Armed robbery in Grosvenor area of Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda early yesterday morning, July 31, 2023. The robbery was reported in a residential parking garage in the 5400 block of Tuckerman Lane at 3:00 AM Monday.

Assault in Grosvenor area of Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda early Friday evening, June 2, 2023. The assault was reported in the 5700 block of Grosvenor Lane at 6:19 PM. 

Car stolen in Grosvenor area of Bethesda

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from the Grosvenor area of Bethesda early yesterday morning, November 29, 2022. The vehicle was parked outside a home in the 5800 block of Grosvenor Lane. It is believed the vehicle was stolen sometime between 10:00 PM Monday night and 3:00 AM Tuesday morning.

Car stolen in Grosvenor

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda on Saturday morning, November 5, 2022. The vehicle was parked along the street in the 5200 block of Tuckerman Lane. It is believed the vehicle was stolen sometime between 7:30 PM Friday night and 4:00 AM Saturday morning. A number of auto parts have been stolen from vehicles in the Grosvenor area over the last couple of weeks, as well.

Car stolen from Grosvenor condo building garage

A car was reported stolen from the garage of a condominium building in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda yesterday morning. Montgomery County police responded to the scene at a condo property in the 10500 block of Rockville Pike at 8:12 AM, according to crime data. The Grosvenor Park II Condominium is on that block.

Car stolen from parking lot at Parkside in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to the Parkside development in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda, after a vehicle was reported stolen there early yesterday morning, March 12, 2022. The vehicle was taken from a parking lot in the 10600 block of Weymouth Street at 2:00 AM, according to crime data.

Another string of catalytic converter thefts in Bethesda

Another catalytic converter theft spree has hit the Bethesda area over the last couple of weeks, and the locations are really across the board. Victims have been primarily Toyota Prius owners, as hybrid vehicles have cleaner exhaust systems, making their converters much more valuable to thieves wanting to sell the rhodium and platinum found in them. Priuses have been targeted in Battery Park, North Bethesda near Fernwood and Greentree Roads, Brookmont and Grosvenor. 

There's not much you can do to prevent these thefts besides installing an anti-theft device on your converter, adding a motion-sensing light to your garage/driveway, or etching your license number onto the converter for law enforcement identification purposes. While time consuming, these actions might well be worth it if you own a hybrid vehicle.

Photos courtesy Toyota

Armed carjacking in Grosvenor area of Bethesda

Montgomery County police officers responded to the scene of an armed carjacking in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda early Monday morning, October 25, 2021. The carjacking was reported in the 10400 block of Montrose Avenue at the Parkside Condominiums at 12:58 AM, according to crime data.

Thieves steal auto parts in Grosvenor-area residential parking lots

One or more thieves struck in residential parking lots in the Grosvenor area yesterday. Auto parts were stolen from cars parked in lots in the 5100 block of King Charles Way, and the 10300 block of Grosvenor Place, early Sunday, according to crime data. Airbags are often the most-stolen auto part these days. At least one of the vehicles was damaged during the thefts.

Sex assault on Grosvenor Lane in Bethesda

A sex assault on Grosvenor Lane in Bethesda was reported to Montgomery County police Friday afternoon, around 3:45 PM. The victim reported being fondled in the 5400 block of Grosvenor Lane. According to crime data, the assault occurred along the street, not indoors.

Montgomery County ending Rock Spring Express Bus on Friday

Fake-out resembles

false promises at Westbard

Montgomery County started a free Express Bus route between the Grosvenor Metro station and Rock Spring at taxpayer expense a few years ago, when officials were trying to deodorize their scheme to transform the office park area into more residential housing. Now with the plan passed by the Planning Board and County Council, and the developers having reaped their profits, guess what? The Express Bus will go "poof!" and disappear tomorrow, Friday, May 10, 2019.

Residents of the new housing at Rock Spring who thought they would continue to have this amenity that was advertised when they moved in? Get out your wallet, or get a good pair of walking shoes.

This resembles the false promises made during the Westbard sector plan process. A transit center was promised, only to be deleted later by the Council, saving the developer big bucks and providing more buildable space and bigger profits. Then the Council removed a requirement for the developer to provide a shuttle to the Friendship Heights Metro station, which is two miles from the planned Westbard redevelopment.

You've been had, folks.

Public meeting tonight on Grosvenor Metro minor master plan

Here's something that popped up on short notice during a holiday week: A kick-off meeting is being held tonight for the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station minor master plan process.

While the agenda refers to improving pedestrian conditions and connectivity, what's really going on here is that WMATA is seeking greater density for its development project at the Metro station. It cannot receive that density without this process, which has previously been referred to as a minor master plan amendment.

The meeting will be held tonight at 7:00 PM at the Strathmore Music Center, Comcast Lounge, at 5301 Tuckerman Lane.

Assault in Westmoreland Hills & at Grosvenor Metro; car stolen from Namakagan Rd. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on June 30, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. Wisconsin Avenue at Chestnut Street.

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Cumberland Avenue (Somerset).

Vehicle burglary. 9400 block Holland Court.

Stolen car. 6000 block Namakagan Road.

Assault. Duvall Drive at Tournay Road (Westmoreland Hills).

Assault. Grosvenor Metro station.

Drug arrest. I-270 at Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

WMATA seeking more density than currently allowed for redevelopment of Grosvenor Metro site

Existing apartment towers adjacent
to Grosvenor Metro station

WMATA is asking Montgomery County for additional density beyond what the existing master plan allows for the redevelopment of a parking lot at the Grosvenor Metro station. In response, the Montgomery County Planning Department is initiating a minor master plan amendment process.

