[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6212200,"mediaKeyId","3685876-d498d2e28c5c39f48a4e84699ac85a45","parentId",3685876,"title","Planning commissioners recommend special-exception for eight-resident elderly home at 108 Meem Avenue","audioSeconds",1315,"startMs",116000,"endMs",1431000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685876-d498d2e28c5c39f48a4e84699ac85a45&start=116&end=1431","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685876-d498d2e28c5c39f48a4e84699ac85a45/thumbnail_116000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212200/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Planning-commissioners-recommend-special-exception-for-eight-resident-elderly-home-at-108-Meem-Avenue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212200-05d14eb8861acf4899c32956cf2e05f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189215&Signature=gmyIJDWwCSdJAyOL0B5fmS-j~mKhRHIqqcOcRzhFaIjChtAIs8Djj7VOpKBw7zlSsH~G8~rVnYq6d8lySQNulW6IUP9VoRmxJOrD4tl7ac07INau5Mk1T0ttBSraUQ~5Ua2tW0VOu4f78D6QTIbcEyvBjxywH9cjex~A8AnFzjIqHTvPFMCMQFVKjPnF5-eRxYS-eAUuc3uNvXvcUV2X3eh8C3S7mOM6v9e5b6kk~4U9n447fw~q8OIf5-Az1OH-SbdwNDCLiL~42~8Yr1VEBzBkVca2oLO5BZzjailjStXegK9g-v0abB4G2Pvx22f5-nB06p~jX0y2N6V~af3KVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Gaithersburg, MD","date","2025-06-05T00:28:35Z","article","The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on June 4 voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Appeals approve BOA 9967-2024, a special-exception application to operate a housing-for-the-elderly facility for up to eight residents at 108 Meem Avenue in the R-90 medium-density residential zone.

The action forwards the applicant’s request to the Board of Appeals and attaches four conditions, including a requirement to comply with site improvements previously approved by the Historic District Commission (HIST-9966-2024) before issuance of a use-and-occupancy permit. City staff noted that a separate parking-waiver request will return to the Planning Commission for public hearing if the Board of Appeals approves the use.

City planning staff member Caroline read the application into the record, citing that \"pursuant to section 24-3.1 of the city zoning ordinance, housing for the elderly is a special exception used in the R-90 zone\" and that the petition was referred to the Planning Commission under section 24-12.7(f)(1). The applicant, identified as Ali, and his cousin, civil engineer Khushid Bilgrami, presented plans showing a renovation and two-story addition that would result in up to eight residents occupying multiple two-bed bedrooms, a common activity room and accessible features.

Applicant and design details: Ali told the commission the facility would be staffed by two full-time employees; the site plan shows three on-site parking spaces, including one handicap space, and the applicant requested an exception for one additional space and for a commercial-driveway width waiver. Bilgrami said the interior and exterior would include accessibility upgrades and a chairlift so residents could access the second floor, and that most residents at his Germantown facility do not drive.

Neighbors and operations: Neighbor Hector Hernandez spoke at the meeting, expressing concerns about resident behavior, perimeter security and on-street parking on the narrow block where a school bus stop and trash collections occur. In response, Ali said the facility would be secured with a keypad lock, supervised at all times and that admissions policies could bar prospective residents who require a vehicle. He also said the owner would consider re-erecting a fallen fence on the west side of the property if needed.

Staff recommendation and conditions: Caroline and planning staff recommended forwarding BOA 9967-2024 to the Board of Appeals with findings under section 24-12.7(c) and three standard conditions; staff also proposed a fourth condition requiring compliance with the Historic District Commission site improvements (HIST-9966-2024) before a use-and-occupancy permit is issued. Caroline explained the parking-waiver request is processed by the Planning Commission and therefore cannot be granted by the Board of Appeals; if the Board approves the special exception next week, the waiver will be scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning Commission.

Outcome and next steps: A motion to recommend approval was made, seconded and passed unanimously. The recommendation will be considered by the Board of Appeals; if the Board approves the special exception, the applicant must return to the Planning Commission for the parking-waiver public hearing and must demonstrate compliance with Historic District conditions before receiving a use-and-occupancy permit.

