IN-PERSON WMCCA Meeting November 12, 2024 – 7:15 p.m.
SPEAKER: Bhavna Sivasubramanian
Housing Research Planner II / Research and Strategic Projects,
Montgomery County Planning, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC)
Master Plan Reality Check – 2002 Potomac Subregion Master Plan
In 2017, the Planning Department initiated this project to evaluate the extent to which goals in master plans near their horizon dates (20+ years) have been achieved. On October 17, 2024, staff briefed the Planning Board on the Potomac Subregion Master Plan. Our speaker led the extensive presentation which covers 90 pages. It covers objectives for land use, environment, infrastructure, community facilities such as schools and transportation. She will give us an abbreviated version and answer questions. The entire presentation can be found here:
Master Plan – More Than Just Statistics
President’s Letter by Ginny Barnes
In 2002, the Potomac Subregion totaled about 66 square miles. Primary challenges in revising the Master Plan included protecting environmentally sensitive areas, maintaining the low-density character as a residential “green wedge” and enhancing park, recreation and transportation links. So, how did we do over the intervening 20 years? Did the plan achieve goals set?
In terms of the environment, we successfully added nine of the twelve recommended parcels identified as additional parkland. These include conserving the globally rare Serpentine Barrens acquired as 2 parcels totaling more than 300 acres. Either by dedication or acquisition, some vital greenway connections were added to existing Stream Valley parks; increasing contiguous wildlife corridors through riparian links leading to the Potomac River. Maryland State ‘smart growth’ policies were used to limit growth through conformance with Water and Sewer service policies. Glen Hills is an example of restricted access aiding the protection of wetlands and small tributaries. Extensive stream valley trail systems link us to the C&O National Historic Park, a major recreational feature of the entire region.
Maintaining our low-density character led to growth in residential development on vacant lands, including Quarry Springs and Mt. Prospect (which took the last remaining farm owned by the Hanson family). Park Potomac was originally zoned as commercial but now includes significant residential units in townhouses and apartments close to the I-270 corridor. It is notable that Potomac was seen as lacking in senior housing and intended to add 750 units for elderly residents. Since 2002, an additional 828 senior housing units have been built or approved. Potomac Village and Darnestown Village are existing or historic centers of contained commercial development and have changed little since approval of the Master Plan. Cabin John Center has expanded in both commercial and residential units.
Lacking Metro links, transportation needs to rely on roads and bus service to reach them. Bus service is particularly vital to our historic black communities of Scotland and Tobey Town. River Road and Falls Road have remained 2 lanes augmented by strategic adjustments to flow. After years of fighting to preserve them, the Rustic and Exceptional Rustic Roads were identified and protected as historic and scenic, subsequently enhanced by a Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan, revised in 2023. The love for such country roads has even been the subject of songs extolling the romance they engender. The lyrics to John Denver’s Take Me Home-Country Roads were inspired by a drive the husband & wife songwriting team took along Clopper Road here in Montgomery County.
This is but a snapshot of Master Plan goals and outcomes in 20 years. What is not evident in the Reality Check can be seen throughout our community. While everyone thinks we are mansions and endless lawns, these are a small segment of the real Potomac. Tucked down side-streets are distinct neighborhoods of charm and diversity. For instance, I live on an Exceptional Rustic Road in the historic Glen where two streams converge. Once the location of a grain mill and the Glen store which housed a post office where nearby farmers bought and traded goods and services.
I live in a log cabin overlooking the forested Watts Branch Stream Valley Park. From my small back porch on a steep slope, I see adjacent residents walking the trail below. I also see an astonishing array of wildlife: from Pileated Woodpeckers and Kingfishers to deer and even the occasional Beaver swimming upstream. Watts Branch flows by and enters the Potomac River at the water filtration plant on River Road, which provides drinking water to 3 jurisdictions.
I served on the Master Plan Advisory Group as did other Potomac residents who still live in our community. Such well-laid plans deserve respect for the time and effort put into careful consideration of how we wish our home lands to grow and thrive. This is in part why an idea like the Attainable Housing Initiative (AHI) needs more scrutiny and time for review than being given by the County Council where it currently resides.
Potomac Community Village Helps Residents Age in Place
Submitted by Barbara Hoover
Potomac Community Village was founded 12 years ago. Although I had lost contact with them a while ago due to the pandemic, I reconnected with them at their booth on Potomac Day. I wanted to write this shout out to them for continuing to support community members by organizing social engagement activities, opportunities for mutual volunteering, transportation assistance, and referrals to existing services in the community. I checked out their calendar of upcoming events and have joined them because their programs look really interesting. AARP says that, “the ‘Village’ concept is a consumer-driven model that aims to promote aging in place for community-dwelling older adults.” They go on to say, “Older adults who join Villages, particularly those who actively participate, experience improvements in the areas of social engagement, civic engagement, quality of life, and confidence in believing they can age in their own homes. Some even report better health and access to medical care.” Well, I’m up for all of that! If you are also interested, visit them at www.PotomacCommunityVillage.org, and questions should go to info@PotomacCommunityVillage.org.
Beautiful Day for Potomac Day!
Submitted by Nancy Madden
The weather was perfect for a great turn-out for Potomac Day in the Village on October 19th. Our WMCCA booth was very active – meeting residents new to the area interested in learning what their local citizens association does and enjoying visits from current WMCCA members and long-time residents checking-in for news about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. Several visitors to our booth brought their questions and concerns to our attention, which we always appreciate! We were happy to provide information about WMCCA’s commitment to supporting the Potomac Subregion Master Plan as it protects our low-density Green Wedge. But the biggest hit at our booth were the in-season Kingsbury Orchard cameo and fuji apples we gave out. Many attendees commented that not only were these apples delicious, but they appreciated not seeing ‘more candy!’. It was a great opportunity to remind everyone about the amazing farms/orchards in Montgomery County and the availability of our wonderful locally grown produce.
REMINDER: IT’S TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024-2025!
Please renew or become a new member of WMCCA. Go to our website www.wmcca.org to download a membership form or join using PayPal: Individual: $25 / Family: $50. We encourage donations to our Legal Fund. While we strive for positive results without litigation, sometimes it is unavoidable and highly effective. Contributions from members enable us to join efforts to successfully address multiple issues regarding the Potomac Subregion Master Plan, zoning, and environmental threats to the “Green Wedge”, our creeks and water supplies, and the Agricultural Reserve. If you have any issues or concerns in your neighborhood, please contact WMCCA. We appreciate the input from our neighbors. Our Membership year runs from October 1st to September 30th. Thank you for your support !!
Let us know if you are willing to go paperless. E-Newlettters save the expense of rising postage and printing costs. Thank you!! Please email: hooverb@msn.com.
West Montgomery County Citizens Association Newsletter
P.O. Box 59335, Potomac, MD 20854-9335
President – Ginny Barnes: President@WMCCA.org
Website: WMCCA.org – Thomas Fahey, Newsletter Editor – Nancy Madden
West Montgomery County Citizens Association 