City Council reviews abandonment for O'Neil Drive to support Rosedale Apartments redevelopment

The Gaithersburg City Council meeting on July 8, 2025, focused on a proposed abandonment of certain road areas as part of a broader zoning map amendment related to the redevelopment of the Rosedale Apartments. The abandonment area, marked with red hatching in the presentation, includes portions of O'Neil Drive that were never constructed and a small section of Nancy Place.

City staff explained that this abandonment application is linked to the Casey Rosedale zoning map amendment application, designated as Z100302025. The amendment aims to realign O'Neil Drive and Nancy Place to facilitate the phased redevelopment of the Rosedale Apartments. The council noted that the abandonment process must be introduced first to align with the public hearings for the zoning map amendment, which will occur at a later date.

During the discussion, council members sought clarification on the abandonment process. One member, Jim, confirmed that the new right-of-way would be part of the zoning amendment process, while the current discussion was strictly about the abandonment. Another member, Lisa, requested a definition of "abandonment," which was explained as the city relinquishing its rights to the right-of-way.

The meeting underscored the city's ongoing efforts to manage urban development and infrastructure changes in a structured manner, ensuring that all necessary processes are followed for public input and compliance with city regulations. Further public hearings will be scheduled to discuss the zoning map amendment in detail.