Saturday, July 16, 2016

Goldsboro Road townhouse development gets green light from Maryland Department of Environment

The Maryland Department of the Environment has given the green light to a stream relocation designed to facilitate the construction of 19 townhomes at 6789 Goldsboro Road in Bethesda. Currently, the stream - a tributary of the Minnehaha Branch Stream that runs along Goldsboro - flows through a partially man-made channel close to the vacant mansion the developer plans to demolish on the site.

While the final report notes the many objections and concerns about the relocation project raised by residents at a public meeting, it concludes that every single one of them is either without merit, or out of the purview of MDE. For example, the report cites concerns about increased erosion on adjoining properties, but states that is beyond the scope of MDE's review. But shouldn't the impact of a project being approved by MDE be part of their determination?

Likewise, the report mentions fears of increased flooding on Goldsboro Road, and then goes on to state that there has been no flooding on Goldsboro in the last three years. But that's not true. There have been at least two high water incidents during heavy rain this year alone, and at least one driver was trapped by flooding there in each case. I heard both rescue reports myself on the emergency scanner.

Anyone who participated in the public process may petition for judicial review of MDE's decision in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The petition must be filed within 30 days of the publication of the permit decision, which was this past Monday, July 11, 2016.

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:01 PM

    Fears of flooding and erosion. While I get the concerns, they seem completely without any validation. Do any of these neighbor's have data or supporting evidence that such a thing might happen or be a problem.

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  2. Anonymous4:58 PM

    How can a property with a single family home be allowed to be converted to a 18-townhome plot instead? What's the reasoning behind it?

    I know I can't just tear down my SFH and built 3 townhouses in its place -- zoning violation. Why is it being allowed here? All the properties nearby are single family homes.

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  3. Anonymous5:06 PM

    I think it depends on the zoning. If a certain zone allows for say x houses per y square feet, and your lot is 10y then you could potentially subdivide and build 10 houses there.

    Of course there are many factors and it's not as simple as that. Plus rezoning happens (which is where a lot of people get upset).

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:24 PM

      Slightly mistyped but you get my point. ;)

      Delete
  4. Anonymous9:48 PM

    Is Robert Dyer Jesus? I believe he has come to save MoCo from the #MACHINE ... #DYERistheONEtrueGod

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  5. Anonymous10:14 PM

    Robert Dyer will you guide us to salvation!? WE NEED YOUR VOICE!!!!

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  6. Anonymous9:19 AM

    It's too bad they are ripping that old property down. The lot itself is beautiful as is the house (which ofcourse needed a restoration/update). I am actually surprised no one had purchased it for themselves, given property is so expensive in Glenn Echo.

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  7. Anonymous12:48 PM

    Dyer, more detail is needed. Before I go blame Governor Hogan (R), who made the decision, when, where is the written decision? What does this mean for the Planning review? Was County Environmental Protection or Permitting Services involved? Did you get quotes from anybody at any of these offices?

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  8. This area regularly floods when there is a big storm, thunder or otherwise. It flows across Goldsboro between the Exxon and the driveway for this property. Goldsboro also floods at the end of Massachusetts Avenue and at the area near the Verizon station. This is a very unstable stream and has been for years. It is the same stream that is eroding Tulip Hill properties and collapsed the Glen Echo Park parking lot in 1986 or so, washing cars into the culvert under the Clara Barton and out to the Potomac. Those living in the area are appalled by the lack of improvements by the State Highway Admin as it's a state numbered road, as well as MoCo. And while we are venting, the traffic has increased in the past two years of so with backups to this property of cars trying to get to the Clara Barton or the Cabin John Union Arch one lane bridge, backing up MacArthur from 3:30-7 pm every day.

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