Gaithersburg planning commission approves final site plan for 232-unit Stephenson MetroGrove community

The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on Jan. 22 unanimously granted final site plan approval for SP‑9881‑2024, advancing the Stephenson MetroGrove residential development with eight conditions including school impact fees and forest conservation payments.

The 232‑unit project, presented by Chris Moll of KraftMark Homes, will include 36 for‑sale affordable units split evenly between the city’s workforce program and the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) program and about 43% of the site dedicated to open space, Moll said. The commission also approved ENV‑9882‑2024, the project’s forest conservation plan.

Why it matters: The project adjoins the Watkins Mill Town Center area and a MARC station and will add a significant number of for‑sale homes to Gaithersburg’s housing supply. Commission discussion centered on on‑site design, pedestrian connections, the timing and character of a new section of Town Center Boulevard the applicant agreed to build, and a disputed Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) utilization premium that could affect project costs and affordability.

The applicant team — represented by Chris Moll of KraftMark Homes, land‑use attorney Scott Wallace of Miles and Stockbridge, and civil engineer Jotika Sharma of Soltes — said the site sits next to the Parklands at Watkins Mill Town Center community, the CSX railroad, and city‑owned parkland to the north. The plan proposes rear‑loaded townhomes and two‑over‑two condominiums adjacent to the future urban core, and community amenities including a pool, clubhouse, tot lot and multiple green corridors.

Moll told the commission the development would rely on two…