Fire behind American Plant in Bethesda, said to be arson attempt (Photos)

UPDATE - 11:19 PM: Photos from scene added, shed that was ignited contained plants and landscaping materials, MCFRS reported; over a dozen units responded to the fire

Montgomery County firefighters are responding to a fire on the property of American Plant at 5258 River Road. According to police radio communications, fire officials report it was an attempted arson, and a suspect has been detained. A small shed at the rear of the property is where the fire is reported to be located, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer said. 

MCFRS is asking Montgomery County police to send officers for traffic control purposes on Westbard Avenue, which is behind the rear of the American Plant property. Several minutes later, MCFRS asked police dispatch for an ETA of officers, indicating a shortage of police personnel in the immediate area, as fire units have already been on scene for about 20 minutes. 

Giant truck arriving at Westwood Shopping Center
waits to access loading lane behind store

Ride On 23 detours around
fire activity using Kenwood Circle

Santa Claus at American Plant in Bethesda today and Sunday

Want to take the kids to see Santa Claus closer to home, and without the crowds of the mall? Santa will be at American Plant's two locations for the next three weekends.
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Saint Nick will be at their Westbard area location at 5258 River Road today, and on the 10th and 17th as well, from 12:00-2:00 PM.
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He'll take his sleigh up River Road (unknown if the Montgomery County Council will force him to travel at 25 MPH maximum) to American Plant's other location at 7405 River Road (at Burdette Road just east of the Capital Beltway interchange with River) tomorrow, and the 11th and 18th as well. He'll be there from 12:00-2:00 PM.
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Haunted House opens at American Plant in Bethesda

American Plant has opened a Haunted House for the Halloween season at its 5258 River Road location in Bethesda. You can get a preview of the house in their video of it.

The haunted attraction will be open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily until November 1.

American Plant would maintain a retail store in future building on its site: Westbard Public Hearing Part II

New details emerged regarding the future of the venerable American Plant at 5258 River Road during yesterday's Westbard Sector Plan public hearing. Jody Kline, their attorney, testified that the business would maintain a retail presence on the site, were it to be redeveloped.

While an American Plant retail store on the ground floor of a future mixed-use residential building there "wouldn't be selling bags of mulch," Kline explained, it would indeed continue to sell its many other home and garden products that would fit the new retail setting. American Plant has a second, larger location further west on River Road at Burdette Road.

Kline expressed strong concern about the plan's proposal to daylight the Willett Branch stream behind American Plant's property. That plan, he said, affects a significant percentage of his client's buildable land area, and would "severely impair" their ability to redevelop the property.

He echoed some other critics of the plan who have noted the current channelized stream frequently has little water running through it, questioning how that could end up looking like the significant water flows in the sample renderings used by planners. At other times, Kline said, the channel is raging with stormwater.

"In either event, I think some of the ideas are not practical, and would have a severe impact on our client," Kline said. Because so many different property owners are alongside the stream, its full rehabilitation and daylighting could take decades, if ultimately even possible at all. While the idea has tremendous support among residents, it would not be an amenity for the community in the short term by any means.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE AT AMERICAN PLANT IN BETHESDA - ENDS MONDAY

Shopping for Christmas trees? There's a sale on now at American Plant, which has two locations along the River Road corridor. The $99 price includes a stand and - most importantly - delivery. They also have Lumenplay LED lights for your tree and outdoor decorations, all of which you can control from your smartphone or tablet.

The Frasier Fir Sale ends tomorrow. American Plant will be open until 6:00 PM tonight, and 7:00 PM Monday.

American Plant

5258 River Road (across from Whole Foods)

301-656-3311

or

7405 River Road (just off the Beltway)

301-469-7690

WESTBARD-AREA DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL COULD MEAN END OF ICONIC BETHESDA STORE

Most attention in the Westbard Sector Plan debate has been directed towards developer Equity One's massive Westwood Complex of properties. But another landowner has a redevelopment proposal on River Road. The owner of The Roof Center property at 5244 River Road shared a potential redevelopment plan for its site with Montgomery County planners Monday. It would include a 6-8 story building with ground floor retail, and the owner is open to combining parcels with neighbors Talbert's and American Plant. Talbert's, of course, is the iconic beer & wine shop and convenience store that has been on River Road for nearly 60 years. It is unclear at this point whether Talbert's' owner has any interest in selling the property. The store has a strong local following, as do the Roof Center and American Plant. I am hoping that Talbert's can stay, or at worst, open in the ground floor of a future building on the site. It's unlikely parking would be as convenient under the new Sector Plan guidelines, however, as Talbert's front parking lot is today.

The owner of the Roof Center property feels that the zoning now in effect is too restrictive for height and density, and expressed doubt that River Road would be transformed into a pedestrian boulevard anytime soon, due to tight space. Parking remains a concern for a future redevelopment, as well, and the owner would like State Highway Administration planners to retain the median turning lane for businesses along the strip. The Roof Center plan references the existing high-rises, and a future senior housing tower, as the new norm for heights in the Westbard Sector. Such a change was strongly opposed by residents of Kenwood in a meeting with planners later in the day, as Kenwood Civic Association officers implored them to set firm, low height restrictions on River Road properties in the plan.

This concept plan does give a sense of what may happen along River Road in a few years from now, as multiple property owners may partner to create larger lots that will facilitate denser redevelopment. How tall and dense those projects will be is one of the major issues landowners, residents and planners are grappling with this week in the Westbard Sector Plan charette process.