White Flint

Sector Plan
Advisory
Group
Report from Meeting on
September 23, 2008

Presented by Barnaby Zall

Sept. 29, 2008
Table of Contents
The Advisory Group . . . . . . 3
Caveats . . . . . . 5
The Goal . . . . . . 6
“An Innovative, Spectacular, Inviting,
Green, Transit-oriented Urban Destination”
The Vision . . . . . . 7
“A Green, Walkable, Fun and Friendly Place
to Live, Work and Play”
Specific Issues
Mobility: Fix the Pike . . . . . 8
Image and Identity . . . . . . 8
Walkability . . . . . . 8
Street-level Shopping . . . . . 9
Sustainability and Environment . . . 9
Incentives for Architectural Innovations and
Excellence . . . . . . 9
Public Safety and Vibrant Streets . . . 9
Entertainment, Dining, Arts and Culture . 9
Underground Utilities . . . . . 9
Schools . . . . . . 10
Parks . . . . . . 10
Community Facilities . . . . . 10
Financing and Density . . . . . 11

Page 1
 Districts . . . . . . 11
Phasing and Timing of Implementation . 12
Design Guidelines . . . . . . 12
TMX Zone . . . . . . 12
Compatibility with Existing Communities . 12

Rockville Pike
Design of the New Pike . . . . 14
Functioning of the New Pike . . . 14
Phasing of the Construction of the New Pike 15

Transportation
Pedestrians . . . . . . 16
Bicycles . . . . . . 16
Metro . . . . . . 16
Bus Service . . . . . . 17
Shuttle Bus Service . . . . . 17
Additional Road Network . . . . 17
Parking District . . . . . . 18
Marc Station . . . . . . 18

The Staff Draft Proposal . . . . . 19

Appendix One: Author and Process . . . 20

Page 2
The Advisory Group
The White Flint Sector Plan Advisory Group was convened on November 6,
2006. http://www.mc-mncppc.org/planning/community/whiteflint/background.shtm.
“The concepts and ideas produced by the groups paint a picture of a vibrant White Flint
as a special place centered on the White Flint Metro. Groups envisioned a greener White
Flint Station, friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists, with numerous choices of places for
people to live, work, shop and dine. All of the plans and ideas that came from those
groups are forming the framework for our development of the White Flint Sector Plan.”
Id.

Membership
The most current membership of the Advisory Group is available at:
http://mcparkandplanning.org/planning/community/whiteflint/advisory_group.shtm
(last updated: July 28, 2008).

Structure
In its earliest phases, the Advisory Group was divided into four geographically-
based “neighborhood” discussion groups, which reviewed concerns centered on those
areas. (The membership list linked above continues those geographic identifications.)
Then these sub-groups joined the overall discussions and reported their concerns. As the
process continued, the divisions were eliminated and the entire group discussed the
Sector Plan as a whole. The Advisory Group functioned as an advisor to the Staff,
providing comment and reactions to Staff proposals.

Meetings
The Advisory Group has held sixteen formal meetings, most at the Silver Spring
headquarters offices of MNCPPC. The Advisory Group meetings have been open to the
public and most have included opportunities for public comment. In addition, the formal
meetings have been reported in the media. The materials and, in most cases, the reports
and analyses produced in the Advisory Group meetings are available on-line.
www.whiteflintplanning.org.

Members of the Advisory group have also held dozens of informal meetings;
some of these meetings were attended only by business representatives, others only by
community group representatives. During the most recent round of outside meetings, in
September, members of the business group held four meetings with community group
representatives and members.

Independent Research
In addition, members of the Advisory Group conducted outside research and
analysis. One of the most significant was the hiring of an outside traffic and walkability
consultant by a group of business members. The consultant, Gladding-Jackson of

Page 3
Orlando, Florida, produced a traffic and transportation study recommending a method to
address congestion on Rockville Pike. In September, community groups had a “balloon
test” near Rockville Pike to determine the visual impact of proposed building heights.

The September 23, 2008, Meeting

The September 23 meeting was called on very short notice. On September 15, the
Staff announced the meeting, saying “This meeting is to discuss how the Advisory
Committee would like to present its comments and issues regarding the Sept 11, 2008
staff presentation to the Planning Board on the preliminary recommendations for the
White Flint Sector Plan. The Planning Board Chairman suggested that the comments be
separated into overall and specific issues.”

