Columbus Day Holiday
The Town office will be closed on Columbus Day, Monday, October 12. Household trash and yard waste will be collected as usual.
Concrete Repairs Scheduled
The Town’s concrete contractor has begun replacing damaged or substandard curbs, sidewalks, and driveway aprons on Town streets where gas mains were recently replaced. Next week, the contractor will be working on Woodbine Street between Meadow Lane and Oak Lane, the 4200 block of Leland Street, and the 7500 and 7600 blocks of Maple Avenue.
The contractor will try to keep streets open to local traffic; however, it may be necessary for streets to be closed for short periods of time. Residents are asked to honor all parking restriction signs as posted and follow all traffic controls as the repair work proceeds.
Leaf Collection to Begin October 19
Leaf vacuuming will begin October 19. Please rake leaves to the edge of the curb -- not into the street -- for collection. Leaves must be free of debris such as sticks, bottles, and rocks. This year, the Town’s contractor will use battery-powered leaf blowers to help reduce the noise associated with this service. The leaf collection schedule is available here [https://www.townofchevychase.org/DocumentCenter/View/11/Leaf-Collection-Schedule-Map?bidId=] .
Town Will Not Host Flu Clinic This Year
Due to the pandemic, and ongoing restrictions on the use of County facilities, the Town will not host a flu clinic this year. There are many retail locations [https://vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine] near the Town to receive your vaccination. For more information on how to prepare for the 2020-2021 flu season, visit www.flu.gov [http://www.flu.gov/] .
Parking Permits Extended One Year
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Town is extending all parking permits and guest passes until September 30, 2021. All vehicles within a permit parking area must display a purple permit parking decal or guest pass with an expiration date of September 30, 2020. Any resident who lives in a permit parking area and acquires a new vehicle during the next year should contact the Town office to request a permit parking sticker and guest pass. Vehicles that do not display the most recent decals or guest passes will continue to be ticketed. Call 301-654-7144 for more information.
Subdivision Staging Policy -- Updates & Impacts
The final stage in the quadrennial update of Montgomery County's Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP) is underway. Following the public hearing held on September 15, two County Council committees began reviewing the Planning Board draft SSP. In the next several weeks, these committees will determine their recommendations about how to deal with school overcrowding and changes to taxes (impact taxes and recordation taxes). The County Council will vote on the new policy by November 15.
The Montgomery County SSP (to be renamed County Growth Policy) is used in conjunction with County Master Plans to determine whether public facilities, such as public schools and transportation systems, are sufficient to support new development. The SSP imposes taxes to fund the new development, and if public facilities are found to be insufficient, it outlines remedial actions.
The Town’s Subcommittee on Regional Growth and Development reviewed the Planning Board’s draft SSP and submitted recommendations for Town Council action [https://www.townofchevychase.org/DocumentCenter/View/3132/SubcommitteeRecommendationstoTownCouncil_CGP_v04] .
The Town’s key positions, outlined in a letter [https://www.townofchevychase.org/DocumentCenter/View/3135/TOCC-Comments-on-2020-2024-Subdivision-Staging-Policy-9-11-20] and testimony [https://www.townofchevychase.org/DocumentCenter/View/3138/TOCC-Baskir-oral-testimony---SSP-9-15-20] provided to the County Council, include: 1) continue residential housing moratoria (now triggered when schools are overcrowded) for one year while a task force consisting of residents, planning staff, and MCPS develops an effective replacement tool to control school overcrowding; 2) conduct a comprehensive fiscal study of the impacts of proposed policy changes on total revenues; 3) continue use of the motor vehicle adequacy test near Metrorail and Purple Line stations because traffic congestion still matters.
The County Executive and the Montgomery County Council of PTAs also have reviewed and commented on the Planning Board’s draft and raised some of the same objections as those raised by the Town. In the coming weeks, further discussions with County Council members will be ongoing. The County Council will finalize a new policy by November 15. Residents are encouraged to review the SSP documents [https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/countywide/subdivision-staging-policy/] and submit comments to the County Council [mailto:county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov] .
County General Plan Update -- Big Changes Envisioned
Thrive Montgomery 2050, the Planning Board’s update of the County’s General Plan, will guide the County’s growth and development for the next 30 years. The working draft [https://montgomeryplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Working-Draft-Plan-Thrive-Montgomery-2050-final.pdf] includes goals, policies, and actions for land use, housing, transportation, environment, equity, design, arts and culture, parks and open spaces, and the economy.
