WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
March 3, 2023

Corso's Final Rezoning Application

Public Hearings Scheduled for March 9 and March 24

On February 27, the County Planning Department posted its staff report (see agenda item #5) on Corso's rezoning application, which will be the subject of a public hearing before the Planning Board on March 9 (in the morning session, which starts at 10:30 a.m.). The County Hearing Examiner will then hold a public hearing on the application on March 24 at 9:30 a.m. Residents are encouraged to submit testimony or testify at these hearings (see links below). The Town is preparing testimony and will share it with residents soon.

Testify at the March 9 Planning Board Hearing
Community members can sign up to testify remotely or in-person. To testify, fill out the Sign Up to Testify form by 12 noon on the day before the Planning Board meeting.
Testify at the March 24 Hearing Examiner Hearing
(Please note: This hearing will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams. You do not need to sign up in advance to testify or view the hearing. You do not need a subscription to Microsoft Teams to join the hearing. Instructions to access the public hearing may be found under the link “Public Hearing Remote Access and Exhibits” and on the Hearing Calendar, both of which are on OZAH’s website, at least one day before the public hearing.)

On February 15, the Town submitted comments to the Planning Department on Corso Chevy Chase's final application to rezone the former 4-H property at 7100 Connecticut Avenue.

The Town's comments: 1) support the developers' rezoning application, as a result of the developers reducing the outside height of the perimeter buildings; 2) note that the Town will be carefully monitoring a number of key issues during subsequent reviews by the Planning Board, including traffic, parking, lighting, stormwater management, and forest protection; and 3) cite the developers’ commitment to enter into agreements with the Town about construction management and to submit to the Town’s tree removal variance process.

Evan Glass to Attend March 8 Town Council Meeting

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass will attend the Town Council’s March 8 meeting to discuss County initiatives that are of interest to, or impact, the Town. Among other issues, Mr. Glass will address the County’s proposed ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. Residents are invited to attend this meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m., either in person or by Zoom video conference.

Bethesda Market Park Community Meeting, March 15, 6:30 p.m.

On March 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawton Community Center, the County Parks Department will host a community meeting to review and discuss ideas for features and amenities in the new parks to be created adjacent to the Farm Women's Market. One new park will occupy most of the parking lot behind the market; the other will be built on the parking lot between Leland and Walsh streets. This is an exciting step in the process to turn our vision into reality.

The March 15 meeting will feature a brief presentation of a concept plan, currently under development, followed by an interactive session for attendees to learn more about the project and provide their ideas and feedback. Different stations will be set up for attendees to engage on specific topics. A second community meeting will be held at Bethesda Elementary School on March 16 at 7 p.m. Following these meetings, the Parks Department will conduct an online survey, open for 30 days, for Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents to post their comments. We encourage residents to attend these meetings and to participate in the online survey.

We would also welcome hearing from you both in advance of and after these meetings, so that the Long-Range Planning and Land Use committees, and the Council, can gain an understanding of what amenities our residents would like to see provided in these parks. Please share your ideas at https://bit.ly/toccpark.

This is the opportunity for Town residents to review and influence the amenities in these new parks and to demonstrate our interest in creating urban parkland that will truly serve the neighboring communities. More information on this project and the community meetings is available here.

Zimmerman Park Redevelopment Plans Available for Review

The Town is pleased to present for resident review the final detailed designs for the upgrades to Zimmerman Park. These designs adhere to the preliminary plans approved by the Town Council last year, following extensive community engagement, and include the requirements of various County agencies. We anticipate bidding the project in late spring and beginning construction in early or late summer.

Purple Line Construction Updates

Excavation and Blasting to Commence at the Bethesda Connection to Metro's Red Line
On or about March 20, 2023, crews will resume excavation in the Purple Line’s elevator shaft to connect to Metro's Red Line in Bethesda. This operation will include blasting the rock within the shaft located at the work zone on Elm Street at Wisconsin Avenue. Blasting is planned during daytime hours, typically once a week with additional work in the area occurring over multiple shifts between excavation and removal of spoils from the site. In advance of each blast, a warning siren will be activated. Use of backup alarms will be limited during nighttime hours. Work may occur in two shifts weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Work Continues on Walls Along the Former Georgetown Trail
Crews continue construction of walls, storm drain installation, and Overhead Catenary System foundations long the former Georgetown Branch Trail between Elm Street Park and Rock Creek Park. Work may take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and weekends, as needed through March.

