Gaithersburg Mayor & Council holding public hearing on Rio Lakefront apartment proposal tonight

The Mayor and Council of Gaithersburg will hold a public hearing tonight, January 5, 2026, on the proposal to build up to 500 apartment units at the Rio Lakefront development in Gaithersburg at 7:30 PM. Under the plan, new residential buildings would be constructed on the other side of the development's lake, between the boardwalk and I-270. Public comment submitted to the City has been trending negative toward the proposal. One factor not helping win public support is the generic architecture being shown at this stage, which resembles numerous other recent apartment buildings in many places in our region (what do you call those tacky facade "frames" that are on virtually every new building these days?), and does not mesh well with the existing structures on the opposite side of the lake.

Yamil Hernández elected VP of Gaithersburg City Council

Gaithersburg City Councilmember Yamil Hernández has been elected Vice-President of the body by his colleagues for a one-year term. Hernández was elected to the Council in 2023. As VP, he will stand in for Mayor Jud Ashman during any absence by the executive. In his first year on the Council, Hernández took on the responsibility of serving as Council liaison to the Environmental Affairs Committee. In his private career, he is the Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder of ExeGi Pharma. 

Photo courtesy City of Gaithersburg

Public hearing on Lakeforest Mall redevelopment agreement tonight in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg's Mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 7:30 PM, at 16 S. Summit Avenue, regarding the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) for Lakeforest Redevelopment, LLC. This is in relation to the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site. A DRRA provides for "the creation of an agreement that can provide certainty and stability to developers, while allowing the City to negotiate enhanced public benefits in return," the City said in a statement. "A DRRA aims to enhance development flexibility, innovation, and quality, while ensuring the protection of public interests, health, safety, and welfare."

Gaithersburg appoints new city attorney

The City of Gaithersburg has found a new City Attorney. Darnell E. Ingram has been appointed to the post by the Mayor and Council. He will officially assume the position on May 1, 2024.  Ingram has held many positions in the City of Baltimore, most recently as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for the Department of Public Works. 

“I’m thrilled to join Gaithersburg as the new City Attorney,” Ingram said in a statement. “My passion for equity and strategic partnership aligns perfectly with the City and its vision and mission. I look forward to working with my new colleagues and beginning a new journey in Gaithersburg.” 

Photo courtesy City of Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City Council eases path to approval of Guapo's dining pier at Rio Lakefront

Gaithersburg's City Council voted 3-2 to shorten the approval process for a proposed dining pier at Guapo's at Rio Lakefront at their meeting last night. Councilmembers Neil Harris, Lisa Henderson, and Robert Wu voted in favor of the expedited process; Councilmembers Jim McNulty and Yamil Hernández cast the dissenting votes. The majority voted to approve the first of two options, declaring the pier proposal to be a change of minor effect, and allow the Planning Commission to make the final decision on the matter. Their other option would have been to declare the proposed addition to pose a detrimental impact to the property, which would trigger a longer approval process with a public hearing, and a final vote by the Council.

Opponents, and some who voted in favor, focused on two major concerns. First, the possibility that an increasing number of restaurant tenants would seek to have their own barges on the lake, thereby blocking water views for pedestrians and other tenants. And second, the possible pedestrian conflicts with servers frequently crossing the boardwalk with trays of food.

But the horse has already left the proverbial barn on this issue from a rhetorical and legal standpoint. The Mayor and Council have already approved a similar dining pier for Copper Canyon Grill at the property. Any other tenant could now cry foul with that precedent being set, and the time for hand-wringing about the potential drawbacks was when the original Copper Canyon pier was on the table for debate.

Guapo's supporters, including Mayor Jud Ashman, said they were confident that property owner Peterson Cos. would be capable of policing these questions on its own, and would be unlikely to allow actions that were detrimental to its long-term success. Ashman added that he would like to see more outdoor dining options in the city, in general. It's likely that Peterson will also benefit from higher revenues as more barges are approved, as it will be leasing additional square footage to the tenants in question.

Jim McNulty elected VP of Gaithersburg City Council

Gaithersburg City Councilmember Jim McNulty has been elected Vice-President of the body by his colleagues. During his one-year term, McNulty will serve as President of the Council on any occasion when Mayor Jud Ashman is absent or unable to attend council proceedings. McNulty will add this responsibility to his existing assignments as liason to the city's Cultural Arts Advisory Committee and Olde Towne Advisory Committee. Outside of his government service, he is a creative director with the Gigawatt Group.

