Montgomery News

Town of Kensington Mayor and Town Council met April 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

• Approved the Town Meeting Minutes from March 12, 2018.

• Approved the Work Session Minutes from March 19, 2018.

• Held a Courtesy Review of the proposed Senior Living (62+) development project at 3906 and 3910 Knowles Avenue.

• Held a Public Hearing on Ordinance No. O-01-2018 - an Ordinance to adopt the Town's Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (FY19) and levying a tax on all assessable property with the Town. The Public Record will remain open until 4:00 pm on Friday, May 11, 2018.

• Approved Resolution No. R-06-2018 – a Resolution of the Town Council authorizing the amendment of the contract with AA Refuse Inc. to make provision for increases in tipping fees.

Town Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Furman; Council Members Bartram, Crimmins, McMullen, and Rollins; Town Manager Daily; Assistant Town Manager Hoffman; and Clerk-Treasurer Engels were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence observed for Mary Stewart.

The Town Meeting Minutes from March 12, 2018 were reviewed and approved. See Council Actions.

The Work Session Minutes from March 19, 2018 were reviewed and approved. See Council Actions.

From the Mayor and Town Council:

A Courtesy review was held for the proposed Senior Living development project at 3906 and 3910 Knowles Avenue.

Bruce Levin, MAC Realty Advisors, along with his development team, presented the project and answered questions. Mr. Levin stated the proposed development’s location is accessible, pedestrian friendly, and close to all services.

The development is in the beginning of the design process, the building will have: 123, age restricted to 62+ years, one and two bedroom apartments, some with small balconies; a maximum height of 62 feet, be stepped down, with a vegetative vertical wall; the main entrance accessible from eastbound Knowles Avenue with underground parking and loading; residents with a mix of incomes; all space planned as program space for residents with no commercial space; and the Sector Plan incorporated with a planted buffer and improved streetscape.

The Council noted concerns of the Development Review Board (DRB) regarding parking, discussed the availability of a pull off area for drop off and fire/rescue services, the access from Connecticut Avenue with only a right turn allowed from Knowles Avenue into the property, pedestrian concerns to connect with shopping, and spaces for mobility scooters.

Peter Cozzens questioned how the development will benefit single family residential property values by offering affordable housing.

Council Member Bartram explained this type of development was approved in the Sector Plan, and new development in the downtown area helps to bring a greater diversity of people to sustain businesses in Town, such as restaurants.

Leslie Olson stated the expected number of residents that would be driving is understated, traffic on Knowles Avenue does not have an off peak time, entering the property from only eastbound Knowles is not adequate since all vehicles will be coming from Connecticut Avenue, and questioned whether moving trucks would be backing out and blocking Knowles Avenue.

Mr. Levin stated residents moving in will be coordinated and they will not allow large moving trucks, the garage can accommodate 10 ft by 30 ft trucks.

Leslie Maxim stated the parking may be enough for residents but noted caregivers will require an additional 15 to 25 parking spaces to provide services to the residents.

Silvia Maza stated the proposed development was not contextual with the Town and requested the Town not support this development.

Joe Campbell questioned the developer’s assertion that the intersection was pedestrian friendly considering the discussion from the March Council Meeting with regards to the proposed alternatives to the Summit Avenue Extension project.

An update was given on the 10509 Summit Avenue proposed mixed use development. The Development Review Board (DRB) met with the prospective buyer who was interested in zoning that would allow a development to have more residential than commercial space.

The DRB will also be meeting tomorrow night at 7 pm. on a prospective development at Plyers Mill Road and Connecticut Avenue; once presented, it will be posted on the website.

Council Member Crimmins reminded Residents of upcoming events: Noyes Library Gala, Kensington Parkwood Spring Auction Celebration, and Day of the Book, along with an Arbor Day booth.

Council Member Rollins noted Food Truck Nights will begin in May on the first and third Thursdays and they are hoping to expand the number of breweries.

Council Member Bartram noted the next Traffic Committee meeting will be on May 10th at 7 pm.

Mayor Furman noted next year is the 125th Birthday for the Town and funds have been put in the budget for the celebration.

Mayor Furman stated Peter Bartram has volunteered to serve on the Local Advisory Panel (LAP); the Town will submit his name to the Historic Preservation Commission to be appointed to the LAP. Helen Wilkes currently serves on the LAP which works with the HPC on historic permits and a third member is still needed for the LAP.

Public Appearances:

Anne Banville requested, when developments are being proposed, the Town make a great effort to communicate with Residents so they are aware in the early stages of planning of a new development.

Sabina Emerson reminded the Council that the signs at Kent Street and Kensington Parkway are still covered in trash bags and suggested removing the signs from the posts instead of using trash bags.

Joe Campbell stated the snow removal last month was outstanding, clarified that the Development Review Board and Traffic Committee meeting agendas and minutes are posted online; and questioned the status of the new website.

Council Member Crimmins stated he has been working with the website contractor and they are still in the process of transferring the content and providing electronic means for permits and service requests.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Regulations:

Ordinance No. O-01-2018 – A Public Hearing was held on Ordinance No. O-01-2018 adopting the Town’s Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (FY19) and levying a tax on all assessable property within the Town. The public record will remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11th. See Council Actions. Town Manager Daily stated Budget Highlights were made available on the budget and the Town received one request on the budget regarding salaries.

Joe Campbell questioned the reason the brick imprinted crosswalk line was deleted from the CIP Budget and reminded the Council on the need for an upgraded crosswalk at Kensington Parkway and Kent Street; and he also requested salaries for the top 6 to 10 employees be broken out and included within the budget highlights.

Council Member McMullen stated the Town put together collaborative budget highlights which included an average salary increase of 5 percent and noted individual salaries are available upon request. He suggested when the Town Manager’s agreement renews then it would be the appropriate time to disclose the terms of his agreement.

Council Member Crimmins stated if there are specific items not included in the budget highlights, Residents can request them and also noted the Mayor and Council salaries are included in the Charter.

Town Manager Daily explained the brick imprinted crosswalk line item was deleted because it is now included in the street reconstruction line item.

Julie O‘Malley noted the debris in Silver Creek south of Frederick Avenue by the apartments and requested trees be planted on the apartment side of the creek.

Resolution No. R-06-2018 – A Resolution of the Mayor and Town Council authorizing the Amendment of the Contract with AA Refuse Inc., to make provision increases for tipping fees. See Council Actions.

Town Manager Daily explained AA Refuse has received increases from their vendor for single stream recycling, the resolution would allow the Town to pay the additional increase.

Kevin Jones questioned whether dual stream recycling was considered which is less expensive.

Town Manager Daily noted at the time the contract was initiated, the Town decided on single stream recycling to make it easier and more likely Residents would recycle.

Joe Campbell questioned the total cost per month and the remaining time left on the contract.

Town Manager Daily stated the increase per ton would result in approximately $238 per month additional cost to the Town and there are 21 months left in the three year contract.

Council Actions:

Council Member McMullen moved to approve the Town Meeting Minutes from March 12, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member McMullen moved to approve the Work Session Minutes from March 19, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member McMullen moved to close the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. O-01-2018 adopting the Fiscal Year 2018-19 (FY19) Budget and leave the record open until Friday, May 11th at 4 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member McMullen moved to adopt Resolution R-06-2018 authorizing the amendment of the contract with AA Refuse Inc., to make provision for increases for tipping fees. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Rollins moved to adjourn the Town Meeting at 8:55 pm. The motion passed unanimously.

https://tok.md.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Approved-Minutes-April-9-2018.pdf