Neighborhood Notes

Newsletter, July 2008

Thanks to all who came out to share the neighborhood Memorial Day festivities in May. We had beautiful weather, lots of good food, and a chance to catch up with neighbors old and new. We also elected a new WGWCA board for the coming year:

and are very happy to have the continued help of Kate Savage as our social chair, Kevin Brooks as our newsletter printing & distribution czar, and Patti Sorini with the directory.

National Night Out, Tuesday, August 5

Save the date (August 5) to join your neighbors for a night out in one of the courts in our neighborhood. We’ll have get-togethers in Winder Ct, Stevens Ct, Lee Ct, and Grason Ct -- join whichever one you like. More information will follow in late July.

A message from Erin, outgoing WGWCA President

I have had a great experience serving as president of the WGWCA. I think the best part was getting to know more of you. Thank you for your support and all of the things you do for our neighborhood. It's a great community to live in. I want to say special thanks to our board members - Kerry Brenner, vice president, (who will be continuing for another year as VP) for her work on the new neighbor welcome packets; Pat Daniel, treasurer, for being a tireless treasurer; and Kay McMahon, Secretary, for taking accurate meeting minutes and posting them.

Also, special thanks go to Helen Triolo, our website and email list chair, Kate Savage, social events chair, for her fun and well-run parties; Kevin Brooks, block captain chair for donating his time xeroxing and distributing the newsletters to our block captains - Kerry Brenner, Wendy Ratnavale, Linda Saylor, Jack and Lillie Basso, Ed and Lynn El-Hoshy, Karen Baughman, Greg Philbrick, Joyce Flick, Kay McMahon, Kevin and Cindy Brooks, and Rob Roy and Becky Ratliff.

Also thanks to all of you who volunteer behind the scenes and are not mentioned by name. Everybody does their part in their own special way, and I think that's one of the things that helps make this a nice neighborhood. Have a wonderful summer!

Dues for 2008-2009 – only $5 per household

A newsletter will be delivered to your house in early July that has a dues payment form on it, which you can return to any of the people listed on the form with your payment. Thanks to those who already paid dues at the Memorial Day picnic.

Past News:

Security Newsletter for Computer Users

Radu Marin has provided copies of the monthly Security Newsletter for Computer Users (with the latest news on scams, viruses, trojans, security information for Mac and Windows users and more) for us to peruse.

WGWCA Meeting January 7, 2008

New Zoning Ordinance for Rockville
Thanks to Jim Wasilak, City Planning, and John Tyner, RORZOR committee, for meeting with us on January 7 to explain the draft zoning ordinance for Rockville. Below is a summary:

Most of the new zones are based on the ones in the existing zoning ordinance (created in 1975 and modified 200+ times since then), with changes to accommodate Rockville's current state. With most land already developed, the changes are aimed at redevelopment to support mixed uses (especially residential and commercial), to improve pedestrian friendliness, to control 'mansionization', to enhance the environment, and to keep our park and open space. It includes things like wider sidewalk requirements, specification of paved surface percentage allowed on a lot, and in addition to building dimension and height specifications, adds a specification for the transition in height between commercial and adjoining residential areas. The new proposed zoning ordinance also replaces the 9 processes previously required for site review to a single site review process, with the inclusion of different reviewers (City council, City staff, Planning Commission) dependent on the scale of the proposed project.

The zoning ordinance works in conjunction with two other City processes already in place: the Comprehensive Transportation Review (CTR), which examines the traffic impact of any proposed developments, and the APFO, which looks at schools, EMS, utilities and other infrastructure needs associated with new development. Regulation of home businesses based on their impact on the neighborhood is also included in the ordinance. For a look at the actual Zoning Ordinance Draft and information about the process, see the City website.

CIP Project Requests
Also at the meeting, we voted to reapply to the City of Rockville's Capital Improvements Program for FY09 and request that the City:

1. Build a sidewalk along Welsh Park/Welsh Drive (Welsh Drive is the small road that is off of Mannakee Street that goes to the Welsh Park parking lot and to the Unitarian Church) to continue where the existing sidewalk ends at the corner of Mannakee Street and Welsh Drive. This is a very small area of sidewalk that would enable people to continue their walk to the park without having to walk in the street along Welsh Drive.

2. Install safety lighting in the Welsh Park parking lot so that lights are on during the same hours that the basketball and tennis court lights are on. The parking lot and playground are pitch dark at night, and it's scary to cross when walking to the basketball courts.

3. Make the speedbump at Mannakee Street and Smallwood Rd. a designated crosswalk with signage, paint, and possibly a "safety" light such as the one on Nelson Street near Woodley Gardens Park.

Our focus is on safety for all of these requests. The sidewalk continuation would make it safer for people in wheelchairs, people who are walking, people who are pushing their children in strolllers, and people helping youngsters on bikes get to the park.

If you would like clarification on this or want to add your comments, feel free to call me or email. (301) 217-0321

We all agreed that more research and discussion needs to take place before we consider asking the City to extend the sidewalk that is currently on Welsh Park up to the corner of Nelson Street and Mannakee. In these times of shrinking budgets and our desire to become a green society, we need to weigh the costs and benefits as well as the physical feasibility of this project.

October 11, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Thank you, Kay McMahon, for minutes from the October 11 general membership meeting.

Woodley Gardens Garden Club

From the September newsletter:

Did you know that Woodley Gardens has an award-winning Garden Club? They meet monthly in members' homes from September through May, and have programs on gardening and landscaping topics. They also engage in garden related community services.

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Recommended
This page has recommendations of our neighbors for various home-related services. Post to the email list or send direct to me if you have additions.

Neighborhood Directory
In case you need one: Directory Updates Form (return to Patti Sorini at 706 Smallwood)

City News
Here's the latest news from the City of Rockville and a list ofupcoming Mayor and Council meetings.

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Past news

February 2007 newsletter

Montgomery College Capital Budget Notes and Montgomery College Fact Sheet. The College received only $1.2 million (of an anticipated $27 million for a new Science Center) in the Governor’s FY 2008 budget and is requesting help from the community to advocate for urgently needed funding. Details of who to write to/call are in the newsletter.

Minutes from 9/17/2006 general membership meeting (Word doc) -- thanks to Kay McMahon.

Snow Removal Note
When enough snow falls to warrant plowing, City of Rockville residents are asked to park off the street so the roads can be plowed. If that is not possible, please park on the even-numbered side of the street. After the odd-numbered side has been plowed, cars should be moved to that side so the even side can be plowed. Otherwise, there is no way plows can do both sides of the street up to the curb.

If you have any photos you'd like to share (especially anything seasonal for the space above), send them over, to htriolo at this domain (or drop off at 606 Mannakee).