Meeting Minutes, Tuesday July 9th, 2013

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee

Mid-County Regional Center 2424 Reedie Drive Wheaton MD 20902

Meeting Minutes, Tuesday July 9^th, 2013

Members Present:  Henriot St. Gerard(Chair), Devala Janardan(Vice-Chair),Jim Onder, Jeannette Feldner, Marian Fryer, William Moore, Rick Kessler, Dan Thompson, Nadia Sesay, Luis Bonilla

Members Absent:  Tom Stanton

Staff Present:  Ana Lopez van Balen, Director, Mid-County Regional Center

Guests: Holly Sullivan, President, Montgomery Business Development Corp.  Virginia Sheard, Kensington View Civic Association.  Gigi Goins, Wheaton Farmers Market

Call to Order: 6;01pm by Chair Henriot  St.Gerard.  The Chair introduced Holly Sullivan, President of the Montgomery Business Development

The June meeting minutes were approved without changes

Henriot turned the floor over to Ana Lopez van Balen to conduct election of officers.  After brief remarks by the candidates the current officers were re-elected to new terms

Chair Report:  Henriot informed the committee of upcoming Capital Improvements Program meetings on July 11, 22, and 30^th at various county sites

The next meeting of the Night Time Economy Task Force is July 15^th, 5-7pm at the Hollywood East Café.  WUDAC’s Tom Stanton is scheduled to speak.

Henriot asked for member input into selecting a date for the fall retreat.  October 5^th was tentatively selected and Henriot will ask Matt Barry about using space at Westfield.

Directors Report:  Ana Lopez van Balen reported on two meetings on the Wheaton Library. A development roadmap was finalized  on how to proceed.  More info will be available in September.

The Night Time Economy Task Force has finished 2 of 6 planned meetings and will be able to make recommendations soon.

Mid-County Fireworks went well.  There is talk of moving it back to Westfield in the future.

Ana produced proclamations from the County for retiring members Jim Onder and Marian Fryer. WUDAC thanked the members and photos were taken.

Ana asked Ana about the situation with the new Wheaton Rescue Squad building.  More info is needed.

Presentation from MBDC:  Henriot asked for introductions from members and guests and then turned the floor over to Holly Sullivan from MBDC.  Holly gave a brief background on herself and then presented an introduction to MBDC.  She stated their goal is to make Montgomery County more business friendly.  They will report to the County Council on economic development and sustainability issues.  They have been vocal about Mass Transit and the State’s Maintenance of Effort Laws.  MBDC will launch a website soon at montgomerybusiness.org.  They will be partnering with UMD on data demographics and job growth and will have listings for available industrial and retail properties on their website.  Holly then took questions from WUDAC members. Some responses from her included the need to make Wheaton more pedestrian friendly, encourage small business development and youth employment, and the necessity to include housing, marketing, and transit in any economic discussion.  She also emphasized the need to streamline permitting and the time and cost to get things done to help alleviate the negative perception of the County by the business community. MBDC will make recommendations to the County Council twice a year.

Sub-Committee Reports:

Economic:  Nadia Sesay reported that Tom Stanton has been in contact with Karen Klein of SCRAPDC about her interest in a center in Wheaton and her interest in partnering with other Arts groups. Tom has also been in touch with Roundhouse about the terminating of its lease in downtown Silver Spring to introduce Wheaton as a possible new home and also met with the Director of the Blackrock Center in Germantown to understand better the workings of opening and operating an Arts Center in the County.

Tom is also involved in the Night Time Economy Task Force and will be speaking at the NETF meeting on July 15^th at the Hollywood East Café.

The Economic subcommittee is broadening the focus of the A&E hub from Price and Elkin to other areas in the Urban District. Nadia also stated that there is a meeting with Jen Bozzell from Strathmore scheduled for Aug 1^st and that they are waiting to see what bidders may offer for Veterans Park Redevelopment.

Lastly, Nadia turned the floor over to Rick Kessler for discussion of a draft of a thank you letter to send to the County Council as a followup to the Walking Tour.  Dan Thompson made a motion to include mention of a Town Square.  The motion was defeated and members voted to send the letter as drafted.

Design: Due to time constraints, Dan Thompson submitted written notes to the Secretary and will send email to members

Other Business:  Henriot asked for member input into what went well and what didn’t during the current term and ideas on what we can improve upon

Community Concerns: Virginia Sheard from the Kensington View Civic Association reminded WUDAC that the RFP ends in July and it is important to stay involved during our August recess.

Gigi Goins, a representative from the Farmers Market,  stated that 3 or their 4 Farmers Markets are thriving but Wheaton needs support.  She would like help with Folger and Pratt to secure space in front of the new Safeway.

Adjourn:  7:31pm

Link Available to View New Proposal for Downtown Wheaton

On Wednesday, September 18, the proposed selected developer for the Wheaton Redevelopment Program presented a their preliminary vision for Lot 13 and the town square.Here it is . 

WUDAC will be following up with additional information in the coming days. 

Message from the Chair - Wheaton Redevelopment

     On September 18^th at 7pm, the Montgomery County Government is hosting a community event at Wheaton High School with developers StonebridgeCarras and Buzzoto who will propose a development plan for the Wheaton Redevelopment Program. The community is being asked to provide input and feedback on this proposed design and determine whether StonebridgeCarras and Buzzoto move on to the final stage for consideration as the developer of the town square and office and retail space. Regardless of how you may feel about the delays, change of plans, and other twists and turns that have plagued Wheaton redevelopment, it is important that the community continue to come out in force and ensure that their voices are heard.

    It should be made clear that StonebridgeCarras and Buzzoto have not been selected as the final developers for Wheaton redevelopment. Under this latest iteration of the process, the developers have received the highest rating by the county and, in turn, can present a concept and design to the community for its approval. If the county determines that the majority of residents and interested parties of Wheaton approve of the concept design(s), the next step is contract negotiations between the developers and the county to finalize a deal. Although the language of the meetings implies otherwise, the developers have not been selected or finalized. Community members have the opportunity to voice their support or opposition to the concept design, the developers or both which will be taken under consideration by the county selection committee. County officials will explain the details of the process during the meeting. Therefore, it is not only important that the community attend this meeting to lend its voice to the Wheaton redevelopment plans, but also to understand and participate in the selection process.

     The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) has taken a proactive approach to Wheaton redevelopment. Committee members will be in attendance, and I intend on speaking on behalf of the group. I encourage all Wheaton residents and business owners to not only attend the meeting on September 18^th, but also find any and every way to have a say in this process. WUDAC and a few interested parties cannot be the lone voice for all of Wheaton. Individuals and small business owners are just as important to this process. 

     I admit that it has been a long and at times frustrating road toward Wheaton redevelopment. Regardless, we as citizens and interested parties should not be discouraged and must continue our active participation in the process. WUDAC has voiced its frustration with past decisions; however, we remain dedicated to a transparent and open process that involves community input throughout. Wheaton redevelopment is long overdue and despite the setbacks, WUDAC is committed to ensuring that we get to a place of finality where members of the community can one day be part of and witness to a revitalized Wheaton. I encourage all residents, regardless of personal doubt and reservation, to persevere and continue to lend their voice to the process.

Henriot St. Gerard

Chair  

Important Wheaton Redevelopment Announcement

We have just been informed by the County of the following meeting concerning Wheaton Redevelopment: 

WHEATON REDEVELOPMENT MEETING

Wednesday, September 18th at 7pm

Wheaton High School
12601 Dalewood Dr. Silver Spring, MD

The Montgomery County Government is inviting the community to a meeting with

StonebridgeCarras/Bozzuto, the selected developer for the Wheaton Redevelopment Program. At the meeting, the proposed development plan will be shared along with details on the scope of their project and ideas for design. 

The County would like the community's feedback as preparations begin for the development of a contract with the developer. Questions? For more information, please visit the project website or email Ana L. van Balen, Mid-County Regional Director.

Looking Ahead and saying Goodbye

At our July 9th meeting WUDAC re-elected the current officers to serve for the upcoming 2013-2014 term. Henriot St. Gerard will return as Chair, Devala Janardan as Vice-Chair, and William Moore as Secretary. The new term will begin with our first meeting on September 10th. There will be no meeting in the month of August.
Unfortunately the end of the current term also meant we had to say goodbye to two of our members, Marian Fryer and Jim Onder after many years of dedicated service. Both stated they would still be involved with WUDAC through their community activities. We wish them well and look forward to their continued input.

Meeting Agenda for Tuesday July 9th, 2013

Please silence cell phones

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee

2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902

Agenda

July 9, 2013

1.   Call to Order, Introductions,
  Approval of Minutes                            St. Gerard            6:00 – 6:05 pm

2.  Election of 2013-2014 WUDAC Officers  St. Gerard            6:05 – 6:20 pm

      

3.  RSC Director Report                               Van Balen            6:20 – 6:30 pm

      Report of Chair                                       

3.   Report from Council Staff                                                    6:30 – 6:40 pm

4.  Presentation from MBDC                         Sears                    6:40 – 6:50pm

5.  Sub Committee Report                                                         6:50 – 7:00 pm

      a. Economic                                             Sesay

      b. Design                                                  Thompson

6.  2012-2013 Review                                    St. Gerard            7:00 – 7:20pm

7.  Community Concerns                                                            7:20 – 7:30pm

8.   Adjourn                                                                                 7:30 pm

     

This information is available in an alternative format by calling 240-777-8103. Sign Language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If you need other services or aids to participate in this activity, please call 240-777-8101.

Meeting Minutes for Tuesday June 11, 2013

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee

Mid-County Regional Center, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton MD 20902

Meeting Minutes, Tuesday June 11^th, 2013

Members Present: Henriot St. Gerard(Chair), Devala  Janardan(Vice Chair),Tom Stanton, Dan Thompson, Marian Fryer, Jeannette Feldner, Richard Kessler, Nadia Sesay, William Moore

Members Absent: Jim Onder, Luis Bonilla

Staff Present:  Ana Lopez van Balen, Director, Mid-County Regional Center

Guests:  Jay Wilson, CERT.  Fred Lees, Chief, Traffic Engineering Studies. Karen Klein, SCRAPDC

Call to Order: 6:05pm by Chair Henriot St. Gerard followed by member and guest introductions.  A motion to approve the May Meeting Minutes with minor changes was approved

Chair Report:  Henriot thanked everyone for making the Walking Tour a success, and William for the Blog entries and photos.  He reported on feedback that we should have more experts and better voice amplification. He suggested we start implementing ideas presented during tour so that future tours will show tangible progress.  Tom recommended that we file a report to County Council and also thank the council members who attended. Henriot will task Economic subcommittee to do this.

Henriot went on to report that it appeared that attendance at Taste of Wheaton increased over previous years and that many people signed up to receive our newsletter but we had only one comment card returned.  He briefly mentioned an upcoming Redevelopment hearing at the Library on June 12^th, a June 24^th Library/rec center development meeting to be held at the library and upcoming COSTCO hearings in June and July.

Henriot noted that he had a conversation about the budget with Joe Callaway at the Taste of Wheaton. The Chair felt that we rushed budget deliberations this year and that budget discussions should take place at first meeting in September or at our retreat.

Directors Report: Ana informed the committee that Marian Fryer will be leaving WUDAC and we need a small business representative.

Ana reported that a grant for Façade Improvement was doubled by the County Executive. She also will have more information soon on the solar compactors.

The two new apartment communities, Solaire and The Exchange, have expressed a desire to get involved with the community.

Einstein fireworks will be on July 4^th with rain date July 5^th.  There will be a shuttle bus at Westfield.

CERT Presentation:  Jay Wilson from the Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team introduced WUDAC to the program and gave a brief history of CERT and then led a discussion on the value of this training and other safety and emergency topics.  This was accompanied by a handout detailing the history of CERT and info on their services and training. WUDAC members also received a brochure on Family Preparedness from the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS)

Redevelopment Update:  Fred Lees, Chief of Traffic Engineering Studies, DOT, told the group that he was impressed with the Walking Tour and that he would follow up with transportation issues.  He noted the new Streetscaping project right outside the front door of the Mid-County Center as an example of their work to improve downtown Wheaton and make it more pedestrian friendly.  He then opened up his presentation to questions from WUDAC.

Subcommittee Reports:

Economic:  Nadia Sesay reported on their contacts with Strathmore and Strathmore’s involvement in a public/private partnership in building a new music venue in White Flint.  Tom Stanton has been in contact with their Executive and Marketing Directors and will connect them with Jan Goldstein of Arts on the Block on a possible effort here.

The subcommittee also discussed corporate sponsorship of an A&E District in Wheaton by both direct funding or through reduced rents.  Tom Stanton met MD Del. Craig Zucker on the Walking Tour and discussed an A&E District in Wheaton.  He will follow up with Del. Zucker

Nadia also briefly mentioned that June 4^th was the annual Maryland Arts & Entertainment District meeting and was held at the Patterson in the Highland Arts district in Baltimore, an area revived through an A&E focus. This can be a model for the Urban District.

Nadia reported that Devala has been designated the marketing representative for the Economic subcommittee.  The subcommittee discussed how the Urban District businesses can benefit from shared marketing opportunities with the new apartment communities in Wheaton.  Devala will work on inviting apartment representatives to WUDAC with the aim of having a WUDAC marketing packet in the leasing office of each building.  Devala will collaborate with Luis Bonilla on this effort and Ana will meet with Solaire.

Design:  Dan Thompson reported that at the June 3^rd meeting the subcommittee discussed the upcoming Taste of Wheaton and members volunteered for time slots to staff the WUDAC booth.  There was much praise from members for the Walking Tour and the presentations made there by members.  The subcommittee discussed how to maintain and encourage community interest in light of the large community turnout at the event.  The subcommittee will work with Urban District staff to develop “tips” for improving storefronts, beautification, greening and lighting.  Members responsible for these areas will use resources to compile a list of low cost ideas incorporated into a handout developed by WUDAC and the Urban District that businesses can use to encourage a walkable Wheaton. Draft “bullets” will be prepared for the next meeting.

Dan also stated the Design subcommittee’s desire to discuss further in full committee the question of WUDAC’s role in the redevelopment process as the process moves toward the selection of a developer before December.

Other business:  Karen Klein from SCRAPDC gave a brief overview of her organization to WUDAC. She described it as a “Goodwill for Artists”.  They are looking for a Maryland location and hope to find a suitable vacancy in the Urban District to sell supplies.

Adjourn:  7:38pm

Meeting Minutes for Tuesday May 14th, 2013

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee

Mid-County Regional Center, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton MD 20902

Meeting Minutes, Tuesday May 14^th, 2013

Members Present:  Henriot St. Gerard(Chair), Devala Janardan(Vice Chair), Marian Fryer, Jim Onder, Tom Stanton, Dan Thompson, Jeannette Feldner, Luis Bonilla, Richard Kessler, William Moore

Members Absent:  Nadia Sesay

Staff Present:  Ana Lopez van Balen, Director Mid-County Regional Center

Guests:  Al Roshdieh, Deputy Director, MC DOT.  Rick Siebert, Chief of Parking Mgmt, MC DOT.  Rob Klein, Manager, Planning and Development DGS.  Adam Fogel, staff to Councilmember Navarro

Call to Order: 6;04pm by Chair Henriot St. Gerard

Motion to approve April Meeting minutes without corrections passed.

Chair Report:  Henriot St. Gerard  briefly touched on his meeting with the Coalition for Smart Growth on the planned Walking Tour of Wheaton.  He also reminded everyone that June 9^th is the date for Taste of Wheaton. He announced that the Nighttime Economy Task Force would hold their first meeting on May 20^th at the Civic Building in Silver Spring and is open to the public.  Meetings would be held the 3^rd Monday of the month with the aim to finish its work within 6 months.

Introductions of Committee members and guests were then made and Henriot handed the floor to Al Roshdieh , Deputy Director, MCDOT for a redevelopment review

Redevelopment Report:  Mr. Roshdieh updated WUDAC on some of the current debate of the County Council regarding redevelopment of the CBD in light of Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett’s recommendation not to include moving DEP and DPS to Wheaton. This was accompanied by a handout detailing a Split Project Option and a Developer Proposal Option.  It was noted by Ana Lopez van Balen that Councilmember Navarro supported and the Council approved a Developer Proposal Option with timelines for performance to move redevelopment forward.

Mr. Roshdieh continued by identifying Lot 34, Lot 13, the Reedie Building, and Park and Planning building at 8787 Georgia Ave as sites for joint development. Proposals would have to address underground parking, an office building, and town square. Developers would have to identify Private development components of Lot 13. Goal is to advertise RFP by June 1^st with timelines for submission and evaluation set forth in the RFP.

Rick Siebert stated that they have a track record with Public/Private development.

County Council Report:   Adam Fogel, staff to Councilmember Navarro briefed WUDAC on a PDF advanced by Ms. Navarro that would include firm deadlines and benchmarks that would add certainty to the Developer Proposal Option. This was approved by the Council. He also stated that Councilmember Navarro would recommend to the PHED Committee of the County Council that they add the requests from the Wheaton Urban District to the FY2014 budget .  A straw vote is scheduled for Thursday.

Directors Report: Ana Lopez van Balen announced that the Wheaton Urban District has worked with Green Wheaton and will assume responsibility for the recycling bins.

She also reported that they have found a low cost solution to make the Urban District’s lights Night Sky compliant by adding caps. She briefly mentioned that the County presented designs for a new fire station in Glenmont and repeated the dates of June 1^st for the walking tour and June 9^th for Taste of Wheaton. She asked for feedback on a WUDAC booth for the Taste and it was decided to go forward with a booth. Ana noted that the Salvadorian Festival will return in August and reminded everyone that the Nighttime Economy Task Force will meet on Monday. There will also be two upcoming public meetings for the Library on June 5^th and June 24^th.

Subcommittee Reports:

Design:  Discussed walking tour.  Will yield to Henriot’s presentation in light of time constraints

Economic: Devala Janardan reported on a meeting with Green Wheaton and their work on a marketing plan. 

Other Business:

Henriot St. Gerard gave a visual presentation on the proposed route of the Walking Tour and suggested areas for talking points.  A discussion followed. Dan Thompson handed out a draft for a media press release. After discussion, a motion was made and passed to give to Sidney Cooper for media release.

Adjourn: 7:28pm

Presentation Slides from June 25 New Wheaton Library and Recreation Center Meeting

WUDAC has obtained the presentation slides from the June 25 New Wheaton Library and Recreation Center Meeting. It is a very large file (48MB/PDF), but for those ready and able to download, here it is.