Per MCPD:  The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in the 8200 block of Snouffer School Road, just before Bonanza Way. At approximately 8:58, Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the area for the report of a collision involving a pedestrian.

Upon arrival, 47-year-old Carlos Tapia-Sosa of Rockville, was located in the roadway. Tapia-Sosa was pronounced dead. The driver of a silver, 2012 Hyundai Elantra, remained on the scene. The preliminary investigation by CRU detectives has revealed that the driver of the Elantra was traveling westbound on Snouffer School Road. Tapia-Sosa was crossing Snouffer School Road from south to north when he was struck in lane two of westbound Snouffer School Road.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.  Anyone who has information or may have witnessed this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773-6620.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Ln. near Westlake Drive, for a tree that fell and damaged some nearby (unoccupied) parked cars in the parking lot by playground around 5pm on Sunday evening.

According to a tweet by MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, “Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Ln. near Westlake Drive, parking lot by playground, large tree down damaged some nearby parked cars (unoccupied), powerlines damaged/down, no injuries” Featured photo courtesy of Instagram user @jimson92

Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Ln. near Westlake Drive, parking lot by playground, large tree down damaged some nearby parked cars (unoccupied), powerlines damaged/down, no injuries

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 8, 2023

Dunkin’ has been making a big push lately in Montgomery County, with new locations at the Layhill Center (14328 Layhill Rd) in Silver Spring and in the Goshen Crossing Shopping Center in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village, where it has taken over the former Capital One Bank building at 20000 Goshen Rd.  Last December, we let you know that Dunkin’ is continuing its massive expansion across the country and within MoCo, and there are currently four locations in the works:

Dunkin’ will be taking over 1,500 SF in the back half of the building that was previously home to Capital One Bank building at 9761 Traville Gateway Drive in Rockville. The location will also have a drive-thru. 1,700 SF on the front side of the building is still available to lease and has also received a facelift since its days as a bank. Crews have been working on both the interior and exterior of the space, with a projected opening timeframe of late 2023/early 2024.

A new Dunkin’ is coming to 2 Wisconsin Circle, the Chevy Chase Metro building in Chevy Chase. It is slated to take over suite 100, which was recently home to Karin’s Cafe (currently listed as temporarily closed on Google). According to the rendering for the new location (seen below), it appears that it will have electronic ordering boards and a walk-up window for customers to pick up their orders. This is the second announced upcoming Chevy Chase location, with another Dunkin’ coming to 8500 Connecticut Ave. Dunkin’ will soon be joining the Giant gas station/grocery pick-up center  at 8500 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase. There are plans to convert part of the existing building to a Dunkin’, but it does not appear that this location will have a drive-thru. Opening dates for both Chevy Chase locations are not yet available.

Dunkin’ has also submitted a site plan proposing to turn an existing building at 17700 Muncaster Rd. (off of Muncaster Mill Rd.) into a new Dunkin’ location in Derwood, Luis Group confirmed today. The proposed restaurant would be 2,500SF and there is no word yet on if it will include a drive-thru.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at the 1121 University Blvd W at University Towers II in Silver Spring early Sunday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, multiple units responded and saw smoke on the 5th floor. By 1:21pm the fire was out and firefighters were clearing smoke conditions on upper floors of the complex. The fire originated in a bedroom on the 5th floor and was likely caused by burning incense (too close to combustible spray used to neutralize food odor).

Fire department activity temporarily closed some lanes on Arcola Ave and some residents evacuated while others sheltered on their balconies. The fire was confined to the room of origin and there were no injuries.

University, Towers II, 1121 University Blvd. W., near Sligo Creek Parkway, smoke on fifth floor, @mcfrs PE718, AT718, PE716, E705, PE719, PE712, T716, AT719, RS742, A742B, BC704, BC701 & others responded & on scene

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 8, 2023

Each month popular food website, Eater, answers the question “Where should I eat right now?” In their October 2023 edition, Eater DC has included just Montgomery County restaurant in its list of buzzworthy restaurants that have been open for less than six months. For the second month in a row, The Farmhouse Bistro at the Crossvines (16601 W Willard Rd, Poolesville, MD) has made the list.

Our very own Mr. MoCo stated, “Farmhouse Bistro has quickly become one of my favorite places to eat in MoCo. The burger was one of the best I’ve ever eaten (that’s bacon and onion jam on it), and the fish and chips were the best I’ve ever had. This is one of the few places where everything was good so anything you see, I recommend.” A reel of his visit can be seen below.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxJPHBGOaVe/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Per Eater DC, “Nestled in the scenic hillsides of Montgomery County, Crossvines is a winery, events venue, research vineyard, and rustic dining destination all in one. The Farmhouse Bistro is helmed by Maryland native Luis Montesinos, who most recently led the kitchen at José Andrés’ Jaleo in Las Vegas. Locally sourced lunch includes confit chicken wings with a “Cool Ranch”-style dip; fried clam and lobster sliders; and an aged brisket burger. Dinner highlights for summer include Chesapeake crab cakes and sweet corn; wild Chesapeake Bay rockfish with tomato butter; and Jurgielewicz Farms duck breast adorned in Virginia strawberries and fava beans. Seasonal American menus pair well with wines made steps away.” Full Eater DC list available here.

