Planning Board Hearing December 16 at 9:00 am for Strathmore Avenue Project
The Property is currently developed with the vacant St. Angela Hall Retirement Home, open space, and frontage associated with the Academy of the Holy Cross School.
The rezoning will allow for the future redevelopment of the property with up to 125 single-family dwelling units (including a minimum of 15% MPDUs) and a 145-bed residential care facility.
An associated Preliminary Forest Conservation Plan and Tree Variance is recommended for approval and discussed in a separate Staff Report.
Subsequent Preliminary and Site Plan reviews will be required if the Local Map Amendment is approved.
Permitted uses on the Site include up to 125 single-family detached and attached dwelling units
(including a minimum of 15% MPDUs) and a residential care facility (with up to 145 beds).
- Commercial uses are not permitted on the Property, except permitted accessory uses associated with
the residential care facility. - A natural surface trail must be provided along the western side of the Site that is subject to a public
access easement. - The Property is limited to no more than three points of vehicular access from Strathmore Avenue.
- The Property must be subdivided to formally delineate the boundary of the area subject to the rezoning
at the time of Preliminary Plan. - A Phase I Noise Analysis must be submitted with the Preliminary Plan to identify noise levels that might
impact interior and exterior spaces subject to the Planning Department’s Noise Guidelines. The analysis
must be performed by a qualified acoustical engineer. If a combined Preliminary/Site Plan is
submitted, the Site Plan must include recommendations from a qualified acoustical engineer to
mitigate excessive noise levels per the Noise Guidelines.
At the time of Preliminary Plan and Site Plan(s) approval, the Applicant must address the following: - The Applicant will upgrade the Strathmore Avenue frontage through the construction of the 10-footwide shared use path and 6-foot-wide green buffer that complies with the North Bethesda/Garrett Park
Master Plan, the Bicycle Plan, and other applicable plans and policies. - Create a safe and attractive pedestrian trail that connects open spaces within the development and, to
the extent practicable, connects the development with the surrounding community.
a) The trail should be of a permeable material (i.e. natural surface, wood chip, wood mulch) that
provides good accessibility and low maintenance and seating should be provided along select
portions of the natural surface trail that are outside of the floodplain but may lie within the
stream valley buffer. - Create an attractive and walkable streetscape on both sides of Street C:
a) Continue to coordinate with Staff on the townhouse driveways to create a pedestrian friendly
environment. - Create useable public open spaces:
a) Consolidate public open space to two or three areas and work with staff to improve the utility
of these spaces at the time of Site Plan.
Read the entire staff report.
Back in January we let you know about plans for Kensington Crossing– a new retail development that will be located at 10619 Connecticut Avenue (at Plyers Mill Road) in Kensington. Now we know that the development has signed its first tenant to take over its largest space (2,635 SF)– M&T Bank, which currently has a Kensington location on Howard Avenue.
No word yet on if this will be a second Kensington branch, but the likely scenario would involve the current branch moving to the new space. Per HRretail, only two locations remain available for lease (Spaces C and D). No word yet on what is moving in to the other spaces that have been leased.
Possible Life Sciences and Biotechnology Office Building Coming to Pike & Rose in Location Currently Occupied by Bark Social
We recently learned of plans for a potential new office building that could be constructed at 935 Prose Street in Pike & Rose, the current site of Bark Social.
The plans, authored by Scheer Partners, state that the new building will be a 10-story trophy-class, state-of-the-art research/lab building that marries iconic design, and superior lab functionality. The architectural plans show lab space, office space, a fitness center, outdoor green terrace, conference facility, and more.
We spoke with Federal Realty for further information. They shared, “Federal is in the preliminary stages of exploring a new office building, with a focus on the life sciences and biotechnology industry. We enjoy the activation and unique offering that Bark Social has brought to the neighborhood, and endeavor to continue a long-term relationship with the team.”