Since it is illegal to use that process for just one property, it will be interesting to see which additional properties nearby might be included in the scope of work for this amendment. In Aspen Hill, for example, small properties like gas stations were added to the amendment that rezoned the Vitro/BAE property.

Any added density will only increase the number of students that would enter Montgomery County Public Schools' Walter Johnson cluster in the coming years. Add in the WMAL site, Rock Spring, White Flint 2 and the recent supersizing of Pooks Hill, and...well, this could be pretty controversial among current and prospective Walter Johnson cluster parents.

The specific density increase - if any - that WMATA will receive will be determined through the amendment process. WMATA has been soliciting for a developer partner since the fall of 2013. A person who had examined the solicitation documents told me he estimated that their concept, under the existing density limits, would have allowed up to 600 units and building heights of 143-175'.

WMATA wants to redevelop
the surface parking lot in
the lower right quadrant of this
Google Maps satellite image.
Note forest preserve on
far right, and stormwater
facility at bottom right

Grosvenor Metro has many topographical issues that limit the developable space. An existing stormwater management facility on the site cannot be relocated underground without great expense. The 600 unit estimate above assumes WMATA would not be willing to pay for that relocation. There are also steep slopes, and a forest preserve area on the station property.

WMATA's 2013 plan included an underground parking garage beneath the new development, and the ability to extend part of the building out over the Kiss-and-Ride area at a height of 16 feet and 9 inches. Ingress and egress for residents would be via curb cuts on Tuckerman Lane.

Ground floor retail was also included in WMATA's plan, and parking provided would be less than one space per unit.

Assault in Grosvenor, robbery in Potomac Village + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 3, according to crime data:

Assault. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Drug arrest. 4800 block Edgemoor Lane.

Theft. Bethesda Row Giant.

Theft. 7100 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft. Suburban Hospital.

Theft. 5100 block River Road.

Drug arrest. 4400 block Willard Avenue.

Assault. 10100 block Grosvenor Place at 7:10 PM.

Vehicle burglary. 6600 block MacArthur Boulevard.

Theft from vehicle. 7100 block Helmsdale Road.

Theft. 12200 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Robbery. 9800 block Falls Road (Potomac Village area).

Burglary in Westmoreland Hills, car stolen from Selkirk Dr. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on November 17, according to crime data:

Theft. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Theft. 7000 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Burglary. 5100 block Dalecarlia Drive at 12:15 PM (Westmoreland Hills).

Vehicle burglary. Saks Fifth Avenue.

Disorderly conduct. Primrose Street at Connecticut Avenue at 4:31 PM.

Theft. 5300 block Merriam Street.

Drug arrest. Grosvenor Place at Grove Ridge Way.

Vehicle burglary. 9700 block Montauk Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 7400 block Nevis Road.

Stolen car. 7200 block Selkirk Drive at 7:04 AM.

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Ridge Drive.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Sexual assault in downtown Bethesda, car broken into in Kenwood + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on August 18, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. Bethesda Metro Station.

Sexual assault. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue at 1:10 PM.

Burglary. 7000 block Exeter Road at 5:51 PM (Edgemoor).

Vehicle burglary. 5300 block Kenwood Avenue (Kenwood).

Burglary. 4600 block Bayard Boulevard at 11:22 AM (Crestview).

Theft from vehicle. 10300 block Grosvenor Place at 3:10 PM.

Assault. 8000 block River Road at 1:18 PM.

Death. 5000 block Bradley Boulevard at 8:22 PM.

Theft. 6100 block Montrose Road.

Car stolen from Butler Rd., assault in Grosvenor + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on August 8, according to crime data:

Theft. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road.

Vehicle burglary. 4400 block Elm Street.

Stolen car. 5400 block Butler Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Whitley Park Terrace (Whitley Park).

Assault. 10100 block Grosvenor Place at 8:24 PM.

Drug arrest. Democracy Boulevard at I-270 Spur.

Theft/drug offense. 10500 block Westlake Drive at 2:33 AM.

Drug offense. 4600 block S. Chelsea Lane (Rosedale Park).

Death. 4400 block East-West Highway at 1:37 PM.

Disorderly conduct. 5300 block Westbard Avenue at 1:32 AM.

Assault. 7700 block Scotland Drive at 5:42 PM (Scotland).

Drug offense. 800 block Rollins Avenue (Pike District).

Car stolen on River Rd., drug bust on Grosvenor Lane + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on June 24, according to crime data:

Burglary. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road at 8:13 AM.

Stolen car. 4800 block River Road at 2:49 AM.

Vehicle burglary. 3500 block Cummings Lane (Martin's Additions).

Theft. 5400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Drug arrest. 6000 block Grosvenor Lane.

Drug arrest. Tuckerman Lane at Lux Lane.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Grosvenor Place forest should be replaced by 46 townhomes, MoCo planners say (Photo)

A green forest in the Grosvenor area of Bethesda could be replaced by 46 luxury townhomes, if the Montgomery County Planning Board follows a staff recommendation at its June 25 meeting. That approval would require an easement and forest conservation plan, tree removal mitigation, picnic and sitting areas, bike racks and noise testing and disclosure to prospective homeowners.

Potential layout of
the future townhomes
(click to enlarge)
Top two images via
Montgomery County
Planning Department

That noise issue is related to the site's location directly adjacent to Interstate 270. Planners are recommending the developer be required to insulate the townhomes against highway noise, and warn buyers about that noise.

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:

"Please, clearcut this forest
to improve our neighborhood!"

What would Captain Planet say?