MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council approved the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan Update, which is the first comprehensive update to the plan since its creation in 1996. The Council also enacted Bill 30-23 that changes the composition and duties of the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee.

Rustic roads are low-traffic, narrow roadways in historic and scenic locations around the County. They are primarily found in agricultural and rural regions with a large number running through the Agricultural Reserve as well as historic and heritage sites. The Rustic Roads are primarily found in Council Districts 2, 7 and 1.


Aspen Hill

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a house fire on the 11800blk Goodloe Rd., off Dewey Road, near Viers Mill Elementary School shortly before 11:30 on Tuesday morning. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to heavy fire conditions.  Two firefighters were treated for non-life threatening injuries and there were no civilian injuries. Damage is estimated to be ~400K and four adults have been displaced.

The origin/cause of the fire is currently under investigation but fire investigators did locate damaged lithium batteries at the scene. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Councilmember Dawn Luedtke introduced a bill today that would improve emergency response by enabling the public to provide personal and medical information to assist emergency responders through a voluntary 9-1-1 registry program.  The voluntary registry established through Bill 33-23, Police – Voluntary Registry for Emergency 911 Calls – Established, would allow individuals or their caregivers to notify first responders that someone at their address has differing abilities or health challenges, such as being non-verbal, sensitive to loud noises or bright lights, prone to avoid eye contact, or exhibits other traits. This information would be included in the County’s emergency dispatch system and regularly updated.

“Voluntary 9-1-1 registry is a proven option to help our public safety professionals better support individuals during an emergency call,” Councilmember Luedtke said. “When our first responders arrive on scene, we want them to have as much information as possible so they can provide the most effective and appropriate care.”


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Gaithersburg

Bella Ballet opened in 2013 when owner Hope MacDonald opened the flagship location, located at 347 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, at age 24 with $5,000 of her savings. Now, she is opening her second location in the neighboring shopping center at 215 Kentlands Blvd, next to Cava.

The flagship location will remain open with classes offered for students ages 2-7.  The new sister location, Empower, will open at 215 Kentlands Blvd., and will offer classes for students ages 7-18. This location will be open in September 2023. Enrollment for both locations is available now on the Bella Ballet website.


Gaithersburg

Per the City of Gaithersburg: In 2019, the State legislature passed HB 1045 requiring all master plans to include a new Housing Element. This new Element is required at a minimum to address the need for affordable housing, including both workforce and low-income housing. The Element may also discuss other facets of housing. The City, over the next several months, will begin working on this new Housing Element, which will include goals and recommendations meant to address future housing needs in the City.  The Planning Commission draft can be viewed here.

Comments on the Planning Commission draft may be submitted in writing to the Planning & Code Administration, 31 S. Summit Ave. Gaithersburg MD, 20877, or by email to [email protected] up until the closing of the records. The Planning Commission’s record will remain open until 5 pm July 21, 2023 with anticipated approval and recommendation on August 2, 2023. The Mayor & City Council’s record will remain open until 5 pm on August 18, 2023 with anticipated adoption on September 18, 2023.


Aspen Hill

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a house fire on the 11800blk Goodloe Rd., off Dewey Road, near Viers Mill Elementary School shortly before 11:30 on Tuesday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to see the fire showing upon arrival. Many readers have written to us via social media from miles away letting us know that the fire is visible. Piringer tweeted a video from the scene shortly after 12:00pm that showed lots of smoke coming from the home as crews continue to work. The video can be seen below.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced $4 million in grants to six jurisdictions for repairs that will enable nearly 300 homes to proceed with comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits. The funds will be deployed through a new pilot program that integrates the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s energy efficiency programs and rehabilitation programs, providing the repairs necessary to proceed with upgrades for homes deferred for health and safety reasons.

“Through this pilot program, we’re opening the door for more Maryland homes to meet their energy efficiency goals,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “Encouraging these energy improvements at the residential level—and ensuring that they can be made efficiently—is an important step in addressing our climate challenges.”


Clarksburg

The Montgomery County Planning Department will hold a community kickoff meeting for the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan at Clarksburg Neighborhood Park (22501 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871) on Wednesday, July 26th, starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the indoor building near the entrance to the park.

The Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan will examine undeveloped areas—specifically, the eastern side of I-270 within the I-270 corridor—that have largely remained unchanged in the last 30 years. Alongside extensive local input and in-depth conversations with residents, business owners, and the tech and life sciences communities, Montgomery Planning staff will evaluate the plan area’s trends and conditions before developing recommendations for realizing a thriving Clarksburg that works for the future of both its residents and the surrounding county.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland Lottery: “We have to remember to stop for Powerball tickets,” is what a 30-year-old jackpot chaser said to her family after leaving a gathering last week. It’s a good thing she didn’t forget because the ticket she bought on July 19 turned out to be a $1 million second-tier Powerball winner.

The lucky lady was in disbelief as her husband started reading back the winning numbers. “I knew those were some of my numbers,” said the healthcare worker. “And, when I saw where the ($1 million winning) ticket was bought, I knew it was me.” The big winner just missed the jackpot by one number. She matched the first five white balls but missed the red Powerball, taking home a second-tier $1 million win.


North Bethesda

The Pike District Partnership is hosting a free ‘Dog Days of Summer’ event at the Pike District Pop-up Park (Grand Park Avenue and Banneker Street) this Thursday, July 27 from 6-8pm. This event will feature live music from Chasing Autumn Duo, local food and beverage vendors including Lone Oak Brewing, lawn games, and a “Best Dressed Pet Contest” for prizes from local businesses. The Montgomery County Humane Society will also be promoting their adoption/foster programs and will have adoptable dogs on site.

Per Pike District, “This is the third season for the Pike District Thursdays in the Park, a free concert series at the Pike District Pop-Up Park. The concert series kicked off Thursday, June 1 and features local food trucks and, for attendees 21 and older a local Montgomery County brewery and spirits distillery will sell a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are available for seating, but guests are welcome to bring chairs and/or picnic blankets. Other activities include lawn games, raffles and giveaways.”