The commission’s action is a recommendation only; final authority on the use rests with the Board of Appeals and any permit or licensing oversight for operation will follow separate review processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting: June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on June 4 voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Appeals approve BOA 9967-2024, a special-exception application to operate a housing-for-the-elderly facility for up to eight residents at 108 Meem Avenue in the R-90 medium-density residential zone.","taxTitle","Gaithersburg City, Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",4997,"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},6212195,"Planning commission backs Gateway Lake Forest rezoning to CD zone, urges strong streetscape and pedestrian connections",743,1433000,2176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685876-d498d2e28c5c39f48a4e84699ac85a45&start=1433&end=2176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685876-d498d2e28c5c39f48a4e84699ac85a45/thumbnail_1433000.jpg","/articles/6212195/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-backs-Gateway-Lake-Forest-rezoning-to-CD-zone-urges-strong-streetscape-and-pedestrian-connections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212195-26de25d85e2dacc91bb4a3a2983c1d6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189215&Signature=QEhph6dutJxKIjEwjg0xF4SjLMoKzKga8krvK6AfZfQcMmzn~ustlCjmawqoG-oJpbkixXt-l8jw~g1hTJSAiS9VIWoU94iWKetTs~o0udsWzAU2xAc6r6iCCEXsKhCgaTc-FUruEvu717rRlN6hEtsTsyY-UnF7o4R8MBzhtMMHtc0bAfLUcBFprwN8cRx09wxgqHuDU6S9G9CSlfvZB6a2JXjSW97P74d-X6i6t0YTIBorv6wf7Huqzv8XG1MMCXFWlcSSob5cGknVrV~CoqZ0sPyJp2l~6Av5yx0o0NDWK2UGKLLw3EyVHKw3Bs7O3mTzLF~iZyt-L8cntcO1ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on June 4 voted unanimously to recommend that the mayor and city council approve zoning map amendment Z9928-2024 and an associated schematic development plan to rezone 481 North Frederick Avenue, 101 Lake Forest Boulevard and 702 Russell Avenue from C-2 General Commercial to the new CD zone.

Staff presented the application as a combined rezoning and schematic development plan — the first CD rezoning under the city's new code — proposing replacement of two existing office buildings with a multifamily rental building that includes ground-floor commercial space at the corner of Lake Forest Boulevard and a new commercial service road. The application record closed May 23, 2025 with 65 exhibits; a joint public hearing was held April 21, 2025.

Laura, a Planning Department staff member, summarized the project and public record, noting the applicant provided additional materials in response to hearing questions. The schematic plan shows a 10-foot shared-use path along Lake Forest Boulevard that staff says will be pulled off the back of curb and separated by a planted strip. The application proposes a new commercial service road that connects the site to 355 and retains the existing office building at 702 Russell with edge improvements.

Traffic, unit mix and retail location: Three late public comments raised traffic concerns; staff said the project's traffic study was approved by the Department of Public Works and concluded study intersections would operate at acceptable levels without mitigation. Commissioners raised questions about downstream intersection impacts and were told Department of Public Works staff worked with the applicant to set the traffic study scope, taking into account planned city improvements and mall redevelopment. Several commissioners pressed for stronger streetscape design along Lake Forest Boulevard and said they will scrutinize the final site plan for building-edge treatment and pedestrian activation.

On unit mix, staff and the applicant said the schematic plan intentionally shows a denser unit mix to avoid future amendments; the final unit mix, including the number of three‑bedroom units, will be determined at final site plan following a market study the applicant plans to complete. Staff also said the city will commission a retail and housing study to inform the land-use element update.

Staff recommendation and outcome: Based on the record, staff recommended the Planning Commission recommend approval of the rezoning and schematic development plan to mayor and council with three conditions. A motion to recommend approval carried unanimously.

Next steps: The mayor and city council will consider the rezoning and schematic development plan together; per staff, both approvals are required for the rezoning to take effect. Final site-plan review, architectural detailing and any required traffic mitigation will be evaluated in subsequent applications and hearings.","The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on June 4 recommended approval of zoning map amendment Z9928-2024 to rezone three properties to the new CD (quarter development) zone and approve an associated schematic development plan, while commissioners emphasized pedestrian improvements, unit mix and downstream traffic impacts.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commissioners recommend special-exception for eight-resident elderly home at 108 Meem Avenue

Planning commission backs Gateway Lake Forest rezoning to CD zone, urges strong streetscape and pedestrian connections