No Just No !! And a Thank You !!
by President Susanne Lee
A new subdivision proposed to be built in Glen Hills at 12631 Circle Drive would violate what we believe are iron clad requirements contained in the Potomac Subregion Master Plan and more recently the updated County Water and Sewer Plan regarding sewer extensions to this RE-1 (residential minimum 1 acre) property. The lot is already developed with one house and the developer is requesting subdivision into 4 lots and the construction of 3 additional houses on sewer. It is located in the Glen Hills Study Area and is also almost entirely within the Piney Branch Special Protection Area (SPA). Both areas have been designated for enhanced protection due to their unique environmental resources and features. Glen Hills is a maze of wetlands, ponds, streams, and high priority forest. It serves as a low-density critical recharge area for the Watts Branch as it flows downstream from the massive development taking place upstream in Rockville to reach the Potomac River just above the drinking water intake pipe. Roughly 1/3 of Glen Hills, including this lot, is also located within the Piney Branch SPA. The Piney Branch SPA is one of only four SPAs established in the County to protect water quality in areas where streams, wetlands, and related natural features are of very high quality and worthy of special protection.
The lot was developed on septic and at some point received approval for sewer which was extended to the house. We are checking to see what the basis was for approval of the extension (e.g. septic failure, abutting main). In any event, there is no basis for further extensions in order to support this new subdivision. The County Water and Sewer Plan directly addresses and prohibits sewer extensions in Glen Hills and the Piney Branch SPA except in very limited circumstances. The general discussion appears at multiple spots in the Plan (see link below) and Glen Hills and Piney Branch SPA are specifically discussed in the Appendix beginning at C-4 and C-14. Included is this provision with regard to Piney Branch: “Applicants shall not use the provision of a single sewer hookup to support subdivision or re-subdivision of these properties into more than one lot.” p. C-13. Additional language provides: “Property owners shall not use the provision for a single sewer hook-up under any of the four Glen Hills sewer policy provisions cited above to support subdivision or re-subdivision of existing properties into more than one lot.” p. C-6. This governs abutting mains: “Properties located within the Piney Branch Restricted Sewer Access Area and the Glen Hills Study Area do not qualify for this subdivision provision of the abutting mains policy concerning sewer connections. This policy is not intended to promote the creation of additional subdivision lots in these areas.” p. 1-40.
A statement from the developer’s consultant to a neighbor at a community meeting indicated the consultant was not aware the lot was in the SPA. Hopefully the developer will realize this and withdraw their application. In the meantime, we want to extend our thanks to President Elect Ginny Barnes for the incredible work that she and the late George Barnes have done to put into place protections for the Piney Branch watershed. And thanks also to the many residents of Glen Hills and in particular Board Member Ken Bawer who have worked tirelessly to protect its precious environmental resources. Much of this work involved hours of research, legislative drafting, and testifying all the while trying to keep up with constant developer pressure and behind the scenes maneuvering. Lots of drudgery and dedication of personal time and effort, but at least in this instance it has resulted in policies and rules that can be used and applied to protect our neighborhoods and natural resources.
A Lovely Retreat on the Potomac River
submitted by Carol Van Dam Falk
As the waters warm, and if you have a kayak or canoe, you may want to consider visiting Minnie’s Island, located near the Maryland bank of the Potomac River about 100 yards offshore from Lockhouse 8 on the C&O Canal. It is about eight acres of boulders, trees, plants, and wildlife surrounded by water and sky. At one end of the island sits a 30-foot by 15-foot wooden, rustic cabin and deck.
Minnie’s is home to a bevy of rare species of plants nurtured by frequent floods including wildflowers that bloom every spring and birds that sing in the tall trees overhead. The island is a lovely retreat from urban Washington. It was designated a protected area when its private owners who are related to the original owners – Margaret and Henry Reuss – the former Wisconsin congressman, donated the island to the Potomac Conservancy in 1994. Reuss fought construction along the Potomac River for years in decades past. In 2021 the Potomac Conservancy transferred stewardship responsibilities of the island to the Minnie’s Island Community Conservancy (MICC), which is dedicated to continuing the island’s protection and conservation.
MICC was established in April 2021 with the goal of serving as a non-profit stewardship organization for the island. MICC says in its mission statement it is dedicated to “the preservation of the ecological, architectural, scientific, and humanist legacy of Minnie’s Island.” The mission is to maintain and improve the grounds and Cabin for use by, but not limited to, supporting community members, members of select disadvantaged groups, local MD and DC under-funded educational schools & institutions, as well as the river-oriented scientific communities. Volunteering to help clean up the island and maintain the cabin is encouraged. To find out more, visit www.Minniesisland.org.
Normandie Farm Restaurant is Returning!
submitted by Nancy Madden
A Potomac landmark and local favorite is returning to its original location on Falls Road, across from the Bullis School, under new management who will be keeping its original name – Normandie Farm. The WMCCA Board met with the restaurant developers and their lawyer to review their presentation of their plans for the property and the status of the necessary OZAH approval and other permits needed for this project.
This restaurant development group said they will be drawing on the success of their related restaurants: Chez Billy Sud, Café Colline, and Parc de Ville located in DC and Virginia, and the group recently reopened the Comus Inn in Dickerson. With the intent of keeping the vision of the original owner and bringing “French Countryside Charm” back to Potomac, their planned upgrades will be a comprehensive dual phase renovation featuring a “casual outdoor Wine Garden and a bustling French Bistro”. While there is still a lot to do before construction starts, these restaurateurs are working towards an initial Fall 2024 re-opening of the main restaurant in the renovated original building with continued upgrades to include “a family-friendly outdoor gathering space for all occasions, perfect for weddings, celebrations, or just a Sunday afternoon picnic with friends”.
2024 ELECTION OF WMCCA OFFICERS AND BOARD of DIRECTORS:
The election of the WMCCA Officers and Board of Directors will occur at our May 8th General Meeting. The Nominating Committee proposes the following slate of Officers and Directors to the membership for a vote. Nominations may also be made from the floor.
President: GINNY BARNES Treasurer: BARBARA HOOVER
Immediate Past President: SUSANNE LEE Secretary: KATHY PETITT
President Elect: CAROL VAN DAM FALK Newsletter: NANCY MADDEN
Vice President: SHAWN JUSTEMENT
Nominees for a two-year term: BARBARA BROWN, THEODORA SCARATO
WMCCA Meeting Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. via ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81547483228?pwd=WkgzWUtXWW5RYkRMZkZKakVnbkRGdz09
or call in: 301-715-8592 (Meeting ID: 815 4748 3228, Passcode: 670119)
SPEAKERS: Maryland Senator Brian Feldman
District 15 Delegates: Lily Qi, Linda Foley, and David Fraser-Hidalgo
Each year our District 15 Delegation briefs us on the completed legislative session. This year, with Senator Feldman as Chair of the Education, Energy and Environment Committee (EEE), the legislators were able to pass meaningful legislation on renewable energy, artificial intelligence, watershed protection, and elections. Climate change continues to be a primary concern. The session made issues such as advancing climate technology, improving energy efficiency, regulating utilities and consumer protection high priorities.
We always look forward to welcoming and learning from our hard-working District 15 Delegation. The public is most welcome to participate. Please Note – THIS MEETING WILL BE A ZOOM MEETING ONLY. There is NO ACCESS to this meeting at the Potomac Community Center.
West Montgomery County Citizens Association Newsletter
P.O. Box 59335, Potomac, MD 20854-9335
President – Susanne Lee: President@WMCCA.org
Website: WMCCA.org – Thomas Fahey, Newsletter Editor – Nancy Madden
West Montgomery County Citizens Association 