Field Hockey Varsity

Football JV

Soccer Boys Varsity

Per MCPD: 57-year-old Georgia man is dead following a domestic-related shooting in Olney. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, at approximately 8:24 p.m., the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center received a call for a shooting in the 4500 block of Mount Olney Lane.

4th District officers responded to the address and learned that the suspect, 25-year-old Nicholas Marquis Stull, was possibly inside of the home where he lived with his grandparents, and armed. Officers were informed that the victim, Michael Wayne Stull, the suspect’s father, had been shot and was also inside the house.

The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWAT) responded to the location and entered the home, where Nicholas Stull was taken into custody by SWAT officers. The elder Stull was pronounced dead at the scene. Nicholas Stull has been charged with first-degree murder, first and second-degree assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Stull had a non-life-threatening, self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital. Featured image courtesy or Google Maps. 

Per Montgomery County: The Economic Development (ECON) Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss business retention strategies and receive a briefing from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) on second quarter Montgomery County economic indicators in 2023.

The members of the ECON Committee include Chair Natali Fani-González, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles.

The Transportation and Environment (TE) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to review and make recommendations on WSSC Water’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Spending Control Limits.

The members of the TE Committee include Chair Glass and Councilmembers Balcombe and Kate Stewart.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) – Business Retention

Discussion: The ECON Committee will be joined by representatives of MCEDC for a discussion about strategies for retaining businesses located in the County. The discussion will also include an overview of target industries, business retention engagement, access to capital, partnerships, marketing and business retention tools.

2nd Quarter 2023 Montgomery County Economic Indicators – Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

Briefing: The ECON Committee will be briefed by representatives of MCEDC and the Montgomery County Planning Department about the County’s economic indicators during the second quarter of 2023. This quarterly report will focus on employment, real estate and development, venture capital and migration patterns.

WSSC Water Spending Control Limits

Briefing and discussion: The TE Committee will receive a briefing, discuss and make recommendations on spending control limits for WSSC Water’s FY25 Budget. WSSC Water’s spending control limits process was established in April 1994 by both the Montgomery County Council and Prince George’s County Council. The goal of the spending control limits process is to reconcile both Council’s actions by Nov. 1 of each year so that WSSC Water can build the approved limits into its upcoming operating budget public hearing draft document, which will be released for public comment by Jan. 15, 2024. WSSC Water’s Operating Budget request will be formally transmitted to both counties by March 1.

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County made another bold move to expand its number of affordable housing units by providing funding for the construction of Park Montgomery West, a new 76-unit rental apartment building to be built at 8856 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring. Conveniently located along the developing Purple Line Corridor, Park Montgomery West will help preserve and meet the increasing demand for transit-oriented affordable housing in one of Maryland’s most populated counties.

Montgomery County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) facilitated $10.6 million in financing, along with a Payment in lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Enterprise Community Development, Inc. (ECD) to support the construction of the 76 new apartments and the renovation of 141 existing units. The PILOT agreement waves County real estate taxes for ECD on its affordable units.

“Too often, when a neighborhood increases its amenities, the existing residents are forced out because of unaffordable rents,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “As the Purple Line station comes to the neighborhood, this project preserves, improves and expands affordable housing options. I appreciate the partnership with Enterprise and the State and look forward to continuing our efforts to build a more equitable and prosperous community for all.”

DHCA Director Scott Bruton highlighted the importance of collaborations and innovative funding strategies.

“Through strategic partnerships and valuable financing models like the twinning of Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), we can accelerate the growth of affordable housing options in our County,” said Director Bruton. “The Park Montgomery project exemplifies our commitment to addressing housing challenges and making substantial progress toward meeting the needs of our diverse population.”

The ability to “twin” or simultaneously utilize two LIHTC programs is another key part of EDC’s financing for Park Montgomery. Typically, the LIHTC program is utilized for either new construction projects or for renovating existing buildings, but not both. Securing a 9 percent tax credit for the construction of Park Montgomery West, and a 4 percent tax credit for financing renovations at Park Montgomery, the twinning of LIHTC creatively combines two separate tax credits to maximize the impact of affordable housing initiatives.

The Park Montgomery development aligns with the County’s vision to create a vibrant and inclusive community where every resident has access to safe, decent and affordable housing. DHCA is dedicated to fostering such growth. The Park Montgomery project stands as a beacon of hope for families, offering a total of 217 units as an affordable home to households earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income.

Built in 1971, the existing 15-story Park Montgomery building will undergo an extensive renovation. ECD also will demolish an existing parking structure and replace it with the new five-level Park Montgomery West building located on top of a new parking facility.  The development is comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with more than 30 percent of the units designed as three-bedroom units.

The total Park Montgomery project is estimated to cost $98.8 million, with $34.7 million going toward construction of the new building and $64.1 million for renovations of the existing building.

Creating affordable housing opportunities and protecting tenant’s rights are part of County Executive Elrich’s key initiatives. Financing of affordable housing at the Park Montgomery West complex also comes in the wake of County Executive Elrich signing the County’s historic Rent Stabilization Bill 15-23, which protects renters by limiting yearly rent increases to inflation plus 3 percent, with a total cap up to 6 percent.