7100 WISCONSIN AVENUE - THE BUILDING THAT WILL EAT CRESCENT PLAZA

APPROVED PLAN

FOR EASTHAM'S

SITE STILL OVERWHELMS

NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Another planning blunder is underway in downtown Bethesda, courtesy of the Montgomery County Planning Board.  This time it is the 145 unit residential building proposed for the Eastham's Exxon property, along with an adjacent Parvizian parking lot at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue.

Images via Montgomery County Planning Department

The developer submitted an alternative proposal after residents of the adjacent Crescent Plaza complained about their loss of sun and skyline views.  In approving that new concept, the Planning Board granted a 12-story height along Wisconsin Avenue, in exchange for stepping the height down to 45' where it approaches Crescent Plaza.  The new plan also features landscaping to be shared by residents of both buildings.

7100 Wisconsin will contain 145 units and 7000 square feet of retail.

But given the close proximity to Crescent Plaza, where many condo owners have sunk their life savings into units, why was such a rezoning project considered in the first place?  Not only is Bethesda running out of gas stations, but the CP owners did not know such a project would be put up right against an existing condo building.

As you can tell from the photo, the new building overwhelms and consumes Crescent Plaza. 

The deal also turns caretaking of the small Eastham Park monument and grounds over to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, with the developer required to make offsetting payments to BUP "in perpetuity."

While I agree the alternative is an improvement, it still doesn't reduce the impact on many Crescent Plaza residents, who may throw open their sash one morning, and find a brick wall.  In my opinion, a two-story Bethesda Row-style building would make more sense, and have less impact on CP residents.

But written testimony submitted by Crescent Plaza's Proposed Development Committee says residents are satisfied with the alternative proposal.  I find it hard to believe everyone is on board, but that is apparently the case.

Residents have also expressed concerns that the environmental cleanup of Eastham's could have health impacts on them.  They are also worried about bright light from the new building, and HVAC and generator noise.  Again, that's why I feel the project is too close.   With the Eastham's site not zoned for this size of development, residents had a right to believe they would have no encroachment on sun or sky views within their block.

But, oh well, we're getting another ho-hum boxy building.  At least it sounds like the developer has defused the uproar, and come to an agreement with residents.  

Still, we get a fresh reminder that the current sector plan caps building heights ridiculously low around Metro, but then allows these sort of mini-hulks to overwhelm Sacks and Crescent Plaza.  We just need common sense planning, that's all.