[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6347671,"mediaKeyId","2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0","parentId",2244909,"title","Holly Grove residents ask council to delay Norwood Road shared-use path and reconsider alignment","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",2081655,"endMs",2302100,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0&start=2081&end=2302","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0/thumbnail_2081655.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6347671/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Holly-Grove-residents-ask-council-to-delay-Norwood-Road-shared-use-path-and-reconsider-alignment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347671-cba1ff3ce1d662705c5be8dcb4ebf1cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124446&Signature=NZZ9lTfcNuMyj9xLouRhH-uxUNy7VpjXuJzAOhlFK9citYek1-6tRc~FJ5~uIvt65JJVn8AA7zJciwk3ZFPIUwahRGYGWPNpGPAXI-xAh9jpAyOc2fZybGr-1wSVCVRz1eSJNMdBYJlG-EA9~np2fLzOGcjNdeDpsMRpCD6YtvZYodr6fpOLHIwDfsza5xzHRe-yPi68RFkhB-AH8G6a0Np6-BHYTYqPE6QStYejpfNnSPdyvy78s-EXL7koeOqCAaFHJLtlGQb~9wOtHEdXgoieglU9JMZuFJLbvLd1RfcLi23rXNuykVSK5KAswuAoI-dnrkTI9x7cwtM7EEeZGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-01-31T21:46:07Z","article","Residents of Holly Grove and nearby neighborhoods urged the Montgomery County Council to delay construction of a proposed shared-use path on Norwood Road and to reconsider placing the path on the north rather than the south side of the road.

Quentin Romano, speaking for residents near Blake High School and the Holly Grove community, described the area’s history and current layout. Romano said the county’s plans initially placed the path on the south side of Norwood Road in a 99-page design packet and that residents and the county’s presentation did not explain why that alignment was chosen. He said community members prefer the north side for reasons including existing setbacks on newer homes there and homeowner privacy on the south side where houses sit close to the road.

Romano said Montgomery County Department of Transportation held a public information meeting on April 2, 2024, and that the Cleveland Clinic Association reviewed the plan and has \"voted unanimously to recommend to the county council that implementation of the Norwood Youth Path be delayed to give citizens input into the plan and to consider placing [the] path on the Northern side of Norwood Road.\" Romano urged the council to delay implementation to solicit resident input and to address design and safety questions raised by the community.

Council staff recorded the testimony for the record; no formal schedule or outcome was announced at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Feb. 6, 2025 - Council Public Hearings (7:00 pm)","oneSentenceSummary","Residents of the Holly Grove community and nearby stakeholders told the council they have not been adequately engaged and asked the county to delay the Norwood Road shared-use path project so citizens can provide input and consider placing the path on the north side of the road.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",3351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6347676,"Transit advocates urge county to prioritize dedicated bus lanes, safety and housing near transit",179,796185,975200,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0&start=796&end=975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0/thumbnail_796185.jpg","/articles/6347676/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Transit-advocates-urge-county-to-prioritize-dedicated-bus-lanes-safety-and-housing-near-transit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347676-d7d3b501d093efe5b5b1248f9d24d369/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124446&Signature=NBZtb~UtdRF103yKKGiAUKLvcfMpwkaxGYEjL18Nvz-7OSDuiKkJ2PSZ0AUaVg0gHX8bdKDopPWU2e1eRz1iPeHAbTJtsa-pVyoQ65d-Or6xjyrDDky34BPytQ1pA~PEVCPSzbF12xipVIs~GAhgAoYZJYerXQEVgco0t7Wz02gAj48beZC0qBBoe~1vUe0wq3KcaNVw7Y-ca5UmJSsAPlBZD9cgrkbKMzr~YLyUsa0nwQCemVVpah8EITVJIYKpo-zLMdmkJe-tALnpUVd5B~~yai~5GdD-gD7MVjzHHtAfLWBkkM0PywXcbpLDFjU1rCjvD3ixQwE-kaVUVULE4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An Action Committee for Transit board member told the Montgomery County Council the FY26 CIP should prioritize projects that create bus lanes, improve safety for walking and biking, and support housing development near transit corridors.

