Gaithersburg planning commission approves forest conservation plan for Lake Forest Mall demolition permit

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Gaithersburg Planning Commission voted Jan. 8 to approve a forest conservation plan tied to the redevelopment of Lake Forest Mall, enabling the applicant to pursue demolition and site-work permits for the project.

Gary Unterberg, with Rogers Consulting representing Lake Forest and WRI PLT, told the commission the forest conservation plan (ENB 9921 2024) covers the entire mall site and is needed to obtain the demolition permit. "We have a requirement just under 15 acres, 14.72, to be saved and/or planted," Unterberg said, adding that the project currently accounts for about 16 acres of tree/forest credit.

The plan was submitted under the schematic development plan SDP 9736 2024, which the transcript records as having been approved Sept. 26, 2024 by Resolution R5524. Staff noted the plan complies with Chapter 22 of the City Code, subject to one condition, and recommended approval.

Why it matters: Commission staff and the applicant said an approved forest conservation plan must be on file before the city will issue the demolition permit. The plan establishes how the redevelopment will meet the city's forest conservation requirements and how on-site tree credit will be counted across the large disturbance area of the mall site.

Key details recorded in the meeting: Unterberg said the plan documents roughly 14.72 acres required for preservation or planting, with 1.44 acres of existing reforestation area primarily around the large pond west of Russell Avenue (Block A). He told commissioners much of the counted tree credit comes from street trees and landscape plantings and that the project is "above" the 15-acre threshold referenced in a DRRA "in the works." Unterberg said the team hopes to pull site-work permits this spring, with demolition permits to follow.

City staff and the applicant discussed tree-counting logistics and credits. The staff report and testimony noted the team has identified more than 700 trees that count toward forest credit; Unterberg said there are more than 1,000 trees on site in total but some (for example, trees within stormwater bio-retention features) do not qualify for forest credit. The applicant said the plan may be amended as counts are refined and as the team seeks an agreement with Montgomery County to include trees on Lost Knife Road for project credit.

Lisa, the city arborist, and Nancy Schum, Environmental Services Assistant, described technical discussions on species selection, spacing and long-term growth. "We did have a lot of discussions, also about tree recommendations," Schum said, noting the applicant is considering native species and that staff continues to refine which trees qualify for forest conservation credit.

The commission accepted staff's recommendation and approved the plan with the single condition read into the record; the applicant and staff intend to continue working on final counts and any necessary amendments. Commissioners praised the volume of tree cover under the plan and asked staff to continue refining details as the site plans advance.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows the following formal actions and outcomes taken during the Jan. 8 session: (1) Approval of minutes from Dec. 4, 2024 — motion carried (mover/second not specified in the transcript). (2) Election of John Bell as chair for 2025 — nomination carried (one abstention recorded). (3) Election of Phil Wessel as vice chair for 2025 — nomination carried (one abstention recorded). (4) Approval of Forest Conservation Plan ENB 9921 2024 for the Lake Forest Mall redevelopment — approved (motioned and seconded; passed unanimously with one condition). Each of these motions was taken from items read into the record and reflected in the meeting transcript.

What the commission did not decide: The commission approved the forest conservation plan for the purpose of permitting and did not, at this meeting, adopt final landscape or planting plans for later phases; Unterberg and staff said those details will be refined in follow-up plans and potential amendments. The commission did not resolve whether trees on Lost Knife Road will be credited; Unterberg said that will require an agreement with Montgomery County.

Looking ahead: The applicant said it expects to apply for site-work permits in the next month or two and demolition permits later in the spring. Staff and the applicant agreed to continue coordinating tree counts and any plan amendments required as the demolition and site plans move toward final approval.