In response, the Advisory Group met as a separate entity on September 23, 2008.
Staff provided only timing information and answers to questions; the Advisory Group
prepared its own agenda and conducted its own meeting. Staff was provided with copies
of the meeting agenda and questions for discussion.

The Advisory Group agenda included discussions of a Goal, a Vision for what
White Flint would look like if the Goal was achieved, and the Elements necessary for
achieving that Vision and Goal. In the September 23 meeting, however, and given the
press of immediate deadlines, the “Elements” discussion evolved into the review of
general and specific issues suggested by the Chairman. There was insufficient time
during the September 23 meeting to fully discuss all the items on the agenda, and one
series of insufficiently-discussed issues in particular – Compatibility with Existing
Neighborhoods – has sparked substantial e-mail traffic following the meeting.

This Report
This report describes the points discussed, and, where appropriate, any resolution
or consensus reached at the September 23 Meeting. As noted in the Appendix, the
discussion here was written by one member of the Advisory Group, and other participants
may have additional or differing views. Given the inadequate time to prepare a
comprehensive report, the Advisory Group has encouraged all members to provide any
separate thoughts directly to the Planning Board.

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Caveats
The Advisory Group has been hobbled by two overriding factors:

1) The lack of specific information on which to comment. For example, one

of the integral parts of the Sector Plan will be separate, but integrated design
guidelines. The design guidelines were described in general terms to the
Advisory Group, but we have not seen them in sufficient detail to provide
more than general comment. The same is true for the plan for Rockville Pike,
which, as noted below, may be the single most important feature of the Sector
Plan.

2) The lack of sufficient time to prepare thoughtful and complete comments.

Since the Advisory Group operates by consensus, without any hierarchy or
organizational structure, adequate time is necessary for any comprehensive
comments. Adequate time is especially important since a substantial amount
of the Advisory Group’s activities are carried on by volunteers, some of
whom are residents whose jobs have no relationship to the assistance they
provide to the Staff.

In addition, this report must be read in conjunction with the Staff Draft Proposal,
which is a necessary part of our discussion. Many vital components of the proposed
Sector Plan are not treated in this report, since the Advisory Group either agreed with the
Staff’s position without a need for further comment, or could not come to a consensus
about additional comments.

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 The Goal
The Advisory Group has long debated and shaped its goal for the White Flint
Sector Plan. The Advisory Group’s first discussions in November 2006 were centered on
finding a central purpose and goal, and those articulations have stayed remarkably
consistent throughout the process.

The basic description of what the Advisory Group wants is:

“A Sense of Place.”
The Advisory Group wants to see a “there” in White Flint. Something which
defines the community and generates a common understanding of what is to be found
there. The “sense of place,” however, is subjective, so the Advisory Group sought a more
concrete goal which would encompass the “there” it hopes to create.

One early articulation of the concept was “urban life, with an emphasis on life.”
This phrase became an “urban village:” a self-sufficient area in which persons would not
need a car to reach all the desired amenities, or even to access opportunities outside the
Sector. Over time, however, the term “village” came to be seen as unnecessarily limiting,
and the concept of “destination” was substituted.

Thus, the most recent definition of the goal, adopted by the Advisory Group on
September 23, 2008, is:

An Innovative, Spectacular, Inviting, Green,

Transit-oriented Urban Destination
There is some continuing debate about the goal, especially the “urban” aspect of
the description. The Advisory Group was divided about how to translate the goal into
more concrete proposals. It chose to do so by articulating two further levels of detail:

Specifying a more detailed VISION of what it hopes its urban destination would
look like if the GOAL were achieved; and

Responding to the Chairman’s September 15 suggestion by describing the

GENERAL and SPECIFIC ISSUES which will likely affect the plans to move the
Sector toward the Vision and Goal.