Work Continues in the Jones Mill Road Area
Crews continue work in the Jones Mill Road underpass area through March. Work includes utility relocation, construction of retaining walls, and completing the east side of Jones Mill Road. Work may take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and overnight 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Work Continues in the Connecticut Avenue Station Area
Work continues in the area of future Connecticut Avenue Purple Line Station through March. Work includes concrete placement, stormwater drainage and retaining walls. Work may take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Long-Term Lane Closure on Wisconsin Avenue at Elm Street
Crews continue work at the future Purple Line Bethesda Station located at Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. A long-term lane closure of the southbound right lane of Wisconsin Avenue at Elm Street will continue through completion of the station construction to facilitate a work zone buffer and construction access. Pedestrians will need to use the signed pedestrian detour to access the northbound side of Wisconsin Avenue. Work will occur in two shifts from 7 a.m. 5 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays and weekends, as needed.

Work Zone Safety
As work increases along the alignment, the Purple Line team remains committed to keeping everyone safe. Pedestrians and motorists are advised to follow construction signage and use the open sidewalk(s). For the safety of the public and our construction team, entry into construction work zones is not permitted.

Spring Tree Planting Program

Request a Tree

The Town is preparing its spring tree planting list. If you have a spot in your yard suitable for a tree, we encourage you to take advantage of the Town’s Private Native Tree Planting Program. Under this program, the Town will purchase and plant a tree on your property at no cost to you. Residents are responsible for the long-term care of the trees once planted.

You also may request to have a tree planted along the street in front of your home. The Town is responsible for the long-term care of the trees once planted.

RainScapes Supplemental Rebate Program

The Town offers a program that provides residents who complete a County RainScapes project with a supplemental rebate of up to 50% of the County rebate amount, with the total combined rebate limited to 85% of the total cost of the project. Residents who wish to take advantage of this Town program should sign up to participate in County’s RainScapes program. (Note: The County program is open until March 31, 2023.)

If you need assistance identifying a suitable RainScapes project for your property, you may sign up for the Town's Consulting Water Management Program, wherein the Town's consulting engineer will visit your property and provide a written report with recommendations on improving water drainage and runoff, including recommendations for RainScapes-eligible projects.

After completing an eligible RainScapes project, the homeowner should submit copies of project receipts and a copy of the paid County rebate receipt to the Town to receive the supplemental rebate.

Discussion and Desserts with Barney Rush, March 23

Join a discussion with Town Mayor Barney Rush on our journey to decarbonization: How do we grapple with the challenges of seeking more renewable energy while still maintaining the highly reliable electric system that we count on? Barney spent much of his professional career working on power generation and electricity, most recently serving as a member of the board of the ISO-New England, the public authority that is responsible for the operation and reliability of the electric grid serving the six New England states. Desserts will be served at the event on March 23 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Town Hall. RSVP to https://bit.ly/toccdiscussion.

TOCC Book Club, March 27

The TOCC Book Club has exciting news! Local author Virginia Hartman has agreed to come to our March 27 meeting to discuss her book The Marsh Queen!

Our meetings are in the Town Hall at 7 p.m.; all are welcome! Please join us! Sponsored by the Community Relations Committee.

Reduced-Price Tickets Available for On The Far End, April 16

The Community Relations Committee has secured twenty-five tickets for a front-row balcony performance of On The Far End on Sunday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the reduced price of $55.50 each.

On The Far End is playing at the Round House Theater. This astonishing one-woman play portrays Muscogee leader Ella Jean Hill as she traces her family’s history from the Trail of Tears to her grandfather’s allotment in central Oklahoma. Ella shares her story -- the Native boarding school she fled on foot, her marriage to a young Bengali scholar, and the advocacy that became her life’s work.

Tickets are limited to 25 and are selling out for this performance. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis with confirmed payment via check or Venmo. Teens are welcome.

Contact townoffice@townofchevychase.org with your name and number of desired tickets to receive payment details.

Town Neighbors Listserv

Residents are encouraged to connect with fellow residents through the private Town Neighbors listserv.

Town Office Hours

The Town office is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On other days, most employees telework. There may be someone to assist on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but please contact the office in advance.

WEEKLY TOWN UPDATESMarch 3, 2023