A Joint Public Hearing on the sketch plan application by Muddy Branch Investments, LLC, to redevelop the former Nike Missile Site, was held on Monday, March 20, 2023. The Planning Commission record closed at 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2023 and they recommended approval of the sketch plan to the Mayor and City Council at their May 3, 2023 meeting. The Mayor and City Council record will close at 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2023 and they are tentatively scheduled to conduct their policy discussion at their June 20, 2023 meeting. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 31 S Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (virtual participation will also be available). Any questions or comments on the application should be directed to the Planning Department at [email protected] or 301-258-6330.
According to the applicant, Muddy Branch Investments, LLC, the sketch plan’s main purpose is to redevelop the former Nike missile site into a multifamily residential development that will complement and be compatible with the surrounding Lakelands Ridge, Timberbrook, and Shady Grove Village communities, as well as the Muddy Branch Square Shopping Center. The Application proposes a maximum of 380 multifamily dwelling units, located within four separate development blocks. Individual blocks have been allocated a maximum number of dwelling units out of the overall 380 unit cap. Although the 380 units proposed across the entire 13.71-acre site is significantly less dense (27.7 units per acre) than other recently-approved stand-alone multifamily developments, such as the Fishman Site (109 units on 0.99 acres, or 110.0 units per acre), Kentlands Apartments (365 units on 3.1 acres, or 117.7 units per acre), and Camden at Washingtonian (365 units on 5.86 acres, or 62.3 units per acre), the proposed density is comparable to and compatible with the surrounding Timberbrook Condos (168 units on 9.74 acres, or 17.2 units per acre) and Lakelands Ridge Condos (159 units on 9.39 acres, or 16.9 units per acre).
The applicant submitted Sketch Plan application SK-9497-2023, proposing to construct 380 multifamily residential units in four buildings up to five stories in height, all located on approximately 14 acres. The sketch plan includes surface parking, open space, pedestrian connections, and amenities for the multifamily units. The sole vehicular access to the proposed development will be along a private street coming off Muddy Branch Road. The subject property is located at 770 Muddy Branch Road, and is west of Muddy Branch Road, north of the Lakelands Ridge community and the Muddy Branch Square shopping center, east of the Lakelands Ridge community and Great Seneca Highway, and south of the Timberbrook community, Lakelands Ridge conservation area, and City-owned land.