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The Vision
A Green, Walkable, Fun and Friendly Place
to Live, Work and Play.
• A pedestrian-oriented community of mixed use development

• Taller buildings and higher densities near Metro tapering to lower

densities at the borders with surrounding neighborhoods

• More housing in the sector

• Encourage different income and lifestyle levels of housing in the

sector

• More local streets that invite and protect pedestrians with

sidewalks, trees, street level retail, and facilities for bicycles

• Efficient, frequent and diverse modes of transit

• The Pike becoming a tree-lined boulevard to calm, yet move,

traffic

• New buildings constructed to green standards

• New open spaces and parks connecting people

• Extensive opportunities for arts, culture, dining, entertainment,

and recreation

• A variety of non-residential uses, including different types of

retail opportunities, such as automobile dealerships

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Specific Issues
Mobility: Fix the Pike
This topic is so important that we mention it twice, here for emphasis and again
separately with its own section below. There is a consensus that Rockville Pike is the
single most important stumbling block to efficient and desirable development in the
Sector. An early video presentation to the Advisory Group called Rockville Pike “The
Beast that Ate White Flint.”

Conversely, Rockville Pike offers a huge potential for improving the entire
Sector. Bringing “life” to the Pike is an essential element to achieving the Advisory
Group’s Goal and Vision. Thus, fixing the Pike is the single most critical element for
success. Unfortunately, the plan for the Pike is not finished, so we cannot provide
specific comments on it.

As described in more detail in a separate section below, there is a consensus that

we do not support the Staff’s proposal to leave the renovation of the Pike until Stage
Three. We believe that the renovations and changes to the Pike are so essential to the
implementation of any Vision and Goal that:

The Pike must be addressed as soon as possible.

Image and Identity

There is a consensus on the need for a unifying identity, but no consensus on what
that name or identity should be. The Advisory Group put off further discussion on this
point. There was a proposal to create a separate working group to create an image and
explore means to “brand” the image; the working group could review information such as
the public opinion work done by some developers in creating their project names (which
include both White Flint and North Bethesda in titles).

Walkability
There was a consensus strongly in favor of pedestrian-friendly streets.
Components of this element would likely include: short blocks, slower traffic, retail
opportunities close to the street, and design elements such as street structures and
equipment. There was some division in the Advisory Group over the specific elements
proposed in the Staff Draft Proposals, but no consensus on particular comments was
developed.

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Street-level Shopping
There was a general consensus on consumer-friendly retail shopping
opportunities. There was a concern that street-level retail should be available, but only
where feasible, and not mandated as a universal requirement. There should be some
exception to a street-level retail requirement for such necessary street-level facilities as
loading docks, parking entries, and sides of retail spaces; some public works
requirements and easements which push retail back from the street may conflict with this
goal and should be applied sensitively in particular circumstances.

Sustainability and the Environment

The Advisory Group strongly supports the concept of green design for buildings
in the Sector. There was a consensus that the green design description in the Staff Draft
Proposal should be changed to: “21st Century approach to sustainability and the
environment.” There was discussion about whether this change was substantive.

Incentives for Architectural Innovations and Excellence

Throughout the Advisory Group’s existence, its members have pressed for
architectural distinction in the Sector. There is a consensus that this factor is
insufficiently highlighted in the Staff Draft Proposals, and that more should be done to
encourage innovation and excellence in architecture.

Public Safety and Vibrant Streetscapes

Public safety is an important part of urban design and vibrant streetscapes are an
important element of safety-oriented design. The Advisory Group recommends that the
Sector Plan encourage the presence of people on the street, design elements which
emphasize and enhance public safety, public lighting, and other safety-related elements.

Entertainment, Dining, Arts, and Culture

The Advisory Group strongly supports the promotion of these specific elements in
any design plan. White Flint is fortunate to have Strathmore Music Center and Mansion,
a world-class arts and music center, right next door. The Advisory Group would like to
capitalize on that foundation by encouraging galleries and public art, especially in areas
designed as private green space open to the public. In addition, there was discussion
about relaxing rules on parking for restaurants.

Underground Utilities
The overwhelming number of utility poles and overhead wires in White Flint is a
blight and an impediment to achieving the Goal and Vision. Cables block the sky in some
areas. The Advisory Group supports efforts to require underground utilities.

Page 9
Schools
The need for schools is a contentious issue, which has arisen in virtually all
meetings with community members. The Advisory Group recommends that this issue be
reviewed and addressed again. Early in its deliberations, the Advisory Group did not
receive significant cooperation from Montgomery County Public Schools, but MCPS has
been providing more information recently.

