Summary Notes - Neighborhoods Committee - June 2008

Summary Notes
Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board
Neighborhoods Committee
June 16, 2008 7:00 pm – Silver Spring Regional Services Center

Attending: Alan Bowser, Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board; Anita Morrison, Co-Chair, Neighborhoods Committee; Becky Reeve, Friends of the Library; Bob Colvin, East Silver Spring Citizens Association; Bob Britt; Caleb Kriesberg; Darian Unger, Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board; Daniel Beavin, Silver Spring Library; Lt Eric Burnett, Montgomery County Police Department; Gary Stith, Silver Spring Regional Center; George French, Silver Spring Historical Society; James Riley, Park Hills Civic Association; Jennifer Deseo, Silver Spring Penguin; Jennifer Nettles, Downtown Silver Spring; Jim Zepp, North Four Corners Civic Association; Jon Lourie, Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Board; Karen Roper, East Silver Spring Citizens Association; Kathlin Smith, Committee for a New Silver Spring Library; Laurie Yankowsky, Downtown Silver Spring; Linda Siegenthaler, Community for a New Silver Spring Library & Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee; Lisa Dubay, The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health; Lynn Hughes; Mary Lesar; Mary Reardon, Silver Spring Historical Society; Susan Andrea, Seven Oaks Evanswood Citizens Association; and Tamar Hendel.

Report on June Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Meeting and May Neighborhoods Committee Meeting. Alan Bowser reviewed the Neighborhoods Committee’s May agenda and recalled that the Committee received briefings by Dr. Richard Helfrich, Deputy Health Officer, Dept. of Health and Human Services. The Committee approved a letter in principle requesting the County government to consider updating the County Health Needs Assessment. At its full Board meeting in June, the Advisory Board considered library issues with briefings from County library staff. The Board also conducted its annual elections with the following results: Darian Unger, Chair; Kathy Stevens, Executive Vice Chair; Mary Pat Spon, Secretary; and Debbie Linn, Parliamentary Vice Chair. The Neighborhoods draft letter regarding County health needs assessment was not considered by the full Board.

June Public Safety Update. Lt. Eric Burnett, 3rd District, MCPD, briefed the Committee on recent public safety developments in Silver Spring. He made the following observations:

--There were two recent homicides in the Long Branch (University Blvd) area. They remain under investigation, there are no suspects.
--Last week, there was a community meeting, organized by Casa de Maryland, with the MCPD about growing gang violence in the Long Branch area.
--Robberies continued to be significant in Silver Spring.
--3rd District MCPD had made several important arrests recently.

Alan Bowser asked if MCPD could route its incoming and outgoing police cars through East Silver Spring neighborhoods so as to raise the police profile in those areas. The Committee asked questions about significant criminal activity in the Northwest Oakview Weed & Seed area, particularly in the Avery Park Apartment Complex. Lt. Burnett said that he was in regular contact with the Avery Park Apartments Community Association.

Report on the Weed & Seed Program. Alan Bowser, on behalf of Martha Waddy, presented a report on recent developments related to the Northwest Park Oakview Weed & Seed program. Her summary of Weed & Seed area developments is attached to these minutes.

The New Silver Spring Library: Next Steps. Kathlin Smith, Becky Reeve and Linda Siegenthaler briefed the Committee on the plans and the discussions that had taken place with regard to a new Silver Spring Library to be located at the corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. Materials prepared by the Committee for a New Silver Spring Library are appended to these minutes. A letter from several members of the Montgomery County Council to the County Executive about the Library and Fenton Village is also appended.

The Community for a New Silver Spring Library (CNSSL) is a group comprised of members of the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee, the Silver Spring Friends of the Library, and other concerned library patrons. They have three critical goals – 1) Getting a library for the community that is large enough and equipped properly for today’s needs and has room to grow; 2) Getting that adequate library as quickly as possible -- December 2010 should be the opening; and 3) Ensuring that any design options for the site (selected nearly ten years ago solely for the new library) prioritizes library requirements over those of facilities which may share the site.

Among the key questions posed by the “Community” are:

1. How large can the new library be? Are there any absolute limits based on other goals?
2. What are the other goals and when were they publicly debated and decided?
3. Will the County Council ensure that the Program of Requirements is updated within the next month to more accurately reflect the demographics and needs of Silver Spring?
4. What trade-offs do elected officials believe must be considered in the design of the new library? Again, please clarify when any decisions that will impact the new library’s size and design were publicly discussed and decided.
5. What is the Council’s commitment to ensuring real public participation in the design process?
6. Can we get our new library open by December 2010? If not, why not?

