Montgomery News

Town of Chevy Chase Town Council met May 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Council:

Barney Rush, Mayor

Cecily Baskir, Vice Mayor

Kirk Renaud, Secretary

Joel Rubin, Treasurer

Wicca Davidson, Community Liaison

Residents and Guests:

Thad Inge, 7400 Connecticut Avenue

Mila Johns, 4500 Walsh Street

Ann Wild, 7104 Oakridge Avenue

David Davidson, 7600 Connecticut Ave.

Deborah Vollmer, 7202 44th Street

Lou Evangelista, 4902 Walsh Street

Donna Worsham, 4117 Woodbine Street

Marjorie Shaw, 6917 Maple Avenue

Bren Lizzio, 4218 Oakridge Lane

Gary Kessler, 3903 Virgilia Street

Jane Root, 4209 Thornapple Street

John Fitzgerald, 4502 Elm Street

Dedun Ingram, 4411 Elm Street

Ray Hill, 4209 Thornapple Street

Andrew Corcoran, 3914 Blackthorn Street

Valerie Corcoran, 3914 Blackthorn Street

Mary Flynn, 4114 Blackthorn Street

Scott Fosler, 4104 Woodbine Street

Al Carr, 3904 Washington Street, Kensington

Katie Berg, 7217 Oakridge Avenue

Mark Montezemono, 6910 Maple Avenue

I. General Business

A. Call to Order

Mayor Rush called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

B. Pledge of Allegiance

C. Installation of Newly-Elected Councilmembers

Newly-elected Councilmembers Wicca Davidson, Kirk Renaud and Barney Rush read the oath of office.

D. Election of Council Officers and Committee Liaisons

Councilmember Baskir moved to appoint Barney Rush as Mayor, Cecily Baskir as Vice Mayor, Joel Rubin as Treasurer, Kirk Renaud as Secretary; and Wicca Davidson as Community Liaison. Councilmember Renaud seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Mayor Rush announced appointments of Council liaisons to the Town’s standing committees, as follows: Kirk Renaud, Climate and Environment; Wicca Davidson, Community Relations; Barney Rush, Land Use; Joel Rubin, Long Range Planning; Cecily Baskir, Public Services; and Kirk Renaud and Barney Rush, Special Committee on Purple Line Mitigation.

E. Introductory Remarks

Each Councilmember made comments on priorities for the coming year.

F. Approval of Minutes

Councilmember Baskir moved to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2018 Council meeting. Councilmember Rubin seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 3-0-2, with Councilmembers Davidson and Renaud abstaining.

G. Acceptance of April 2018 Financial Report

Town Manager Todd Hoffman presented the April 2018 financial report, which the Council accepted.

H. Town Manager’s Report

Town Manager Todd Hoffman reported on the initiatives undertaken by staff over the past month.

I. Public Comments

Deborah Vollmer, 7202 44th Street, commented on issues related to Purple Line mitigation, historic preservation and Town voting eligibility.

John Fitzgerald, 4502 Elm Street, commented on issues related to Purple Line mitigation.

II. Variance Hearings

A. Inge, 7400 Connecticut Avenue, Front Yard Fence

Town Manager Todd Hoffman reported that Thad and Annie Inge, 7400 Connecticut Avenue, were requesting a variance for a front yard fence.

The applicant described the plan and the need for the variances.

Several residents asked questions made comments on the variance requests: Deborah Vollmer, 7202 44th Street; Dedun Ingram, 4411 Elm Street; Ann Wild, 7104 Oakridge Avenue; and Gary Kessler, 3903 Virgilia Street.

Council discussed the request.

Councilmember Renaud moved to approve the variance with the condition that the Town arborist approve the location of the fence posts for the portion of the fence located along the neighbor’s property line. Councilmember Rubin seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 4-1, with Councilmember Davidson opposed.

B. Corcoran, 3914 Blackthorn Street, Gross Floor Area

Town Attorney Ron Bolt reported that Andrew and Valerie Corcoran, 3914 Blackthorn Street, were requesting a variance for gross floor area.

The applicant described the plan and the need for the variance.

Dedun Ingram, 4411 Elm Street, asked a question and made a comment on the variance request.

Council discussed the request.

Councilmember Baskir moved to approve the variance request. Councilmember Rubin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

III. Council Discussions

A. Dog Exercise Area

Town residents Jane Root and Bren Lizzio presented a proposal and petition to create a dog exercise area in Town. The Council discussed the proposal and agreed to refer it to the Town’s Land Use Committee for review and recommendations.

B. Capital Crescent Trail Interim Route

The Council discussed a proposed Capital Crescent Trail interim route through Town as proposed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. The Council agreed to hold a public hearing on the concept at the June 13 Council meeting and asked Councilmember Baskir to draft language explaining the purpose and scope of the hearing.

C. Purple Line Mitigation

The Council discussed issues and efforts related to Purple Line mitigation, including two upcoming public forums to discuss and review plans for the light rail project; the status of pre- construction surveys for those residents whose properties abut the Purple Line alignment; progress on identifying acoustical engineers to assist the Town in noise mitigation efforts; and the recently- completed East West Highway traffic study by the State Highway Administration.

D. Bethesda Downtown Plan Implementation

The Council discussed issues and efforts related to implementation of the Bethesda Downtown Plan, including the proposed redevelopment of two properties adjacent to the Town; the need for early engagement with Montgomery Planning staff; and coordination with the Coalition of Bethesda Area Residents (CBAR).

IV. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

https://www.townofchevychase.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05092018-633