RCHCA
Association Meeting, October 11, 2000
Shannon
Hamm, President, called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM.
Announcements:
A new directory is planned for Early 2001. Please provide any updates to the current directory.
The Halloween Costume Parade and Potluck Supper is October 29 at 12:30.
Baby-sitting is being provided at the RCHCA meetings.
Old
Business:
Vote: Approved.
Balance May 1, 2000 $9761.60
Income (dues) $ 200.00
Expenses $1173.64
Balance September 1, 2000 $8787.96
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report.
Vote: Approved
3. Irene Glowinski (corrected minutes to show Irene Glowinski rather than Ruth Silverstein on 1/31/01) has assembled new member packages. Anyone needing new member information should contact a board member.
4. Elections for the RCHCA board are scheduled for our next meeting, January 27, 20001. Mike Baker is heading up the nominating committee. Anyone interested in serving on the nominating committee, the board, or nominating someone for the board should contact Mike.
5. John Mangan – Those concerned about the delays in the bridge construction projects should notify Montgomery County Councilman Derick Berlage.
6. Bridge Construction Update
· The Jones Mill Road bridge is not expected to be complete until the end of October.
· Construction on the Stoneybrook Drive Bridge is not expected to begin until Spring 2001.
· The schools will be notified of the bridge construction schedules.
7. Betsy Greaney is coordinating the Halloween event.
The remaining “Old Business” and all “New
Business” were delayed until after Ms Miller’s presentation.
Speaker:
Sidewalks
Program
– Ms Aruna Miller, Montgomery County Sidewalks Program
Anyone can request that the County construct a sidewalk.
There are about 400 sidewalk requests in the County’s database.
The budget only allows for the construction of 20 to 30 sidewalks per
year. After the County receives a
request for sidewalks, an engineer goes to examine the site.
Some of the factors impacting the County’s decision on where to
build sidewalks are:
·
Where a sidewalk will
provide access for students walking to a school. This is the number one priority.
·
Where a sidewalk will
provide access to parks, bus stops, and handicap access.
·
Community input – If a
community strongly wants a sidewalk, that location may receive a higher priority
than a similar location without community support.
·
Public safety – If the
County determines that a sidewalk should be built to improve public safety,
public safety will take precedence over the community opposition to a sidewalk.
After the opening, most of the discussion was interactive.
Most of the discussion focused on the sidewalk proposal for Wake Drive.
Some of the highlights of the discussion are:
·
In the proposal for a
sidewalk on Wake Drive, it was recommended that there be 11 feet of green space
between the street and the sidewalk. The
recommendation is based on the existing landscaping and the 60 feet of County
right-of-way.
·
The Wake Drive sidewalk
proposal generated a large response. Most
were in favor of a sidewalk, but without the 11 feet of green space.
A sidewalk on Wake Drive, without the 11 feet of green space may result
in a number of the trees dying.
·
There currently are no
sidewalks in RCH east of Stoneybrook Drive. Many want it to remain that way.
·
The association does not
normally take a position on sidewalk construction.
Stoneybrook Drive was an exception.
The exception is based on construction on the west side, where there are
no houses.
·
The individual that wrote
the letter requesting a sidewalk on Wake Drive asked that the request be
withdrawn. The request will be
withdrawn.
·
Requests for a bike path
on Kensington Parkway should be directed to the Park and Planning Commission
(240 770-7270).
Construction of the sidewalk on Stoneybrook Drive had been expected
to start the week of September 25th.
It is now anticipated that construction will begin in early November and
completed prior to the Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple Visitors Center.
Old
Business Continued:
8. Transportation Committee Report – John Robinson
The environmental impact study for the Beltway expansion project is expected late spring 2001. It is unlikely they will include transit or transportation alternatives.
Both the State and County are currently conducting transportation planning activities, which may impact Rock Creek Hills. Some current thinking about the studies are:
· There will be an emphasis on mass transit.
· It appears that there is County-wide opposition to widening the beltway. The estimated cost of widening the beltway is two to three billion dollars.
· The results of the noise study are not yet available. When they are available, they will be posted on the RCHCA web site (http://www.RCHCA.org).
· There is no Draft Environmental Impact Statement for widening the beltway.
· Congestion in the area is up, especially on the weekends.
Q&A/Discussion:
§ The County has a Traffic Watch program. Anyone interested in participating/starting a watch should contact a member of the RCHCA Board.
§ Neighborhood streets are being used by “cut through traffic.” A study can be requested on any street. There are a number of potential calming devices that can be implemented without the approval process that is required for speed humps.
§
The US Department of Transportation had been given money to study
the feasibility of a new bridge crossing the Potomac River, west of the beltway.
9. Covenants Committee Report – Mark Schweitzer
The Covenants Committee is not the covenants police. Some guidelines for submitting changes to the Covenants Committee are:
· When leaving a message for a committee member, please leave your name and telephone number.
· Submit the changes as soon as possible. Allow the Covenants Committee two weeks, minimum for review.
· Provide as much information as possible with your request. Please include a site plan and elevation.
· Communicate with your neighbors. Pass on plans and construction information.
Some fencing guidelines are:
· No front yard fences.
· No chain link fences.
· Wrought iron fences only when shielded by shrubbery.
New
Business:
1.
Increase in train noise – Joe Rosenburg raised the issue of train
noise. It is expected that there
will be additional trains on the CSX tracks.
Sixty or more trains per day may use the tracks.
Joe volunteered to be the focal point for issues related to train noise.
Joe can be reached at 301 495-9821.
2.
Noise control – The noise issue, in general, was raised.
The County has noise abatement rules.
Depending on the activity and zoning the "quiet hours" on
Monday through Friday start at 7 AM and end at either 5 PM or 9 PM. The
following links provide additional information.
http://www.co.mo.md.us/services/dep/DEP/Noise/soundsolution.htm
http://www.co.mo.md.us/services/dep/DEP/notice.htm
3. The issue of missing street signs, and damaged signs was raised. Please report damaged or missing signs to Scott Wainwright, Department of Public Works, at 240 770‑2190.
4. Motion to adjourn
Vote: Accepted