Gaithersburg election results: Harris, Hernandez, Wu on track to City Council victory

Yamil Hernandez

Tuesday was a good day to be an incumbent on the Gaithersburg City Council, and a great day to be Yamil Hernandez. Councilmembers Neil Harris and Robert Wu appear to have won reelection in unofficial City election results. Hernandez has edged out Shanika Whitehurst to potentially claim the third Council seat. Those top four candidates were in a very close race, while Daniel Lukomsky and Omodamola Williams were further back with triple digit vote totals, compared to the potential winners' 2000+ votes each. Like the City of Rockville's election yesterday, turnout was very low at 12.45%.

Hernandez, who garnered attention with a very creative online video ad campaign, tweeted that "I'm having a hard time putting into text and finding the right words to express the range of emotions I feel right now" this morning. "Gratitude* - To Gaithersburg residents for entrusting me with your vote, and this opportunity to serve you. Add in a big thank you to all the volunteers, elected officials, and supporters who guided, counseled, and worked tirelessly on our campaign." 

CASA in Action endorses Omodamola Williams for Gaithersburg City Council

CASA in Action, a 501(c)(4) organization advocating for Latino and immigrant communities in the Mid-Atlantic area, has endorsed Omodamola Williams for Gaithersburg City Council, it announced yesterday. "Omodamola Williams, a proud black man, a father, an organizer, & a renter who has experienced the consequences of failed policies -- Omodamola has made strides in fair housing for ALL Gaithersburg residents!" the organization said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. 

Williams is a community organizer for The Montgomery County Racial Equity Network (MORE). He previously served as president of Young People for Progress (YPP). He is advocating for the City of Gaithersburg to adopt rent stabilization, which is opposed by the current mayor, Jud Ashman. Williams also supports implementation of bike lanes, stronger housing code enforcement, better access to playgrounds, speed bumps and police transparency.

Williams will hold a meet-and-greet event this Saturday, October 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, at the Pavilion near City Hall. Early voting for registered voters in the City of Gaithersburg begins October 29, 2023. Election Day is November 7.

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council pave way for new Sheetz, Aldi stores at Walnut Hill with annexation vote

A new Sheetz convenience store and gas station, and a new Aldi supermarket, will soon be constructed at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, after the city's mayor and council voted unanimously to annex the retail property into the city limits last night. Several councilmembers expressed their optimism and excitement about revitalizing the shopping center, which has suffered a drop in customer traffic since anchor tenant Weis Markets closed in 2020. Walnut Hill's owners have said the revenue from a Sheetz store is needed to finance the property improvements Aldi requires, and the more business-friendly zoning of the City of Gaithersburg was needed to allow the Sheetz.

Concerns about the proximity of the proposed Sheetz to the just-opened Sheetz at MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue were lessened, after the business model of the convenience store chain was clarified to city officials. Those who travel the highways in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and - more recently - Maryland are familiar with passing multiple Sheetz, Wawa, Royal Farms, Dash-In, etc. stores along the way.

The mayor and council voted unanimously at the end of last night's meeting to approve both agenda items related to the annexation of the shopping center, which now becomes part of the city. They approved the formal annexation petition, as well as a separate resolution that authorizes the City Manager to negotiate an annexation agreement with the owners of Walnut Hill, and of a vacant lot at 8939 Westland Drive.

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council to vote on annexation of Walnut Hill Shopping Center into City tonight

The Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue hopes to soon count an Aldi grocery store, and a Sheetz convenience store and gas station, among its tenants. To achieve this, it must first be annexed into the City of Gaithersburg, which has the zoning allowances required for Sheetz that Montgomery County does not. Walnut Hill's owners have argued that the income from the prospective Sheetz store is necessary to fund the property improvements needed to meet the needs of Aldi. The long-awaited annexation decision is on Mayor and Council meeting agenda for tonight, Monday, October 16, 2023 at 7:30 PM at City Hall.

This past summer, the City's Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Mayor and Council approve the annexation. City staff has asked the Mayor and Council to vote tonight on the annexation petition, and a separate resolution that will authorize the City Manager to negotiate an annexation agreement with the owners of Walnut Hill, and of a vacant lot at 8939 Westland Drive. Both measures are expected to pass.

Sheetz "highly impressed with the performance" of its first Montgomery County store in Gaithersburg

Sheetz says it is "highly impressed with the performance" of its first store in Montgomery County, which opened in August at 751 Progress Way in Gaithersburg. The rapidly-growing convenience store and mega gas station chain provided its impression of the early financial success of the store in a new memo to the Gaithersburg Mayor and Council, which provided answers to questions raised at a previous public hearing regarding its planned second store at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center. In the unsigned memo, the company also expressed its appreciation for the support it has received from the City and the public, as it enters the Montgomery County market. 

The Altoona, Pennsylvania-based chain also reports 350 people attended the grand opening. In addition to the $2500 donations it made to Special Olympics Maryland and Feeding America that day, Sheetz says it has now made a second $6000 donation to SOM, which was generated by proceeds from its special discount fuel promotion during the grand opening period.

