Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance

04/01/2025

Information on MCPS Crabbs Branch Bus Depot Relocation

As many of you know relocation of the MCPS Crabbs Branch Bus Depot has been a topic in our community for many years. Some may have participated in the Jerimiah Park planning sessions (see: https://jeremiahparkproject.com/ ).

As part of the ongoing effort to relocate the MCPS Crabbs Branch Bus Depot the County Executive is requesting a supplemental appropriation to the FY25 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) in the amount of $10,550,000 for the MCPS Bus Depot and Maintenance Relocation (No. P360903). Appropriation for this project will fund capital improvements of leased space to support Montgomery County Public School Bus Depot operations in the Rockville area.

This project will have its Council public hearing on April 9. If you would like to testify either in person or on Zoom you can sign up here: https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=0gfjt51vmwctf0eere0f7mpj39tyfdrcfa7mc1uzv76tc1hc7wsp

Written testimony and written correspondence in support would also be a huge help. You can email to this address: [email protected]

04/30/2024

REMINDER

Community Workshop for Jeremiah Park

See the attached flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3sAIo1mjwKcYdSrntHLi01Qr_FDs1CK/view?usp=drive_link

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Montgomery County Division of Highway Services
17000 Crabbs Branch Way, Derwood, MD 20855

The Community Visioning Workshop is a chance for the project team and the community to come together and envision the future of Jeremiah Park. The project team will share background about the project and site and then gather input on what the community hopes to see.

If you have any questions before the workshop, please reach out to the project team at [email protected]

04/13/2024

Just an FYI for anyone interested in the redevelopment of the east side of Crabbs Branch where the current MCPS bus depots are located. The Montgomery County Department of General Services will be holding a series of events to get community input on what this redevelopment should entail. The first Community Visioning Workshop will be held Tuesday, April 30 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Montgomery County Division of Highway Services, 17000 Crabbs Branch Way, Derwood, MD 20855.

More information will become available at the project's website:

The County is kicking off a community engagement and land planning initiative to explore opportunities for the redevelopment of Jeremiah Park, a County-owned site located at 16651 Crabbs Branch Way, Derwood, 20855.

09/27/2023

Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee – Wednesday October 4th 2 7:30PM

The next public meeting of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee of Montgomery Planning will take place Wednesday, October 4, at 7:30pm via Teams, details below along with our formal meeting agenda.

Join us to welcome back David Dise of the County's Department of General Services to brief us on the progress of his appreciated team in relocating the MCPS bus depot in order to realize the Shady Grove Sector Plan of Montgomery Planning: https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/.

Notably, 800+ individuals to date have signed the public petition demanding action on this relocation, testifying to the persistent priority of this concern and expectation as part of the Shady Grove Sector plan:
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/derwood-deserves-betternow.

Participation in all public meetings of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee, by all interested parties, is warmly welcome and strongly encouraged to facilitate awareness of and engagement with the sector plan, as well as communication and cooperation with civic leaders and planning experts responsible for its collaborative implementation.

Microsoft Teams meeting
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07/30/2023

Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee Meeting on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:30pm

The next public meeting of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee will take place on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:30pm via Teams at this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Njg5MzIyNDAtZGU2Zi00YzE2LWI2MDItYTE3ZDBkMjE3MGYx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a9061e0c-24ca-4c1c-beff-039bb8c05816%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229f9d79dd-8505-44ed-b999-e51ceff71629%22%7d

Join us to welcome Robin Riley, Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation, and Division Chiefs Melanie Sasse and Adriane Clutter, who will brief our community on the department’s Recreation Facility Development Plan 2010-2030, specifically its recommendation of Shady Grove as a location for an expanded Community Recreation Center:https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/resources/files/publications/facilitydevelopmentplan.pdf

Video of our June 6 public meeting and the associated presentation by David Dise of Montgomery County's Department General Services--regarding the work of his team, supported by Mr. Elrich, to relocate the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) bus depot on Crabbs Branch Way--is now available under the "Implementation Advisory Committee" portion of the Shady Grove Sector Plan web site:
https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/

Thanks again to Mr. Dise for his valuable time and thoughtful presentation, and certainly also to Mr. Seth Adams, Director of the MCPS Division of Design and Construction, for joining us and his own valuable time and thoughtful expertise.

Notably, 800 individuals to date have signed the public petition demanding action on the relocation, testifying to the persistent priority of this concern and expectation as part of the Shady Grove Sector plan of Montgomery Planning:
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/derwood-deserves-betternow

Participation in all public meetings of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee, by all interested parties, is warmly welcome and strongly encouraged to facilitate awareness of and engagement with the sector plan, as well as communication and cooperation with civic leaders and planning experts responsible for its collaborative implementation. Learn more about the plan:
https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/

07/24/2023

The next public meeting of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee will take place on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:30pm via Teams (link to be available closer to the date).