We also reached out to Bark Social for comment. They responded, “ Your communication with us was the first we’ve heard of this news. We’re reaching out to Federal Realty to learn the details. We love MoCo and will ALWAYS be in MoCo. When [we] find out what is happening, you’ll find out what’s happening.”
According to a brochure on the website of the future building, Scheer Partners anticipates that construction will take approximately 18 months and that the building will be open for tenants to move in between April- late June of 2024.
Featured rendering courtesy of Scheer Partners.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
South Block, a smoothie and juice bar best known for their acai bowls, shared that they are opening a new location in Pike & Rose. Per their Instagram announcement, they are hoping to open by summer 2022. They will be taking over the space currently occupied by the Residences At Pike & Rose leasing office, right next to the newly opened Call Your Mother Deli. (The leasing office will move to the spot formerly occupied by Nava Health.)
Along with their acai bowls, South Block offers other fruit and vegetable-based bowls, a range of smoothies, and cold pressed juices. They currently have eleven locations throughout DC and Virginia– their Pike & Rose spot will be their first location in Maryland. In addition to their brick and mortar locations, South Block has an online storefront where they sell pre-blended smoothie bowl kits that they deliver throughout the continental United States.
South Block places an emphasis on giving back and doing good– they donate a portion of all juice sales to Fruitful Planet, an organization created by South Block’s founder that brings fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. Per their website, they also use organic, fair trade acai in order to help fight deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest.
You can learn more about South Block by checking out their website.
Featured photo courtesy of South Block’s Instagram.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
Latest on Wawa Coming to Gaithersburg
Back in 2019 we reported that Wawa was coming to Gaithersburg and would be taking over the old Becraft Antiques location on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School (405 S Frederick Ave).
The latest we’ve heard is that Wawa is currently working through their final site plan with the City of Gaithersburg in order to present and get approval from the Planning Commission. Once approved, Wawa move forward with construction.
Public opposition to the site led to the development being stalled after a group of 14 community members filed an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court.
The opponents of the site had stated that the Wawa does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas.
Back in April Judge Donald Beachley struck down the appeal, clearing the way for development to begin.
Viva White Oak Developers Say They Are Close to Beginning Construction
Biz Journal is reporting that the developers of the $3 billion, 12 million-square-feet Viva White Oak project say that they are almost ready to begin construction on the 300-acre project.
The first phase of the project involves building 400,000 sq. ft. of bio-tech/office space and 400,000 of residential and retail along FDA Blvd. The project is looking to turn an old waste processing facility and quarry into a mixed use destination.
About Viva White Oak:
From MontgomeryCounty.org:
“The County and Global LifeSci Development Corporation (GLDC) signed a General Development Agreement in June 2016. The Sketch Plan for the entire Viva White Oak project was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board on November 30, 2017. GLDC held a public meeting on March 1, 2018 for their Preliminary Plan application. A groundbreaking ceremony for Viva White Oak was held on October 22, 2018. The Planning Board reviewed and approved Viva White Oak, Preliminary Plan No. 120180240 on November 29, 2018.
Demolition of the former Site 2 property was completed June 2019.”
From ViVaWhiteOak:.
“Currently, the 300-acre Viva White Oak community is planning for approximately seven-million-square-feet of commercial development and 5,000 residential units. Viva White Oak is being jointly developed as a public-private partnership between Global LifeSci Development Corporation (an affiliate of Percontee, Inc.) and Montgomery County, Maryland.
It is our intention that great neighborhoods and a great village will be the definitive piece in attracting the best and brightest minds to this location. Great housing and great amenities such as fine dining restaurants, theaters and clubs, shopping at national or local stores, and acres of open and recreational space, directly linked to the academic campus, the adjacent hotel, and concentrated blocks of office and research, development and lab buildings, will make this a World Class life sciences center.”
Lidl, a German international discount supermarket chain, is under contract to purchase the subject properties between Walter Johnson Road and Germantown Road and seeks to develop a 31,000 square foot Lidl Grocery Store with associated parking and open space areas.
