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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Armed Robbery

On 10/20/07 at approximately 11:37 p.m., police responded for an armed robbery call that occurred in the 400 block of East Diamond Avenue. The victim reported being approached by three subjects, one of whom reportedly held a small knife to his side and demanded money. Suspects obtained $50.00 cash and fled in an unknown direction.

Burglary

On 10/20/07, at approximately 1:54 a.m., police responded to the Fu Shing Café, at 576 North Frederick Avenue, for a commercial alarm. The side door glass had been broken and cash taken from a register.

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Burglary

On 10/18/07, at approximately 7:50 p.m., police responded to a business in the 300 block of Main Street. Entry was made through the basement door. Nothing was taken and there are no suspects.

Indecent Exposure

On 10/18/07, at approximately 11:55 p.m., police responded for the report of an indecent exposure at the Zodiac Grill, 654 Center Point Way. A male suspect had reportedly been exposing himself while inside the establishment. The suspect was located and apprehended.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Aggravated Assault

On 10/16/07, at 2:00 a. m., police responded to the 1000 block of West Side Drive for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers were advised by the homeowners that the three suspects came to the residence, asked for one of the occupants, and when they were told that the person they were looking for didn’t live there, one of them produced a handgun and fired three shots, with one of the rounds striking the residence.

Suspect #1 - Black male, 20-25 yrs old, 5′4″ - 5′6″, has his hair in corn rows, wearing blue jeans and a brown sweat shirt.

Suspect #2 - Black male, 20-25 yrs old, 5′7″, slim build, with dreadlocks and a ponytail, wearing a white hooded shirt, a dark jacket, and blue jeans.

Suspect #3 - Black male, 20-25 yrs old, 5′6″, slim build.

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Monday, October 15, 2007

Assault

On 10/15/07, at approximately 4:30 p.m., police responded for a suspicious person on N Summit Avenue near Girard Street. The suspect was following a female juvenile and tried to grab her. The suspect was apprehended and charged accordingly.

Burglary

Sometime between 7:00 p.m. on 10/14/07 and 8:30 a.m. on 10/15/07, an unknown suspect entered through the roof of the building at 107A E Diamond Avenue, the Cash Depot, and took phone cards and coins. Investigation to continue.

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Burglary

On 10/14/07, at approximately 8:38 a.m., police responded to the 400 block of Market Street East for the report of a burglary. A neighbor discovered a broken window and the front door open. Property was taken.

Sometime between 7:30 p.m. on 10/12/07 and 9:50 p.m. on 10/14/07, a residence in the 500 block of Market Mews East was burglarized. A window was found open with the screen cut on the outside. Property was taken.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007

Burglary

On 10/11/07, at approximately 4:18 a.m., police responded to the Ziki Japanese Steak House at 10009 Fields Road for a commercial burglary alarm. The front door had been smashed open with an unknown object and cash was taken from a register.

Note: I am informed that the print edition of the Gazette has an article about Council candidate Ryan Spiegel, in parallel with those about Wilson Lee Faris and Carlos Solis. I am unable, however, to find this article on the Gazette’s website. If they eventually post it, I will link to it.

Update: The Spiegel article has been posted:

• Chris Robinson writes, Spiegel wants smart growth
  

  As an attorney, Ryan Spiegel said he is well equipped for a seat on the Gaithersburg City Council, especially with the upcoming departure of the lone lawyer on the council.

• Chris Robinson writes, Faris urges term limits
  

  After 13 years announcing football for Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg City Council candidate Wilson Faris wants to lend his voice as a policy maker.

• Chris Robinson writes, Solis pushes full-service police department
  

  Gaithersburg City Council candidate Carlos Solis said his fluency in Spanish and work ethic makes him a good choice for voters in the Nov. 6 election.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, [Police] locate family of man killed by train
  

  Police have found the family of a man who was struck and killed by a train while he was sitting alone on train tracks in Olde Towne Gaithersburg Oct. 8, Montgomery County police said Monday.