The CNSSL has suggested the following elements in a new library:

• Early Children’s Literacy Center – In keeping with the Maryland State Department of Education state-wide effort to promote school readiness using libraries, it is critical that the new library contain a large children’s area with room for varied learning experiences for younger children.

• Arts Community Connection – As a designated Arts District, the community would welcome establishing connections to the arts community through regular programming of all forms of the arts.

• Enhanced Electronic Resource Center/Business Center – The new library must have more computers. Given the downtown location and the demographics of Silver Spring, we would like to see a more comprehensive set of digital media and software resource services offered.

• Green Roof – The new building offers a wonderful opportunity to provide a green roof that could be used to educate children and the community about gardening; that would provide a beautiful and natural oasis for lunchtime and other patrons; that would enhance the environmentally friendly design of the building; and that might be a good location for a coffee bar.

• Designated and Enhanced Foreign Language Center/Collection – It is critical that the new library accommodate the languages spoken in the homes of many Silver Spring residents and the efforts of Silver Spring schools to teach native English speakers foreign languages so that they can be competitive in the global economy.

• Coffee Bar – A coffee bar would be a wonderful addition to the library space. It could either be in/on the building itself, or adjacent to it.

Next Steps. Montgomery County will organize a “charrette” for community input into the design of the library site in early Fall 2008. The County Library Department will convene three public meetings, possibly in July, August, and September, to solicit community input for a revised Program of Requirements for the new library.

Historic Preservation Update. Mary Reardon, Silver Spring Historical Society, reported that the Montgomery County Planning Board will consider historic designation of the Falklands Apartment at a meeting to be held in July. A developer has proposed the demolition of the portion of the Falklands apartments located north of East-West Highway and the construction of new high-rise residential buildings with ground floor retail. The 8.99 acre property is zoned CBD-R1. The new project would include approximately 1,010 new apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail uses, including a new grocery store. The Falklands are listed on the Locational Atlas and Index of Historic Sites (Resource #36-12). A decision must be made about whether or not to designate this site on the Master Plan for Historic Preservation prior to any redevelopment.

The Silver Spring Historical Society website is located at http://silverspringhistory.homestead.com/

Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Next Meeting. The next meeting of the Neighborhoods Committee will be held on Monday, July 21, 2008.


The Northwest Park Oakview Weed and Seed (NPOWS)
Activities Update to the Silver Spring Citizen’s Advisory Board
Neighborhood Committee
June 16, 2008
Submitted by: Martha Waddy, Steering Committee Member

A. WEEDING ACTIVITES

I. Law Enforcement

1. Montgomery County Police: There have been a total of 258 incidents of crime reported on the Montgomery County side of the Weed & Seed Area from January 5, 2008 through May 31, 2008 Summarized by crimereports.com as follows:

6 Theft 21 Vehicle Thefts 34 Assaults (2 w/deadly weapons) 2 Quality of Life/Liquor
24 Burglaries 35 Vehicle Burglaries 51 Quality of Life/Disorderly 58 Traffic
8 Robberies 2 Sex Offense – Rape 6 Quality of Life/Narcotics 6 Other – Alarm
2 Deaths 1 Weapon

2. 123 of the 258 Montgomery County incidents were generated from the Avery Park Apartment Community and Northwest Park Apartment Community. Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Vehicle Burglaries continue to top the three most reported crimes in the Montgomery County area.

II. Community Policing

1. Weed & Seed, State’s Attorney’s Office, Montgomery County Police, supported the following community meetings:

1. The Oakview Citizens Association Meeting: May 28, 2008
2. The Hamptons HOA Executive Board Meeting: June 5, 2008
3. The Northwest Park Apartment Community Meeting: June 6, 2008

2. The Chateau Apartment Community has requested that a presentation geared towards public safety be presented to residents during the month of July.
3. The Avery Park Neighborhood Watch Program is planning a meeting during the month of June.

B. SEEDING ACTIVIES

III. Prevention/Intervention/Treatment
1. The Weed & Seed Truancy Prevention Task Force held its second workshop with parents on May 20, 2008. About 20 parents from multiple countries of origin listened to the presentation provided by Virginia Del Los Santos, the Principal at White Oak Middle School.

