The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council on Sept. 2 approved two resolutions authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute a revised funding agreement with Menimmune LLC (part of AstraZeneca) and to terminate an earlier pedestrian bridge funding agreement, and separately approved an amendment to the schematic development plan for 200 Orchard Ridge Drive.

The actions followed a presentation from City Attorney Frank Johnson and a staff presentation on the schematic development plan from planning staff. Johnson told the council the original pedestrian bridge funding agreement dated March 6, 2020, was being replaced by a new funding arrangement that redirects money toward targeted intersection and pedestrian-safety improvements near the campus. He said Menimmune originally agreed to contribute up to $4,000,000 under the 2020 agreement and that the revised agreement would reimburse approximately $1,100,000 back to AstraZeneca and retain about $900,000 plus interest for the city's use on intersection improvements.

The Planning Department presented ASDP 09/2025, an amendment proposing three building additions at 200 Orchard Ridge totaling 7,988 square feet plus related site work. Staff described aims to reorient the main entry, add a campus connector vestibule, relocate a visible loading area, address stormwater-management deficits, increase native planting, and add more pedestrian-oriented connections to the rest of the AstraZeneca campus. Staff recommended approval with one condition.

Mayor Judd Ashman and council members spoke in support of keeping major employers invested in the city. After a motion and second, the council voted 5-0 to approve (1) the resolution authorizing execution of the Seventh Amendment to the annexation agreement and termination of the prior pedestrian-bridge funding agreement, (2) the resolution authorizing the new intersection improvements funding agreement, and (3) the schematic development plan amendment and associated tree removal variance.

Staff noted the Planning Commission had held a public hearing on Aug. 6, 2025, and recommended approval with one condition. The council record shows a tree-removal variance was requested for one specimen tree (labeled T65 in the record); staff reported the applicant analyzed alternatives and retained another, larger tree nearby.

The council did not attach additional conditions beyond the Planning Commission's recommendation. The validated funding amounts and the text of the executed agreements will be those negotiated and signed by the city manager under the council authorization.

What happens next: the city manager may execute the negotiated agreements and the applicant may proceed to final site-plan work consistent with the approved schematic development plan and required permits. The council’s approvals were recorded as unanimous (5-0).