The draft plan promotes the following overarching concepts: • encourage compact development (i.e., “complete communities” which have needed amenities within a 15-minute walk or bike ride for residents); • retrofit existing neighborhoods near transit to be complete communities by increasing density, adding housing types, and adding accessible retail and services; • restrict new growth to transportation corridors; • stop planning for cars: shrink and repurpose roads, remove/reduce parking, expand mass transit; • eradicate greenhouse gas emissions; • build attainable housing for all income levels; • employ regional solutions and strategies; • promote and support diversity.
The Town’s Subcommittee on Regional Growth and Development is reviewing the Thrive Montgomery draft and will submit recommendations for Town Council action. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the working draft on November 19, after which it will hold work sessions before submitting the final draft to the County Council around March 2021. Residents are encouraged to review the Thrive Montgomery working draft and send comments to the Town [mailto:townoffice@townofchevychase.org] by October 9 and to the Planning Board [mailto:mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org] .
Let's Talk About Thrive Montgomery 2050
Councilmember Irene Lane, who serves as the Council’s Community Liaison and as Council Co-Liaison to the Town’s Subcommittee on Regional Growth and Development, will host two virtual "talks" about the impact of Thrive Montgomery 2050 [https://montgomeryplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Working-Draft-Plan-Thrive-Montgomery-2050-final.pdf] on Town residents.
The second session is on Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m. To attend, please RSVP to townoffice@townofchevychase.org [mailto:townoffice@townofchevychase.org] . If you cannot attend the session and have questions about Thrive Montgomery 2050, please email your questions to the Town office by October 9. We look forward to a productive dialogue!
2020 General Election Voter Information
November 3, 2020
In the 2020 general election, Town residents may vote at the Jane Lawton Community Recreation Center in the following ways.
Ballot Drop Off:
For those who have filled out a mail-in ballot, you may return your ballot by using a drop box that is located at the Lawton Center. This box will remain open until 8 p.m. on November 3.
In-Person Voting:
Early Voting: The Lawton Center will serve as an early voting center, which will be open from Monday, October 26 through Monday, November 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Election Day Voting: The Lawton Center will serve as an election day vote center, which will be open November 3, 2020 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. will be able to vote. Please note that the usual precinct voting station, at Chevy Chase Elementary School, will not be used on election day, November 3.
Click here [https://www.townofchevychase.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=331] for more information on the 2020 election.
Census 2020 -- Response Deadline October 31
The US Census Bureau has moved the self-response deadline for the 2020 Census to October 31. Please take 10 minutes and complete your 2020 Census today! To respond online, visit www.2020census.gov [https://www.2020census.gov/] , or call 844-330-2020 to respond by phone.
Update: Deadlines Extended for Public Input on the I-495 and I-270
Managed Lanes Study's Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The State Highway Administration (SHA) and Montgomery County have extended until November 9 and October 16, respectively, the deadlines for public comments on the I-495 and I-270 Managed Lanes Study’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
The DEIS includes traffic, environmental, engineering and financial analyses of the Build Alternatives and the No Build Alternative. The DEIS process provides an opportunity for residents, interest groups and other agencies to review and provide comment on the proposed federal action and the adverse and beneficial environmental impacts and proposed mitigation for unavoidable impacts.
The SHA held public hearings in August and September and continues to accept comments by voicemail, email or hard copy until November 9 [https://495-270-p3.com/your-participation/provide-feedback/] . The Montgomery County Council and County Executive Elrich jointly are seeking public input on the DEIS. The Council and County Executive ask County residents who testified at the SHA public hearings, or who send correspondence to the SHA, to also send copies of their comments and any attachments to County representatives (for use in developing the County's position). County residents can submit feedback and testimony to the County by email at managed.lanes@montgomerycountymd.gov [mailto:managed.lanes@montgomerycountymd.gov] . Residents without access to the internet can mail their testimony or comments to the attention of Glenn Orlin at the Council Office Building (100 Maryland Ave., 4th floor, Rockville, Md., 20850).
More information about the DEIS hearings can be found here [https://495-270-p3.com/your-participation/upcoming-events/] . Past hearings materials and the recorded hearing sessions can be viewed here [https://495-270-p3.com/your-participation/past-public-outreach/] .