2. Impact Silver Spring in partnership with CSAFE and the Weed & Seed Program held its final Renters Exchange activity on May 22, 2008. A debrief was held on June 9th at the office of Impact Silver Spring to discuss lessons learned and next steps.

3. The Weed & Seed Program and the Department of Economic Development held a workshop on June 2nd, 2008, for residents at the Chateau Apartment Complex presenting “how to start or expand a business in Montgomery County. A mixture of residents showed up including a business owner who owned a Nursing Staffing Business, and a Husband and Wife who were MCPS Teachers starting a restaurant in College Park Maryland.

4. Weed & Seed funding assisted Broad Acres Elementary School in holding an International Night event with families and students on May 20, 2008. Over 250 parents, children and staff participated in the event.


5. Weed & Seed assisted the State’s Attorney’s Office in the organization and fund raising for a School’s Out Soccer Tournament held on June 12-13, 2008. Children and Youth from the Weed & Seed area were transported to the Germantown Soccer-plex to participate in the two day event.

IV. Neighborhood Restoration

1. The Turning Point Mural, rumored to be the largest public art project in the State of Maryland, will be dedicated on June 17, 2008.
2. The Nuisance Abatement Task Force continues to receive complaints from Oakview Residents. James Savage, County Attorney’s Office, is working with DHCA to implement an expedited process for cleaning up vacant properties falling victim to the Foreclosure Crisis. The Task Force continues to receive complaints from Oakview residents concerning Nuisances in their community. On June 11, 2008, a resident attended the Task Force meeting providing feedback on the effectiveness of the Nuisance Abatement Initiative.
3. The Broad Acres Park Renovation continues to make progress. Parks & Planning in collaboration with Broad Acres Elementary School has completed tile art work that will be installed in the plaza section of the park.
4. The Hampton’s Homeowners have requested input on how to stop vandals from destroying the fence separating the Avery Park Apartment Community from the Hamptons Homeowners. They exploring options from public art similar to the Turning Point Mural to mounting security cameras.
5. Weed & Seed will be meeting with Neighborhood Revitalization of DHCA to strategize on other revitalization projects.


Community for a New Silver Spring Library -- Letter to County Council

June 9, 2008

Mr. Mike Knapp
Montgomery County Council President
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850

Dear Council President Knapp and Council Members:

The Community for a New Silver Spring Library (CNSSL) is a group comprised of members of the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee, the Silver Spring Friends of the Library, and other concerned library patrons. We have three critical goals – 1) Getting a library for our community that is large enough and equipped properly for today’s needs and has room to grow; 2) Getting that adequate library as quickly as possible -- December 2010 should be the opening; and 3) Ensuring that any design options for the site (selected nearly ten years ago solely for the new library) prioritizes library requirements over those of facilities which may share the site. We have testified twice before the Council (February 7, 2006 and February 5, 2008) regarding our frustrations with the delays in the process and the need for a larger library than currently envisioned. Included with this letter is a timeline of key events for your reference.

As the timeline clearly shows, many in the Silver Spring community have worked diligently for a new library since 1997. At that time, the Redevelopment Steering Committee and community groups fully endorsed funding a new, urban library as part of the Civic Center. By 2001, the idea of combining the library with the Civic Center was changed in favor of a stand alone library. The 2001 Site Selection Committee determined that the planned site (the southwest corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street) was the best one for the new library.

It is important to note that, had action been taken in 2002 or 2003, the costs of the land acquisition and building the new library would have been significantly lower than today. In addition, efforts by the state and others to use the land purchased for the library for other purposes such as the Purple Line would not be threatening the goal of an appropriately designed and sized library. We are disturbed that the latest exchanges between the Council and the County Executive seem to be holding the library hostage to the resolution of a debate over Fenton Village zoning issues. There have been real costs due to the delays Silver Spring has already endured and we strongly urge you to push to end the delays and to open our new library by December of 2010. We also insist that the library be the centerpiece and priority in all design efforts. This land was purchased for the library, which is what the community consistently supported for over a decade.

Sadly, it is also worth noting that the main complaint in 1997 is the same one we have today – the current library is simply too small. Despite the best efforts of a very dedicated and hard working staff, the services to the community continue to decline because of the inadequate size and equipment of the existing library. This problem has only been exacerbated in the ensuing decade and will continue to get worse. We are proud to have a diverse and expanding community in Silver Spring. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) provided a demographic update for the new library on 24 January 2008 which makes it clear that the assumptions that went into the last Program of Requirements (POR) (September 2005) are out-of-date and will lead to a new library that will be too small when built.

