Planning commission approves AstraZeneca renovation at 200 Orchard Ridge Drive with landscaping condition

The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on Nov. 5 approved an amendment to the final site plan that allows AstraZeneca to add three building additions totaling 7,988 square feet at 200 Orchard Ridge Drive, part of the company's Gaithersburg campus. Planning staff recommended approval, finding the application in compliance with city code sections 24-12.6(e) and 24-12.6(g), provided the applicant resolves outstanding landscape comments from the Departments of Planning and Public Works prior to final signature.

Hannah Williams, applicant representative for AstraZeneca, told the commission the project responds to occupant needs in the company's oncology commercial branding team and will provide more amenity and collaborative space. Dana Verbosch, design director with Gensler, said the plan adds a formal main entry with a communicating stair, a smaller "campus connector" entrance to link to adjacent buildings and parking garages, and a rear infill dubbed the "Grotto Overlook," and includes site work to relocate the loading area and address stormwater management deficits.

The staff report and presentation said the property is in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone and the application is based on the amendment to the schematic development plan ASDP 09/2024, approved by Mayor and City Council resolution R-38-25 on Sept. 2, 2025. The applicant described the building as all-office (no laboratories) and said the interior fit-out is part of the overall project.

During questions, applicants told commissioners they target project completion, including exterior and interior fit-out, in the first quarter of 2027. Construction fencing is already in place around work areas, and the relocated loading area will be visually screened by a wall rather than a gate; applicants said deliveries are limited to box trucks and on-campus compost/dumpster usage is minimal. The team said the phase 1 work will not eliminate any parking spaces. Designers said they plan to add green islands and native plantings to improve stormwater performance and biodiversity; phase 2, which would further reconfigure site circulation and remove a formal drop-off, is a business decision AstraZeneca may pursue in 5 to 10 years.

On sustainability, the applicant and designer said the project is pursuing LEED Gold and FitWel certification and that Gensler requires Environmental Product Declarations for specified materials. The planning staff read a single condition into the record: "Applicant must satisfy all outstanding comments from Departments of Planning and Public Works related to the landscape plan prior to final signature of the plans."

A motion to approve the amendment to the final site plan was made, seconded and passed by voice vote. Earlier in the meeting the commission also accepted a record plat listed on the agenda. No public commenters were present on the item and no formal objections were recorded.

The condition must be satisfied before the city will issue final signatures on the approved plans; staff and the applicant indicated the condition relates to minor adjustments to landscaping to avoid conflicts with other site elements.