The Staff Draft Proposal recognizes a need for an additional elementary school,
but, guided by input from MCPS, has proposed that the new school be within the
boundaries of the Sector. There is a strong consensus on the Advisory Group that this
boundary requirement may not be realistic, given the cost of land acquisition and the
small likelihood that a needed large parcel will become available in the near future.

The Advisory Group does not agree with the two proposed sites for new schools
in the Staff Draft Proposal. The Advisory Group recommends looking into alternate sites
both within and immediately outside the Sector with a focus on existing or prior school
sites. For example, one site which has been consistently proposed by members of the
Advisory Group is the old Rocking Horse Elementary School site, now being used by
MCPS for office space and an international school. A member of the Advisory Group
noted that MCPS has expressed interest in relocating the office space and international
school to a Metro-accessible location within the White Flint Sector. Although the
Advisory Group was informed that this site is deemed not available for a school, the site
is being offered for recreational field use in the Staff Draft Proposal.

Parks
There is one existing, and one proposed public park in the Staff Draft Proposal.
There are also several green spaces (which have been called by varying names, such as
“neighborhood park”) in the Staff presentations. These additional green spaces are on
private land, but with public access. There was substantial discussion in the Advisory
Group concerning the distinction between public and private parks.

The Advisory Group is concerned because of the degree of uncertainty over the
actual amount of parks to be included in the Sector Plan. The Advisory Group wants to
encourage design of open space so that it is larger, useable, and more consolidated than
would be the case through isolated private spaces. The Advisory Group does not support
the Parks Department’s proposal to place ball fields and similar facilities at the Rocking
Horse site in lieu of providing park space within the Sector.

Community Facilities
The Advisory Group recognizes that additional growth may require additional
public facilities to provide services such as fire protection and libraries. The business

Page 10
members of the Advisory Group want to stress the need for public financing of such
facilities, rather than placing all the costs on private land owners. For example, the
proposed site for a library at the North Bethesda Town Center met with substantial
resistance, but placing it across the Pike at Mid-Pike Plaza might be a better solution.

Financing and Density

The Advisory Group has serious concerns about the financing proposals in the
Staff Draft Proposals. We would like the opportunity to participate in or express our
views in the October 30, 2008, meeting on this topic.

The Sector Plan, particularly if modified to encompass the Advisory Group’s

proposed Goal and Vision, will include expensive innovations such as green buildings,
consolidation of property to provide green space, and improved rights-of-way on
Rockville Pike. The Advisory Group has a consensus, even among those most opposed to
increased density, that proposed public needs require compensation, and that
compensation may come in the form of increased density. The Advisory Group differs on
particular density proposals, but has a consensus that additional density is appropriate in
some circumstances. The final form of the consensus statement adopted at its September
23 meeting is that:

The Advisory Group will support certain levels of

density necessary for development but only in
conjunction with the infrastructure necessary to
protect against congestion.
The Advisory Group is concerned, however, that we do not have the information
necessary to respond to the Staff Draft Proposal, although that information might be
available after the October 30 meeting. In brief, the Advisory Group does not know how
much money will be needed to fund the planned improvements. The Advisory Group
wishes to participate on the particular calculations raised by specific proposals for
improvements and compensating density.

Districts
The Staff Draft Proposal discusses several types of proposed implementation or
financing mechanisms, including governmental districts for particular purposes, such as
parking or taxing for implementation. The Advisory Group has a consensus in favor of
two or three (depending on implementation) types of districts:
o A development district to deal with infrastructure improvements to
support the density levels being proposed.
o A parking district.

Page 11
 o A Business Improvements District to manage community facilities in the
future, similar to the Bethesda Urban Partnership. This may or may not be
part of the parking district.

The Advisory Group also supports the creation of an implementation committee.

The exact form of this committee may depend on the specifics of the financing
mechanisms chosen, but the Advisory Group believes that there is a need for some type
of continuing oversight and maintenance on a plan as innovative and complex as the
proposed multi-stage Sector Plan.

Phasing and Timing of Implementation

Several questions arose in the Advisory Group’s consideration of the phasing and
timing of implementation steps in the Staff Draft Proposal. One question is whether the
timing stages are mandatory, so that development of a particular area could not proceed
until the time specified in the Sector Plan. Staff informed the Advisory Group at its
meeting on September 23, 2008, that the phasing referred only to infrastructure
investments, and that development could move forward based upon the fact that this
would be a taxing district into which the land owners are paying. The Advisory Group
generally opposes requiring development to wait simply because of geography; the
Advisory Group would support restrictions based on infrastructure, but believes that
infrastructure should be programmed with development.