Prior to the Concept Plan Submission, a few months back, Lidl held three meetings with Upcounty Planning Staff to review various development schemes. The submitted plans reflect the input of Planning Staff to date.
A community meeting to discuss the preliminary plan is scheduled for Monday, September 27th. We’ll have more details on the meeting in the coming days.
A new Lidl mixed-use project has also been proposed for Rockville.
Below you’ll see more information about the Germantown site, courtesy of Montgomery Planning.
Existing Site Conditions
- The site is an assemblage of several properties and a portion of existing county right-of-way to be abandoned, as shown on the Concept Plan. The total developed (net site) area will be approximately 2.8 acres.
- The site is currently used as a copy center and office building. There is a three-story building on the property with a surface parking area. All existing improvements will be demolished.
- The site is bounded by the following uses:
o North:Mid-AtlanticFederalCreditUnion
o South:7-Eleven, GasStation, and Verizon Utility Building
o East: Walter Johnson Road (county road)
o West: Germantown Road (Maryland 355) - Several easements exist on the property related to utilities and access. The site also benefits from an off-site access easement to allow for ingress/egress to Wisteria Drive. Some of the existing utility easements will be abandoned to accommodate the new development.
- A portion of the site is within the boundaries of the Madelyn V. Waters Historic Site, although there are no certified historic resources present on the site.
Kenaki Sushi Coming to Cabin John
Kenaki Sushi is coming to Cabin John Village. They will be moving into the former location of Zhora hair salon.
Kenaki opened their popular Kentlands location back in 2018. The restaurant is owned by longtime Raku chef, Ken Ballogdajan, and his sister, Aki Ballogdajan.
According to Store Reporter, who first reported the news, the new location will be called Kema by Kenaki is expected to open in the first part of 2022.
From their website: “Combining a traditional foundation with modern flavors and techniques.
KENAKI sources high quality ingredients while presenting innovative, approachable sushi.”
Progress at Lidl in Montgomery Village
Construction appears to be wrapping up at the upcoming Lidl in Montgomery Village, located at 19241 Montgomery Village Ave. (formerly the MV Professional Center).
The Lidl corporate office has told us that there is still no opening date to announce.
According to Construction Journal,construction is expected to be completed in this month.
Below are recent photos of the exterior, as well as shots inside of the bakery section and freezer isle.
The new grocery store is directly across the street from rival chain Aldi, which opened this past fall.
OMA Sushi & Oyster Bar to Open at The Block
This past weekend, signs for Oma Sushi & Oyster Bar went up at a stall in The Block in Pike & Rose. We spoke to a representative for Oma, who said that they hope to be open by the end of August.
Per their website, the new sushi vendor will also offer oysters, handrolls and yakitori. Additionally, their website shares that they plan “to redefine the sushi experience, by offering creative & affordable Japanese cuisine with the finest ingredients.”
Oma will open in the space previously occupied by Pokeworks. In addition to ordering at the stall itself, a representative from The Block shared with us that patrons will be able to order sushi and more via QR code while enjoying a drink at the bar.
Oma will be run by the team behind Sushi Oishii at Traville Gateway in Rockville.
You can learn more about Oma in the coming weeks by checking out their website, which is currently under construction.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Sets Trigger Points for Indoor Mask Mandate
Speaking today with FOX5, Marc Elrich announced that the trigger point for reinstating the indoor mask mandate is a weekly average over 50 per 100,000.
Earlier today D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser announced that beginning Saturday at 5am, masks will be once again be required indoors for individuals over the age of 2 in The District of Columbia.
FOX5’s Lindsay Watts also reports that “Elrich also says Montgomery Co. is the most vaccinated in the country for jurisdiction this size. Average caseload includes mild break through covid cases”.
The county has not yet released an official statement. Tweet with video clip below:
JUST IN: Montgomery Co. Executive @Marc_Elrich sets trigger point for indoor mask mandate: weekly avg over 50 cases per 100,000.
He says avg now is low 30s, but last few days cases have spiked. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/qWTXOOJeru
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) July 29, 2021
