April 16, 2008 Town Meeting Summary continued (page 6)

Question:  There was concern expressed about contamination created by the previous Freestate gas station.  Have soil samples been taken to test for contamination?

Answer:  Fred Nichols said that testing was done when the tanks were removed and there was no leakage and the Maryland Department of Environment gave the area a clean bill of health.

Question:  Is there a web site for Derrick’s Addition?

Answer:  Fred Nichols said that currently there is none.  [Note that there is information about Derrick’s Addition on the SSARPC web site and it will be updated as more information becomes available.]

Wrapping Up (by Michelle Layton)

Michelle thanked everyone for coming and asked people to share with their neighbors and friends what they have learned this evening about the current developments in the area.

We expect Ashton Meeting Place and Derrick’s Addition will be going to the Planning Board on May 15, but that may change.  Letters giving your opinions about these two plans need to be sent by May 1 in order to be included in the packet reviewed by the Planning Board before the hearing.  You may also sign up to speak at the hearing, and you may hand written copies of your testimony to the staff and Board at that time. There is no particular deadline for comments on Resurrection Baptist church.  As for Chevy Chase Bank, the Planning Board will not consider further comments, but concerns about implementation of the approved plans may be brought to the attention of the Planning Staff.

The SSARPC has been very successful in its activities.  This past week we have learned about two new developments that the SSARPC might be interested in working on.

The Goddard School, which was originally going to be built on Bentley Road near Route 108, is now being considered for an area near Meeting House Road.  The SSARPC Steering Committee will be meeting with the developer next week to learn more about the plans.

The WH Rental Center, opposite the Sandy Spring Museum, is closed.  The Park and Planning staff has told us that they will be meeting soon with a developer to review a proposal to put a self-storage facility in that area.

Once we get more information, the Steering Committee will determine if either of these projects is something that SSARPC should be working on. 

In the meantime – what can you do as residents of the area?

First, in order to continue our work we need to be able to continue our payments to our lawyer, fund such activities as printing fliers, and renting places for town meetings.  The Steering Committee members contribute a lot in terms of ideas and volunteer time, and also have provided much financial support.  A number of neighbors have also supported us financially, and we definitely appreciate the contributions, and we ask others to consider contributing as well.  See here for how to make contributions, either by check or online.

Second, please consider letting the appropriate people know about your ideas.  Letters to developers, the Planning Staff and Planning Board will be considered by the recipient.  To let your voice be known to people in the area, consider writing a letter to the Gazette.  The SSARPC would appreciate getting copies of what you submit (look here for more information).

Finally – please talk to your neighbors and let them know about new developments in the Sandy Spring and Ashton areas (of course, information is available at www.ssarpc.org or www.preserveashton.net).  And – let the SSARPC Steering Committee know of your ideas by sending email to feedback@ssarpc.org.