We urge you to insist on a revised plan that clearly accommodates the library requirements of our large and growing community. On the first page of Chapter One of the latest POR, it says that, “Based upon the demographics of the community, the following services and materials are needed to meet the needs of users…” and on pages 9 and 10 detailed demographic data is included, but the actual updated demographics of our community have not been used. The Program of Requirements determines the basic size of the library needed and is, therefore, critical to preparing any designs for the library and the site as a whole.

As we have examined the Program of Requirements, there are a number of areas where we believe too little space is planned. Here are a few of those areas:

• The new Rockville Library was designed to meet the needs of 53,000 people at 44,670 gross square feet. Silver Spring will serve 86,500 residents today, and that number will grow, but is only planned for 38,440 square feet. Clearly, with 39% more people to serve today, a larger library will be needed. M-NCCP anticipates further growth to nearly 100,000 residents to be served by 2010, when we hope the library will open.

• On page 28 of the POR, we are told that Silver Spring traditionally has higher in-house material use than other libraries in the County (footnote 8), yet the Adult Reading Area is only scheduled to be 1,600 square feet while the adult reading area in Germantown was scheduled to be 3,500 square feet and Rockville’s was scheduled to be 3,560 square feet. Clearly this at least 50% too small.

• One critical area of concern is the number of computers that will be available to the public. The POR indicates on page 64 that there are 17 public computers currently available, but it is our understanding from the Silver Spring Library staff that there are only 10 on which the public can access the internet or use word processing and other software, along with 2 dedicated to the children’s area and 2 that are for 15 minute, express use only. These computers are in constant use and wait times are far too long. On May 21st, patrons were literally waiting two-and-a-half hours to use the computers. The POR only plans on 21 public computers. That is simply not enough for a community where many families do not own home computers or have quiet spaces for work/study available. In addition, it is critical that some computers and study rooms be available for English language training as this is a service in high demand in Silver Spring.

• On page 30 of the POR, we are told that Silver Spring has the largest periodical collection in a community library and that “The collection is popular and heavily used.” With a location in the Central Business District, it is anticipated that the periodical collection will get even more use during lunch hours. The planned size for the collection is only 1,360 square feet, however, when Germantown was planned for 2,100 and Rockville 2,500. Once again, it is clear that the plans are at least 50% too small.

• On page 11 of the POR, we are told that “After moving to a larger facility with space for a larger collection and with adequate parking, use – as measured in circulation – is expected to grow to match libraries of similar size.” Once again, however, that analysis is not followed up by providing adequate space. Instead, the Adult Circulating Collection is given only 3,400 square feet while Germantown was given 5,000 square feet and Rockville 5,260 square feet.

• Again on page 11, we are told that the Silver Spring library’s meeting rooms, “are among the most heavily used in the County.” The new library plan only asks for 2,000 square feet while both Germantown and Rockville had 3,190 square feet planned.

• We were also disturbed to see that no space was planned for a children’s quiet study room or for a children’s “Discovery Center”, even though Germantown has 360 and 400 square feet devoted to these purposes.

• We also noted that the Special Display Area is only planned to be 50 square feet, while Germantown was planned to have 160 square feet. As a designated Arts District, we would like to see community art displayed at our library. It makes no sense to us that our new library would only have one-third of the space Germantown has for such displays. Particularly as we already know that we will need 5x16 feet for installation of the “The Old Tavern” mural.

• On page 13, the POR indicates that a single story building is desirable, “A level site, which can accommodate the library program in a single story building, is desirable.” It is not at all clear to the community why this would be so. We are open to seeing multiple design options, as long as they provide us with a large enough library. We are opposed to being forced to accept a Purple Line cutting through the ground floor space of the library and constraining design options. While not our primary issue, we do not see the logic of having the Purple Line routed on busy surface streets in the Central Business District.

• The POR calls for limited on-site parking for handicapped and families with small children. We believe that this is appropriate, but recommend consideration of a pedestrian access bridge over Wayne Avenuefrom the Wayne Avenue Garage for patron safety and addition of on-site parking for the staff.

These are just a few of our specific concerns with the 2005 POR. We hope that you will thoroughly analyze the existing Program of Requirements as well and insist it be revised to reflect the reality of our community’s demographics and usage needs. Such a revision should be a top priority for the Library Department and completed quickly to ensure no further delays.

