General Membership Vote on Bethesda Sector PlanSeptember 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.
- 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
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.
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.
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
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
Time to RENEW your EBCA membership!
PAY DUES ONLINE! Or download this form to mail.
BRAC Activity in Our Area
Report Graffiti As Soon As You See It!
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