Join us to welcome Robin Riley, Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation, and Division Chiefs Melanie Sasse and Adriane Clutter, who will brief our community on the department’s Recreation Facility Development Plan 2010-2030, specifically its recommendation of Shady Grove as a location for an expanded Community Recreation Center:https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/resources/files/publications/facilitydevelopmentplan.pdf

Video of our June 6 public meeting and the associated presentation by David Dise of Montgomery County's Department General Services--regarding the work of his team, supported by Mr. Elrich, to relocate the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) bus depot on Crabbs Branch Way--is now available under the "Implementation Advisory Committee" portion of the Shady Grove Sector Plan web site: https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/

Thanks again to Mr. Dise for his valuable time and thoughtful presentation, and certainly also to Mr. Seth Adams, Director of the MCPS Division of Design and Construction, for joining us and his own valuable time and thoughtful expertise.

Notably, 800 individuals to date have signed the public petition demanding action on the relocation, testifying to the persistent priority of this concern and expectation as part of the Shady Grove Sector plan of Montgomery Planning: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/derwood-deserves-betternow

Participation in all public meetings of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee, by all interested parties, is warmly welcome and strongly encouraged to facilitate awareness of and engagement with the sector plan, as well as communication and cooperation with civic leaders and planning experts responsible for its collaborative implementation. Learn more about the plan: https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/

06/02/2023

Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee – June 7th @ 7:30pm

Shady Grove Sector Neighbors and Friends,

The next public meeting of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee will take place on Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30pm via Teams here: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjYyMGQ4YjgtZWIzOC00MDc3LWI0ZTctNDJkOGJhMTk1N2Qx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a9061e0c-24ca-4c1c-beff-039bb8c05816%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229f9d79dd-8505-44ed-b999-e51ceff71629%22%7d

We will welcome Mr. David Dise of Montgomery County's Department General Services who will update our community on the work of his team, supported by Mr. Elrich, to relocate the MCPS bus depot on Crabbs Branch Way in order to realize fully the Shady Grove Sector Plan.

We will also welcome to our meeting Mr. Seth Adams, Director of the MCPS Division of Design and Construction.

Video of our April 12 public meeting and the associated presentation by Ms. Carrie Sanders of Montgomery Planning, are now available under the "Implementation Advisory Committee" portion of the Shady Grove Sector Plan web site:
https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/ . Thanks again to Ms. Sanders for her valuable time and thoughtful presentation.

Participation in all our public meetings, by all interested parties, is warmly welcome and strongly encouraged to facilitate awareness of and engagement with the sector plan, as well as communication and cooperation with civic leaders and planning experts responsible for its collaborative implementation. Learn more about the plan https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/ and forward this email to interested Shady Grove Sector neighbors and friends.

Remaining 2023 meeting dates of the committee are posted on this site and are as follows, all via teams and at 7:30pm:

Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Shady Grove Sector Plan The 2021 Shady Grove Sector Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment envisions the continued transformation of the Shady Grove...

05/17/2023

REPLACEMENT OF REDLAND ROAD BRIDGE OVER MILL CREEK

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is holding a virtual public hearing on the proposed replacement of Redland Road Bridge (M-0056) over Mill Creek in Derwood on Wednesday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to provide oral or written comments.
More information is available here:

Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed replacement of Redland Road Bridge (M-0056) over Mill Creek in Derwood on Wednesday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to provide oral or written comments.

05/03/2023

Just an update on two potential developments in Derwood: expansion of the Parc Redland townhouse development on Redland Road and the proposed 5-story, 130-unit Independent Living Facility for Seniors on Overhill Road. Both of these will go before the Development Review Committee at MNCPPC on Tuesday, May 9th.

This is the agenda (https://montgomeryplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DRC-Schedule-Tuesday-May-9-2023.pdf). It has links to the submitted plans. The DRC is videocast here: https://montgomeryplanning.org/development/development-review/

The purpose of the Development Review Committee is to provide a forum for an applicant to receive feedback from Planning Staff and others, such as WSSC, PEPCO, Public Works and Transportation, Permitting Services, and Environmental Protection on a proposed application before it enters an official approval process.

Both of these proposed developments require approval as Conditional Uses A Conditional Use is “a pre-identified use that is permitted in a given zone only upon satisfaction of specified conditions set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.” For a detailed discussion see: https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/document/PASQuickNotes41.pdf.