In addition, we believe that several new program areas should be considered for inclusion in our new library, including the following:

• Early Children’s Literacy Center – In keeping with the Maryland State Department of Education state-wide effort to promote school readiness using libraries, it is critical that the new library contain a large children’s area with room for varied learning experiences for younger children. For example, group reading sessions, book sharing, chanting rhymes and songs, and regular dialogue with children would continue to be part of the children’s program. In addition, throughout the children’s area, there would be small, self-service, child-size areas with other learning stimuli like magnetic boards, alphabet magnets, puppets, small puzzles, and trains. This encourages children to roam the collection and stop to interact with other children or adults using these stimuli. Ideally, the children’s area will be accessible through a creative, child size entry space (some libraries have small tunnels, fake castle doors, etc.).

• Arts Community Connection – As a designated Arts District, the community would welcome establishing connections to the arts community through regular programming of all forms of the arts.

• Enhanced Electronic Resource Center/Business Center – The new library must have more computers. Given the downtown location and the demographics of Silver Spring, we would like to see a more comprehensive set of digital media and software resource services offered. There must be space for teaching individuals and groups how to use technology. A lab that could also be made available to local businesses would benefit everyone. In addition, digital media should be available so that patrons can learn and use advanced publishing software, photography/brochure making programs, and color printers. Silver Spring has a large small business and entrepreneurial business population, as well as many families that do not own computers. The basic reference and electronic resources that are critical to success in the modern business world must be available to allow our citizens to thrive.

• Green Roof – The new building offers a wonderful opportunity to provide a green roof that could be used to educate children and the community about gardening; that would provide a beautiful and natural oasis for lunchtime and other patrons; that would enhance the environmentally friendly design of the building; and that might be a good location for a coffee bar.

• Designated and Enhanced Foreign Language Center/Collection – It is critical that the new library accommodate the languages spoken in the homes of many Silver Spring residents and the efforts of Silver Spring schools to teach native English speakers foreign languages so that they can be competitive in the global economy. We have a large French speaking community and a French immersion program at Silver Spring International, but only a small French collection. There must be space for expanding this, as well as other foreign language collections and learning materials.

• Coffee Bar – A coffee bar would be a wonderful addition to the library space. It could either be in/on the building itself, or adjacent to it.

These are all programmatic ideas that would enhance our new library and that we hope will be incorporated in the plans for the new library. We believe others in the community will have additional ideas and hope you will work with us ensure that the community has an active role in determining the scope of the library. Much of the data that was gathered initially to define the new library is outdated. Therefore, it is vital that the design process occur at times when diverse elements of the community can participate.

Last, we as citizens have question about this process and the way forward. To date, we do not feel that communication between County government and the community has been adequate regarding plans for the new library. We hope you will be able to answer the below questions and allay some of our concerns.

Key Questions:

7. How large can the new library be? Are there any absolute limits based on other goals?
8. What are the other goals and when were they publicly debated and decided?
9. Will you ensure that the Program of Requirements is updated within the next month to more accurately reflect the demographics and needs of Silver Spring?
10. What trade-offs do elected officials believe must be considered in the design of the new library? Again, please clarify when any decisions that will impact the new library’s size and design were publicly discussed and decided.
11. What is your commitment to ensuring real public participation in the design process?
12. Can we get our new library open by December 2010? If not, why not?

We recognize that the new library is a major undertaking, but we hope that you will understand that after over a decade, we are no longer content to see it further delayed nor to support a plan that only gives us a fraction of the library that we need. The County Executive, the County Council, and the Library Department have all claimed that they support our new library, we hope those words will be supported with an aggressive effort to build a library large enough for our community by December 2010.

We look forward to you answers to our questions and to working with you to build Silver Spring a new library that meets our needs and of which we can all be proud.

Sincerely,


Erin Marie Logan
Chair
8715 1st Avenue, #1122 C
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-585-4828





Committee for a New Silver Spring Library – History of the New Silver Spring Library.

History of the New Silver Spring Library

In 1998, the Facilities Work Group of the Revitalization Steering Committee voted to include a new library in the new Civic Building planned for downtown Silver Spring. County Executive Duncan indicated that he supported a new library eventually, but not one housed in the Civic Building.

