| 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
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MESSAGE FROM KHCA PRESIDENT, KAREN CORDRY
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!
HELLO TO EVERYONE IN KENSINGTON HEIGHTS!
This has been a year like no other (since at least maybe the Great Pandemic of 1918) and the holidays are shaping up to be celebrated in ways that aren’t like what we’re used to either. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t all remember each other and reach out to our neighbors during this time. Seems like most cultures have some form of way for everyone to see each other at the time of the year when the days are shortest and the dark nights are the longest. So, whether it’s Christmas, or Hanukkah, or the Winter Solstice, and whether it comes accompanied with celebrations of characters ranging from Santa Claus and the dwarves and the reindeer or the Grinch, or the Chinese New Year with dragons and fireworks, or Christians joyful recognition of the arrival of their Savior, it’s usually a time when we all draw closest and celebrate with our friends and family. This year, we’ll probably need to keep some of those celebrations more sedate and more separate to protect all of us from spreading this nasty disease we are confronting. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t still reach out to each other (from a safe distance)! Seems like the displays are even bigger and better in many people’s yards since we’re all staying home and have time to work on them. So, by all means, take time to walk or drive around the area and look at what your neighbors have done!
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HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS – FOOD DRIVE, Saturday, 12/19!!!
During this holiday season, please help our community by dropping off a bag of food for those who need it most. A food drive is being held on Saturday, December 19th from 10 am to noon at Oakland Terrace Elementary School located at 2720 Plyers Mill Road. All food donations will benefit Manna Food Center; check out their food list here. And, if you miss this one, keep an eye out for others, there are a lot of other folks who will be collecting food and funds to help our neighbors who are in need.
This has been a very different kind of year – for some of us who can do our jobs on our computers and who can keep track of what’s we’re doing without any trouble, this year has in many ways been a somewhat relaxed way to do our job since we haven’t had to spend an hour each way going into work. But, for many others, the months since March have left them without a job, without income, and with a much harder task to assure that they and their families get fed. So, let’s ensure that all of our community have something to celebrate this year. There are lots of ways to make your donation, just make sure you connect with one of them! That may be money, that may be physical donations, and it may be ways to contribute to the health of our neighbors. Don’t forget – the need for blood donations always goes on, so be sure to reach out to the Red Cross to find out how to help.
KHCA DIRECTORY AND DUES
We are still putting on a strong push to get everyone’s name and information entered correctly into our KHCA Directory. It’s easy enough to do – just go to our website, kensingtonheightsmd.org and click on the button that pops up at the top that says “Update Your Directory Listing.” It’s quick and easy to do (there are separate spaces for two listings per household with phone and email address.) Want to know why this is a good idea? We’ve had two examples in just the last couple weeks. Someone living in the Decatur/Stella Court area saw a person rummaging through a neighbor’s car but didn’t have an easy way to let that person know. And, in another instance, someone saw their neighbor’s house had water running out the door. Again, we can try to contact them, but they might not be home and we’d all love to avoid direct contact in this day and age of COVID, so the more means we have to stay in touch the better! So, please go to the website, add your information, and you can be sure so know what’s going on in KHCA – and maybe even in your own backyard!
And, while you're on the website, how about also gettting a start on the new year, and click on the button for paying your annual dues. We run very frugally, so the dues are only $10 per household adult member to a maximum of $30, We can always use and very much appreciate your contributions to help keep us active!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2020!
LET’S HOPE FOR AN EVEN HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER 2021!
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COMMUNITY NEWS & CALENDAR
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| >> Other Montgomery County and State News
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE COUNTY AND STATE
The most recent Civic Federation newsletter can be accessed here with a preview of the December meeting, and comments about the Thrive 2050 General Plan draft for Montgomery County’s next several decades. The December meeting was held virtually on December 14, 2020, with the main speakers being Senator Craig Zucker from District 14, and Rep. Marc Korman from District 16. They provided a PowerPoint overview of what had been happening legislatively last year and a preview of next year’s legislative session. Getting the Purple Line back on track and the debate over what will should be done with the proposal for the I-495/270 toll lanes project will be major foci for the session, particularly in light of the insights that the COVID epidemic has given us about what our transit needs really will be going forward. Other topics that will be coming up will be protecting health care if the Supreme Court limits or overturns the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare’), looking at reforms to state and local police departments in light of the concerns that have come to the fore this year, as well as looking at how to implement the education proposals of the Kirwin Commission in light of the strained budget situation. There will also be a lot to consider in deciding how to adjust the budget both in light of the current issues as well as structural deficits that must be addressed. Finally, there will be efforts to reinstate a large number of bills that Governor Hogan vetoed when they were fully funded and strongly supported. So, stay tuned, it could be a very interesting few months.
WHAT’S PLANNED FOR WHEATON
A huge project that is moving forward in our near vicinity is the “Wheaton Gateway” development that is being planned for the corner of University and Veirs Mill, where the late and not-lamented Ambassador Hotel was recently demolished. It will eventually also take over the space currently occupied by Lindsay Ford but that will be part of a second and third phase. The first phase will be a 12-story building built on the corner and directly across from the Wheaton North office building located on the Mall itself. The project will be a mixed-use residential and retail development with a mixture of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units, with 30% being designated for affordable housing. The details of the project can be seen on its website including the “Sketch Plan Presentation” that was used as the basis for an online discussion on December 3. The presentation discussion can be seen here. There was also an extended question period but it’s not clear if that was recorded. If it was, we’ll get it and post it later. One thing to keep in mind in looking at the presentation is that this is still very much of a “block” drawing – it doesn’t show the details of what the building facades will look like and doesn’t even show windows. But, we can rest assured, there will be windows, doors, and such like to go with the balconies shown for each unit.
The second stage of the project would be 10-story building, fronting on Veirs Mill and located where Lindsay Ford is now; the third stage looks to be about 5 stories and will be on the interior side of the project facing East Avenue. The goal is to have the project step down from the main façade on the main streets as it moves towards and interacts with single-family neighborhood to the west across East Avenue. There is also open space at the corner of East and Upton St. (now being used as a parking lot for Lindsay Ford) that will be reserved for a park as the project moves forward.
For those on Nextdoor, a search for Wheaton Gateway will turn up a lengthy and impassioned debate about the project, so it’s an interesting starting point for those interested in finding out some more. Some of the concerns may be points that just don’t take into account the preliminary nature of this “sketch plan,” but what they do make clear is the extent to which we want to stay informed and involved in this project to make sure it’s the kind of “Gateway” we really do want to have for your community. There are a lot of very interesting possibilities for this space, such as roof gardens, solar panels, the park space, and additional restaurants and retail. There will still be a number of additional meetings as the details start coming into focus and construction isn’t likely until 2023, but the earlier people put in their ideas and concerns, the easier it will be to address them. It will all involve people being concerned and paying attention, so “stay tuned” and be ready to “stand up,” if needed!
Montgomery County Civic Federation Meeting – Monday, Jan. 11, 7:30 pm
Topic: Session with County Executive Marc Elrich
Access to the current newsletter and information about logging in to the Zoom meeting available here.
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History Chair: open
Safety Chair: open
**Elections were held in November 2019.
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