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| Potential layout of the future townhomes (click to enlarge) Top two images via Montgomery County Planning Department |
Planners suggested the existing townhome community to the north, Grosvenor Park, plat its unplatted property, but the Grosvenor Park HOA declined.
Finally, 7 of the townhomes would be set aside as affordable housing units.
Alan Sternstein, head of the Grosvenor Park HOA, said planners should require guest parking to be provided on-site for guests of the future townhome development, and expressed concern about the clearing of the trees generating additional highway noise for his community.
I thought it was intriguing that another nearby resident wrote a letter in support of the project, arguing that the development would "activate the highly underutilized wooded area along Grosvenor Place." It's rare to hear someone argue cutting down a wooded area is enhancing the neighborhood, or seek to "activate" natural green space. It's also novel and new to forget that trees are natural air pollution filters that improve air quality.
Here are some images of the apparently-offending forest:
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| "Please, clearcut this forest to improve our neighborhood!" |
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| What would Captain Planet say? |
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ReplyDeleteRobert, who is the proposed developer here?
ReplyDeleteFree market. If we valued the trees more and/or the costs of building there was too much it wouldn't happen. I am sure our GOP governor would not stand in the way.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Planet would say, yes, cut down trees to provide necessary housing with denser land-use close you metro with existing infrastructure rather than building large lot single family homes with long windy roads that dead-end in a cul de sac and destroying hundreds of acres of trees.
ReplyDelete6:46: Now that's the argument I enjoy hearing the County Council and Planning Board make - that development, buildings and cars are more green than forest. Along with the urbanization plan for Westbard, which is nowhere near Metro, we're witnessing the wheels coming off of the "Smart" Growth bandwagon in Montgomery County. Turns out it was a hoax all along, and merely a plan to jam as many residential units into the County as possible.
DeleteIt boggles the mind that this would even be a piece of land worth building on, but it's walking distance to a metro station so anything goes.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3126418/Growing-near-parks-woodland-boosts-child-s-memory-thinking-skills-study-reveals.html
ReplyDeleteThis is funny (in a sad way). My wife and I joke as we drive down 355. Whenever we see a tree, we say, "ooh, ooh a tree. Cut it down and put up a building."
ReplyDeleteI've always thought I was joking to make a point. Now I guess it's true! So sad.
"A green forest" ...as opposed to...?
ReplyDeleteGood use of the strip of land. That's funny the person who drives down 355 thinks they're not part of the problem. 10 bucks says their negative impact on the environment is worse than every single one of these 46 news households.
new*
ReplyDeleteI'm that guy who drives down 355. I've owned to Prius's and currently drive a Volt. (You owe me 10 bucks.) But pal, 355 goes back to the horse and buggy days. You can hardly blame current drivers for causing the problem of over development.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteRobert, who is the proposed developer here?
5:40 AM"
If Captain Planet is being called up, then Looten Plunder is probably behind this insidious scheme.
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Captain Planet would say, yes, cut down trees to provide necessary housing with denser land-use close you metro with existing infrastructure rather than building large lot single family homes with long windy roads that dead-end in a cul de sac and destroying hundreds of acres of trees.
6:46 AM"
Ridiculous. Captain Planet doesn't run from a fight. He'd knock Plunder into next Tuesday.
Those dimwitted Planeteers might take a bribe though.
"I'm that guy who drives down 355. I've owned to Prius's and currently drive a Volt. (You owe me 10 bucks.) But pal, 355 goes back to the horse and buggy days. You can hardly blame current drivers for causing the problem of over development."
ReplyDeleteYou think buying (at least) three cars in the last decade means you're "green?" Are you insane? Your second sentence isn't what I said at all.
"Now that's the argument I enjoy hearing the County Council and Planning Board make - that development, buildings and cars are more green than forest"
ReplyDeleteSaid no one, ever.
Perhaps if you could actually quote people accurately, in the proper context, instead of posting ridiculous distortions and straw men, you might get some respect for your claim to be a "journalist".
5:45 PM...welcome to 2015. Dyer doesn't need a super secret official "journalist" badge to produce the quality reporting that Bethesda residents want.
ReplyDeleteNo, he doesn't need a "super secret badge". He needs to be able to quote people accurately, cite statistics in proper context, and to be able to distinguish facts from his own opinions.
ReplyDeleteSo say all of you from the comfort of your homes in your subdivisions that once were forests, as well. Unless you live a nomadic life and leave no trace, you can't make all these arguments. Oh, but it's verboten for anyone else to have a new home in Bethesda, use the Metro, etc, but I got my share of mine. Hypocrisy.
ReplyDelete7:05: So we should pave over every inch, so everyone can have a new home in Bethesda? No need for green space or the environment?
ReplyDeleteAs someone living on Grosvenor Pl, this development has caused me so so much grief. The cutting down of trees and construction of unnecessary (and overpriced) townhomes has increased noise, decreased shade, increased dirt and wind on my balcony....Worst of all, it pains my sould that they would cut such old trees for profit on Grosvenor's land which was originally a preserve of sorts.
ReplyDelete