Dave & Buster's to open at RIO/Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg

After losing its original Dave & Buster's when the owners of White Flint Mall pulled the plug on the popular shopping and dining destination, Montgomery County will end up with two of the all-ages arcade, dining and entertainment megacenters. The newest will be at the RIO/Washingtonian Center off Sam Eig Highway and I-270 in Gaithersburg.

Dave & Buster's will take over the vacant health club suite in the building that also houses the AMC Theatres at RIO. Their 39000 SF space is expected to open in 2019.

Patricia Fenati launches campaign for District 14 delegate

Patricia Fenati, a resident of Damascus, launched her campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates from District 14 last night at Argyle Country Club. District 14 covers the northeastern area of Montgomery County from Damascus to Burtonsville, and includes Calverton, Clarksburg, Colesville, Cloverly, Fairland, Olney, Ashton, Sandy Spring, Brookeville and Laytonsville.

Fenati pledged to focus on ending gerrymandering of voting districts in the state and county, job creation, education, and the environment. She noted that the current district boundaries give some communities in District 14 very little say in the outcome of elections for County Council and the General Assembly. Fenati also supports the transportation plan proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan, which would greatly rely on private, rather than taxpayer, funds to accomplish.

No other Republicans have filed for the District 14 delegate race as of this morning. On the Democratic side, only three candidates have filed - Anne Kaiser, Eric Luedtke, and Pamela Queen.

Photo courtesy Patricia Fenati

Kentlands Colonnade condo residents not happy about proposed new building

Residents of the Kentlands Colonnade condominiums have sent a batch of emails and letters to Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council in opposition to a proposed 360-unit residential building on land next to their property. Their concerns are many, including fire department emergency access, and the ability of the new developer to utilize the Colonnade's private road, which owners pay to maintain.

Eight stories is also considered too high by many of the residents, who say it is out of character with the low-rise Kentlands. Other concerns include dirt, dust, traffic on Arch Place and Great Seneca Highway, school capacity, garage obstruction of skyline views, and the fact that residents were told the property would be used for a 4-story office building, when most purchased their units years ago.

Kimberly O'Halloran-Perez, speaking for the law firm that represents the Colonnade Community Association, has suggested that the City of Gaithersburg assume ownership of Arch Place, should the proposed development move forward.

The Mayor and Council will receive the correspondence at their worksession tonight at 7:30 PM at City Hall.

MoCo Council asking Annapolis for eminent domain-on-steroids land grab power

For the third time in this term of office, the Montgomery County Council is trying to quietly ram a major change in the law through behind closed doors in Annapolis. In 2015, they tried to establish an Independent Transit Authority with unlimited taxation and debt power, and in 2017, they attempted a backdoor runaround the term limits voters had approved only months prior. This morning, they are exhorting the Montgomery County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to expand and increase their eminent domain authority.

The bill, like the others, is being filed at the eleventh hour, and with no fanfare. Bill MC 27-18, "Eminent Domain - Expansion of 'Quick Take' Authority," would streamline the property seizure process related to highway and transit projects. For example, it would eliminate the ability to compare a property to similar pieces of land for the purpose of determining fair market value. The Council would also be able to force residents out of homes, and businesspeople out of commercial properties immediately, as long as they make an immediate payment of that potentially less-than-actual market value to the landowner.

Purple Line opponents suspect the law may be used in short order for eminent domain seizures related to that light rail project. That would fit the "heckuva rush" manner in which it is being put forward in Annapolis.

But looking ahead, this law would be equally handy in the quick demolition of more than 150 homes and businesses along Georgia Avenue between Olney and Wheaton, for the planned BRT route there. We know that from a state analysis, but we don't have similar numbers yet for which properties would end up being seized for BRT along MD 355 and Route 29. How might this also be used in the Veirs Mill Corridor sector plan, which is about to begin the process of approval before the Montgomery County Planning Board? Land seizures along Veirs Mill have been strongly hinted at by planners.

The late-filed bill will be introduced at the 9:30 AM session of the Montgomery County Delegation this morning. If the bill receives the necessary votes to advance, a public hearing will be scheduled. One question will be: will that hearing be held in Rockville, or Annapolis?

It's no wonder they held this bill from you, despite planning it for months, and are now attempting to file it quietly at the last minute!

Gaithersburg apartment building seeks permission to install sign

The Gaithersburg Planning Commission will meet tonight at 7:30 PM at City Hall. On the agenda is a sign request from the Camden Washington apartments at 10201 Washingtonian Boulevard. The property owner wishes to install a blade-style sign, which will display the name of the building and a hummingbird icon. Because it contains an icon, the property owner must receive the approval of the commission to install it.

Staff is recommending approval of the sign, which will be about halfway up the facade of the building along Washingtonian Boulevard.

Rendering via City of Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Mayor and Council to discuss Cal Atlantic, Kentlands Square projects tonight (Photos)

Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council will discuss two significant development projects in the city at tonight's meeting at City Hall, at 7:30 PM. They are the Cal Atlantic and Kentlands Square projects.

The Cal Atlantic project will consist of 106 single-family homes (of which a majority are actually townhomes) on a site along Darnestown Road that has been annexed into the city. Most of the site is the Johnson's Nursery property, along with a strip mall.

Saul Centers is proposing adding three additional commerical buildings, with 16000 SF of retail space, to Kentlands Square. The company says market conditions are ripe for the additional retail. Several Gaithersburg residents have written to question whether there is enough demand for more retail at this point.

The Mayor and Council will also discuss the results of its biennial citizen survey. 363 people responded to the survey, out of 2,200 residents who received it in the mail.

Chelsea Manning to take on Ben Cardin in Maryland U.S. Senate Democratic primary

North Bethesda resident

would be first

transgender member of

Congress

What should have been a sleepy stagger over the finish line for Senator Ben Cardin (D - Maryland) has turned into a battle royale with national implications overnight. The Maryland Democratic political machine and Republicans alike melted down upon hearing Red Maryland report that Chelsea Manning has entered the race. Manning, a North Bethesda resident, is best known for her role in providing damaging information about U.S. actions and operations during the Iraq War to Wikileaks in 2010. She was serving as an Army intelligence analyst deployed to Iraq at the time.

Incumbent U.S. Senator
Ben Cardin (D-Maryland)

Cardin has essentially ignored Manning's announcement so far. He will have plenty of money, and remains very popular among Democrats, despite having no notable legislative achievements. Manning is making a clear appeal to progressives, in a state where the Democratic party's progressive wing is growing restless with the throwback leadership of their establishment. At the same time, many in both parties consider her a traitor whose actions disqualify her from office.

Manning can capitalize on national attention and money. The victory of Danica Roem in Virginia last November showed just how much national money was out there for a minor state legislative race. Manning would be the first transgender U.S. Senator, if elected. That's a strong selling point, when 2018 is expected to be another Year of the Woman in politics.

A campaign video and fundraising page have been posted by Manning's campaign in the last 24 hours.