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I just noticed in the current legal notices on the City’s website the announcement of a public hearing on an application for a sketch plan amendment on the property owned by the Humane Society of the United States up at the end of Professional Drive. The application calls for six-to-twelve story office and residential buildings on ten acres of land: This property is nestled right in the corner of the proposed Casey East development, labeled property 5 in this photo from the Casey East project (Casey East is property 7 in the photo).

At this time there are no background materials that I can find on the City’s website.

Notice - Joint Public Hearing Z-306, 9/4/2007
Posted 8/17/2007

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Application Type: SKETCH PLAN AMENDMENT
File Number: Z-306
Location: 700 Professional Drive
Applicant: HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

Zoning: MXD (MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT)
Day/ Date/Time: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, AT 7:30 P.M.
Place: GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL

IMPORTANT

The application requests an amendment to an existing sketch plan, for approximately 10.49 acres of property on the HSUS property. The site is located east of I-270, south of Professional Drive and north of future Watkins Mill Road extended. The application proposes up to 300,000 sq. ft. of office development in structures between 6 and 12 stories, up to 250 and 300 residential units in structures between 6 and 12 stories, and structured parking. This is a joint public hearing which allows the public an opportunity to participate and comment on the request. Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner (listed below) at 301-258-6330 if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
Jacqueline Marsh, Planner

Planning and Code Administration

LOCATION MAP
700 Professional Drive

The agenda below is from the City’s website. There’s a few potentially interesting items on the agenda. First is a public hearing on changes to the voter registration procedures in the City. What this is about is removing the City’s own voter registration list, which for some time was maintained separately from the master voter registration list used for county, state and federal elections. It has been so long since anyone has registered this way that there now is no one on that list, and they’d like to remove the charter provision that provided for it. This is likely not to change anything in fact. What is more interesting is the fact that this was noted in the process of determining whether there was any procedure in place to exclude non-citizens from registering to vote; as I’ve mentioned previously, the answer appears to be that only the threat of prosecution for perjury stands in the way of an illegal immigrant’s registration.

The second thing I’d call attention to is the latest update on the $25 million swimming pool the City plans to build in the Lakelands. I’ve extracted a few images from the background materials:

The third item of interest is an update to the Casey East SDP. Again, a couple of pictures from the background materials:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 8/20/2007
Posted 8/16/2007

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2007, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

Maxine Oliver, Baha’i Faith

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held August 6, 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 Extend a Contract for Cleaning of City Facilities ($67,037)
Background Material (pdf format)

VI. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the City Council Confirming Appointments to the Board of Supervisors of Elections
Background Material (pdf format)

VII. OATH OF OFFICE TO BOARD OF SUPEVISORS OF ELECTIONS MEMBERS

VIII. PRESENTATIONS

1. Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County MD, Inc.
2. Gaithersburg Aquatic/Recreation Center Schematic Plan Update
   Background Material (pdf format)
   

IX. 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)

X. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Upcoming City Events

XI. FROM THE CITY MANAGER

XII. PUBLIC HEARING

Resolution of the Mayor and City Council to Amend Section 27 of the City Charter to Modify the Procedures for Registering to Vote in City Elections
Background Material (pdf format)

XIII. 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 June 18, 2007
   TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

3. Certificates of Approval

• HAWP-92C - Applicant: Michael Stumborg, 15 Walker Avenue, Removal of Rear Solarium/Replace with Enclosed Porch
  Background Material (pdf format)

• HAWP-109 - Applicant: Neang Lin, for Hak Srun Lin, 24 Chestnut Street, Expansion of Concrete Driveway
  Background Material (pdf format)

4. Policy Discussions

• HAWP-95A - Applicant: Irfan Khan, (Retroactive), 112 Meem Avenue, An Amendment to HAWP-95, Change of Materials/Window Style/Roof

  Background Material (pdf format)

• Historic Significance of 201 East Diamond Avenue, Applicant: Charles Blessing, for Inter-Continental Group, Demolition Permit
  Background Material (pdf format)