In September of 1999, after getting funds from the Montgomery County Council, a Silver Spring Library Planning Committee began meetings to define the community’s needs for a new library. The Committee was composed of Silver Spring residents who represented various civic associations in the library service area, ethnic groups, the Silver Spring Friends of the Library, the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee, and the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. They met with representatives of the public schools, the Park and Planning Commission, the Regional Services Center, the Woodside Forest Civic Association, and the Library Department.
The Council of Presidents of Silver Spring Civic Associations and the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee also initiated a library patron survey in the fall of 1999. Responses were gathered using Civic Association newsletters and at the library. The patron survey indicated that 97% of Silver Spring library patrons wanted a new library.

In February of 2000, a professional and scientific telephone survey of the community was done.

In April and July of 2000, public hearings were held to solicit additional input from the community.

In August of 2000, after 11 months of gathering and analyzing information, the Committee produced a final report with recommendations, Community Based Library Services Plan for the Silver Spring Library. This Plan detailed an initial program of requirements for the new library, along with significant demographic data and community inputs.

In the fall of 2000, funding was provided to move from the draft requirements in the Plan to identifying suitable sites for the new library. The Silver Spring Regional Center formed a Site Selection Committee composed of representatives of civic associations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Board, the Silver Spring Friends of the Library, the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee, and persons with disabilities. The Site Selection Committee was assisted by staff from the Regional Center and the Department of Libraries.

In September of 2001, after reviewing 20 sites, the Site Selection Committee issued their final report (Silver Spring Library Site Selection Recommendation) with a comparative evaluation of 6 sites, including the current library site, and a final recommendation favoring the southwest corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

In February of 2002, the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee testified before the Montgomery County Council to urge acceleration of the funding for the new library. Plans at the time did not foresee beginning design until FY08.

In August of 2003, the Department of Public Libraries released its Final-Revised Program of Requirements for the new library. This detailed what is needed and desired in the new library.

In February of 2004, the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee again testified before the Montgomery County Council to urge acceleration of the funding for the new library to earlier than FY08.

In the spring of 2004, the Montgomery County Council revised the FY05-FY10 CIP submitted by the County Executive to begin design funding of the new library in FY07 with $282,000 and approved the site selected.
In addition, the Council included $50,000 in FY03 and FY04 to examine issues surrounding the new library.

In March 2005, the Department of Libraries released its Final-Revised Program of Requirements for the new library. Updating the August 2003 report detailing of what is needed and desired in the new library. The POR was again updated September of 2005, which is the current, working version.

In April of 2005, the proposed acquisition of the site went through mandatory referral to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

In the remainder of 2005, the County Executive’s office hired appraisers to assess the value of each of the 7 properties privately held on the proposed site (the 8th property is a condemned apartment building already owned by the county) and issued offer letters to each owner. By the end of the year, each owner had indicated their willingness to sell their property to the county. In November of 2005, new library advocates were told that the next step would be to complete the actual sales with each owner and that this would take approximately 6 months.

In January of 2006, County Executive Duncan submitted his FY07-FY12 CIP, which moved the $282,000 in initial design funds for the new library back to FY09. This CIP also provided $11.44 million for the supervision and purchase of the land in FY07.

In February of 2006, Community for a New Silver Spring Library and the Silver Spring Library Advisory Committee testified before the Montgomery County Council to ask that the design funding be restored to FY07.
On March 6, 2006, the HHS Committee of the Montgomery County Council voted to keep the New Silver Spring Library on track and restore the design funding. On March 21, 2006 the full Council endorsed this recommendation and restored the design funding, a decision that was sustained in the May 2006 final reconciliation.

Throughout 2007, the County acquired four properties needed for the new library site (the County already owns one site). Unfortunately, that left three properties on the new library site still in the hands of private owners. New library advocates were told that no design efforts could begin until the land was acquired.

In January 2008, Community for a New Silver Spring Library was told by the County Executive’s office that the process for acquiring the remaining three sites was still underway. In addition, demolition was about to begin for two of the buildings on the library site. Again, new library advocates were told that until all of the land was acquired, design could not begin.

In February of 2008, Community for a New Silver Spring Library testified before the Montgomery County Council to ask that funding be sustained in the FY09-FY14 CIP, that a larger library be considered (based on updated demographic information provided by M-NCPPC), that the public be part of the design process, and that the library be given primary consideration in any design plans.

On April 24, 2008, The County Executive’s Chief Administrative Officer, Timothy L. Firestine, sent the County Council a Memorandum indicating that the County Executive believed the new Silver Spring Library should be a single use building, but that the site as a whole would accommodate 118 housing units, of which 30% would be affordable housing, 30% would be workforce, and 40% would be market rate.

