Park and Planning’s April 10 meeting has three agenda items scheduled which could have a major effect on the Potomac area.
At 11:15 a.m., the commission is scheduled to take up the issue of expanding the Beltway from the American Legion Bridge to the I-270 west spur to accommodate HOV, or carpool, lanes. The draft presented to the commission differs from that one presented at the public hearing in two respects. First, language will be added which will recommend that a study be completed about how best to evaluate and resolve the noise problem for people living in the area. This study is to be completed during the design process. “There are procedures for doing it. We’ can’t just say, go ahead and [put in sound barriers],” said Alex Hekimian, transportation planner for Park and Planning.
Also, additional language will be added to recommend that right-of-way impacts on neighboring homes and the Gibson Grove AME Zion Church be minimized. Several homes, and the 104-year-old church, are located very close to the beltway’s right of way, and if the road is widened, they may need to be moved or removed.
“We did address every comment,” said Hekimian
The commission’s recommendations will be passed to the council. No public comment will be heard on the issue at this time.
During the segment of the meting scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., the commission will be discussing the Greenbriar preserve. The area north of Glen Road includes an ecologically unique areas known as a serpentine barrens. Plans call for a total of 62 single-family dwellings to be constructed on just under 140 acres. The area is being developed as an RNC (rural cluster) zone, so the homes will be built close together on lots much smaller than those in surrounding neighborhoods.