  Daniel Medina, 47, of no fixed address, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, at Chestnut Street and East Diamond Avenue, county police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Gaithersburg man charged with sexual abuse of three girls
  

  Melvin Peterson, 40, has been charged with several offenses, including two counts of second-degree rape, four counts of sexual abuse of a minor, two counts of second-degree assault, attempted perverted practice, sodomy and second-degree sexual assault, according to court records.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Thomas gets life sentence for 2005 murder
  

  A Gaithersburg man convicted of shooting an acquaintance in Germantown during a botched robbery in 2005 was sentenced to life without parole in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville on Monday.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Representing the red, white and blue
  

  Gaithersburg’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Michele McGleish, who lives in Germantown, will compete in the 2007 McDonald’s International Triathlon Union Duathlon Long Course World Championships in Richmond, Va., Sunday as part of an elite U.S. team.

• Chris Robinson writes, Arnoult is acting city manager
  

  Jim Arnoult, Gaithersburg’s public works director, was tapped Monday night to serve as the city’s interim city manager when David B. Humpton leaves the post later this month.

I received the following note from Gaithersburg resident Stephen Schreiman:

Please make an effort to attend the City Council Candidate Forum to be held Wednesday, October 17th, at 7:30pm at Summit Hall Elementary School

The outcome of this election may have a great impact on our community.

Please come and hear what the candidates have to say. Please come and ask questions on issues of concern to you.

Please tell your neighbors, friends, relatives and other people you know who live in Gaithersburg.

Sponsored by Brighton East Community Association

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Planning Commission Meeting, 10/17/2007
Posted 10/5/2007

City of Gaithersburg
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

Telephone: 301-258-6330

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA [subject to change]
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
7:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

October 3, 2007, Planning Commission Meeting
Background Material (pdf format)

RECORD PLATS

CONSENT

AFP-07-035 - Public Works Maintenance Complex
R-A Zone
800 Rabbitt Road
2400 Sq. Ft. Storage Building
REAPPROVAL REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)

AFP-07-031 — Decorverly Drive
MXD Zone
Road Design Plan
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)

AFP-07-036 - Lakeview Professional Center
C-2 Zone
507 N Frederick Ave
Reuse to Medical Office
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)

SITE PLANS

SP-07-0013  Aventiene Neighborhood 3, Phase II
MXD Zone
 (Crown Farm) Fields Road
179 Residential Units
FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material - I (pdf format - 9.6M)

Background Material - II (pdf format - 6M)
Background Material - III (pdf format - 11M)
Background Material - IV (pdf format - 8.5)

CSP-07-005 — Archstone at Olde Towne

CBD Zone
320-408 East Diamond Avenue
389 Apartment Units, and
18,350-Sq.Ft. Retail Space
CONCEPT PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format 5.3M)

SP-07-0015 — 201 East Diamond Avenue
CBD Zone
(Formerly Chris’s Steakhouse)
Four-Story Office Building
PRELIMINARY/FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format - 3.6M)

FROM THE COMMISSION

FROM STAFF

Historic Designation of England/Crown Farm Buildings
Background Material (pdf format - 4M)

ADJOURNMENT

In the Mayor and Council Meeting last night, the Mayor and Council appointed Public Works Director Jim Arnoult to take the role of City Manager between the departure of David Humpton and the hiring of a new, permanent City Manager. Mr. Arnoult was selected in part because he has stated that he will not be a candidate for the position. Mr. Arnoult is a respected manager, and I’m confident that the City will be in good hands during this period of transition.

• Officers responded to the report of a shooting that occurred behind the Railroad Street Post Office in Gaithersburg on Saturday 9/29 just after 8:30 p.m. The victim was sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot when five B/Ms emerged from a wooded area and began firing a handgun. The victim was struck in the shoulder and torso area.

  E Diamond Ave, when it gets to Washington Grove, forks into Washington Grove Lane (to the left) and Railroad Street (on the right). And by the way, the “Railroad Street Post Office” is the the Washington Grove Post Office; it is not in Gaithersburg.

• Officers responded to the report of a home invasion robbery that occurred on Tuesday 9/25 around 1:00 a.m. at the 7900 block of Spiceberry Circle in Gaithersburg. Three suspects forced their way into the apartment and assaulted one victim. The suspects fled with money and property.

  Suspect: B/M, 18 to 30 years of age, 5’7” tall, black tee shirt, blue jean shorts, black & white bandanna
  Suspects: Two B/Ms, 18 to 30 years of age

  Spiceberry Circle is off Washington Grove Lane, opposite Emory Grove Park.

• Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery that occurred in the area of Lost Knife Road and Odend Hal Avenue on Monday 10/1. Around 5:15 p.m., the suspect approached adult male at a bus stop, displayed a knife and demanded his money. The victim ran and able to contact police. The suspect was identified, and determined to have threatened four juveniles, ages 6 to 13, in the area of Copps Hill Drive.

• Officers responded to the report of an armed robbery that occurred in the 600 block of Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg on Tuesday 9/25. Multiple subjects approached the victim and began assaulting him. They obtained money from the victim and fled. One suspect was arrested shortly thereafter.

• Officers responded to the report of an armed robbery that occurred on Tuesday 10/2 around 8:00 p.m. in the 17700 block of Towncrest Drive in Gaithersburg. The victim, a driver for Papa Johns Pizza, made a delivery to an apartment on Town Crest. After the driver made the delivery, he was assaulted by 2 B/M’s, one armed with an iron grate. The suspects fled towards Rt. 124 after obtaining property from the victim.

  Towncrest Drive, or Towne Crest Drive as it appears on the maps, is west of the intersection of the Washington Grove Lane and Midcounty Hwy.

• Officers responded to a report of a strong-armed robbery involving a male who was at the Shell Station located in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg on 10/2 at 5:39 p.m. He was confronted by two W/M’s. The suspects assaulted the victim and attempted to take his property. Both suspects fled in a silver Honda without obtaining any property from the victim. The suspect’s car was located, a stop was initiated and both suspects were taken into custody.

• Officers responded to the report of a strong-armed robbery of a 16-year-old male victim who was walking in the 400 block of Victory Farm Drive in Gaithersburg, on Tuesday 10/2 around 3:40 p.m. He was stopped by two suspects who took the victim’s property.

  Suspect: H/M, 5’5” tall, short black hair, white tee shirt, and black pants
  Suspect: H/M, 5’7” tall, long black hair, goatee, red Allan Iverson jersey

• Commercial burglary at the Johns Hopkins Laboratory office at 9620 Medical Center Drive in Gaithersburg, between Friday 9/28 at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday 9/29 at 8:40 a.m. There was no forced entry, property taken.

• Residential burglary at the 18700 block of Purple Martin Lane in Montgomery Village on Tuesday 9/25 between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. There was no sign of forced entry, property that originally could not be found but was later recovered.

  Purple Martin Lane is between Goshen Road and Strawberry Knoll Park, north of Midcounty Hwy.

• Officers received a suspicious call on Tuesday 9/25 at Lake Forest Mall, located at 701 Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg, from a 20-year-old female victim who reported being followed by an unknown male. On three different dates (the 18th, 19th, and 25th), she was sitting in her car when the same man would drive by slowly three or four times staring at her. He then would park nearby. Each time, the victim called her boyfriend inside the mall rather the police.

  Suspect: W/M, 35 to 45 years of age, medium-length brown hair in a Gold car

• Residential burglary that occurred at the 9600 block of Horizon Run Road in Gaithersburg. Forced Entry, unknown if anything was taken. The time of the event is not known other than the call to report it was placed at 2:56 p.m. on Tuesday 10/2.

  Horizon Run Road is between Lost Knife and Midcounty Hwy, off Contour Road.

• Commercial burglary that occurred at the Il Forno Pizzeria at 8941 North Westland Drive in Gaithersburg sometime between Monday 10/1 and Tuesday 10/2. No other info is available.

  North Westland Drive is off MD355, north of the Walnut Hill shopping center.

• Commercial burglary that occurred at the Caravan Deli, 615 South Frederick Avenue in Montgomery Village between Monday 10/1 at 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday 10/2 at 8:40 a.m. Forced entry, property taken.

  This is just north of the previous listed incident. However, I’m pretty certain that address is in the City of Gaithersburg, although addresses just south of there, on the other side of North Westland Drive, are not. Even then, I wouldn’t think it would count as “Montgomery Village”.

• Officers responded to the report of a pick-pocket at a bus stop near the 200 block of North Frederick Avenue in Montgomery Village on Wednesday 9/26 around 10:45 p.m. A witness saw the theft and flagged down police. The thief was arrested and property was recovered.

  Again, there’s just no way that the 200 block of North Frederick Ave is in Montgomery Village.

• Commercial burglary that occurred at the Mythos Grill, located at 8371 Snouffer School Road in Gaithersburg, between Tuesday 9/25 and Wednesday 9/26. Unknown time. Forced entry, property taken.

