Renderings of development plan that breaks Council promise on "big, green parks" unveiled

A plan to redevelop two Wisconsin Avenue properties and the parking lots behind the Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market was unveiled at a public meeting last night at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. As I previewed for you a few weeks back, the plan only leaves narrow, green strips behind the new buildings, instead of the "big, green" parks promised by the Montgomery County Council and Planning Board when they approved the Bethesda Downtown Plan.

As I reported last month, the full version of the project would include the addition of a food hall pavilion behind the historic market building, a 175' high-rise next to the farm market, a high-rise across the street (site of current Carroll Community Bank, Jos. A Bank and Starbucks), townhomes on the public parking lot behind Miller's Furs, and another 7-story residential building on half of the parking lot behind Villain & Saint.

McLean Quinn of developer EYA, which is partnering with Foulger-Pratt and Bernstein Companies on the large version of the plan, said a smaller plan that excludes their redevelopment of the public parking lots will also be an option for the County to consider. Residents and officials in the Town of Chevy Chase have already voiced opposition after learning they had been misled by the Council and Planning Board regarding the true size of the parkland that would be delivered. Renderings included existing small, urban parks north of the development site, which exaggerated the overall impact of what would actually be provided in new green space.

The larger blue circle, and everything
north of that, are existing parks

The underground parking garage that would facilitate redevelopment of the surface parking lots would hold 300 public and 200 resident parking spaces, and have access from Leland Street and Willow Lane. Quinn said EYA was approached by Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Al Roshdieh about redeveloping the lots.

While the farm market building is protected and cannot be demolished, Quinn said it would no longer serve its current purpose in the envisioned redevelopment. Market business and food sales would move back into the new food hall pavilion, and the old building would be retail space of some kind. Quinn said the partners are working with Edens, which was behind the hugely-popular Union Market in the District, to come up with a similarly-compelling concept for the market and pavilion.

The format of the meeting was designed to avoid questions from the crowd, although with tempers simmering over the bait-and-switch park promise, several in the audience shouted questions anyway. They were told to hold off on questions until the one-on-one conversations at displays around the room, or until the very end of the night.

Quinn said the project sketch plan could go to the Planning Department as soon as this month. He added the partners anticipate a six-to-eight month process for approval of the project.

Laehfles moves to downtown Bethesda

Laehfles, a health boutique and fitness studio, has moved downtown. Formerly on Landy Lane off River Road, they have just opened at 4907 Cordell Avenue, on the second floor.

The business was started by Bethesda native Elisabeth Ostler. A comprehensive fitness program centers around tailored workouts, diet plans, nutrition and individual coaching. See their website for more details and class schedules.

Safeway to add free electric vehicle chargers at downtown Bethesda store

Electric vehicle owners in Bethesda may soon have another reason to shop at Safeway. The grocery chain's 5000 Bradley Boulevard store in downtown Bethesda is installing electric vehicle chargers that will allow shoppers to charge up for free. Costs of electricity are covered by digital advertising displayed at the charging stations.

The chargers will be from the San Francisco-based firm Volta. According to the firm, their charging stations are Level 2 chargers with J1772 connector plugs. Volta stations can provide up to 6 kW power delivery. This should provide about 20 free electric miles per hour of charging, depending on your EV model.

Westbard, Auburn Prof. Building seek Planning Board extensions; St. Elmo Apartments recommended for approval

Several Bethesda development projects will come before the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Regency Centers, as expected, is requesting an extension for board review of its site plan for the Westwood Shopping Center. The developer is seeking a three-and-a-half month extension until January 31, 2019, saying it needs more time to address Development Review Committee comments and recommendations for the project. Those DRC comments were provided outside of public view, when the committee allowed Regency to avoid public discussion of the project in favor of private meetings with the developer.

Planning staff are recommending approval of Regency's request.

Also seeking an extension, in this case for their sketch plan and preliminary plan, is the developer of 4915 Auburn Avenue. Auburn Building Associates, L.P. is seeking an extension until December 20, but believes the mixed-use redevelopment of the Auburn Professional Building will be ready for review at the board's November 29 meeting. Stacy Silber, the applicant's attorney, says the delay is due to new concerns raised by the County Department of Transportation about an existing storm drain easement that could conflict with project's design at the site plan stage.

Staff are also recommending approval of this extension request.

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Finally, Lenkin Co.'s St. Elmo Apartments project returns to the board for approval of amendments to its sketch and preliminary plans. The mixed-use tower has grown in size since its original iteration, and the architectural design has greatly improved in the process.