5. Adjournment

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XIV. RECONVENE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

XV. 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. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for Stream Restoration Design Services ($84,065)
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Enter Into an Agreement With the Housing Opportunities Commission to Administer a Residential Redevelopment Homeownership Assistance Program for Residents Displaced by Residential Redevelopment ($400,000)
   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Awarding Matching Grants to Gateway Commons HOA, Kentlands Condominiums II (Town Homes), Kentlands Condominiums IV, Lakelands Ridge HOA, and the Gaithersburg Greater Historic District ($12,703)
   Background Material (pdf format)

4. Resolution of the Mayor And City Council Changing the Effective Date of Ordinance O-4-07 Adopting Section 15-9, and Providing for Future Changes to the Effective Date by Resolution
   Background Material (pdf format)

XVI. POLICY DISCUSSION AND STAFF GUIDANCE

(discussion by the Mayor and Council about previous public hearing topics and other policy matters)

1. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council to Amend Section 5 and Section 16 of the City Charter to Increase the Salary of the Mayor and the Members of the City Council and to Create a New Section of 5A of the City Charter to Require the Appointment of the Mayor and City Council Compensation Committee Every Four Years
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. SDP-07-001, Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg Granting Approval of an Amendment to Schematic Development Plan, SDP-05-003, Known as Casey East (Parcels 360, 563 and N455) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Approved Plan is a Mix of Uses, Including 382 Residential Units, Office, Restaurant, Retail, Service Station, and Public Uses on Approximately 40.10 Acres of Land. The Current Application (SDP-07-001) Requests Approval to Redistribute the Number and Type of Dwelling Units Among the Three Residential Buildings, Reduce the Height of Building C From Seven to Five Stories, Reduce the Mixed Use Retail by 1,700 Square Feet, Increase the Senior Center From 10,000 to 29,500 Square Feet, and Amend the Phasing Plan. The Subject Property is Located Northwest of the Intersection of Maryland Route 355 (North Frederick Avenue) and Watkins Mills Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland
   Background Material (pdf format - 7.5M)

3. Z-305(o), An Ordinance to Rezone 8,673 Square Feet of Land From the Existing R-A (Low Density Residential) Zone to the R-90 (Medium Density Residential) Zone, Under the Optional Method of Rezoning, in Accordance with Section 24-196 Map Amendments) and Section 24-198 (Optional Method) of the City Code. The Property is Currently Known as Parcel 100, in the Oakmont Subdivision, Located at 100 Central Avenue, in the City of Gaithersburg

   Background Material (pdf format)

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

XVIII. 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 a work session on Monday, August 27, 2007.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 6/18/2007

Posted 6/14/2007

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2007, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Jameka Watts, 4th Grade Student, Gaithersburg Elementary School

III. INVOCATION

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Special Budget Public Hearing Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held May 14, 2007

TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held May 21, 2007

TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

V. CONSENT ITEMS

(resolutions for approval by the City Council that do not need discussion)

1. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for Stormwater Management Facility Maintenance and Repair ($29,025)

   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Home Care Partners, Inc. Using Unexpended Community Development Block Grant Funds ($5,000)

   Background Material (pdf format)

VI. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the City Council Confirming Appointments and Reappointments by the Mayor to the Education Committee, Gaithersburg Senior Council, Multicultural Affairs Committee, and Olde Towne Advisory Committee

Background Material (pdf format)

VII. OATH OF OFFICE TO CHIEF OF POLICE JOHN A. KING

• Introduction of New Chief of Police

VIII. PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation of the City’s Local Winner of the Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor, I Would….” Essay Contest (Jameka Watts)
2. Proclamation from the Mayor and City Council Designating June 2007, as "Homeownership Month" in the City of Gaithersburg
3. Presentation by Local Governments Insurance Trusts (LGIT), Awarding a Grant in Support of an Aquatic Risk Seminar
4. Presentation from the City’s Compensation Committee

