The site of Bethesda's famous "last gas" before the Beltway has devolved into a grassy field. In a decision as bizarre as the fate of the Bethesda Shell station across from the Bethesda Metro station, this also-walking-distance-to-Metro property is being redeveloped with a small bank building.
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Surely this site had more
potential for joining adjacent
lots for development that
would benefit the community
with retail, restaurants and
Metro-proximate housing |
This despite the opportunity to combine properties that include a Montgomery County-owned parking lot, and a significant buffer between the site and the single-family home neighborhood behind it, to create a mixed-use development.
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A still from Sunday's episode
of "Fear the Walking Dead"?
Nope, just scary MoCo
planning decisions |
For now, it is an unused grass field, as nature reclaims the former service station property and downtown Bethesda's gas stations continue to vanish.
For the 15th time, the Montgomery County Planning Board cannot force a property owner to build a certain type of project or buy the surrounding properties needed to make that project possible.
ReplyDelete5:02: They can restrict land uses through master plans and zoning codes and amendments. They failed to do so with these gas station sites, in a true planning blunder. #Oops
DeleteHow would you propose the code be written to restrict a bank?
DeleteWhy is it sitting vacant? Is the owner planning on buying adjacent properties and combining it?
ReplyDelete5:27: A small bank building is going to be constructed on the site. What the holdup is is unclear. Certainly, combining properties, and including part or all of the County property behind it, would have been the sensible way to go. We don't need more banks, that's for sure.
DeleteAssemblage would be great in this spot but imaginably harder. The World Market building owner and this empty lot owner would have to agree on something. Would be very nice though with the parking lot behind it. Perfect spot for mixed use and height!
DeleteThe Planning Board has wide authority...that's why they are there! We pick people with good judgement to serve on the board. It's not just a legal thing, otherwise we'd just have lawyers sign off on every project.
ReplyDeleteYeah this is a zoning issue here. They can build a bank by right. Sucks. But they can. I am in favor of minimum density requirements as well.
DeleteSo the 1994 Bethesda Sector Plan should've included a development maximum and minimum? That's what you're saying?
ReplyDeleteI just want to make sure I fully understand how little you understand about planning.
Another bank. Bethesda is so boring it makes me cry. ;_;
ReplyDeletePlanning boards and departments that can't plan! Is this what they want Bethesda to look like? Makes all these exercises trying to make a new sector plan seem pointless if they allow poop like this in the mean time.
ReplyDeleteThat old gas station wasn't exactly overrun with business. Only a few pumps, a tiny garage, and no convenience store, unless you count a few candy bars for sale.
ReplyDeleteI believe TD Bank has an option that expires next year. Here's to hoping they let it expire and the owner does something greater for Bethesda on the lot!
ReplyDeleteSo odd that TD Bank would do a bank here when they are doing one just south at the other gas station lot. Maybe that's why this one got delayed?
The grass is for runoff. Every time it rained the water and mud would be a disaster. Was the county fining them?
ReplyDeleteThe building that houses the World Market, the kitchen store, and the vacant Radio Shack is undergoing renovations to the exterior. So they're probably not interested in selling at this time.
ReplyDeleteAll the renovations in the world won't improve that building.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But that facade needed something more than what was there. I think it was previously damaged in a storm or other?
DeleteI don't know. They don't allow liquor stores. What restricts them from entering into business downtown?
ReplyDeleteAny idea what's going on at that site this evening? 2 lanes on 355 North are closed and the noise is pretty unbearable for this late in the evening. Is this site-construction related or some sort of emergency utility work?
ReplyDelete6:04: If they're working strictly in the road, it could be another Pepco project. From what the MoCo DEP told me, they are exempt from having to obtain a nighttime noise waiver, and apparently don't inform nearby residents in advance.
DeleteIn contrast, when the 8300 Wisconsin site had to do utility hook-ups, they obtained a noise waiver.
I did pass by there a short while ago and saw white smoke billowing up, suggesting they were cutting through the pavement. It appeared to be utility work, but keep me posted.