Conditional Use standards and approvals are covered in the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/montgomerycounty/latest/montgomeryco_md_zone2014/0-0-0-1). Conditional Uses are approved by the Hearing Examiner in the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ozah/). A Hearing Examiner is, in effect, an administrative law judge who is an expert in the County’s Conditional Use requirements.

Under the MC Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Department and the Planning Board are tasked with conducting a detailed review of all Conditional Use applications and providing a recommendation to the Hearing Examiner. Since the Planning Department is supposedly comprised of the County’s Planning experts it should be expected that their review of an application should mirror the Hearing Examiner’s review. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with too many past examples of Planning Staff conducting incompetent reviews. Both of these proposed developments have issues so it will be interesting to see the feedback they receive from Planning Staff.

Development Review Committee (DRC) The Development Review Committee (DRC) is an inter-agency task force comprised of representatives from public agencies...

04/12/2023

Hybrid Public Meeting on the Washington Grove Connector Project in Washington Grove to be Held on Thursday, April 13

On Thursday, April 13, starting at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a hybrid public meeting to discuss the latest progress on the Washington Grove Connector project within the historic Town of Washington Grove, located within Gaithersburg, MD. The public will have an opportunity to attend in person or virtually to ask questions and provide comments.

The Washington Grove Connector project will evaluate the feasibility of a master-planned bike trail connection. The project will help connect the terminus of Crabbs Branch Way to the Town of Washington Grove and the City of Gaithersburg. The project will also improve connectivity to the Shady Grove Metro as well as retail and commercial areas south of MD-200 / I-370. Public input is encouraged and may influence the design of the project.

The meeting will be held at the McCathran Hall located at 300 Grove Avenue, Washington Grove, MD 20880.

Online registration is required to attend virtually. On the morning of the meeting, an invitation to participate in the meeting will be emailed to registrants. You can register here: https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZm9ybXMub2ZmaWNlLmNvbS9nL2pYZUtTckFkVGgiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNDExLjc1MDA5NzUxIn0.LbxO7_BBm6pKN2mVO5av6T7UpNgPZabqgvcFSpmqfVE/s/1372520316/br/157876971458-l

Prior to the meeting, the public is encouraged to review the project files on the project website here: https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRnb21lcnljb3VudHltZC5nb3YvZG90LWR0ZS9wcm9qZWN0cy93YXNoZ3JvdmVjb25uZWN0b3IvaW5kZXguaHRtbCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA0MTEuNzUwMDk3NTEifQ.5lFUGPrhHi-AKJAcUuT6jSTX5p_pYhGoIs6bmFg1Sf8/s/1372520316/br/157876971458-l

Comments and questions may be submitted by email to [email protected] or via the online comment form here: https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZm9ybXMub2ZmaWNlLmNvbS9nLzcyWHR2SlN0dloiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNDExLjc1MDA5NzUxIn0.orYMD2FD_gnc6SKFtCYGGXE4CeiQSMicU83IW30-FRA/s/1372520316/br/157876971458-l

04/10/2023

Shady Grove Sector Neighbors and Friends,

The next public meeting of the Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee will take place this Wednesday, April 12, at 7:30pm via Teams, link below. Note this date is a change from our previously announced date of April 5.

Join us to welcome Carrie Sanders, Mid-County Planning Division Chief of Montgomery Planning, who will speak on the Master Plan process. Learn more about Ms. Sanders and her work at https://montgomeryplanning.org/bio/carrie-sanders/. Our meeting will also include updates on the Shady Grove Sector Plan and the opportunity to ask questions about it.

Participation in this and all meetings of the committee, by all interested parties, is warmly welcome and strongly encouraged to facilitate awareness of and engagement with the sector plan, as well as communication and cooperation with civic leaders and planning experts responsible for its collaborative implementation. Learn more about the plan at https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/

We will continue to request that Mr. Elrich meet with our Committee to offer an update on the appreciated work of his team to relocate the MCPS bus depot on Crabbs Branch Way in order to realize fully the Shady Grove Sector Plan.

Future meeting dates of the committee are posted on the sector plan web site:
https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/communities/midcounty/shady-grove/ and are as follows, all via teams and at 7:30pm:

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjYyMGQ4YjgtZWIzOC00MDc3LWI0ZTctNDJkOGJhMTk1N2Qx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a9061e0c-24ca-4c1c-beff-039bb8c05816%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229f9d79dd-8505-44ed-b999-e51ceff71629%22%7d

05/25/2021

Mark your calendars for a May 27th meeting with our District 19 Representatives: Senator Kramer and Delegates Crutchfield, Cullison, and Stewart.

We will be meeting starting at 7pm over Zoom. You can join the Zoom Meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3513009478...

Note that all Zoom Meetings are capped at 100 participants.

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