Spring Lawn Farm

Porter Road Development



This is an update and an alert on the development of the property on Porter Road.

 

The proposal is to change the zoning on 2.6 acres from R-90 and CRT to TF-10.  R-90 allows a lot size of 3,000 square for townhouses.  This zoning change would allow 20 townhouses with a minimum lot size of 900 feet.  The smaller lot size allowed is the result of a zoning amendment that was approved in January of this year.  Unfortunately, our HOA was not given notice of the proposed zoning amendment or the Porter Road development requests or approvals.  

You can view the amendment here. 

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It was stated that the community supported the change.  However, we did not receive any information on it and would have opposed it.

 

The most recent and the final hearing was held last Friday.  They are considering holding another hearing because they have had so many calls from individuals with concerns.  You can call Sara Behanna at the Zoning and Hearings Appeals Office at 240-777-6661 to voice your concerns.  Time is off the essence.

 

The hearing record is still open and you can voice concerns you may have regarding the development to:

 

Sara Behanna

Sara.Behanna@montgomerycountymd.gov

Stella B. Warner Council Office Building

100 Maryland Avenue, Room 200

Rockville, MD 20860

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Park and Planning Review Document

 

Concerns

--Process:  Despite notification requirements, our HOA has not been notified about the plans or any of the public hearings, despite specific requirements to do so.  

 

--Traffic:  The proposed development will increase traffic and create safety concerns with traffic coming from the development close to the already overloaded intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Route 108.  Porter Road will be realigned to be directly across from the entrance to the shopping center across the street and is close to the intersection with Hidden Garden Way, which is a difficult intersection during the morning and evening rush hours.  Any additional traffic is a problem since Route 108 is unlikely to be widened.

 

--School impacts:  Based on the Montgomery County Planning Commission review, the proposed development would generate ten (10) students.  This seems to be low.

 

--Environment - The current proposal includes two townhouses in the flood plain.  This has to be corrected when the site plan is submitted, but that is not part of the public process.