General Membership Vote on Bethesda Sector Plan
September 28, 2016 at 7pm at BCC HS room 113C

Please come to this Wednesday's General Membership Meeting to discus the Bethesda Sector Plan and how East Bethesda residents can engage to voice their opinions. The new plan put forth by the Planning Board (and now in front of the Montgomery County Council for adoption) has many changes that adversely effect our neighborhood. The EBCA needs you to vote on its proposed position so it can officially represent the neighborhood's interests. This is your chance to voice your opinion and participate. We hope to see you there.

EBCA Requests Cross Walk Safety During Construction

EBCA President Lisa McCabe has has sent a letter to the Montgomery County Planning Board requesting that they take into account a safe way to cross Wisconsin Avenue at Cordell during the upcoming planned construction at that intersection. Read the full letter here. 

East Bethesda Schools
Updated August 25, 2016

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to plan for expanded capacity to accommodate our neighborhood students as a part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) cluster of schools.


HIGH SCHOOL:


To accommodate B-CC’s increasing enrollment, the construction of a 34-classroom addition at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High school is now underway, with completion expected by Fall 2018.  Hess Construction has set up on the School’s football field and track, and the area that is now enclosed by fences will remain closed through the two-year construction period.  The school baseball field is still open.  Eight portable classrooms are in the process of being relocated to the front of the school to accommodate the current overcrowding at the school. The bus lane in the front of the school will be narrowed a bit, and a handful of parking spaces will be lost during construction.  Members of the construction team will park on the field within the stadium during construction.


The new addition project will increase the capacity of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School to accommodate projected student enrollment. The current student enrollment is 1,989 students and is projected to be 2,367 students by the 2020-2021 school year. The capacity of the current building is 1683 students so there are 8 relocatable classrooms on the 16.4 acre school site -- the smallest high school site in the county. To meet the program needs of the school, 34 classrooms and support spaces will be added.  
New Features Will Include:
  •  34 Teaching stations
  •  71 Additional on-site parking spaces
  •  Raised tennis court structure
  •  Two-story wing along the north face of the existing building
  •  Covered, open air plaza overlooking the stadium
  •  Dance room opening to a small atrium lobby with views of the stadium below
 
  •  Four-story wing to the west of the existing gymnasium
  •  Two new stair towers
  •  Elevator to all four floor levels and the elevated tennis deck
  •  Wireless network access and interactive whiteboard systems in new classrooms
 
The construction contract will be awarded in July 2016 and the project is slated for completion in August 2018.

Click here for more information on the B-CC addition from the MCPS Construction website including a Flyover rendering, design documents, traffic study and feasibility study meeting notes.


MIDDLE SCHOOL:


East Bethesda students are currently assigned to Westland Middle School in the B-CC cluster of schools. Due to enrollment increases at Westland, MCPS is building a second middle school for the B-CC cluster which will open in August 2017. In January 2016, the Board of Education (BOE) authorized a boundary study to review options for the service area of the new Middle School #2, and associated changes to Westland. 


The Boundary Advisory Committee completed their evaluation of the ten boundary options developed by MCPS staff using committee developed criteria in June and their report is posted on the MCPS website and can be accessed at the link below.


On April 14th, MCPS presented 4 additional options for service areas for the two B-CC Cluster Middle Schools.  The first 6 options were previously discussed and remain unchanged.


One of the new options, Option 8, assigns East Bethesda to the new MS#2 while assigning the rest of the Bethesda Elementary Community to Westland Middle school,  returning East Bethesda to a split articulation school pattern.


EBCA conducted two surveys to gather input from East Bethesda residents on their preferred options.  Overall 108 responses were received for the two surveys.  The clear preference of survey-takers is to stay at Westland, with Option 1 the most preferred.  Option 8, which sends East Bethesda to the new Middle School #2 and also splits our students from the rest of the Bethesda Elementary students who remain at Westland, was the least preferred option.  Overall East Bethesda survey-takers ranked options that had split articulation low and ranked options 3 and 4, which had both split articulation and sent East Bethesda to the new Middle School #2 very low - just above Option #8.  EBCA has shared the results with committee members. 
 
The Superintendent’s recommended option will be released in October 2016. The BOE will conduct a work session, hold public hearings and take action in November. The boundary changes will be effective August 2017 with the opening of the new school.


Click here for more information on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Cluster Middle School Boundary Study including meeting schedules and minutes, evaluation criteria, options under consideration and the final report of the B-CC Cluster Middle Schools Boundary Advisory Committee.


Click here for more information on the B-CC MS#2 building from the MCPS Construction website including a Flyover rendering, design documents and traffic study.


EBCA encourages residents to continue to provide their views on the middle school options to committee representatives, their schools and MCPS


MC Planning Board Update - March 2016:

EBCA Sends Request to County Council for BCC Representation on Planning Committee:

EBCA President, Lisa McCabe, has sent a letter to the Montgomery County Council requesting that they consider appointing an East Bethesda resident to the MC Planning Board to better represent the concerns that directly effect our neighborhood. Click here to read the full letter.