Gaithersburg has provided a welcoming launch point for the chain, as its zoning is friendlier to Sheetz than Montgomery County's, as well as to its fellow Pennsylvania competitor, Wawa. That is why both firms are launching their entry into Montgomery County within its city limits. It's also why the Walnut Hill Shopping Center is seeking annexation into the City, so that it can add the Sheetz store to its property.

Sheetz says its Walnut Hill store will be smaller and have less gas pumps, due to its closer proximity to a residential neighborhood than its Progress Way store - although that store was also smaller than the typical Sheetz operation found on major highways. It predicts that there is enough drive-by traffic on I-270 and MD 355 to support both Sheetz locations. Sheetz also believes that the lack of fast food restaurants in the immediate proximity of Walnut Hill provides demand for its quick-service fresh food operations. An attorney representing Walnut Hill Shopping Center, in separate correspondence to the Mayor and Council on September 19, says that the revenue provided by the Sheetz store will cover the cost of needed upgrades to the property.

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade canceled for 2023

The Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade scheduled to take place this afternoon, September 4, 2023, has been canceled. Mayor Jud Ashman announced the cancellation Sunday. He said the reason for the cancellation was the high temperatures forecast for today. Accuweather predicted a high of 98 degrees for the day. The parade will not be rescheduled.

Gaithersburg City Council candidates finalized ahead of November 7, 2023 election

The Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Elections has certified the candidacies of six residents for the November 7, 2023 City Council election. Candidates for the three open City Council seats will be Neil Harris, Yamil Hernández, Daniel Lukomsky, Shanika Whitehurst, Omodamola Williams, and Robert Wu. The three winners will serve 4-year terms. If you are a City resident, you will receive a voter's guide in the mail in mid-September. A sample ballot will be mailed in late October.

If you are registered to vote in Montgomery County, you are automatically registered to vote in City of Gaithersburg elections, and you will receive a mail-in ballot application in the mail. For information on voter eligibility contact the Montgomery County Board of Elections, or call 240-777-VOTE (8683).

The Activity Center at Bohrer Park is the only polling place where registered voters will be able to vote in person. Early Voting will take place at the Activity Center on Sunday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The polling place will be open again on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council to vote on resolution denying proposed car wash on MD 355 tonight

Gaithersburg residents have shifted the debate over a proposed car wash that would replace two single-family homes at 605 and 607 South Frederick Avenue, and an undeveloped plot at 601 South Frederick. After residents launched a campaign to oppose approval of the car wash, and the Mayor and Council discussed the project and the feedback from all stakeholders, city staff has now drawn up a resolution denying approval of the site plan.

Issues raised by the community, of which ten residents spoke at the March 21, 2022 public hearing, included traffic back-ups, and noise and light concerns. The proximity of a stream to the properties, and the proposed location of a retaining wall relative to the stream's buffer zone, also generated environmental impact concerns. 

Staff found that the car wash would not fit with the residential character of the location, which is how the city's master plan currently characterizes it. A car wash would not foster "an attractive and cohesive development pattern" for that area, the staff report asserts, as it would create a more "vehicle-intensive use" and include a structure larger than anything currently around it. The side street, Central Avenue, is residential and could not handle the traffic volumes of the car wash curb cuts on that side of the property, staff concluded.

The two homes that would be demolished are old enough that they cannot be demolished without a review of their historical significance, the staff report notes. Overall, staff concluded, the project is not in "the public interest," based on negative community feedback, and increased traffic and environmental impacts. 

The Mayor and Council will consider the resolution of denial at their meeting tonight, June 21, 2022. 

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council to be briefed on MD 355 Flash BRT tonight

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will deliver a presentation on the MD 355 Flash Bus Rapid Transit line project before Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council tonight, May 23, 2022. MCDOT representatives are expected to tell officials that the project is 25% through the preliminary engineering and design phase. They will also preview a design proposal for a new Lakeforest Mall transit center, which would combine bus, BRT, and parking garage functions, along with retail spaces.

Construction of the BRT system is anticipated to take place between 2025 and 2028. The line would connect Clarksburg to the Bethesda Metro station.

Image via MCDOT

Gaithersburg Mayor & Council to discuss new Parklands development, controversial car wash tonight

Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council will discuss a proposed multifamily development on the Stevenson and Metgrove properties adjacent to the never-built Parklands town center and CSX railroad along Metropolitan Grove Road at their public meeting tonight, May 16, 2022 at 7:30 PM. A developer has proposed building up to 287 residential units on the properties, and an amenity space alongside the CSX right-of-way. The units may include townhomes, 2 over 2 townhomes, and/or triplexes, with heights ranging from 4 to 5 stories. Amenities proposed include a clubhouse, pool and railroad noise barrier.