Mike Larkin, speaking for the Action Committee for Transit (ACT), said the county should build \"more bus lanes, safer infrastructure for active transportation, and community development projects that accelerate the production and preservation of housing.\" He urged the council to ensure dedicated lanes and unified fare and stop systems for planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, citing current delays and inefficiencies on US 29 where multiple buses use different stops and fare systems.

Larkin said that if limited budgets prevent a full high-capacity BRT, the county should consider more frequent buses and continuing small bus-priority projects already underway. He praised minor bus-priority work such as the University Boulevard corridor improvements and emphasized that transit success depends on safe pedestrian and bicycle access: \"People have to get there in the first place,\" he said, noting the importance of safe connections to new destinations including the Montgomery College East County campus.

The testimony linked transit quality to housing: ACT asked the council to coordinate workforce housing zoning changes with street and transit improvements so new housing is served by safe, walkable transit corridors.

Council staff recorded the testimony for use in budget and CIP deliberations.","The Action Committee for Transit urged the county council to fund bus lanes, safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, and to align housing production with planned Bus Rapid Transit projects during the FY26 CIP hearings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6347678,"Montgomery College leaders and students press council for campus renovations and library upgrades",617,1139274,1756370,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0&start=1139&end=1756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0/thumbnail_1139274.jpg","/articles/6347678/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-College-leaders-and-students-press-council-for-campus-renovations-and-library-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347678-8395e0758cff160c4545e0f8de164da3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124446&Signature=jI2VMF~mvjRHBTgUs-A7GnNHmlwcsofbqk0GQFwe8cNmdyLTtoZUX8fnutj6xn2c0LoF5aKdNFpgnsbpPDySMnmJnECXmDNufG7mcoAXrpwvGQl3KbGHLUD6y9-sBEt1CrV9J1IXIoeA8vMqD-o3DjJ-ohUJoCNadm02YoI7XpwKUO-r9zkb94A6aMUCbHnbPqOgtQtefytr6YaijOq5EiPVWlPZ44JgwUx781n0vsZXAXvDTwC8Yh~Jo37JQnizDK6hZtBAJpwFndoPHDX7LRtyzHoC6DuWswo9YVFEPndUJCdRW7hGPtWjPcfTBd78YIbQRF5UlUsCNW5ekNhNwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery College representatives and students asked the Montgomery County Council to support capital projects and deferred-maintenance work across the college’s campuses during the FY26 capital budget public hearing.

Gloria Aparicio Blackwell, chair of Montgomery College’s board of trustees, thanked the council for prior support and urged continued investment in facilities she said are crucial to students’ career pathways. \"The hundred million dollars Leggett building represents your commitment to unlocking the potential of every student,\" Blackwell said, asking the council to advance deferred maintenance and support the Rockville campus library renovation and the Germantown student services center.

Student speaker Penina Victor described the library’s role as a \"safe space\" for students who cannot study at home and asked the council to fund modern study areas, quiet rooms and computer access. Victor, a Montgomery College student who testified about the library’s role in her academic progress, said the space supports students with financial or housing instability and that a renovated facility would help students prepare for transfer and workforce roles.

Blackwell said the college’s FY25 capital budget request is fiscally prudent and that investments in facilities enable credential completion and local workforce development. Testimony urged that capital funding prioritize projects that expand student services, modernize learning spaces and address deferred maintenance across campuses.

