WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
April 28, 2023

Upcoming Special Events

Spring Festival, April 30
Garden Tour, May 7
Town Book Club, May 8
Live Music "Round," May 11
Dennison Garden Celebration, May 13
The Great Zucchini, May 21
Discussion & Desserts: The State of Gun Violence, June 8

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May 2023 Forecast Newsletter

The May 2023 issue of the the Forecast newsletter is now available online.

Corso and Town Sign Redevelopment Agreement

On April 27, Corso Chevy Chase and the Town ratified an agreement related to redevelopment of the former 4-H property at 7100 Connecticut Avenue.

The agreement obligates Corso to execute a Declaration of Covenants, which memorializes commitments related to perpetual use of the land and improvements that are enforceable by the Town. These commitments, which will become effective when Corso obtains all building permits for the project, include limiting primary use of the property to a residential care facility; limiting vehicular access to Connecticut Avenue; establishing minimum building setbacks and maximum building heights; maintaining the 81-foot setback along Thornapple Street; defining and restricting locations of pathways; defining forest conservation areas and planting/screening areas; and providing permanent garage space for Town vehicles.

These commitments also are included in the rezoning application for the property and become effective upon County Council approval of the rezoning. However, the rezoning and related conditions represent an agreement only between the developer and the County. The Declaration of Covenants, which will be an agreement between the developer and the Town, ensures that the consent of the Town must be obtained for any future changes that this developer, or any succeeding owner, may wish to make.

The agreement also includes short-term requirements that the Town wants the developer to commit to but that do not need to be conditions in perpetuity. These requirements, which become effective immediately, include providing the Town with temporary garage space during construction; completing traffic and parking studies prior to submission of the preliminary plan; including the Town forester in development of the final forest conservation plan; and executing a construction management agreement with the Town prior to issuance of building permits.  

The agreement and draft Declaration of Covenants are available for review here. On April 26, the County Hearing Examiner recommended approval of Corso’s rezoning application, which will now be considered by the County Council within 60 days. If the County Council approves the rezoning, Corso will proceed to prepare a preliminary site plan and undertake traffic and parking studies. 

We will continue to keep residents informed as this project proceeds.

Residents Encouraged to Complete Bethesda Market Park Community Survey

In mid-March, the County Parks Department hosted community meetings to review and discuss ideas for features and amenities in the new park to be created adjacent to the Farm Women's Market. One part of the park will occupy most of the parking lot behind the market; the other part will be built on the parking lot between Leland and Walsh streets. The Parks Department has published the presentation from the community meetings. The presentation contains three images that we think would be of particular interest to residents. These images present the concepts for how the space would be used and propose certain key features.

The Parks Department is now conducting an online survey, open through April 30 (this date was extended), for Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents to share their ideas and feedback. We encourage residents to participate in this survey, including younger residents and residents who were not able to attend the community meetings. The presentation and the particular images highlighted above provide sufficient background to respond to the survey. 

The Town's survey requesting residents’ suggestions for park amenities closed on April 15, and we thank all who responded. Respondents wrote that the following amenities were most desirable: 1) a dog park or dog-friendly area; 2) trees and gardens; 3) an open lawn area for play and entertainment; 4) benches and tables; and 5) a playground and exercise equipment. Some respondents indicated opposition to some of these amenities. All resident comments, without attribution, have been submitted to the Parks Department. 

Following the close of its survey, the Parks Department will review all public comments and incorporate desirable features into the next concept plan, which will be presented to and discussed with the community at a virtual meeting on June 14. 

More information on the Bethesda Market Park project and the Zoom link for the June 14 virtual meeting are available here.

2023 Council Election & Annual Meeting

The Town Council has five elected members. In the 2023 election, Town residents will elect two members, each to serve for a two-year term. The terms of Joel Rubin and Joy White will expire in May. There are two candidates on the ballot in the 2023 election: Stephanie Martz and Joy White.

Balloting is being undertaken by mail and drop box only. Balloting materials and the Election issue of the Forecast newsletter were mailed to residents last week. For a resident’s vote to be counted, ballot return envelopes must either be mailed by May 2 and received by May 9 or placed in the drop box outside the Town Hall by 5 p.m. on May 2.

On May 2 at 7 p.m., the Town will hold its Annual Meeting both in person in the Town Hall and by Zoom video conference. During this meeting, Mayor Barney Rush will provide an overview of the Town’s accomplishments over the past year, and Town Treasurer Irene Lane will present the proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year (see below), followed by a public hearing and Council adoption.

FY24 Proposed Budget & Public Hearing

On April 4, the Town Council introduced an ordinance to approve the Town's budget and tax rates for the next fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2023. The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at the Annual Meeting on May 2. 

The proposed budget and accompanying narrative are available here, and a budget summary is included in the Election issue of the Forecast newsletter.

Spring Festival, April 30

The Town of Chevy Chase is partnering with the Jane E. Lawton Center to host the 2023 Spring Festival. The event will take place, rain or shine, on Sunday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lawton Center parking lot or inside the Lawton Center. Join us for live music, food, games, and art & crafts. All ages are welcome!

Garden Club of Chevy Chase Garden Tour, May 7

Peek behind the lovely facades and fences of some of Chevy Chase Village’s most exquisitely landscaped gardens at the Garden Club of Chevy Chase Garden Tour. The tour will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 12 to 4 p.m., rain or shine. 

This year’s tour will highlight seven distinctive Chevy Chase Village gardens, including expansive, lush gardens with grand ornamentation and also small intimate gardens that will inspire you. In addition, visitors will be able to tour the newly renovated Chevy Chase Circle, which will be celebrating its reopening all weekend. Tickets are available on the Garden Club of Chevy Chase website (www.gardenclubofchevychase.org).

Lee Wick Dennison Sustainable Garden Celebration, May 13

Celebrate the Lee Wick Dennison Sustainable Garden, located at the corner of Lynn Drive and Maple Avenue in Zimmerman Park, on Saturday, May 13 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. 

• Paint and Plant a Pot of Pollinators! 
• Tour the Sustainable Garden! 
• Consult a Garden Expert About Your Garden Concerns! 
• Nosh on Delicious Food! 
• Fun & Learning for All Ages! 

Please RSVP here by May 5. More information about this event, Lee Dennison, the sustainable garden, and sustainable gardening practices is available here.

The Great Zucchini, May 21

Join us on Sunday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the Lawton Center Social Hall for The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer. The Great Zucchini will perform a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh! Please RSVP here.

Discussion & Desserts: The State of Gun Violence, June 8

On Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall, join Town resident Chris Files as she discusses how our nation can address the epidemic of gun violence and enact common sense gun laws. The conversation will include an overview of gun violence and gun laws in the US, the threat of gun violence in our schools, and an update on recently passed gun laws by the Maryland State Legislature. Chris has worked on gun violence issues for the last seven years at the national, state, and local levels. She serves as Co-Chair of the DC Area Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Network. Please RSVP here by June 1.

Montgomery Parks May Special Events and Programs

Montgomery Parks has announced its lineup of special events and programs in May for people of all ages. Events include the start of Acoustics and Ales and Salsa in the Park programs, guided hikes on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail, and Family Archaeology Day.

Chevy Chase at Home (CC@H)

CC@H is a member organization providing social and educational programs to neighbors of all ages and support services to older adults. You can learn more at www.chevychaseathome.org.

Town Neighbors Listserv

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

Free COVID Test Kits & Masks

The Town has COVID test kits and N95 masks available for pick up at the Town office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kits and masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.