Gaithersburg

The Holiday Inn, which has been located at 2 Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg since it was built in 1972, has reopened after being closed for approximately three years. A representative from the hotel told us that it reopened in late June. The hotel initially closed in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.

After its closure in 2020, B.F. Saul Company worked with Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) on a plan to convert the Holiday Inn into affordable senior living. In February 2021, the Gaithersburg City Council approved an amendment that stated properties zoned for commercial, employment and industrial uses could not have residential uses in those zones, which thwarted plans for the planned conversion. “We’re clarifying that when we have a commercial zone, we mean commercial and not residential” Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman stated at the meeting.

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.