The primary sticking point is the distance between the building and next-door neighbor Bainbridge Bethesda. Lenkin has already met with representatives of the Bainbridge apartment tower, and received their blessing on the current planned distance. But some members of the Design Advisory Panel have protested that the distance is less than the design guidelines recommended in the Bethesda Downtown Plan. Staff are making a condition on that front, but are not yet requiring Lenkin to increase the distance at this point. Instead, they are requesting that the developer consider meeting the design guideline at the site plan stage of the project.

Lenkin has indicated that moving the Bainbridge-facing facade back would potentially conflict with other structural aspects of the tower, and possibly require them to abandon the new design in favor of the one they already have approval for. At least one member of the Design Advisory Panel expressed concern that the DAP might set a precedent if they allow non-compliance on the issue. Most members agreed, however, that the new design is far superior to the original.

Staff are recommending approval of the St. Elmo plans, with conditions.

Power restored at Bethesda parking garage

The Cordell-St. Elmo public parking garage that was dark Sunday night had power again yesterday. Lights inside the garage appeared to be on by Monday morning, but full restoration was confirmed by nightfall. The outage was separate from the major blackout that affected large parts of downtown Bethesda last night.

Bill to ban smoking in all outdoor dining areas to be introduced today by Montgomery County Council

Smoking and vaping on outdoor patios at Montgomery County restaurants could soon be a thing of the past, if Montgomery County Council Bill 35-18 passes. Scheduled to be introduced by Councilmember Sidney Katz (D - District 3) today, the bill would ban smoking and vaping in all outdoor dining areas, including partially-enclosed spaces.

A public hearing on the bill is currently scheduled for October 23, 2018 at 1:30 PM. The Council will also have to sit as the Board of Health, and pass an accompanying regulation as that board, to legally enact the smoking ban.

The legislation is very similar to that passed by the Rockville Mayor & Council last year. Adam Zimmerman, an activist who spearheaded the Rockville effort, is also advocating for the County to pass Bill 35-18. He says the ban will improve health, while increasing business at venues non-smokers currently avoid.

Rockville's ban was opposed by some restaurant owners, such as Danny Trahan of Mellow Mushroom. Trahan closed his restaurant permanently last month - though the smoking ban wasn't the primary reason. He viewed the ban as the last straw in Montgomery County's costly and unwelcoming business climate. It will be interesting to see what restaurateurs have to say about the proposed County ban.

Residents who testified before the Mayor & Council last shared Zimmerman's view that business would improve, citing their reluctance to dine at two Rockville Town Square restaurants that allowed outdoor smoking before the ban. Because many restaurants now open their doors and windows, patrons have also complained that smoke now drifts inside from patios.

Another sneak peek inside the Terrain Cafe at Anthropologie & Co. at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Here's another exclusive look inside Anthropologie & Co. and Terrain Cafe at Bethesda Row. Both are expected to open on October 18, 2018.

Major power outage hits downtown Bethesda (Photos)

A significant power outage has occurred along Wisconsin Avenue and several parts of downtown Bethesda. It appeared to begin around the intersection of Wisconsin and Norfolk a few hours ago. Traffic signals went to flashing yellow on Wisconsin, and flashing red facing Norfolk and Cheltenham at that intersection.

Eventually, the signals went dark in all directions. Now other signals are also dark, including several on Wisconsin at Cordell Avenue and Battery Lane. Multiple businesses are shut down, including Tastee Diner, Black's Bar + Kitchen, Dog Haus Biergarten, CVS Pharmacy (Wisconsin & Cheltenham location), and EagleBank. Hundreds north of Bradley Boulevard are also without electricity.

Well over 1000 customers are now without power, according to Pepco.

Pepco truck arrives at
Bethesda Row by
Mon Ami Gabi

Blackout in Sacks neighborhood

Crescent Plaza in the dark

Lights out at Bethesda parking garage (Photos)

The lights were out on all levels of the Cordell-St. Elmo Montgomery County public parking garage last night. It was primarily a public safety issue, as the garage remained open for parking. No explanation for the outage was posted.

Ejji Ramen opens at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photos + Menu)

Ejji Ramen has opened in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. I had expected a bit more fanfare, given the major PR efforts made by competitor JINYA Ramen Bar when it opened this summer at Pike & Rose. This is Ejji's second location; their original restaurant is in Baltimore.

In addition to the ramen-wrapped hot dog on the appetizer menu, other unique offerings include Ramune Japanese soda - original or strawberry - and Asarasi Tree Water on the beverage menu. Ejji seems to be doing well judging from customer traffic this weekend, and the fact that the Special Bun was sold out for the day.

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