The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the county’s long-term priorities, which include a vibrant economy, equity for all residents, and a healthy environment. The final plan will include policies, recommendations, best practices and implementation programs that provide clear direction for the public and county officials on how we will achieve this vision.
This sector plan amendment will take cues from Thrive Montgomery 2050, the county’s ongoing general plan update – particularly its equity framework – which describes how great places with equitable access to opportunity produce strong communities and people.
The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities, and the environment. This project will amend portions of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan which is the current planning document for the community.
The planning team is now in the initial stages of this effort which includes background research and identifying existing conditions before presenting the Scope of Work to the Planning Board in the spring of 2021.
This webpage will be updated regularly throughout this process. You are encouraged to sign-up for our e-letter to stay informed of the latest news, meetings, and opportunities to participate.
Background
The properties within the sector plan amendment boundary are currently governed by the 1997 Fairland Master Plan. The 1997 Fairland Master Plan boundary area extends along US Highway 29 (Columbia Pike) from East Randolph/Cherry Hill Road in the south to Burtonsville in the north, and from Prince George’s County in the east, and the Paint Branch to the west. The 1997 Fairland Master Plan area consists of approximately 8,200 acres or about 13 square miles of land.
The 1997 Fairland Master Plan’s concept has three components: 1) Livable suburban communities, 2) open space and greenways, and 3) neighborhoods are served by commercial activity centers. The plan also addressed the following elements: transportation, community facilities, environmental resources, and historic resources. Policies and recommendations were implemented through zoning changes, a capital improvement program, and a water and sewer staging program.
Since 1997, the majority of the plan area has not been the subject of a master plan update. In 2012, the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan updated land use, zoning, environment and transportation recommendations for approximately 191 acres focused on mostly commercial land near the intersection of Old Columbia Pike and MD 198. The White Oak Science Gateway Plan was approved and adopted in 2014, covering the land south of Fairland including the commercial properties south of Cherry Hill Road, along Tech Road, and areas to the south along New Hampshire Avenue south to Hillandale.
These two planning efforts on either side of Fairland, plus the introduction of the new FLASH bus rapid transit line, and the ongoing awareness of the diversity and inequities within the planning area make now the perfect time to re-imagine Fairland as a vibrant, prosperous and equitable community for the 21st century.
Bear Brick Oven Pizza is Now Open in Cloverly
In the summer of 2019 we let you know that Bear Brick Oven Pizza would be taking over the old Greek Islands Grill location on New Hampshire Avenue in Cloverly.
After a few delays, the restaurant has officially opened. They’ll be in soft opening mode for the rest of April before a grand opening on May 1st that will feature local vendors. For now, their hours are 4pm-9pm.
Currently, the restaurant is offering pizzas and salads to go along with local beers and wine by the glass or bottle.
In May, BBOP will add subs and sandwiches as the menu expands.
Below you’ll see one of their signature pizzas, The Cloverly, as well as their current menu. You can call in your orders at (301)889-9000.
Popeyes Construction Set to Begin, Pizza Hut Demolished and Cleared (Briggs Chaney)
Back in November we let you know that Popeyes will be taking over the old Pizza Hut location in the Briggs Chaney shopping center (13886 Old Columbia Pike).
The old Pizza Hut has been demolished and cleared and construction will start very soon on the Popeyes building. It’s possible that the restaurant opens in the second half of 2021.
Popeyes has recently expanded within MoCo, recently opening up a location in the Kentlands and planning to open a new location in Downtown Silver Spring.
The Briggs Chaney shopping center is an interesting selection for the fried chicken chain, as local chain Hip Hop Fish & Chicken arrived at the same shopping center less than a year ago.
Pizza Hut photo courtesy of Google Maps
Gong Cha and Fuji Teriyaki Will Hold its Soft Opening on Wednesday, 2/3 at the Orchard Center in Calverton
Bubble tea and teriyaki will be available starting tomorrow at the Orchard Center on Cherry Hill Rd in Calverton, as the Gong Cha/Fuji Teriyaki combo shop will hold its soft opening tomorrow (Wednesday, 2/3) from 11am-10pm.
Gong Cha opened its first MoCo location in Rockville Pike under the Galvan apartments in 2018. It is one of the most successful bubble tea chains in the world, and has over 1,500 locations worldwide, including another Rockville location and a Bethesda location.
Fuji Teriyaki Grill is similar to fast-casual hibachi restaurants like Sarku Japan and Quickway/Quickfire.
The two places share a location.
Big Greek Cafe Hillandale is Coming Soon!
