Janet M June 2nd, 2010
Despite the County’s budget shortfall, many of the streets in Maplewood are scheduled to be resurfaced beginning in the County’s fiscal year 2011 Residential Resurfacing Program.
Roads from West Cedar Lane north to Alta Vista Road are to be done in fiscal year 2011. Alta Vista Road and streets north of it are to be resurfaced in fiscal year 2012 (July 2011-June 2012), subject to budgetary considerations.
Before the resurfacing begins, residents on those streets to be resurfaced will receive a brochure in the mail that explains the road-resurfacing project. In preparation for resurfacing, damaged curbs will be repaired, and areas marked with white paint for full-depth patching. DOT estimates this project will actually start on or about 1 June 2010 and continue approximately three to four weeks, weather permitting. Work hours are between 7 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Temporary parking restrictions on streets being paved will be in force, and minor traffic delays should also be expected.
MCA has invited Mr. Randy Paugh, Chief of the Pavement Management Department of the Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Services to be our guest speaker at the May 19th MCA meeting. We thank Mr. Paugh for offering Maplewood residents this briefing and an opportunity to ask questions regarding this important project in Maplewood.
Update 6/2/10: Signs have gone up on some Maplewood streets announcing that paving will start Friday, 4 June and continue through the next few weeks. If there is a sign on the street in front of your house, please take note of the applicable dates and move your car off the street on those days.
Tags: transportation
Katee N June 1st, 2010
Bethesda Naval Hospital will be conducting a traffic study beginning approximately June 2nd and continuing for about two weeks. The focus of the traffic study is primarily related to the interior of the campus, but there will be some traffic counts conducted at the gate entry points. Impacts on the surrounding community should be very minimal, but you may notice some activity. For example, electronic counters may be placed at the intersections outside of the gate entry points, or you may notice physical counts being conducted (i.e. individuals sitting or standing, collecting vehicle information).
Tags: BRAC, NavyMed, traffic, transportation
Katee N May 16th, 2010
The new equipment for the Maplewood-Alta Vista Park playground renovation has been ordered by the County Parks Department and was expected to be installed this spring.
Unfortunately, the Parks Department recently notified us that construction cannot begin without a permit. Prior to this year, the Parks Commission was not aware that it needed a permit to renovate existing playgrounds. Because this is a new process for the Parks Department, it is unclear exactly how long it will take to get the permit. Hopefully we’ll have a new playground in the next few months.
In the meantime, check out these images of the new design. Many thanks to Becky Umhofer and her committee, Sara Berl, Melanie Lacount, and Lynn Joseloff, for their hard work!
Tags: Maplewood-Alta Vista Park
Katee N April 28th, 2010
Donning bright red fire hats and patiently waiting their turn, children got the thrill of a ride in a NIH fire truck at the 2010 Maplewood Spring Social.
Families swarmed the Maplewood-Alta Vista Park to celebrate the return of this annual gathering to the neighborhood. DeeDee Lynch directed volunteers in order to create the fun-filled afternoon that included pizza, moon bounces, face painting, cupcakes and crafts.
Many thanks to DeeDee and others who helped make it happen.
Tags: Maplewood-Alta Vista Park, MCA
Allen M April 23rd, 2010
On April 6, by a vote of 5-4, the County Council sitting as the District Council permitted the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) to dismiss its application without prejudice. MCA and the Hearing Examiner for the County Council had recommended to the Council that the application be dismissed with prejudice.
The effect of a dismissal with prejudice would have precluded FAES or another owner of the property in question from submitting another application for the zoning requested, RT-8 within 3 years or for any other type of zoning within a period of 18 months. As it now stands, a new application could be submitted at any time by FAES.
MCA has collected funds for legal representation to defend against the previous application. In light of the current situation for possible development of the property, the membership at its May meeting will decide whether to return these funds or retain them for a future fight.
Back in October 2009, the Hearing Examiner held a public hearing on the application submitted by FAES to rezone property it owns bounded by West Cedar Lane, Cypress Avenue, and Acacia Avenue. The Examiner issued his opinion in February and found that the proposed rezoning would not conform to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Master Plan, was too dense, and would not be compatible with the rest of the neighborhood.
Tags: development, FAES
Katee N April 14th, 2010
On Feb. 5, 2010, the County Council announced the closure of the Maplewood-Alta Vista Park activity building, as well as those in 10 other county parks.
Park and Planning allowed a one-time use exception for the MCA Spring Social, but the building is otherwise closed. Future plans for the park activity buildings will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The MCA is working to keep our building part of the community.
Tags: County Council, Maplewood-Alta Vista Park
