The Gaithersburg Planning Commission voted 4–0 on Aug. 6 to recommend that the mayor and council hold a joint public hearing on an application to abandon portions of O'Neil Drive and Nancy Place near the KC Community Center to allow phased redevelopment of the nearby Rosedale apartments.

Staff planner Laura Maffood told commissioners the application, AB10054-2025, was introduced to the mayor and council on July 7 and is governed by Chapter 19, Article 3 of the city code. "The council may abandon the right of way if it finds from the evidence in the record that the right of way is no longer necessary for present or anticipated future public use," Maffood said.

The application covers about 37,400 square feet and includes never-constructed portions of O'Neil Drive and a short segment of Nancy Place. Maffood said the abandonment request is tied to zoning map amendment Z10030-2025 for the Casey Rosedale redevelopment; that zoning amendment would realign O'Neil Drive and Nancy Place and provide a new dedication consistent with the city's street design standards.

Staff described the practical changes: the existing O'Neil Drive right-of-way is 80 feet and would be reduced to 70 feet after realignment, and the redevelopment would create more than an acre of consolidated amenity and open space in a different configuration. Maffood also said the applicant will provide temporary access easements across abandoned sections so current residents can continue to access existing apartments until the new road is built.

Commissioners took no public comment at the Planning Commission meeting; Maffood emphasized the joint public hearing with the mayor and council will be the forum for public testimony. The commission's motion recommended the mayor and council proceed with a joint public hearing on the abandonment concurrently with Z10030-2025. The motion passed, recorded as 4–0.

The abandonment recommendation moves to the mayor and council for formal public hearing and final action; the staff report and exhibits referenced during the commission presentation are part of the record and will be available to the public ahead of that hearing.

Less central details: staff said temporary easements would maintain safe access for current residents during construction and that the revised street width and new dedication would conform to the city's neighborhood residential street typology and street design standards.