   Background Material (pdf format)

IX. 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)

X. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Board/Commission/Committee Vacancy Update
• Upcoming City Events

XI. FROM THE CITY MANAGER

XII. PUBLIC HEARING

JOINT - SDP-07-001, Application Requests Approval of an Amendment to Schematic Development Plan, SDP-05-003, Known as Casey East (Parcels 360, 563 and N455) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Approved Plan is a Mix of Uses, Including 382 Residential Units, Office, Restaurant, Retail, Service Station, and Public Uses on Approximately 40.10 Acres of Land. The Current Application (SDP-07-001) Requests Approval to Redistribute the Number and Type of Dwelling Units Among the Three Residential Buildings, Reduce the Height of Building C From Seven to Five Stories, Reduce the Mixed Use Retail by 1,700 Square Feet, Increase the Senior Center From 10,000 to 29,500 Square Feet, and Amend the Phasing Plan. The Subject Property is Located Northwest of the Intersection of Maryland Route 355 (North Frederick Avenue) and Watkins Mills Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Background Material (pdf format - 4.9M)

XIII. 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 May 21, 2007

TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

3. Certificate of Approval

HAWP-108 Ollie Mumpower, Engineer Services Director for the City of Gaithersburg, Request to Install Entry Markers on Brookes and Walker Avenues

Background Material (pdf format 4.7M)

4. Adjournment

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XIV. RECONVENE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

XV. 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. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for the Kentlands Mansion Roof Replacement and Brick Tuckpointing Project ($384,100)

   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for Construction of Storm Water Management Water Quality Structures at the Public Works Facility ($410,000)

   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Approving a Waiver of the Environmental Standards for Development Regulation to Permit, at a Maximum, 1.12 Acres of Disturbance Within the Stream Valley Buffer at the Crown Property

   Background Material (pdf format - 3.8M)

4. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract for the Design, Fabrication and Installation of a Mural in Olde Towne, an Art in Public Places Project ($35,000)

   Background Material (pdf format)

5. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Memorandum of Understanding for the Installation and Maintenance of a City Owned Mural on the Building at 227 East Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland

   Background Material (pdf format)

6. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Easement for the Installation and Maintenance of a City Owned Mural on the Building at 227 East Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland

   Background Material (pdf format)

7. An Emergency Ordinance to Amend Section 15-9, Subsection (f) of the City Code, Entitled “Solicitation in Roadways,” so as to Amend the Effective Date of Ordinance O-4-07 Adopting Section 15-9(f), and Providing for Future Changes to the Effective Date by Resolution (Ready for Final Action)

   Background Material (pdf format)

8. 8. An Ordinance to Adopt the City Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2007, Through June 30, 2008, and Levying an Ad Valorem Tax on all Assessable Property Within the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland (Ready for Final Action)

   Background Material Part I (pdf format)

   Background Material Part II

9. Establishing a Constant Yield Tax Rate for the City of Gaithersburg for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 Through June 30, 2008 (Ready for Final Action)

   Background Material (pdf format)

10. Resolution Codifying and Updating a Schedule of Fees, Charges, Fines and Expenses as Provided for in the Ordinances of the City of Gaithersburg

    Background Material (pdf format)

11. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the Use of the Diebold AccuVote Optical Scan System and the AutoMark System as Voting Equipment for the November 6, 2007 City Election and any Run Off Election that may be Required by the City Charter

    Background Material (pdf format)

XVI. POLICY DISCUSSION AND STAFF GUIDANCE

(discussion by the Mayor and Council about previous public hearing topics and other policy matters)

1. An Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact Chapter 11 of the City Code (Fire Safety) to Adopt With Amendments the Montgomery County Fire Safety Code and Various Related National Codes and Standards (Ready for Final Action)

   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg Granting Approval of Schematic Development Plan SDP-04-001, Quince Orchard Park, Parcel A, The Vistas, Winter Walk Drive and Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland (A Draft Resolution of Approval is Available if the Mayor and City Council Would Like to Take Final Action.)