Note that there will be a brief special meeting of the Mayor and Council at 6:30 pm, for the sole purpose of authorizing a closed executive session, which will be held prior to the regular meeting, which will be held at the regular time of 7:30 pm. The purpose of the closed executive session will be to reach agreement on who to appoint to be Acting City Manager until a new City Manager can be hired. It appears that the new Acting City Manager will be appointed during the regular meeting.

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 10/15/2007
Posted 10/12/2007

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2007, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held September 17, 2007
Background Material (pdf format)

V. CONSENT ITEM
(resolutions for approval by the City Council that do not need discussion)

Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract to Purchase One (1) 2008 Pick Up Truck With Snow Plow ($24,367)
Background Material (pdf format)

VI. APPOINTMENT

Resolution of the City Council Appointing an Acting City Manager for the City of Gaithersburg
Background Material (pdf format)

VII. PRESENTATIONS

1. Proclamation of the Mayor and City Council Designating October 21-27, 2007, as “National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week” in the City of Gaithersburg
2. Fiscal Year 2008 1st Quarter Financial Results
   Background Material (pdf format)

VIII. PUBLIC APPEARANCES

(public is invited to speak on any subject that is not a public hearing topic on tonight’s agenda – each speaker three minutes)

IX. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Upcoming City Events

X. FROM THE CITY MANAGER

XI. PUBLIC HEARING

AB-57 - An Ordinance to Abandon 6,509 Square Feet of Existing Land Area Adjacent to Parcel P-936, East of North Summit Avenue; 3,851 Square Feet for Land Area Abutting the Southern Boundary of Gaithersburg Elementary School; and 7,044 Square Feet of Land Previously Dedicated for a 25-Foot Public Alley Adjacent to Lot J, East Diamond Avenue, in the City of Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland

Background Material (pdf format)

XII. RECESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes

• Minutes of a Historic District Commission Meeting Held October 1, 2007
  Background Material (pdf format)

3. Policy Discussion

• Applicant: Archstone-Smith, 320, 402 and 408 East Diamond Avenue, Demolition Permit
  Background Material (pdf format 6.7M)

4. Adjournment

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XII. RECONVENE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

XIII. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND REGULATIONS
(ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to be introduced or adopted following appropriate procedures required by the City Code, or resolutions that may require discussion by the Mayor and Council prior to approval)

1. An Ordinance to Amend and Adopt the City Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, to Comply With GASB 45 Funding (Ready for Final Action)
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 5 of the City Code Entitled “Buildings,” to Include in Article II, Entitled “The International Residential Code (2003),” a New Section R326 “Gaithersburg Green Residential Criteria” (Ready for Final Action)

   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Changing the Effective Date of Ordinance O-7-07 (anti solicitation) Adopting Section 15-9, and Providing for Future Changes to the Effective Date by Resolution
   Background Material (pdf format)

4. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Montgomery County Public Schools on Obtaining Property for the Extension of Teacher’s Way
   Background Material (pdf format)

5. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Requesting That the Maryland Department of Transportation Include an Analysis of the Kentlands Alignment of the Corridor Cities Transitway in the Environmental Assessment of the I-270/US 15 Multi Modal Corridor Study so the Kentlands Alignment can be Considered When the Locally Preferred Alternative is Selected
   TBA - Background Material (pdf format)
   
6. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Awarding Matching Grants to Relda Square Homeowners Association and Kentlands Condominiums II ($3,500)
   Background Material (pdf format)

XIV. POLICY DISCUSSION AND STAFF GUIDANCE

1. T- 381, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Article III, Division 22, §24-160G.5, Entitled “Waiver of Development Standards” so as to Amend §24-160G.5(a) so that the City Council May, by Resolution, Waive the Building and Structure Height Requirements in Any District in the Corridor Development Zone (CD Zone) as Follows: for a Commercial District to Allow a Height Not to Exceed Five (5) Stories, or Sixty (60) Feet (Ready for Final Action)
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. T-382, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Article III, “Regulations Applicable to particular Zones,” Division 15,  “I-3, Industrial and Office Park,” §24-143, “Uses Permitted by Right,” to Add New §§ 24-143(12) and 24-143(13), so as to allow Full Service and Limited Service Hotels as Permitted Uses in the I‑3 Zone if Certain Conditions are Met (Ready for Final Action)

