Metropolitan Branch Trail

A rumor has been spreading that Montgomery Preservation Inc. has denied access to the Metropolitan Branch Trail through our property, the Historic Silver Spring B&O Station at 8100 Georgia Avenue. Fortunately, these rumors are not true. We were told that the project was eliminated from the proposed CIP (Capital Improvements) temporarily for fiscal reasons. There are issues to be worked out and some of them are very expensive – tunnels and bridges. Let us set the record straight.

Gaithersburg Rezoning and Development Plan Confirmed Illegal and Defunct

In January, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that the City of Gaithersburg violated its zoning law when it rezoned three parcels from a residential to a commercial zone.  The Court also overturned a related site plan that proposed more than 20,000 square feet of office space and a 116-space surface parking lot on what is locally known as the Wilson properties at the intersection of South Frederick and DeSellum Avenues. The development significantly impacted adjoining historically significant buildings and the Observatory Heights neighborhood.  In late March, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals denied a request from the City and Dr. Wilson that the Court reconsider its January decision. 

Dr. Lee Davis Lodge House (Dr. Wilson Dental Office)

MPI participated in the rezoning proceedings, arguing that the proposed rezoning ran counter to the master plan’s recommendations, decades of City commitment to protecting long-established neighborhoods from the intrusion of commercial development, and threatened the nearby Observatory Heights neighborhood, which has been discussed in the past as a possible National Register historic district.

The Sterick Cottage 15 DeSellum Ave.

MPI funded this litigation through its Wayne M. Goldstein Preservation Action fund. "It was clear to MPI that the City's actions violated its code and master plan recommendations," said Judy Christensen, Executive Director of MPI. "In the end, it took the court to uphold the law. This is a tribute to Wayne Goldstein, who was a tireless advocate for historic preservation and good government."

MPI's attorney, Michele Rosenfeld, said that the Court's decision to honor the City's zoning code is significant. "The City argued that this rezoning should be upheld because it had applied the law the same way in the past. Past violations do not justify ongoing violations. Residential neighborhoods throughout Gaithersburg benefit from this ruling, thanks to MPI's commitment to this case."

MPI takes great pride in the fact that the Court of Special Appeals ultimately agreed and that the appeal for reconsideration was denied.

Read the Gazette article on the rezoning attempt.

 

B&O Railroad Station
Rentals and Open Houses

The historic B&O Railroad Station in Silver Spring is available for rentals for your special occasions.

We also hold open houses at the station on the first Saturday of the month.

MPI Montgomery County Historic Preservation Awards

These awards honor individuals and groups who, through personal or community action and efforts, have made significant contributions to the preservation of Montgomery County’s historic resources and landscapes. The awards present an opportunity for Community and Civic organizations, as well as individuals, to recognize significant preservation efforts in all districts and cities in Montgomery County.

To submit a nomination for the 2012 awards, please use our nomination form.

The 2011 Awardees were honored at a reception hosted by MPI in the B&O Railroad Station on Saturday December 3.