No final decision on the project will be made tonight. The purpose is for discussion only. Also on the agenda tonight is a controversial car wash proposal that would replace two single family homes and a third plot of land at 601, 605, and 607 S. Frederick Avenue. Again, this will be a discussion, with no final vote scheduled for this evening.

Gaithersburg Shopping Center owner seeks rezoning for mixed-use residential buildings

Kimco Realty is seeking approval of a redevelopment concept plan and height waiver that would allow it to construct two residential apartment buildings on the site of its Gaithersburg Shopping Center property at 18501 N. Frederick Avenue. The retail center is across MD 355 from the Spectrum development. Two proposed buildings would hold a told of 580 residential units, and ground floor retail and restaurant space. A small park space, and a rain garden at the corner of MD 355 and Travis Avenue would create "a signature gateway landscape experience."

Although the buildings would not exceed the 6-story height limit in that area, because of the topography of the site, the six stories would exceed the 65' height cap. As such, Kimco is seeking a waiver from the city to exceed that height cap. City planning staff approves of the granting of a waiver, and of all other arguments made by Kimco for the value of the project, and of its compliance with master plan considerations. 

Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council will consider the concept plan application and waiver request at its meeting tonight, April 4, 2022 at 7:30 PM. Staff recommends approval of the application and waiver request.

Gaithersburg homes could be replaced by car wash

Two single-family homes on MD 355 in Gaithersburg could be demolished and replaced by a car wash, if the proposal is approved by city officials. Crain Partners, LLC of Bowie has submitted an application seeking approval of the site plan for a 5,617 square foot automatic car wash facility at 601, 605 and 607 South Frederick Avenue from the City. 605 and 607 are the house properties; 601 is undeveloped land at the corner of MD 355 and Central Avenue. The properties are backed by a stream that has a wetland buffer zone.

New ingress-egress curb cuts would be added on the Central Avenue side of the property for the car wash. A 3' retaining wall would be constructed along the parking spaces and drive aisle on the site. 18 vacuum stations would be provided for customers. A 16'x11' dumpster enclosure would hide a refuse dumpster. And three micro-bioretention planter boxes would assist in stormwater management. Crain Partners has agreed to donate part of the property along Central Avenue, as required by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, to meet right-of-way requirements for that street.

Proposed site plan

Some car washes in the county have had issues with backed-up lines spilling out into traffic lanes. Gaithersburg has a 200' stacking length guidance for car wash lanes. Crain Partners has proposed going above and beyond what it is required to offer, by providing two lanes that will total 510' of stacking length. The required 23 parking spaces will also be provided under the site plan, but the applicant will seek waivers for parking space dimensions and parking green space requirements at a later date.

Crain Partners has proposed planting 9 trees and 46 shrubs on the site. The applicant is seeking an environmental waiver related to the retaining wall facing the stream buffer. While the walls will not be built within the buffer zone, workers and their equipment will need to be on the buffer zone land for temporary periods to construct and maintain the walls.

A public hearing on the car wash proposal will be held tonight, March 21, 2022, by the Mayor and Council at 7:30 PM. Because this is the initial hearing on the matter, city staff will not make a recommendation on the proposal at this juncture.

Harris elected VP of Gaithersburg City Council

Gaithersburg City Councilmember Neil Harris has been chosen by his colleagues to serve a one year term as Vice-President of the City Council. Harris has served on the Council since 2014. The software/IT executive will act as president if the Mayor cannot be present at a proceeding.

Gaithersburg election results 2021

Incumbent Mayor Jud Ashman
cruises to victory in unofficial results

The City of Gaithersburg Elections Clerk has announced the unofficial results of the 2021 election for mayor and City Council. Incumbent Mayor Jud Ashman overwhelmingly won reelection over challenger Stephen Escobar, 81.42% to 18.58%. 

Lisa Henderson has received the
most votes for City Council and is
projected have won a seat in 
unofficial results

Lisa Henderson and Jim McNulty are currently on-track to win the two Council seats up for grabs in this election. Henderson received 2,632 votes (30.73%) and McNulty received 2,159 votes (25.21%). Yamil Hernández ran a spirited campaign and received 1,777 votes (20.75%). David Belgard received 1,274 votes (14.87%), and Phillip Cook received 723 votes (8.44%).

Jim McNulty received the second-highest
number of votes for City Council, and is
projected as the winner of the 2nd seat

Gaithersburg's elections are non-partisan. Once the winners have been certified, they will be sworn in at a special Mayor and Council session on November 15. The city Elections Clerk indicates that turnout for yesterday's election was 12.45%. While that is low, it is higher than the 6.54% turnout in the 2019 election, in which all races were uncontested.