Design Guidelines
The Staff Draft Proposal contemplates a separate set of design guidelines which
may encompass the Advisory Group’s Goal and Vision. The Advisory Group would like
to import guidelines, similar to those in Bethesda and Silver Spring, into this Sector Plan
to encourage a more urban treatment of utilities, streetscapes, and other design-related
elements.

The Advisory Group has not seen the proposed design guidelines and so cannot
respond to them. We would like to review and comment on any such proposal. Members
of the Advisory Group would like to see building heights reflected in the Sector Plan.

TMX Zone
Business members of the Advisory Group have substantial concerns with the
specifics of the TMX zone. We anticipate seeing further developments in this area in the
future.

Compatibility with Existing Communities

The Advisory Group agreed that impacts on existing communities should be
minimized, and requested that the Sector Plan include explicit consideration of such

Page 12
impacts. In several meetings and in numerous discussions, the Advisory Committee
considered several possible impacts and remedial measures, including density, height,
mobility, linkages with existing communities (including bikeways and greenways), and
parks, open spaces and public facilities. Resident representatives have expressed a belief
that insufficient time and resources have been devoted to this particular set of issues.

The Advisory Group did not have time to discuss these matters at its September
23, 2008, and will likely revisit these questions if given an opportunity to do so. Members
of the Advisory Group are likely to provide additional views on these subjects.

Page 13
Rockville Pike
Throughout its existence, the Advisory Group has focused on one specific aspect
of life in White Flint: the Pike. As noted above, the Pike is critical both in the current
problems with White Flint and in possible solutions. The Advisory Group considered
three primary questions regarding the Pike: the design proposals; the functioning of a
renovated Pike (focusing on transit questions as part of an evolution from a car-oriented
to a transit-oriented area while maintaining throughput on the Pike itself); and timing the
changes to the Pike.

Design of the New Pike

The Advisory Group supports the concept of converting Rockville Pike into a
boulevard, as proposed by the Staff Draft Proposal. The boulevard concept, in
conjunction with the strengthened road network discussed below, is crucial to handling
the predicted traffic needs while supporting the type of people-friendly development
sought in the rest of the Sector Plan.

The Advisory Group, however, has not seen the complete design for the
boulevard concept. We have been informed that the plans are not compete.

We have some specific concerns which have not been fully addressed in our
discussions with Staff. We would, for example, like to see how the new Pike Boulevard
transitions to the rest of Rockville Pike at the north and south ends of the Sector. Some
members of the Advisory Group also expressed concern about the impact on Rockville
Pike of the convergence of the upgraded road network at the southern end of the Sector.

The Advisory Group has requested that, before the plan goes to the County
Council, the Advisory Group see the design of Rockville Pike, including:
ƒ Sections with dimensions showing existing conditions, expected
easements, and how the new Pike overlays on properties
ƒ The full plan from Edson Lane to Montrose Parkway
ƒ Treatment of utilities
ƒ Setbacks
ƒ A complete description of the streetscape
ƒ A complete description of parking
ƒ Bus lane locations

Functioning of the New Pike

Since the Advisory Group has not seen completed plans for the new Pike, it can’t
determine how the new Pike will actually function. We have several specific concerns
which should be addressed in the Sector Plan:

Page 14
 First, the Advisory Group supports Bus Rapid Transit on the new Pike, and
believes that BRT should be incorporated in the design of the new Pike.

Second, the Advisory Group is concerned about spill-over from the new Pike and
road network onto local neighborhoods; the Advisory Group wishes to encourage drivers
to use the new road network, but not to spill over and cut-through existing
neighborhoods.

Third, the Advisory Group is divided over the possibility of parking on the Pike
itself; business representatives have argued, for example, that without on-street parking, it
is unrealistic to expect retail opportunities which open directly onto the Pike. Other
members of the Advisory Group, however, stress the transit-oriented nature of the
proposed development and would prefer to utilize that space for BRT or other transit.