On April 29, 2008, the Health and Human Services Committee of the County Council expressed concerns over the design and plans for the new library, but also recommended providing a supplemental $5 million for the final land acquisition.

On May 2, 2008, Council President Knapp and Members Ervin, Erlich, Berliner, and Leventhal sent a Memorandum to the County Executive raising a number of questions about the development of Fenton Village and, as a consequence, recommending a delay in the provision of library design funds.

On May 6, 2008, the County Executive replied to the Council indicating that questions about Fenton Village zoning are among the reasons why he recommends going forward with a stand alone library, so that the library can proceed while other issues are debated and worked through. He also pointed out that dual-use buildings generally take as much as two years longer to complete than single-use buildings.

On May 6th, the County Council adopted the following language for the FY09-14 CIP:
Funds appropriated for this project in FY09 or previously must be used to develop multiple concept designs for mixed use of the complete parcel of land purchased through this PDF for the Silver Spring Library. Alternative concepts must include a single mixed-use building that includes the library, affordable housing, retail, arts, and community use; at least one option that maximizes density under current zoning; and options for use of any remaining space, such as park or green space, public plaza, and retail. Concepts must also accommodate future development of the Purple Line with alternatives for the relationship of the building or buildings to the Purple Line. Each concept must show how it integrates with the sector plan vision for Fenton Village. Concepts must be developed through a charette process for seeking and incorporating community input into the designs. The Executive must provide written progress reports to the Council by September 15, 2008, January 15, 2009, and March 15, 2009, and once at the end of conceptual design.

In addition, the full Council provided a supplemental $5 million needed to complete the land acquisition. The Council also determined not to provide any additional design funding, beyond what was already available, for any work to follow the conceptual design.

Memorandum from members of the County Council to the County Executive regarding the Silver Spring Library and Fenton Village

Memorandum


To: Isiah Leggett, County Executive
Dr. Royce Hanson, Chairman, Montgomery County Planning Board

From: Council President Michael Knapp
Councilmember Valerie Ervin
Councilmember Marc Elrich
Councilmember Roger Berliner
Councilmember George Leventhal

Date: May 2, 2008

Subject: Fenton Village and the Silver Spring Library

On April 29, the Health and Human Services Committee discussed the County Executive’s recommended FY 09-14 Capital Improvements Project (CIP) for the Silver Spring Library and whether the requested FY 09 appropriation for design should be delayed until the Council has a better opportunity to review the design concepts and discuss how the project will fit into the larger community. During the worksession, the Committee affirmed its commitment to have a state of the art library in downtown Silver Spring and approved $5 million dollars for final land acquisition. In addition, the Committee discussed numerous issues related to the planning, design, zoning, and timing of the library project, which will be located at the corner of Wayne Avenue, Fenton Street, and Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring. The Silver Spring Library site totals 60,000 square feet and its current zoning, (CBD-1), allows for a floor area ratio (FAR) of 3. The total buildable area of the site totals 180,000 gross square feet (GFA).

Executive staff presented its preliminary design (see © 1), which illustrates a stand-alone library containing an arts and community space to be constructed first and a second project, for residential and retail space. The library and arts space is approximately four stories totaling 62,000 GFA and the residential and retail component is approximately six stories totaling 118,000 GFA. This design fully utilizes the sites 180,000gsf and would build 118 residential units, including 36 MPDU, 36 workforce, and 46 market rate units.

The issues raised by the Committee include: why the County Executive was recommending constructing the building in two phases; the location and density of the
affordable and workforce housing; opportunities for green space and retail space; the connection to the Purple Line; and whether the County’s existing design process for public facilities or a design competition would result in greater community input and participation in the design process.

Representatives from the County Executive’s office reported: 1) that a two phased approach is needed because the library can be constructed more expeditiously; 2) a single mixed-use structure would delay the project because of the intricacies involved with public-private development projects; 3) that current zoning prohibits the site from achieving more density, but if the Council approved the County Executive’s sponsored Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 08-08 “Fenton Street Overlay Zone – Workforce Housing Heights” introduced on April 29, that the site could accommodate greater density and housing; and 4) that design competitions have less opportunity for public input than the County’s process for designing public facilities.

This library project is critically important to the continued success of Silver Spring and to the future development of Fenton Village. We believe that before the Council appropriates design funds for the Silver Spring Library and takes final action on ZTA 08-08 that the Council should conduct a worksession to review plans for the Fenton Village area (see © 16 for an illustration). This discussion should include a conversation about the following issues:

• How will the current and proposed zoning for Fenton Village impact its development?

