Formal Recommendation for Walnut Hill Shopping Center Annexation to be Made Later This Month

The City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission reviewed the proposed annexation of the Walnut Hill shopping center at its Wednesday, July 5, 2023 meeting and will accept comments through 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023.  The Commission is scheduled to make its formal recommendation to the Council during its July 19, 2023 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Montgomery County Planning Board is scheduled to review the annexation at their July 13, 2023 meeting. The Mayor and City Council have scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall  (virtual participation will also be available). The subject properties to be annexed are located northeast of MD Route 355 and include the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16531 South Frederick Avenue, a restaurant at 8941 North Westland Drive, a vacant parcel at 8939 North Westland Drive, and a portion of the right of way of North Westland Drive.

The Applicant, Granite Partners, has submitted Annexation Petition X-9510-2023, proposing to annex three parcels that currently abut the City boundary, along with a portion of the North Westland Drive right of way.  The Annexation Plan proposes several changes to the existing Walnut Hill Shopping Center, including constructing a new freestanding convenience store with accessory gasoline pumps, demolishing an existing small freestanding building on the south side of the property, renovating the exterior of the main shopping center building, and making improvements to the parking lot and landscaping.  No changes are proposed for the other two properties included in the Annexation Petition.

Any questions or comments on the application should be directed to the Planning Department at [email protected] or 301-258-6330.

Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg