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
