On Tuesday, the Mayor and Council will hold a work session on the County’s revised plans for the GE Tech Park. Note that, while in the background information it states that
It is noteworthy that the current concept for the GE and Finmarc properties does not envision the construction of any new buildings.
it is contrary to common sense that the County would buy and hold this valuable, developable property and never make any use of it. It should be kept in mind that, once the County purchases this property, there will be no planning control over what they do with it — the County does not submit itself to the authority of the Gaithersburg Planning Commission, and M-NCPPC has no authority over property within the City of Gaithersburg. In addition, Gaithersburg will not be able to collect any property taxes from the County on any improvements on that property, and the County not offered to compensate the City for this loss. Nothing in the County’s newly revised plans changes any of these important facts.
From the City’s website:
Agenda - Work Session: Proposal GE Tech Park, 5/27/2008
Posted 5/20/2008City of Gaithersburg
WORK SESSION
Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
7:30 P.M.
- Receive an Update From Montgomery County Staff on the Proposed Plan for Acquisition of the GE and Finmarc Properties
Background Material (pdf format)
The supporting background document states:
SUPPORTING BACKGROUND:
During his December 3, 2007 State of the County address, County Executive Leggett announced a plan for Montgomery County to acquire the GE Tech Park property and Finmarc property for the purposes of relocating certain County uses.
Both these properties are currently zoned I-3 and are subject to an annexation agreement that would permit an additional 700,000 square feet of I-3 uses. A recently approved Master Plan amendment did contain options for MXD development; however, an annexation agreement amendment would be required.
On January 7, 2008, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Diane Schwartz Jones gave a presentation to the Mayor and City Council on the County’s plans for the properties. The original plan envisioned the following:
- Relocation of the Public Service Training Academy (PSTA) (not including the burn building) to the existing GE building.
- Relocation of the 1st District Police Station to the existing GE building.
- Relocation of various County offices including the Board of Elections, Department of Fire and Rescue Services, and Department of Homeland Security to the existing GE building.
- Relocation of the liquor warehouse to the existing Finmarc building.
- Construction of a new warehouse to accommodate MCPS food services.
- Construction of a new facility for the PSTA gym and indoor firing range.
- Construction of a helipad.
The City was recently notified that the County Executive’s proposal had been modified. In addition to acquiring the GE and Finmarc properties, the County would like to acquire a portion of the Webb Tract in Montgomery Village to accommodate the PSTA. It is our understanding that the current tentative proposal for the use of the GE and Finmarc properties is limited to the following:
The existing GE building would be limited to administrative offices (Homeland Security, Fire and Rescue Services, and Board of Elections) and the 1st District Police Station.
The existing Finmarc warehouse would be used as the County’s liquor warehouse.
It is noteworthy that the current concept for the GE and Finmarc properties does not envision the construction of any new buildings.
While the Mayor and City Council have not yet taken a position on the County Executive’s proposal, we have held a series of meetings with County officials to discuss ways to mitigate any impacts to the City and our residents if the County acquires these properties.
Note that, in addition to this work session on Tuesday, the Mayor and Council will be interviewing candidates for the position of City Manager on Tuesday and Wednesday.