25 May 2012

TASTE OF WHEATON 2012

Sam from Ledo's Pizza

Eli helps a customer at the IHOP booth


Corey and Janet Yu of Hollywood East Cafe

Jack Marshall at the Wheaton-Kensington Chamber of Commerce booth

Marian Fryer works the WUDAC booth

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee booth


Marian Fryer





Jeanette Feldner, WUDAC Chair and family



The State Farm team

Esther French from The Wheaton Patch

One of many fun activities for children at Taste of Wheaton






Eli Jackson with friends at the IHOP booth


Sosena gets ready for a balloon ride

Darin Jackson and family

The beautiful day led to big crowds at the Taste of Wheaton





Eli and the IHOP team





20 May 2012

TASTE OF WHEATON TODAY!!!

Come visit the WUDAC booth today from 11am to 5pm. Meet our members and find out about all the exciting things things that are happening in downtown Wheaton!

08 May 2012

Meeting Minutes 4-10-2012


Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee(WUDAC)
April 10, 2012 Meeting Minutes
2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton MD 20902

Members Present:     Jeanette Feldner (Chair),  Marian Fryer, William Moore, Janet Yu, 
Jim Onder,  Linda Amendt,  Devala Janardan,  Henriot  St. Gerard, 
Matt Barry,  Ken Nelson

Members Absent:      None

Staff Present:             Ana Lopez van Balen, Director, Mid-County Regional Center      
                                    Sidney Cooper, Market and Communications Director
                                    Peter McGinnity, Wheaton Redevelopment Manager

Guests:                       Hans Riemer, Montgomery County Council member
                                    Sgt. Currie, 4th District CBD,
                                    Esther French, Wheaton Patch
                                    Erich Brann, Costco
                                    Pat Harris, Lerch Early

Call to Order:             Chair Jeannette Feldner, 5:05pm

Motions:                     Minutes approved with corrections

Police Report:           
Sgt. Currie reported on 3 robberies, two at the Metro Station and one on Blueridge Ave. near the 7-11, with clothing and phones taken. There were two aggravated assaults on Grandview, domestic situations with arrests made, and 6 auto related thefts. He reported police are paying special attention to the clubs to control alcohol and other crimes.

Costco Presentation:
Erich Brann and Pat Harris presented a revised plan for the Costco gas station that they felt addressed community concerns. Some highlights of their plan included: double-walled pipes and tanks with auto cutoff leak detectors, a varied height “green” sound wall to shield noise from surrounding homes, photo controlled lighting, and a county approved storm water management plan. They feel the community has been misguided about project and they announced an open house at the Crossways Center on April 25th for community comment. WUDAC decided to further discuss this issue at its May meeting in order to allow members time to gauge community sentiment.

Report from Councilmember Hans Riemer:
Noted that Council had voted unanimously earlier that day to support a staff backed $66 million plan to begin Wheaton redevelopment with a county building and Town Square on Lot 13. He stated he is sympathetic with the work community groups have done and believes this is the threshold of county investment in Wheaton. He believed this plan would result in more rapid delivery of valuable investment to downtown Wheaton.  He agreed that this alone would not revitalize Wheaton.  He recommended quarterly meetings with community groups, audits to survey sidewalks for “walkability”, free WIFI from the cable fund, a task force to study safety perceptions and a review to implement bike sharing and rapid transit initiatives.

Mr. Riemer then took questions and comments from the WUDAC members.  WUDAC members each shared their sentiments regarding the process that lead to the council decision.  Comments revolved around the following:
·         Redevelopment needing to go beyond the construction of a building and town square;
·         Not taking advantage of the private investment by B.F. Saul; 
·         Indifference to years of community “excitement” and the sense of building something together;
·         The disconnect between the changes in Wheaton since the 2009 study used to formulate the Council-backed plan;
·         Overall disappointment with the Council;
·         Some optimism with the plan in that now the money is finally committed to Wheaton;
·         Staying involved in order to have voices heard in what is to come.

RSC Director Report: A bigger better Farmers Market on the town green across from the Mid-County Regional Services Center will premiere on May 6th. The existing Farmers Market will join forces with one currently located in Briggs Chaney to bring an expanded selection to our area.

Subcommittee Reports: Communications committee handed out a draft for WUDAC members to review for the May meeting. Sidney Cooper reminded all that Taste of Wheaton is May 20th.  Due to time constraints all other committees submitted written reports.

Westfield Report: Matt reported that Mall sales were up 8%. Sales of food and shoes are hot while sales of fashion and jewelry are not.  Monster Auto Group has leased the space formerly occupied by Ourisman.  G by Guess and FYE are under construction.  Macy’s will be having a VIP shop day. Details to be announced

Redevelopment Report: Peter McGinnity submitted a written report for the record.

Other Business:
Jeanette stated that the terms of two members were up and those members need to let her know if they will reapply.  Also, the Committee Review Board’s report to the Montgomery County Council is due by May 6th.

Community Concerns:  None reported

Meeting Adjourned:  6:35pm

Meeting Agenda Tuesday 5-08-12


Please silence cell phones


Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee
2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902

Agenda
MAY 8, 2012

1.   Call to Order, Introductions,
Approval of Minutes,
Report of Chair                                       Feldner                 5:00 – 5:05 pm
2.  4th District CBD Team Report                 Sgt. Currie            5:05 – 5:10 pm
3.  Community Concerns:
      Kensington Heights on
Costco Gas Station                                  Donna Savage      5:10 – 5:20 pm
4.   Report from Council Staff                                                    5:20 – 5:35 pm
      Adam Fogel from Councilmember Navarro’s office
      Adam Pagnucco from Councilmember Riemer’s office
      Tiffany Ward from Councilmember Elrich’s office

5.   RSC Director Report                               Van Balen            5:35 – 5:45 pm
6.  Subcommittee Reports:                                                         5:45 – 6:15 pm
      Advocacy                                                 Janardan
      Business Development                             Yu
      Communication/Promotion                      Onder
      Community Building                                Amendt
      Overseeing Budget                                   Barry
7.  Redevelopment Report                            McGinnity            6:15 – 6:20 pm
8.  Westfield Report                                      Barry                    6:20 – 6:25 pm
9.  Other Business                                         Feldner                 6:25 – 6:30 pm
10.                                                                  Adjourn                      6:30 pm

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