Council staff noted the public hearing record will inform upcoming committee deliberations on the CIP.","Montgomery College officials and students asked the County Council to approve capital funding for campus improvements, renovation of the Rockville campus library and support for the Germantown student services center during the FY26 CIP public hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6347681,"County hearing spotlights school overcrowding and requests to fund MCPS capital projects",1933,576980,2510700,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0&start=576&end=2510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2244909-4553e1f053e79e99aa4fa4f5e7f6d3b0/thumbnail_576980.jpg","/articles/6347681/Montgomery-County/Maryland/County-hearing-spotlights-school-overcrowding-and-requests-to-fund-MCPS-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347681-8615f96fec0c98eb11e39fa280cc7915/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124446&Signature=g0qBWY5VMM8GuTVEz~yI6M~rIeXxwGDszHHxTTqu1l1jlFzw8R3OYhiYrkwVYz8fsdTExdxsjWCb9HKkZStng9cCax8WwsaHpzkAAaQcyqUEvPdnfm6ZoQAUnlon7KIU8xMEcq9S5fpLEER9nEp8be~3yLrGLTkCWGbtLQUcXmB1NWjF9txjygJIX2ycotqOK0qa1Lf5GkV5v4J14p3-1Glz~TTi8eFzDoZbkqLHaU5Tm1qcunzZUooJvyvqp~BEv8dtJhReV~~pO458fixLO9njHeQRHUXhzRGPkWrkFBKWDevDhxGL6bi9FFadse6iTEeZn9xV7eWT6z0FKseDTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County Council members heard multiple pleas from parents, school cluster coordinators and municipal leaders on the county’s FY26 capital budget about overcrowded schools and deferred facility needs for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Speakers said urgent steps are needed for facility upgrades, feasibility studies and interim repairs while larger construction projects move through the capital improvement program process. Mayor Talisha Searcy of Takoma Park said her city’s young population—\"approximately 8% of the city's population is under the age of 5\"—is increasing pressure on local schools and urged timely completion of a feasibility study for Piney Branch Elementary School.

The speakers’ statements underscored a mix of short-term operational strains and longer-term capital needs. Testimony detailed classroom crowding, temporary modular classrooms used beyond their intended lifespan, limited cafeteria and assembly space, staff strain and widening academic achievement gaps in some schools.

Mayor Talisha Searcy, Mayor of Takoma Park, told the council that Piney Branch Elementary is \"the smallest school site in Montgomery County with no room for temporary class space,\" and that MCPS previously included a feasibility study in the FY25 CIP. She asked that the study be completed promptly and that construction funding be added to future CIPs, and she also requested interim fixes such as HVAC upgrades be added to the MCPS operating budget while the study is completed.

Nicholas Bassi, Paint Branch cluster coordinator for the Montgomery County Council of PTAs, asked the council to follow the superintendent’s recommendation to reconstruct Burtonsville Elementary School. Bassi noted the school had an approved feasibility study, an architect and consultations but has not started construction, and he called for exploring additional financing after the end of the Maryland Built to Learn Act and projected local revenue declines.

Speakers representing the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster highlighted rapid localized enrollment growth. Kathy Stocker, cluster coordinator for the BCC cluster, said Bethesda Elementary reached an enrollment of 644 and currently operates with four classes per grade and nearly 30 students per class in many rooms; she said more high-rise multifamily units coming online could add an estimated 100 students to that school.

Several parents and community members focused on Ashburton Elementary School. Clarisse Bernardo Coble and Theresa Dike said Ashburton currently serves about 878 students and noted the modular classroom wing installed in 2019 was intended \"to accommodate the additional students until a new elementary school can be constructed in the cluster.\" Dike said those temporary structures are \"not optimal for the long run\" and warned that the high enrollment \"poses a safety and security concern for the school and our students.\" She cited state and MCPS data in written testimony showing Ashburton’s state test performance trailing neighboring schools.

Speakers urged a range of responses: finish feasibility studies already funded in the FY25 CIP, add interim repairs (notably HVAC), follow through on approved additions and reconstructions, form an infrastructure financing task force to identify new revenue sources, and prioritize equity by addressing clusters facing the steepest enrollment pressure.

The public hearing record closed at the end of testimony. Council staff stated that committee work sessions on the FY26 capital budget and amendments to the FY25–30 CIP \"will be scheduled through March.\"","Parents, school cluster coordinators and municipal officials urged the Montgomery County Council to prioritize capital funding for overcrowded schools, feasibility studies and interim repairs during a public hearing on the FY26 capital budget and amendments to the FY25–30 CIP.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holly Grove residents ask council to delay Norwood Road shared-use path and reconsider alignment

Transit advocates urge county to prioritize dedicated bus lanes, safety and housing near transit

Montgomery College leaders and students press council for campus renovations and library upgrades

County hearing spotlights school overcrowding and requests to fund MCPS capital projects