KHCA is a non-partisan neighborhood organization dedicated to representing the interests of all homeowners and residents of the Kensington Heights neighborhood in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in our community

KHCA NEWS BULLETINS 

Time:  7:30 pm

Place: 10801 Torrance Drive, home of Ann and Alberto Arevalo

If you have thoughts or feedback about matters relevant to KHCA but cannot attend our meeting, you may contact us by using this link.

As part of the spring KHCA General Meeting, the KHCA Education Committee organized a special Transportation Forum. The major focus was the widening of and addition of toll lanes to Rts 495 and 270. A discussion panel of state and County legislators included Tom Hucker, Jared Solomon and Vaugh Stewart as well a representatives from Citizens Again Beltway Expansion and The Don't Widen 270 Group. Following the panel discussion, State Senator Waldstreicher and Delegates Carr and Shetty were invited to comment on the transporation issues and also to give updates on their legislative activities. 

The discussions were lively and informative. The stated purpose of Governor Hogan's proposals is to reduce the lengthy commute faced by those using these major highways. One theme sounded was that the current approach seems to rush to decisions, and that more time is needed to study the proposals and their impact as well as to consider alternative solutions. Concern was expressed regarding homes, parks and businesses within or near the path of the proposed changes. Another theme was that the relief provided by widening roads is short-lived and potentially merely attracts more cars. A third perspective offered was that the use of a toll-road approach creates an entity with a need to keep tolls coming in to pay off the project, and the in turn the County may be barred from incentivizing options such as telework to eliminate car trips altogether.

More information on this project is given below in the Community News section. In the coming months, the pros and cons of Beltway and 270 expansion will become a major topic. KHCA would like to hear the perspectives of its residents on this issue. We will soon be providing a link to a KHCA survey so that we can receive input and determine if KHCA should take a position on the proposed activities. 

COMMUNITY NEWS & CALENDAR

KHCA has contacted the nursing home's administrator to inquire about the adverse and unattractive appearnce of the pond at the front of the facility's property abutting McComas Avenue. Once warm weather arrives, the pond becomes covered with a green scum. The administrator let KHCA know that they were very much aware of the problem and have been working toward a solution. In addition to application of new and different chemicals, they are working with a contractor to fix the aerators which are a critical aspect of keeping the scum at a minimum. The fix to the aerators centers around mechanisms that will thwart the pond turtles who tend to chew through the aerators' wires. So, keep an eye out and, hopefully soon, we'll see a more attrative pond on McComas Avenue.  

Governor Hogan has proposed the widening of the Beltway Rt 495 and Rt I-270. The project includes contracting with a private entity to construct up to four new toll lanes to the existing highways. The overall project cost is anticipated to be at least $10 billion, and the proposal indicates that the cost will be paid for by the private entity based on toll revenues. It would seem that the toll structure may be similar to that used in Virginia on I-66 in that the pricing will vary based on volume (but without a set limit).

Because the proposal does not involve direct taxpayer funding, it does not require legislative approval and appropriations. Efforts have been made in the recent legislative sessions to postpone commitments until environmental studies can be completed. However, this legislation did not pass the Senate. The next step is a meeting of the Board of Public Works which consists of three members: Governor Hogan (R), Comptroller Franchot (D), and Treasurer Koop (D). This meeting has been delayed until June to ensure that all three members can be present. Both the Washington Post and WTOP have reported on a May 5 Town Hall meeting in Silver Spring that voiced considerable opposition to the highway modifications. Alternatives were discussed, and the amount of parkland that would be removed was also noted.

Information from the Planning Board can be found at this link as well as a summary of the May 1 meeting. The Seven Oaks Evanswood Civic Association recently met with SHA and Ms. Carol Rubin from the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The report from the meeting cited differences in information about the amount of parkland that would be taken and noted that (1) "double decking" the Beltway is off the table, (2) the project cannot proceed without permits required under the Clean Water Act, (3) legally the project must attempt to mitigate the amount of tree losss, and (4) Federal law prohibits converting HOV lanes to toll lanes. The State Highway Administration has two final workshops scheduled on the issue. One will be held in Oxon Hill on May 14, and the second will be in Germantown on May 16. The workshop consists of a series of posterboard displays and a 1-hour presentation by the SHA that sets out its view of the need for the project and describes the seven alternatives still on the table. Each session has 15-20 minutes available for questions. More info and the materials presented at the session are available at this link. 

The proposal has received much public attention, and many perspectives can be found on the web. KHCA encourages residents to educate themselves about this issue and explore these perspectives. As noted above, interested persons will soon be able to provide feedback to KHCA by taking the online KHCA survey. 

Time: 10am-1pm

Where:  Mid-County Regional Services Center, 11435 Grandview Avenue, Wheaton

Community members will walk/roll/stroll with side state and county elected officials to highlight improvements for pedestrian and traffic safety improvements. For more information, click here.

Tickets are $20 and include appetizers. For more information, click here. It is an honor to be recongized for these awards, and we hope KH residents will join in to celebrate those persons who make our communities better. 

KHCA CONTACTS

President:                            Karen Cordry (Torrance Drive) karenc425@aol.com

Vice President:                    Erl Houston (St. Paul Street) erlhouston@verizon.net

Secretary:                            Ann Arevalo (Torrance Drive) annarevalo@hotmail.com

Treasurer:                            Jim Ryan (Brunswick Ave) Jim.ryan@longandfoster.com

Immediate Past President:     Danila Sheveiko (Melvin Grove Court) dsheveiko@hotmail.com

Beautification Chair                Jon Foreman (University Blvd)  jonforeman@gmail.com

Communications Chair           Shruti Bhatnagar (McComas Avenue) shruti_bhatnagar@yahoo.com

Education Chair:                     Shruti Bhatnagar (McComas Avenue) shruti_bhatnagar@yahoo.com

History Chair:                         vacant

Land Use Chair                      Derek Karchner (Torrance Drive) dkarchner@gmail.com

Safety Chair:                          vacant

Traffic Chair:                           Andrew Fraser (McComas Avenue) afraser@sandglass.com

Newsletter:                             Christine Taylor (Torrance Drive) ctaylor3450@gmail.com

Website:                                 Ricardo Gonzalez ricardo@bobbleheaddw.com