Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance

www.GSGCA.ORG

September 2008 Newsletter

Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 24th 8:00 p.m.
Mill Creek Towne Elementary School
17700 Park Mill Drive in Derwood

Officers:
Pat Labuda, President (Parkside)
Ken Weiss, 1st Vice President (Park Overlook)
Joe Parello, 2nd Vice President (Old Derwood)
Bill Labuda, Treasurer (Parkside)
Secretary--vacant

Topic

Future plans for the County Service Park

At the September meeting of the Alliance there will be a presentation by David Dise, Director of the Department of General Services of Montgomery County, to provide the community with the updated plan for the relocation of the County Service Park which is currently located on Crabbs Branch Way.

The decision to move each part of the County Service Park is complex and difficult. The Executive Office has been trying to address this issue for several years.

The Shady Grove Sector Plan which was approved by the County Council in January 2006 calls for residential uses on the Crabbs Branch site because of its close proximity to Metro. This is in keeping with smart growth policies which encourage the use of mass transit.

Most of the current County Service Park which is located in Derwood was previously zoned residential. The County took over the land and changed the zoning to industrial. Industrial uses generate much more traffic then do residential.

The Alliance is especially concerned with any plans the county may have to move the Ride On bus service facility and maintenance to the empty parcel of land across from the Giant. The current Ride On facility houses and maintains Ride On buses throughout the county. In addition to the traffic generated, it is also an unsightly and inappropriate use of land that is in close proximity to Metro and to a shopping area used by an ever increasing population. This land would be better utilized for residential, recreational, commercial and support facilities for the approved residential buildings which are planned for Metro and for the current Derwood population.

NEW MEETING SCHEDULE

The meetings of the Alliance are now scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of the month from September to May. The November meeting will be held on the third Wednesday (November 19^th) due to the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no meeting in December.

OFFICERS NEEDED

The GSGCA office of Secretary and Treasurer are still vacant. If you are interested in serving in either of these roles please contact Pat Labuda (301) 990-8292.

MEMBERSHIP

Please send in your membership for the upcoming 2008 – 2009 year. We rely on membership fees to defray the cost of renting the school for our meetings. Only paid members are allowed to vote in accordance with our by laws. The Alliance exists to represent the interests of the community. Your membership and vote are important for us to accurately fulfill that role.  Please fill out the the form attached to this email (or the section below) and bring it with you to the November meeting or mail it to the address below.

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GET INVOLVED - FILL OUT AND MAIL THIS FORM TODAY!

Membership is open to individuals, civic organizations and homeowners’ associations.

Please select from the following:

___ I am enclosing $10 cash ( ) check ( ) for my annual household membership

___ I am enclosing $15 cash ( ) check ( ) for the following organization membership ____________

(Please make check payable to: “Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance”)

Mail to:

Pat Labuda,

GSGCA,

16929 Briardale Road

Derwood, MD 20855

Name: ____________

Address: _______________________________________________________

Phone: ____________ E-Mail: ___________________________

Local Issues of Concern to You: ______________________________________________________