Phasing of the Construction of the New Pike

The Staff Draft Proposal projects construction of the new Pike in the third and last
phase of the implementation of the Sector Plan. Staff explained that this was due to
timing of financing and other implementation conditions. The Advisory Group disagrees
with this timing, and strongly urges the renovation of Rockville Pike at the earliest
possible time. The Advisory Group feels that delaying the Pike may result in not
achieving the conditions in the prior two phases, meaning that the Pike will not be
reconstructed since its preconditions will never be met. Never addressing the Pike is
unacceptable to the Advisory Group.

Page 15
Transportation
Rockville Pike is the most important, but not the only, transportation question for
White Flint. We view the transportation changes proposed in the Staff Draft Proposal to
be partly a mechanism to address problems on the Pike, but also to address other non-
Pike-specific issues, such as pedestrian-friendly streets, and East-West circulation
patterns. There was no consensus on the standard to use to measure congestion or on the
question, standing alone, of accepting more congestion, but there was consensus in the
Advisory Group on a number of other important transportation issues.

Pedestrians
The Advisory Group wants to reiterate its strong support for pedestrian-friendly
policies in the Sector Plan. The lack of walkability is one of the weakest points of the
current road network in White Flint.

Bicycles
Similarly, the Advisory Group wants to reiterate its strong support for the bike-
friendly network envisioned by the Staff Draft Proposal. In addition, however, the
Advisory Group would like to suggest more consideration for evolving concepts such as
bicycle rentals (“flex-bike”), and for the placement and utilization of safe bike racks and
covered bike parking.

Metro
The Advisory Group has long sought another entrance to the Metro Station. There
has been substantial discussion about the placement of this additional entrance. The
current Staff Draft Proposal is to place the new entrance at the northern end of the
platform. The Advisory Group has been informed that a second alternative – placing a
new entrance on the west side of Rockville Pike – would be too expensive because it
would have to go under the tracks; we believe this alternative should continue to be
reviewed in light of impending changes to the Pike. If a western entrance is not included
in the Sector Plan, the Advisory Group suggests that the existing pedestrian walkway
under the Pike at Marinelli be retained and, if appropriate, improved, during any renewal
of the Pike.

A second issue discussed by the Advisory Group was the current Metro practice
of turning trains around at Grosvenor, and not providing a full schedule of trains to the
White Flint Station. Given the increased density planned for the area around the Metro
Station, the Advisory Group recommends increasing service to the White Flint Station.

Page 16
Bus Service
The Advisory Group recommends that bus service be increased on the Pike. In
light of the increasing density of the area and the discussion surrounding BRT on the
Pike, the Advisory Group believes that service to the area should be reviewed and
adjusted accordingly. In addition, the Advisory Group recommends that, as part of the
shift from car-orientation to transit-orientation in the Sector, bus service, including BRT,
be reviewed and increased in both north-south and east-west directions in the Sector.

Shuttle Bus Service

The Advisory Group reviewed plans for increasing shuttle bus service throughout
the sector. Some proposals suggested using the larger Metrobus or Ride-on buses to
service neighborhoods or areas beyond Rockville Pike; the Advisory Group is strongly in
favor of additional transit options, but believes that these longer-chassis vehicles would
be best suited for service on the Pike. Instead, the Advisory Group would support a
renewed shuttle bus service throughout appropriate areas of the sector. The Advisory
Group is concerned, however, that the shuttle routes not be excessively long or intricate.

Additional Road Network

The Advisory Group strongly supports the increase in the road network planned
for the sector. Additional robustness in the road network should both relieve congestion
on Rockville Pike and provide additional options for travels throughout the Sector. It was
the Advisory Group’s business members who hired an independent traffic and
walkability consultant to make exactly this sort of suggestion.

In addition to the road network proposed in the Staff Draft Proposal, however, the
Advisory Group has long pressed for a solution to the problem of “Old” Old Georgetown
Road. This truncated street runs behind the Mid-Pike Plaza shopping center, and no
longer connects to any of the road network. In the revised plan, it will carry some Sector
traffic. Yet the portion of “Old” Old Georgetown Road north of Montrose Blvd has not
been tied into the Sector’s new road network. The Advisory Group was told that this is
solely because that portion is outside the boundaries of the Sector. The Advisory Group,
however, notes that this portion can be an integral part of solving the transportation
problems of the Sector and should be included.

