Let's try to remember why we moved to this area. Good schools, open spaces and an engaged community. Development for the sake of development with out regard to infrastructure and community desires is a fool's errand.
J
Judith goozh
9 years ago
I am deeply concerned with the proposed increased density and population, specifically as to the effect it will have on our already overcrowded schools.
M
Michael Gravitz
9 years ago
I wholeheartedly agree with the statements of the petition and would add that staging of any development should be done with traffic and school capacity tests along the way. That is, after each stage of development, pause and evaluate how the currently built office, residential and commercial space has impacted traffic and schools. No additional development allowed if these tests (with reasonable criteria supported by surrounding neighbors) are not met. Also, Bethesda needs a central gathering place: a Rittenhouse Sq, or Boston Commons like space, etc. that sits at the core of the city. Doesn't need to be as big but a core place.
D
Devon kesterman
9 years ago
As a teacher and parent, I believe the County Council is overlooking what a tremendous negative impact this Plan will have on our schools and children's education. Excessive height and density aside, this plan is not ensuring that we have the infrastructure in place to sustain effective teaching and learning with such an increase in population. All of the schools in the surrounding areas are already at capacity, if not overcrowded. Even with current school construction, the additions that are underway (BCCHS, BCC middle School, etc) address the student population today. Such a huge increase in buildings, will cause a tremendous increase in the number of students attending neighborhood schools. The proposed development plans for Bethesda are not taking this large increase into consideration. Our schools are strained with the present population.
Effective teaching and learning begins with building positive relationships within the classroom. Teachers can best serve their students by getting to know their students, and learning the strengths and weaknesses of each child in the classroom. In an overcrowded classroom, this is not feasible. Such drastic increases in development will negatively affect our schools, classrooms and students.
A much larger student population in existing schools will prevent good teachers from establishing strong relationships to allow students to be successful.
M
Mark Rubin
9 years ago
The high rises are contributing to student overcrowding at our public schools. I agree with this petition
B
Beth Inabinett
9 years ago
Do the right thing Montgomery County Council.. Communities not canyons!
S
Steve Brent
9 years ago
Communities, not canyons!
M
Max Fainberg
9 years ago
Featured
The currently-proposed plan would be very detrimental to the adjacent neighborhood, where parking, traffic and pedestrian safety are already problematic. Tall buildings with such dense housing should be clustered closer to the Metro station, not on the less-dense fringes.
D
Devon Brent
9 years ago
Communities, not canyons!
M
Mark Abbott
9 years ago
I concur with vast majority of these recommendations.
S
Sally Kelly
9 years ago
Stop. Reconsider. The Council owes its constituents much greater consideration for issues that will affect quality of life and property values for decades.
K
Kathryn Marin
9 years ago
Please honor the residential character neighborhoods. Not all growth, or income increase improves life. Save us from the top 1% way of thinking.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
building excess capacity is bad for the Bethesda area and bad for the county.
F
Frances Ann Pitlick
9 years ago
Development in this urban area must NOT be exempted or given special exceptions from Subdivision Staging Policies. The need for reliable Metro may need more taxation rather than less.
Also, add moving overhead utilities to mid-block locations or underground to needed infrastructure improvements. Our skyline would look much much better without all of those wires!
E
Es Kito
9 years ago
Please, make pollution zero and natural resources one hundred percent.
N
Neil Doherty
9 years ago
Protect our schools! Do not go forward with development until a comprehensive plan to expand public schools!
H
Holly Elwood
9 years ago
Yes we need staging please!
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
still greatly support your efforts.
OVERBUILDING OF SAME commercial, HIGH, HIGH RENT BLDGS. isn't in best interest of MOST citizens! County keeps being bought off by mega bldrs, developers. NEED AFFORDABLE row housing, cluster patio homes. NOT MEGA BLDGS w/high rents!
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
The County Council needs to remember that residents of Bethesda are constituents. Old Georgetown Road Edge area needs no more towers. The latest insult is apartments at Wilson,Arlington and Old Gerogetown Rd. "Destroy and Move On" seems to be the motto.
Put People First.
Let's try to remember why we moved to this area. Good schools, open spaces and an engaged community. Development for the sake of development with out regard to infrastructure and community desires is a fool's errand.
I am deeply concerned with the proposed increased density and population, specifically as to the effect it will have on our already overcrowded schools.
I wholeheartedly agree with the statements of the petition and would add that staging of any development should be done with traffic and school capacity tests along the way. That is, after each stage of development, pause and evaluate how the currently built office, residential and commercial space has impacted traffic and schools. No additional development allowed if these tests (with reasonable criteria supported by surrounding neighbors) are not met. Also, Bethesda needs a central gathering place: a Rittenhouse Sq, or Boston Commons like space, etc. that sits at the core of the city. Doesn't need to be as big but a core place.
As a teacher and parent, I believe the County Council is overlooking what a tremendous negative impact this Plan will have on our schools and children's education. Excessive height and density aside, this plan is not ensuring that we have the infrastructure in place to sustain effective teaching and learning with such an increase in population. All of the schools in the surrounding areas are already at capacity, if not overcrowded. Even with current school construction, the additions that are underway (BCCHS, BCC middle School, etc) address the student population today. Such a huge increase in buildings, will cause a tremendous increase in the number of students attending neighborhood schools. The proposed development plans for Bethesda are not taking this large increase into consideration. Our schools are strained with the present population. Effective teaching and learning begins with building positive relationships within the classroom. Teachers can best serve their students by getting to know their students, and learning the strengths and weaknesses of each child in the classroom. In an overcrowded classroom, this is not feasible. Such drastic increases in development will negatively affect our schools, classrooms and students. A much larger student population in existing schools will prevent good teachers from establishing strong relationships to allow students to be successful.
The high rises are contributing to student overcrowding at our public schools. I agree with this petition
Do the right thing Montgomery County Council.. Communities not canyons!
Communities, not canyons!
The currently-proposed plan would be very detrimental to the adjacent neighborhood, where parking, traffic and pedestrian safety are already problematic. Tall buildings with such dense housing should be clustered closer to the Metro station, not on the less-dense fringes.
Communities, not canyons!
I concur with vast majority of these recommendations.
Stop. Reconsider. The Council owes its constituents much greater consideration for issues that will affect quality of life and property values for decades.
Please honor the residential character neighborhoods. Not all growth, or income increase improves life. Save us from the top 1% way of thinking.
building excess capacity is bad for the Bethesda area and bad for the county.
Development in this urban area must NOT be exempted or given special exceptions from Subdivision Staging Policies. The need for reliable Metro may need more taxation rather than less. Also, add moving overhead utilities to mid-block locations or underground to needed infrastructure improvements. Our skyline would look much much better without all of those wires!
Please, make pollution zero and natural resources one hundred percent.
Protect our schools! Do not go forward with development until a comprehensive plan to expand public schools!
Yes we need staging please!
still greatly support your efforts. OVERBUILDING OF SAME commercial, HIGH, HIGH RENT BLDGS. isn't in best interest of MOST citizens! County keeps being bought off by mega bldrs, developers. NEED AFFORDABLE row housing, cluster patio homes. NOT MEGA BLDGS w/high rents!
The County Council needs to remember that residents of Bethesda are constituents. Old Georgetown Road Edge area needs no more towers. The latest insult is apartments at Wilson,Arlington and Old Gerogetown Rd. "Destroy and Move On" seems to be the motto.