Be Part of Bethesda's Future: 
Your Input on Development is Key!

Join Q&A Sessions Hosted by County Planning to Discuss Traffic, School, Parks & Other Impacts

The Montgomery County Council has authorized the Montgomery County Planning Department to update the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan through a Minor Master Plan Amendment (MMPA). Thus far, more than 30 million square feet of development has been approved, but because much of the approved new development is still pending construction, the full impact on infrastructure, such as schools and roads, is yet to be seen. This MMPA will specifically address whether the development cap in the Bethesda Overlay Zone (BOZ) should be raised or removed. 

Montgomery Planning will be in the community in the coming weeks to share information, answer questions, and hear your feedback about the Minor Master Plan Amendment:

-- Wednesday, May 29: Bethesda Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, from 7-9 p.m.

-- Saturday, June 1: Chevy Chase Town Hall Meeting Room, 4301 Willow Lane, from 11-1 p.m.

About the Bethesda Overlay Zone

The Bethesda Overlay Zone (BOZ) was created to implement the recommendations of the Bethesda Downtown Plan as it relates to density, building heights, affordable housing, parks, and open space and design. 

The BOZ cap on development was set to ensure that total density in the Plan Area, including existing, approved, and new development would not exceed 32.4 million square feet of gross floor area. The Plan recommended that once development came within 2 million square feet of the cap, the Montgomery Planning Department would check in with the County Council to assess the implementation of the Plan and to see if additional recommendations are needed to help implementation of public amenity and infrastructure recommendations like new parks and transportation-related improvements.  

During the fall of 2023, development (existing, new, and approved) triggered the soft cap limit as well as a call for a review of the Plan that would include the possible removal or raising of the hard cap. The Town testified about this issue at a Planning Board hearing. Afterward, it was decided that the appropriate approach was to study the issues and update the Plan using a Minor Master Plan Amendment.

About the Minor Master Plan Amendment

A Minor Master Plan Amendment (MMPA) provides an update of an existing Master Plan or Sector Plan, with a narrower focus, either in terms of geography or the topics to be covered. These plans follow the same process steps as a Master Plan and Sector Plan, with community outreach, a public hearing, and the Planning Board and County Council’s review.

The MMPA will not re-open the entire 2017 plan. The existing zoning, park plans, transportation improvements, and other recommendations will remain unchanged while the Montgomery Planning Department explores how better to implement those recommendations. The Planning team is working closely with the Bethesda Downtown Plan Implementation Advisory Committee, which is a volunteer panel that consists of representatives from the resident and real estate development communities on this update. With many opportunities to engage and provide comments, the current schedule anticipates a Planning Board Public Hearing later in the fall and a County Council review in early 2025.  

Questions, comments? 
Contact: Elza Hisel-McCoy, Chief, Downcounty Planning
Email: elza.hisel-mccoy@montgomeryplanning.org
Telephone: 301-495-2115

Multi-family Housing is Coming to the Town
Town Council Seeks Resident Input

Public Forum Will be Held on 
Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m., Town Hall

For the past two months, the County Planning Department and the Planning Board have discussed strategies to increase the housing supply by allowing market rate multi-family housing in current single-family neighborhoods, including the Town. 

This initiative aims to diversify housing options for young professionals, working families, seniors, and others, rather than specifically increase affordable housing.

The County’s recommendations fall into four categories, each with potential impacts on the Town:

-- Small-scale housing would allow duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes on all Town lots, subject to the Town’s building regulations for height, setback, massing, water drainage, and so forth.

-- Medium-scale housing would permit 3-4 story stacked flats, small apartment buildings, and townhouses on lots along Connecticut Avenue (and potentially lots adjacent to them). All projects would be subject to public input much like that which was provided for the Corso Chevy Chase Senior Living community.

-- Large-scale housing would enable the development of live-work buildings, 4+ story stacked flats, and larger apartment complexes along Connecticut Avenue through designated master plans, requiring extensive public input. 

-- Other attainable housing initiatives would include Town lot combinations/sub-divisions, financial incentives for multifamily housing, and metrics development for housing outcomes. 

