Tag Archives: grosvenor metro development

Grosvenor Metro Development (North Bethesda)

June 15, 2017   Downtown Bethesda Sector Plan, Grosvenor Metro Development, Real Estate   No comments

Hi friends,

I wanted to take a minute and forward this notice to you:

Grosvenor Metro Development
Planning Board to Hear Testimony on June 29
Make Your Voice Heard, In Person or In Writing

On June 29, the county Planning Board will hear public testimony on staff’s draft plan for the remaining undeveloped land at the Grosvenor-Strathmore station. A copy of the draft plan is at the Parkside management office, which you are welcome to consult in the office. To consult an online copy, go to http://montgomeryplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Public-Hearing-Draftlowres.pdf.

The agenda for the 29th will be posted two weeks beforehand (go to http://montgomeryplanningboard.org/agendas/). Information about signing up to testify or submitting written testimony will be at that same site.

The most critical issue to be decided is DENSITY, which will affect both the number of dwelling units to be built and the building heights.

NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS: Staff is recommending a FAR (floor area ratio) of 2.5, or approximately 1,145 dwelling units. The developer is pushing for a FAR of 3.5 (1,650 dwelling units) or a FAR of 3.0 (1,400 dwelling units).

BUILDING HEIGHTS: With a FAR of 2.5, the site would be filled with residential buildings except for one small green community gathering place up by the Metro entrance (to be called a “civic green”). The residential buildings would be stepped up from 4 stories facing Strathmore Park across Tuckerman to higher buildings (maximum 16 stories) midway up the slope and culminating in two “signature” buildings at the top of the slope, by the Metro station. These two buildings would be 260 feet high, or approximately 26 stories each. If a FAR of 3.5 or 3.0 were approved, the two high rises would be higher still, and the other buildings on the site could also be higher than under the staff proposal.
For a fuller picture, please review the draft plan itself. And then write to the Planning Board expressing your opinion, or sign up to testify on June 29.