

    Income (Association dues, donations) $3,436.31

    Total Income $11,270.33

    Total Expenses $1,590.86-

    Ending Balance $9,123.25

    Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report.

    Vote: Accepted

  3. Transportation: John Robinson

A shift in the transportation planning appears to be reducing the emphasis on widening the Beltway. There was extensive discussion of the possible transportation alternatives. Among the possible transportation developments are:

    • East-West transportation corridors – Including the proposed trolley
    • North-South transportation corridors

The Beltway Noise Study, conducted May 22, 1998, was briefly discussed to clarify the technical information in the newsletter.

  • With the exception of Campbell Drive, the guidelines are not being exceeded.
  • Widening of the Beltway is likely to cause problems.

 

New Business:

  1. Bridge Closures and Traffic Routing – Mr. Pat Bradley and Mr. Scott Crumley, Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation
  • The bridge on Jones Mill Road, over Rock Creek just south of the beltway, is scheduled to be replaced. Construction of the new bridge is scheduled for June 1999 through December 1999.

The planned detour route south bound is Beach Drive to Connecticut Avenue to Manor Road to Jones Bridge Road to Jones Mill Road. The planned detour route north bound is Jones Mill Road to Jones Bridge Road to Connecticut Avenue to Beach Drive to Jones Mill Road.

  • The bridge on Stoneybrook Drive, over the CSX tracks north of Kent Street, is scheduled to be replaced. Construction of the new bridge is scheduled to start May 2000.

The planned detour route south bound is Capitol View Avenue/Metropolitan Avenue to Plyers Mill Road to Connecticut Avenue to Beach Drive. The planned detour route north bound is Beach Drive to Connecticut Avenue to Metropolitan Avenue/Capitol View Avenue.

[Note: Construction dates have been revised since the RCHCA meeting]

There was extensive discussion of: alternative detour routes; exact dates of construction; and length of closure. Concern was expressed that the County officials could not provide answers to the attendee’s questions and concerns; and appeared to be inflexible on consideration of alternative detour routes.

Also during the discussion of the closures and detours, there was a motion to discuss sidewalks on Stoneybrook Drive. This motion was put on hold until the October meeting.

  1. Discussion of the process for sale of public lands, community revitalization, and economic development by Mr. Derick Berlage, Montgomery County Council member for District 5.

    2. The County Council has just finished work on the budget, which is in excess of two billion dollars. Two of the budget areas, which were discussed, are education and community revitalization.

    Community revitalization can be viewed as similar to maintaining a house. Every year, you should fix something (e.g., resurface roads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks). New development should not be allowed to steal the vitality from existing communities.

    The County often buys land, but seldom sells. Selling to the Grace Episcopal Day School followed long-term negotiation and involved conditions. Some of the conditions are: the fields remain available and meeting rooms remain available.

  2. Discussion of the changes in land use by Mr. Fred Boyd, Montgomery County Park and Planning.

    3. The area surrounding Rock Creek Hills does not have many land use issues. There are requirements to notify residents adjacent to a property of a change in land use. In addition, you can register with Park and Planning to receive a copy of the agenda, every week.

    Plans to enhance Connecticut Avenue in Kensington are in the early planning stages.

  3. Any input to the newsletter should be submitted to Sam Hoxie one month before the next meeting. For the October newsletter, the input should be submitted by the first of September.

    4. US Postal Service:
    Sam Hoxie
    9711 East Bexhill
    Kensington, MD 20895

    Email: samhoxie@erols.com

  4. Discussion of animal control – Please notify the County of any problems.
  5. Motion to adjourn

Vote: Accepted

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