   Background Material Part I (pdf format - 3.7M)

   Background Material Part II (pdf format - 5.3M)

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

Staff Recommendation to Close the Record on Z-304 as of 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2007 (Application to Rezone 14.157 Acres of Land, the Broadstone Apartments, Located at the Intersection of MD 355 and West Deer Park Road)

Staff Recommendation to Close the Record on SDP-06-004 as of 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2007 (Applicant Requests the Redevelopment of 14.157 Acres of Land, , the Broadstone Apartments, Located at the Intersection of MD 355 and West Deer Park Road)

Background Material Part I (pdf format)

Background Material Part II

XVIII. 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 conduct a joint work session with the Planning Commission on Thursday, June 21, 2007, to introduce the HOK Planning Group and Receive an Overview of the Kentlands Boulevard Commercial District Community Outreach Activities Charrette Schedule and to discuss the Concept Plan for the New Youth Center in Olde Towne
• will not conduct a work session on Monday, June 25, 2007
• will not conduct a regular meeting on Monday, July 2, 2007, but will conduct a regular meeting on Monday, July 9, 2007
• will conduct a work session on Monday, July 16, 2007 and a regular meeting on Monday, July 23, 2007

The City has published an outcomes document for this meeting, as well as the video.

The revised agenda for the Wednesday, November 15, 2006 meeting of the Planning Commission is available on the City’s website. Topics for tomorrow night’s meeting include the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO), the change to the height restrictions in the CD Zone. Also up for discussion is an updated site plan for Watkins Mill Town Center:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

October 18, 2006, Planning Commission Meeting
Background Material (pdf format)

Approved

CONSENT

AFP-06-045 — Kentlands - 348 Tschiffely Square Road
MXD Zone
(Tirtanadi Residence)

Two-Story Addition
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)
Approved

SP-05-0011 — Summit Crossing

CBD Zone
North Summit & Park Avenue
Bozzuto Townhouse Redevelopment
EXTENSION OF FINAL PLAN APPROVAL
Background Material (pdf format)

Granted

RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL

T-377 — Ordinance to amend Chapter 24 of the City Code, entitled, “Zoning,” so as to create a new Article XV, entitled, “Adequate Public Facilities,” so as to require that public facilities be deemed adequate to serve development which is subject to various land use and development approvals and to set forth applicable procedures and standards for the determination thereof and a regulation establishing traffic impact study standards

NOTE: no additional testimony will be taken at this time
Background Material I (pdf format)
Background Material II (Large File 4.7M pdf format)
Recommended deferral of action until additional information is provided

T-378 – Ordinance to amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Article III, § 24-160G.5, entitled, “Waiver of Development Standards,” so as to amend the waiver standards so that t he City Council may, by resolution, waive the building and structure height requirements in the Corridor Development Zone (CD Zone) as follows: for a residential district to allow a height not to exceed four (4) stories, or forty-eight (48) feet
NOTE: no additional testimony will be taken at this time
Background Material (pdf format)

Recommended adoption with a revision

SITE PLAN

AFP-06-047 — Observatory Heights 122/126 George Street
R-90 Zone

New Model, Grading/House Footing Revisions
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)
Approved with conditions

AFP-06-025 — Watkins Mill Town Center MXD Zone

Metropolitan Grove Road
Architectural Revisions
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (7.3M - pdf format)
Approved with conditions

DISCUSSION

Plan #120070270 — Quince Trace Co. RT-8
(Formerly Christian Life Center)
Darnestown Road
45 Townhouses

Background Material (pdf format)
Staff to send letter with recommendations

Following are links to a few letters in this weeks Gazette that I’d like to highlight:

• Demos Chrissos, Labor center issue could prompt recall move
• Cathy Drzyzgula, Cheryl Jones and Marge Krivda, Three Letters on the day laborer controversy
• Pamela Lindstrom, City should be a leader in affordable housing