   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Z-306, Amendment to the Sketch Plan for the Humane Society (HSUS) Property, Requesting up to 300,000 Square Feet of Office Development in Structures Between 6 and 12 Stories and up to 250-300 Residential Units. The Subject Property Contains 10.5 Acres of Land and is Located East of I-270, South of the Existing Terminus of Professional Drive, and West of MD Route 355, North Frederick Avenue, in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) Zone (Ready for Final Action)
   Background Material (pdf format)

XV. FROM THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, CITY ATTORNEY AND OTHER STAFF

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

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ANNOUNCEMENT

Notice to the general public is hereby given
that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg
will not conduct work sessions on Monday, October 22 and 29, 2007.

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THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2007, 2007, 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

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UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING AND WORK SESSION ITEMS
This list is not all-inclusive, and does not reflect priorities or scheduling
But is intended to provide a glance at future items to come before the City Council.

Nov. 7 Meeting:

Oath of Office - Newly Elected City Officials

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Aggravated Assault

On 10/09/07, at 9:52 p. m., police responded to the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the victim advised officers that he was in front of his residence when an unknown suspect walked up to him and words were exchanged. The victim stated that the suspect then pointed a black handgun at his head, he (victim) knocked it away, and it went off. The victim stated that the suspect then ran away.

Suspect - Black male, 20-25 yrs old, 5′6″- 5′8″, 180 lbs., wearing a black shirt with a red design on the front.

Burglary

Sometime between 1:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on 10/10/07, a residence in the 200 block of Midsummer Drive was entered through an unlocked side garage door. Property was taken from inside the residence.

Sometime between 5:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on 10/10/07, the attached garage of a residence in the 500 block of Whetstone Glen Street was entered and property was taken.

Sometime between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on 10/10/07, a residence in the 600 block of Pelican Avenue was burglarized. The suspect entered an unlocked vehicle and obtained the garage door opener to gain access to the residence. Property was taken from the vehicle. Unknown at this time if anything was taken from the residence.

Midsummer Drive is near Muddy Branch & Darnestown Road (MD28). Whetstone Glen Street and Pelican Avenue are in Hidden Creek, the new development at the end of Odend’Hal Ave.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Aggravated Assault

On 10/09/07, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the victim was in the 200 block of Brookes Avenue when he was struck in the head with a metal object. The suspect fled the scene. Investigation to continue.

Brookes Avenue is in Olde Towne.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Burglary

On 10/06/07, at approximately 5:08 p.m., police responded to the 1000 block of West Side Drive for the report of a burglary. An unknown suspect entered the vacant dwelling and there were indications that someone slept there. There were no signs of forced entry.

Sometime between 1:00 a.m. and 5:14 a.m. on 10/06/07, a residence in the 600 block of Chestnut Hill Mews was burglarized. The suspect entered the garage through an open door and then entered the residence through an unlocked garage door. Property was taken from inside the house as well as from the vehicles in the garage.

Chestnut Hill Mews is in Lakelands.

• Chris Robinson writes, Man assaulted during home invasion:
  

  One man was struck in the head while two other men were held at gunpoint during a home invasion robbery in east Gaithersburg late last month, police said.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Two suspects sought for debit card theft:
  

  County police have asked for help identifying two suspects who used a stolen debit card to purchase items in Gaithersburg in early September.

• Chris Robinson writes, Montgomery indicted in robberies, sexual assaults:
  

  A grand jury indicted the Gaithersburg High School senior who police charged in July with multiple counts of robbery and sex offenses from incidents in May and June.

• Chris Robinson writes, King vies to keep officers’ pay on par:
  

  A pay raise, improved benefits or other incentives could be in the cards as Gaithersburg police try to improve the department’s competitiveness with Montgomery County.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Man killed by locomotive in Gaithersburg:
  

  Daniel Medina, 47, of no fixed address, was pronounced dead at the scene, at Chestnut Street and East Diamond Avenue, county police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Route 355 envisioned a grand boulevard:
  

  Bethesda and Clarksburg have at least one thing in common: Route 355, the 27-mile long stretch that takes motorists from six lanes in urban Bethesda, through the retail and government center of Rockville, and into Gaithersburg and Germantown until it becomes a two-lane country road in Clarksburg.