If you are interested in applying for this appointment, letters of application expressing interest, including a resume listing professional and civic experience, should be addressed to: Council President Nancy Floreen, County Council Office, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Applications can also be submitted via email to county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov. Applications must be received no later than 5p.m. on Wednesday, April 20.


Read EBCA's 2/02/2016 Letter of Concern to the MC Planning Board: 

EBCA President, Lisa McCabe, has sent a letter to the Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman outlining EBCA's major concerns regarding the Planning Board’s recommendations to add more Density and Height to the Bethesda Sector Plan, above and beyond the current guidelines. Please click this link to read the letter. 


Our East Bethesda neighborhood may be adversely effected by the Planning Board's decisions (even more so if you live within a couple of blocks east of Wisconsin Avenue). The greater number of residents that speak out will help aid in making sure our neighborhood's concerns are taken into account. If you want your voice heard, please send a letter or email outlining your concerns to:


Casey Anderson 

Chairman, Montgomery County Planning Board 

8787 Georgia Avenue 

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Via email: MCP-Chair@mncppc-mc.org

Maryland Ave. Path Beautification

In the midst of increasing traffic congestion and development in and around our East Bethesda neighborhood, it is vital that we make the most of our cherished green spaces – providing havens to connect with nature and to relax and rejuvenate. The path that travels along Maryland Avenue between South Chelsea Lane and Chestnut Street is a key thoroughfare through the East Bethesda community – used by bikers and pedestrians, commuters walking to the metro, dog walkers, parents walking their kids to the bus stop or to school, and families walking into downtown Bethesda.

Two years ago A GROUP OF EAST BETHESDA RESIDENTS BEGAN WORK ON THIS SPACE, resulting in many improvements, including a reorientation and repaving of the bike path, removal of unseemly metal traffic barriers and installation of more attractive wooden bollards to prevent usage of the path by cars, removal of over one ton of trash and weeds, trimming existing trees, removal of a fence to allow the community to enjoy public use of all of the publicly owned space along this segment, and planting one canopy tree that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

The group also worked with George Washington University’s School of Landscape Design to develop a comprehensive landscape plan for the space. Graduate student Lizzy Jenny worked with the team to develop the FINAL PLAN. The state’s Department of Transportation has approved this plan as well. The group also applied for and received a $500 County Beautification Grant from the County Beautification Grant Program, with $300 in matching funds from the East Bethesda Citizens Association, and donations from several neighbors to help make this plan a reality.

Implementing this landscape plan will improve the usability and aesthetic beauty of the path, and provide a beautiful park setting for our community to enjoy. It will also result in reduced run-off and pollution of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay, increased nectar availability for key pollinators, and cleaner air and water. The plan includes installation of NATIVE TREES, SHRUBS AND PLANTS requiring minimal use of water and chemicals.

EBCA Executive Committee for 2016

EBCA members voted in the following members to the EBCA Executive Committee for 2016 at the General Membership meeting held December 2nd:

President: Lisa McCabe

1st VP: Katya Marin

2nd VP: Brittany Barsky

Treasurer: Jack Hayes 

Secretary: Melissa Groman

Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program

The County’s Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program has begun work in our East Bethesda neighborhood between Chestnut Street & East West Highway, before completing the area between Jones Bridge Road & S. Chelsea Lane.  It is estimated that it will take about a year and half to complete.

Montgomery County Department of Transportation provided information on the project and details that may affect us, and answered questions and concerns at the May 21, 2014 EBCA General Meeting.

Click here for more information on the project from the Department of Transportation. The project is currently titled "West Chevy Chase Street Rehabilitation Project".

Click here for Information on Optional Driveway Apron Replacements.

Time to RENEW your EBCA membership!

To all our neighbors and friends, your neighborhood association is counting on you as we prepare for another exciting year together. Remember, our membership year follows the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. Thinking about joining for the first time? Wait no longer!  Join us today!  Your membership will run through December 31!

PAY DUES ONLINE!  Or download this form to mail.  

Unsure about whether your membership is current? Please drop a message to membership@ebca.org

BRAC Activity in Our Area

Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) will impact our area. You can keep up with the latest news at the National Naval Medical Center. Also WAMU has an extensive amount of information about BRAC on its website. Check it out here!

Report Graffiti As Soon As You See It!

If on County Property:
Kathy Paunil of Graffiti Abatement
phone: 301.989.1638 or 301.989.1570
email: KPaunil1@verizon.net

Bethesda Police non-emergency number (ASAP):
301.652.9200

If on Private Property:
Linda Bird at Montgomery County Housing
phone: 240.777.3671
email: Linda.Bird@montgomerycountymd.gov

Support EBCA: 
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Free Trees

Get free trees from MC Department of Transportation to improve our neighborhood tree canopy: 

Click here to find out how!

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