We are excited by the influx of new businesses to Fenton Village, particularly along Georgia Avenue. However, we are concerned that the existing and proposed zoning for Fenton Village creates a situation where future development in the area between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street encourages a string of large buildings that tower over the low- to medium-rise shops along Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street. We want to ensure that this area can retain its small businesses while adding residential units to create a walkable, transit oriented, smart growth community. In addition, we believe that the recently approved ZTA 07-14 , which increases the Ripley District’s allowable height to 200 feet, will create denser development close to Metro which is in concert with the Annual Growth Policy’s objectives.

• What processes exist to ensure that design excellence is achieved in the development of new public and private projects?

Regarding design excellence, the 2007-2009 Annual Growth Policy states that, “Design is not an end unto itself; it is the means by which we use the forces of growth and change to achieve objectives that we mutually set.” The Policy also emphasizes the importance of design excellence in improving the County’s quality of life, economic and competitive edge, walkability, transit access and community building.

The Growth Policy’s short-term recommendations emphasize the need for Design Excellence in public facilities. A specific recommendation as it relates to CIP projects is to “…convene a design summit among different agencies involved in the design and development of public facilities to develop a consensus and commitment to design excellence as a core value in all public projects. An outcome of this design summit could be the designation of one or more upcoming CIP projects as a demonstration project to help create a CIP process that fosters design excellence.”

We believe that the Silver Spring library is a great opportunity to arrange a “design summit” which convenes a wide range of experts to produce a product that embodies design excellence.

• Is Fenton Village an area that should be considered as a pilot area for form-based zoning?

The most recent Growth Policy includes the report, “Design Excellence: Tools to Improve Growth’s Contribution to Our Quality of Life.” The report recommends that the County consider using form-based codes instead of traditional master plans for urban mixed-use centers because they can provide design guidance on a block-by-block basis and they can adapt faster to change as development occurs.

• What impact will development have on Fenton Village’s existing and new small businesses? What mechanisms exist to assist those businesses that would like to stay in the area? What programs to assist, relocate, and possibly return businesses to their old location if they must move because of construction?

Silver Spring, and particularly Fenton Village, is known for its eclectic group of homegrown small businesses. We want to do all that we can to see that the character of this neighborhood is not lost. On February 4, Councilmember Ervin hosted a small business reception with the County Executive in Fenton Village. Approximately 70 local small business representatives attended this reception. The common theme that emerged among the local small businesses representatives was that County Government has not done enough to help small businesses deal with ongoing development impacts.

While funding is not a solution for all of the issues facing local small businesses, financial assistance is crucial to helping small businesses survive and deal with ongoing development impacts. We request that County Executive staff report on the types of programs that are available and that have been successful in dealing with disruptions caused by commercial and residential development.

We would also like to receive a briefing and update on the University of Maryland’s 2005 report entitled, “Minimizing Small Business Displacement in a Revitalization Zone: The Case of Silver Spring.” The report included 24 recommendations, ranging from set-asides to preserve affordable retail space for small businesses to the creation of a Small Business Advocate Office with the County Executive branch to facilitate the exchange of information between the County and independent businesses.

We recommend that the Council delay the requested FY09 CIP appropriation for design of the Silver Spring Library until the Council has a worksession in June to review the project and before the Council takes final action on the County Executive’s ZTA 08-08. We believe this conversation is necessary to address these issues, so a comprehensive plan can be crafted that meets the multiple needs of the residents and businesses in Fenton Village and Silver Spring.

c: Timothy Firestine, Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the County Executive
Diane Schwartz Jones, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the County Executive
Kathleen Boucher, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the County Executive
Joseph Beach, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Parker Hamilton, Director, Department of Libraries
Arthur Holmes, Director, Department of Public Works and Transportation
Gary Stith, Director, Silver Spring Regional Service Center
Bruce Johnston, Director of Capital Projects, Department of Public Works and Transportation
Hamid Omidvar, Capital Projects, Department of Public Works and Transportation
Rollin Stanley, Director, Department of Planning, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Glenn Kreger, Director, Community Based Planning, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Essie McGuire, Legislative Analyst, County Council
Dr. Glenn Orlin, Deputy Director, County Council
Debbie Spielberg, Chair, Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board
Barbara Henry, Chair, Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Board