Big Greek Cafe has become one of the most popular restaurants in MoCo in recent years, having opened four locations across the county (Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, Kensington, and Rockville).
Recently they debuted “Big Greek on Wheels,” a food truck that will bring some of their menu items right to your neighborhood.
Now, according to the Big Greek Cafe website, a new location is coming to Hillandale.
It will be taking over the former home of Urban Bar-B-Que at 10163 New Hampshire Ave in the Hillandale shopping center, next to Chipotle.
No word yet on an opening date.
Break Em Fix Em Grand Opening in Colesville Center
Break Em Fix Em, a repair and accessory shop, is holding a grand opening event at its new location in the Colesville Center (13430 New Hampshire Ave).
The event will run from 11am-7pm and will include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11am, music throughout the day, and 20% off of everything in the store.
Break Em Fix Em repairs all brands of mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and more. They specialize in the repair of broken glass/LCD, speaker replacement, camera/home button replacement, battery/charging port replacement, and water damage.
The repair and accessory shop is taking over the old Cricket Wireless location between Urgent Care and JC Crab House.
Updated to reflect new closing date of February 22nd, changed from February 28th
ShopRite of White Oak (located in Calverton) to Close Permanently on February 22nd
Many wondered why the Orchard Center on Cherry Hill Road in Calverton would bring in a second grocery store when Aldi opened in October.
It now looks like we have our answer as ShopRite tells us they’ll be closing permanently on February 22nd of this year.
The Orchard Center has undergone some pretty major changes in recent months, including bringing in Five Below, bubble tea spot Gong Cha and Fuji Teriyaki. All three will be opening in early 2021.
Kona Ice is Coming to Olney/Burtonsville and Surrounding Areas
Scott and Staci Gilreath announced that they’ll be bringing Kona Ice to Olney, Ashton, Sandy Spring, Colesville, Burtonsville, Spencerville, and Laurel.
The family-owned small business serves up tropical shaved ice from the Kona entertainment vehicle. Shaved ice or “Hawaiian shave ice” is an ice-based dessert made by shaving a block of ice. While the product can resemble a snow cone, snow cones are made with crushed, rather than shaved, ice.
Kona Ice started in Northern Kentucky in 2007 and has expanded rather quickly. The shave ice trucks are similar to ice cream trucks, but “focus on the experience.”
Kona Ice of Olney/Burtonsville/Laurel will be riding in to your communities in Spring 2021.
“Just a kid from Jersey with a dream.” The new food truck that serves New Jersey style hot dogs has opened for business today. The hot dogs will cost between $3-$5 and will include a variety of topping options. Per the Catalyst Hot Dogs website (menu available in link):
”Owner/operator, Chris Van Jura, has been a member of the Hospitality Industry for nearly 20 years. Over this time he has, on a daily basis, done what every Hospitalian does, which is put the attention and focus on the guest. During this time, he has relocated to the DMV, found love and started a family. He has devoted hundreds of hours to the needs of others—and now, through the pandemic and two furloughs, he has made a choice: We’re getting into the Hot Dog business!”
Catalyst Hot Dogs is located at 2900 Broadbirch Drive, behind the Orchard Center and near the Home Depot.
Update (1/17/21): Five Below Will Have its Grand Opening on Saturday, February 6th
Five Below is Coming to the Orchard Center on Cherry Hill Rd
Five Below, a chain of speciality discount stores that sells products that cost up to $5 (with a few products costing between $6-$10), is opening next to the new Aldi in the Orchard Center on Cherry Hill Rd. in Calverton.
We spoke with a leasing agent this afternoon who was able to confirm the upcoming location that is expected to open in the first half of 2021.
Currently there is one storefront available for lease in the shopping center. It is half of the old Staples location that was split in half (between Living Well and Adventist HealthCare).
ShopRite has announced it will close at the end of February and GongCha/Fuji Teriyaki are both coming to the shopping center too.
Two New Restaurants for Briggs Chaney Marketplace
Two new restaurants have recently opened in Briggs Chaney Marketplace in the last few weeks (Outlet Drive in Silver Spring).
Island Quizine, a local restaurant group with four locations in the Baltimore region, opened its first MoCo location last month. Describing itself as “not your typical Jamaican restaurant,” Island Quizine offers traditional Jamaican fare as well as other Caribbean-inspired dishes.
Karen’s Seafood opened this month and has extended its “15% off entire ticket” special for the time being, according to the modified banner on the storefront. Karen’s offers Cajun seafood options as well as wings for any of the land lovers out there.