Similarly, during the analysis by the independent traffic consultant Gladding-

Jackson, a significant traffic impediment was identified where Old Georgetown Road
dead-ends into the railroad tracks. If a bridge were constructed connecting this dead-end
with Randolph Road, the consultant projected, traffic could be eased throughout the
Sector. The Staff Draft Proposal, after consultation with the State and other agencies,
however, does not include that improvement. The Advisory Group recommends that, if
feasible, that additional portion of road network be constructed to relieve traffic burdens
in the Sector. There was some dissent to this proposal.

Page 17
Parking District
As noted above, the Advisory Group supports the creation of an entity to provide
and maintain parking in the Sector. Parking is an integral part of both the transportation
improvements and the increased livability of the Sector. In an area such as White Flint,
where a significant number of people come from adjacent areas, providing parking will
both attract customers and ease traffic within the Sector. In the absence of some other
mechanism to provide and coordinate parking across the Sector, the Advisory Group
recommends creating a Parking District.

Marc Station
There was consensus in the Advisory Group on the need for a Marc (or similar
commuter rail) station in the Sector, as part of a multi-modal transportation network. The
Staff Draft Proposal contains two possible sites for a Marc station, but no clear choice
between the two sites. The Advisory Group does not have a consensus on which site is
preferable. There was some concern about the possible loss of the existing Marc station at
Garrett Park.

Page 18
The Staff Draft Proposal
The MNCPPC Staff has provided diligent and professional assistance to the
Advisory Group throughout its existence. They have been unfailingly polite and helpful
in their interactions with us. They have met with us late into the night, and outside their
offices. They have answered countless questions and listened calmly to heated complaints
about their proposals. We believe that they have made a sincere attempt to incorporate all
of our suggestions into their Draft Proposal, tempered by their professional opinions and
their interactions with other government agencies. Even though we may disagree with
some of their recommendations (as discussed in the preceding sections), we respect and
support their views. We could not have done our jobs without their assistance, and we
thank them.

The Staff Draft Proposals have evolved over time. All the proposals presented to
the Advisory Group and to the Planning Board are available on-line at:
www.whiteflintplanning.org. We were informed that the draft presented to the Planning
Board on September 11, 2008, had not been changed before our meeting on September
23, 2008, and we are commenting on that draft. That draft can be found on-line in three
sections at:

Staff Report
http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/planning/viewer.shtm#http://www.montgomeryplann
ingboard.org/agenda/2008/documents/20080911_white_flint1_sector_plan-
staff_report_print.pdf

Staff PowerPoint Presentation

http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/planning/viewer.shtm#http://mcparkandplanning.org/
planning/community/whiteflint/documents/PBSeptember11-revised-2_opt.pdf

Staff Preliminary Draft Recommendations

http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/planning/viewer.shtm#http://www.montgomeryplann
ingboard.org/agenda/2008/documents/20080911_whiteflint_attachment1_print.pdf

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Appendix One:
Author and Process
The author of this report is Barnaby Zall, [email protected], 301-231-6943. He is
solely responsible for its content.

Zall is an original member of the Advisory Group, and moderated the discussions
at the September 23, 2008, Advisory Group meeting.

Zall is a tax and appellate attorney with an office in the White Flint Sector and a
residence in one of the affected adjacent communities. www.wjlaw.com. He has no
clients or business interests in the Sector and does no land use or development-related
law. He is a former consultant to the federal National Commission on Neighborhoods,
and worked for the National Congress for Community Economic Development (part of
the federal anti-poverty effort supported by the Ford Foundation and the Community
Services Administration), but has no prior urban planning experience in Montgomery
County.

Notes of the meeting, relied upon in the drafting, were taken by Evan Goldman, a
business representative, and Ken Hurdle, a resident representative. Essential comments
were provided by Natalie Goldberg, a resident representative. Other Advisory Group
members provided additional comments.

This report was sent to members of the Advisory Group on Thursday, September
25, 2008, for review and comment, but on a very short deadline for responses. A revised
version was sent out for review and comment on Saturday, September 27, 2008, again on
a very short deadline for responses. Other members of the Advisory Group may have
different views on both the meeting and the outcomes presented in this report. Additional
time to respond to the Planning Board’s request would likely have resulted in a better,
more comprehensive and more richly-detailed report. In light of the brief time available,
all members of the Advisory Group have been encouraged to provide their views directly
to the Planning Board.

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