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Residents raise rezoning, traffic, bamboo infestation and sidewalk safety in Rockville public forum
Summary
During the May 5 public forum Rockville residents urged the mayor and council to reconsider rezonings in and near Town Center, reported a neighborhood bamboo infestation encroaching on private property, and complained about recent sidewalk/driveway modifications that they say create hazards and limited notice.
At the start of the May 5 meeting, a series of residents delivered public comments on neighborhood land‑use and infrastructure concerns.
Several speakers from the Montrose neighborhood asked the mayor and council to oppose proposed rezonings on Martha Terrace and nearby parcels that residents say would allow taller, denser development incompatible with narrow local streets. Multiple residents asked the council and staff to walk the neighborhood with them; council members and staff agreed to do outreach and follow up. The Montrose neighborhood speakers cited nearby projects (including a large apartment near Wegmans and other county developments) that increase cut‑through traffic, and asked for more traffic calming and enforcement.
William Meyer and other speakers urged caution about a map amendment to change Woodmont Country Club property from R400 to RMD25 if future vehicle access would rely on existing curb cuts on Wootton Parkway; Meyer asked the council to adopt a timely acknowledgement policy for constituent communications and to clarify a refuse‑collection resolution phrase (“any other reason”).
A Rock Creek Park neighbor reported an ongoing bamboo infestation encroaching on private yards; staff arranged an in‑person follow‑up with the Forestry/Public Works contact to discuss remediation options.
A Newmark Commons resident described sidewalk reconstruction on Tenure Court and Tenure Way that raised driveway aprons to curb level, creating vehicle and pedestrian hazards and leaving two residents temporarily trapped; the resident said neighborhood notice was insufficient. Public Works staff members were identified as available to meet with the resident after the meeting.
Reverend Ashley Hoover of Jerusalem Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church asked the council to retain the church’s MXT zoning (not rezoning to RO or R60) so the congregation can continue outreach and future development on unimproved land. The council told the public they have received the testimony and staff will follow up.
Ending: Staff agreed to follow up with specific residents about the bamboo remediation, sidewalk/driveway safety, and to continue outreach on the proposed rezonings that drew neighborhood concern.