Additional information on the project can be found at the links below:
“Environmental impact statement gives six alternatives for I-495/I-270 widening” [https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/transportation/lengthy-environmental-impact-statement-released-on-i-495-i-270-widening/]
"Planners criticize proposal for I-495/I-270 widening, including possibility of public subsidy” [https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/transportation/planners-criticize-proposal-for-i-495-i-270-widening-including-possibility-of-public-subsidy/]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Documents [https://495-270-p3.com/deis/#DEIS]
M-NCPPC Expresses Major Concerns Regarding Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Interstates 495 and 270 Managed Lanes Study [https://montgomeryplanningboard.org/m-ncppc-expresses-major-concerns-regarding-draft-environmental-impact-statement-on-interstates-495-and-270-managed-lanes-study/]
Montgomery Planning Board I-495 and I-270 Managed Lane Study website [https://montgomeryplanningboard.org/i-495-and-i-270-managed-lanes-study/]
ThanksGIVING in October
The Town’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner Basket effort is off to a great start. Thanks to many of our neighbors, we have already received generous contributions to purchase grocery cards for 20 of the 100 MCPS families being helped this Thanksgiving. Here is how you can help bring food and holiday cheer to MCPS families hit especially hard this year by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drop off or mail a check payable to YMCA-YFS or grocery cards from Giant or Aldi to Georgia Guhin (4006 Rosemary Street) from now through October 30. Your donation will help purchase a $75 food card for each of the 100 families.
Stop by the porch of Katie Vita (6905 Maple Avenue) to pick up small white cartons and googly eyes. The grocery cards will be given to the 100 families in these beautifully decorated (by you!) containers. Return the decorated containers to her porch by October 30.
Can’t get to Georgia’s or Katie’s? Send an email to the Town Office ( townoffice@townofchevychase.org [mailto:townoffice@townofchevychase.org] ) or Bridget Hartman ( bridget@hartmanjr.net [mailto:bridget@hartmanjr.net] ) for pick-up of your contribution and/or delivery of your boxes to decorate.
Montgomery County Offers Guidance to Keep Children and Families
Safe During Halloween
As Halloween approaches, Montgomery County officials are offering advice on how to minimize risks [https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=26894] associated with the event during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the traditional ways of celebrating do not allow people to minimize contact with non-household members so it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Due to the challenge of maintaining proper physical distancing on porches and at front doors on Halloween, traditional, door-to-door trick-or-treating is not recommended. In addition, the sharing of food through activities such as “trunk-or-treating,” where children go from car to car instead of door to door is also not recommended.
The County's current Executive Order does not allow for events or activities of more than 50 people so large Halloween gatherings, even if held outdoors, are not permitted.
If you or your landscape company will be using gas-powered leaf blowers this fall, please follow the Town’s quiet hours schedule and refrain from using them before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Signs in the Public Right-of-Way
Residents are reminded that the Town Code prohibits the placement of certain signs, including political signs, in the public right-of-way. Signs for temporary events such as yard sales and open houses are allowed. The public right-of-way is the area of land generally located between the street and a sidewalk or extending approximately six feet behind the curb if there is no sidewalk.
If you have placed a sign in the right-of-way, as described above, please move it onto your private property. Please contact the Town Office at 301-654-7144 if you have any questions.
Please Clean Up After Your Pet
The Town office has received complaints about dog waste being left on public areas in Town. The Town has installed numerous dog waste stations in Town. A map can be found here [https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.109/e71.0fe.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/DogWasteStationsRev101519.pdf] . We appreciate your cooperation in addressing this issue.
Purple Line Construction Updates
Please click here [https://www.purplelinemd.com/construction/construction-updates] to find the most recent Purple Line construction updates. Make sure to select "Bethesda/Chevy Chase" to find updates pertaining to our area.
Town Office Schedule and Updates Related to COVID-19
Town staff continues on a telework schedule. Residents who need to drop off materials to the Town office may use the mailbox located outside the front door to the Town Hall. We will try to process all permits and other applications in a timely manner. Phone calls and email are being monitored and answered as usual. In addition, the Jane Lawton Recreation Center remains closed until further notice. For current Montgomery County closures, please check here [https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/] .
Residents are encouraged to connect with the Town through the Town Crier email alert system [https://www.townofchevychase.org/list.aspx] and with fellow residents through the private Town Neighbors listserv. For information on how to join the Town Neighbors listserv, please email townneighbors+owner@groups.io [mailto:townneighbors+owner@groups.io] . Both resources offer an important way to stay informed and in touch.
The Town website [https://www.townofchevychase.org/] provides links to official resources for more information on coronavirus preparedness and response.
Important Phone Numbers
Click here [https://www.townofchevychase.org/432/Important-Phone-Numbers] for a list of important phone numbers. In case of emergencies, always call 911.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Click here to view the Town calendar [https://www.townofchevychase.org/calendar.aspx?CID=14] .