News continued (page 2)

Shri Mangal Mandir Temple Parking Lot

April 26, 2011

The Shri Mangal Mandir temple is planning to build a gravel parking lot with 515 parking spaces next to the temple, at the intersection of Ednor Road and New Hampshire Avenue.  A Stormwater Management Concept Plan, was, as required by the regulations, sent to the two homes downstream of the property and no one else.  The plan proposes to use a submerged gravel wetland system designed to handle runoff and stormwater generated by the parking lot.  The plan also identifies a “possible future building” on the site.

The SSARPC Steering Committee and two homeowners, Derek Jackson and Christy Stebbins, have written letters expressing concerns about the proposed parking lot.  The letters are available on the SSARPC web site, and the plan is also posted.  Included are some pictures of the area where the temple proposes to construct a parking lot.  The Department of Permitting Services has sent a response indicating that the submission is only a concept plan and approval would not be permission to begin construction.

Some of the ideas expressed in the letters sent to the Department of Permitting Services are as follows:

• The submerged gravel wetland system is not designed for flood control or protection of the stream channel and would be expensive to maintain.
• The area is environmentally sensitive and changes might compromise the health of the  watershed downstream.
• The Sandy Spring tributary is a stream already in trouble (e.g., flooding, erosion).
• Excess sedimentation will choke biological life from the stream.
• Deforestation would be detrimental to the watershed.
• Increased pollutants from cars on the temple site may run off into the wetlands.
• The current septic system may be inadequate to support the increased use of the temple that the additional parking spaces may generate.
• There are no lighting plans available for review to see whether the lighting will create light pollution.
• The plan violates the Sandy Spring/Ashton Master Plan in these respects:
  • Protection of natural resources
  • Importance of maintaining undeveloped parcels in the watershed area
  • Rural character for the entrance to Ashton and Sandy Spring

There was a very limited time to comment (which has already passed), however, as the concept plan has not yet been approved, we still encourage you to send your comments to:

Richard Brush, Chief
Water Resources Section
Department of Permitting Services
Montgomery County
255 Rockville Pike, 2nd Floor
Rockville, MD 20850

If you send a letter, the SSARPC Steering Committee would like to have a copy to include on the web site.  Please email a copy of the letter to feedback@ssarpc.org . 

We will keep you updated as we learn what actions are being taken by both the Department of Permitting Services and the temple.

Shri Mangal Mandir Temple Documents

More News