Share your comments and questions:

Residents are encouraged to send feedback on the County’s attainable housing initiatives to both the Town Council at TownOffice@TownofChevyChase.org and the Planning Board at MCP-Chair@mncppc-mc.org. 

Join the public forum on Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall:

The Town Council will host a forum to address questions and gather further feedback as it prepares its public testimony for the County Council.  If you are unable to attend this meeting, please submit questions and comments to townoffice@townofchevychase.org. The Council will review all comments and respond to all questions.

Street Paving Scheduled

On Tuesday of next week, weather permitting, the Town is scheduled to begin road paving work on Thornapple Street between Connecticut Avenue and Meadow Lane. Later in the week, the contractor will begin work on Meadow Lane between Thornapple Street and Woodbine Street. As part of this mobilization, the Town will also be repaving Oakridge Avenue between Thornapple Street and Stanford Street. 

Because of the nature of the repairs, the streets will be closed while the contractor is working on a block. Streets will be reopened at the completion of the work each day. All cars should follow the posted "No Parking" signs to avoid being towed. Please contact the Town Office if you have any questions.

Seriously Fun Singers, June 2

Join the Seriously Fun Singers (SFS) for its third performance for Town residents on Sunday, June 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Town Hall! With many singers hailing from the Town, SFS will feature its signature eclectic mix of popular music through the ages: madrigals, Broadway tunes, sea shanties, pop hits, and more. 

Come early, as the doors open at 3:45 p.m., and spend some time mingling with neighbors as you sample the refreshments. Singing begins at 4 p.m. Please RSVP to bit.ly/SFSJune2.

Discussion and Desserts, June 4

A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence with Dr. Katherine Hoops

In honor of the Town’s recognition of the 10th National Gun Violence Awareness Day in early June, join us on Tuesday, June 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Town Hall. Dr. Katherine Hoops is a physician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and she is a faculty leader in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions. She conducts research to find effective policy measures and clinical strategies to reduce gun violence. RSVP to bit.ly/DDJune4. 

TOCC Book Club Meets June 17

The Town of Chevy Chase Book Club has selected Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan for our next read. It’s based on a true story of espionage, suspense and love in WWII Italy. We will meet on Monday, June 17 in the Town Hall at 7 p.m. All residents are welcome.

Report Crimes & Incidents to MCPD and Town

In an emergency, please call 911. Please report all crimes, incidents (including non-emergency vehicle accidents), or suspicious activity to MCPD’s non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. See MCPD’s guidance on when to call the non-emergency line. Both 911 and the non-emergency line are equipped for callers with hearing and/or speech impairments.  

Additionally, please report all crimes, incidents, and suspicious activity to the Town Office so that we can notify our contracted police officers and work with the 2nd District to respond accordingly.

Crimewatch

Lock Your Cars
We want to remind residents to ensure that your cars are locked at all times. Also, please do not leave house or car keys, or any valuable items, in your vehicles. If you observe any suspicious activity, please report it to the police immediately at 911.  Report any crimes that have already occurred to the police at 301-279-8000. 

Mail Theft & Check Washing
We also want to remind residents of ongoing theft of mail from U.S Postal Service mailboxes. Montgomery County has seen a rise in cases that can also include check washing. More information on check washing and how to protect yourself from check washing is available here. Those who believe their mail was stolen should report it immediately by submitting an online complaint here or by calling USPIS at 877-876-2455. If you observe any suspicious activity, please report it to the police immediately at 911. Report any crimes that have already occurred to the police at 301-279-8000.

Fraud
The County's Financial Crimes Section of the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) is part of the Criminal Investigations Division. The Section investigates fraud, forgery, embezzlement, confidence games, counterfeiting checks and credit cards, financial exploitation of the elderly, and identity theft.  

Town Neighbors Listserv

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

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.

Do You Want To Assist Older Adults in Your Neighborhood?
Have you considered volunteering with Chevy Chase At Home? Would you like to spend an hour or two each month assisting a local neighbor? We invite you to learn more about providing services to older adults in your neighborhood including friendly visits, rides to the grocery store or medical appointments, running an errand, tech help, minor repairs, and household tasks depending on your interests. Please contact us at info@chevychaseathome.org or (301) 657-3115 to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Chevy Chase At Home.