Montgomery County issues Stop Work order at restaurant in Bethesda

Montgomery County code inspectors have issued a Stop Work order at Silk Route, a restaurant under construction at 4839 Del Ray Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The new tenant is converting the building from previous owner Tia Queta. According to a notice posted on the front of the restaurant, the tenant is in violation of Montgomery County Code Chapter 8, Section 24(a). That section reads as follows:

"It is unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter, remove or demolish a building or change the occupancy of a building from one use group to another requiring greater strength, exitway or sanitary provisions; or to change to a prohibited use; or create or alter any ownership unit when a use under an occupancy certificate or a structure exists on the parent lot; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this chapter, without first filing an application with the department in writing and obtaining the required permit therefore; except, that ordinary repairs as defined in Section 8-3 which do not involve any violation of this Chapter are exempt from this provision."

The order was issued this morning, according to the posted notice. Under County regulations, all construction work must cease at the site until corrective action is taken, and County inspectors return for another inspection at that time. Alternatively, the restaurant can appeal the Stop Work order to the County Board of Appeals within 30 days.