Development Plan Proposed For 72 Stacked Townhouses (With green Space) at Central Ave in Gaithersburg

MCS Staff August 10, 2022 at 10:52am

One Central LLC has submitted a schematic development plan that proposes 72 stacked townhouse (2-over-2) units along with green amenity space in Gaithersburg. Per the plans submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, the Property is located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Central Avenue with South Frederick Avenue. Nearby and vicinal uses (on the north) include the Devol Funeral Home and surface parking lot; (on the west) South Frederick Avenue; (on the south) single family housing structures believed occupied by office/employment use;, and (on the east) Unity of Gaithersburg Church, Rockville Evangelical Church, and single family residential.

South Frederick Avenue in this location is a six lane divided highway with an additional turning lane at W. Deer Park Road. Nearby uses across South Frederick Avenue from the Property include the Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, Epworth United Methodist Church and preschool, large surface parking lots, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Crystal Community Church, the Deer Park Office Center and the Barkley Apartments. South of and within 1⁄4 mile of the Property are a variety of retail uses accessible via an existing sidewalk along South Frederick Avenue including the Walnut Hill Shopping Center and the former Weis Food Market, banking services and other retailers and restaurants.

The Applicant proposes to redevelop the Property with 72 2-over-2 condominium units (“Project”). The Project will visually enhance a primary southern entryway into the City, provide needed housing resources, and supply additional customers for local businesses. The new housing will include 15% affordable housing units. These units will be served by existing public transit and will be within walking distance to existing shopping opportunities. As part of the Project, open space and environmentally sensitive areas will be protected.

The Project will convert residential property developed many years ago at a very low, almost rural density, into an attractive new housing resource for the City that also preserves existing environmental resources. The Project will reinforce the southern entranceway into the City by creating a strong street edge at the corner of Central Avenue and South Frederick Avenue, while introducing higher densities appropriate to the Property’s proximity to South Frederick Avenue.

The Project will include 72 2-over-2 rear loaded condominium units of 24-foot widths. The units will be developed in three distinct areas of the Property. Each of these areas will be linked to the other by a new internal natural surface trail system that weaves its way through the environmental area. Attractive seating and interpretive signage will be placed along the trail at appropriate locations describing environmental features.

All units will be accessed off private alleyways. A new public road connection between Central Avenue and South Frederick Avenue will also be provided, along with new sidewalks and on-street parking. Units will present as a 4-story façade with each unit comprising two floors within the building. Buildings will be constructed out of attractive and durable materials including brick and/or cultured stone veneer accents in combination with vinyl siding in numerous color combinations. All units will front on streets. For high visibility units, additional architectural treatments available to purchasers will include one story brick and/or stone veneer; a minimum of seven windows on high visibility facades; enhanced landscaping packages; gable vents; and enhanced window trim and decorative Fypon head pieces above windows.”

A consolidated joint public hearing will be scheduled at a future time. Comments on this application may either be mailed to 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg MD, 20877 or sent to [email protected]. Additional information can be found on the City of Gaithersburg website.