Committee backs Northfield Road abandonment in Bethesda, with easements for utilities and pedestrian access retained

The Transportation and Environment Committee recommended on Nov. 18 that the County Council approve a resolution to abandon a short stretch of county right-of-way on Northfield Road in Bethesda, clearing the way for two adjacent landowners to consolidate lots and build a private pool.

The committee heard from Mr. Kenny, who said the owners of 88401 Moreland Lane and 5423 Northfield Road seek the abandonment because the roughly “couple hundred feet” of ROW has historically functioned as a private gravel driveway and is not used for public travel. Mr. Kenny said the applicants have agreed to "provide easements onto the property for those issues in perpetuity" to preserve access for sewer and gas utilities, language included in the resolution before the committee.

Why it matters: the Planning Board reviewed the case and recommended approval on condition that the remaining southern portion of the right-of-way be retained for pedestrian and bicycle access to Greenwich Neighborhood Park and that at least one primary residence on the consolidated property be demolished before new construction begins. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue told staff it had no objection to the abandonment.

Committee members generally framed the request as infill rather than an expansion of the sewer or road envelope, noting that the pedestrian/cyclist link to the park would remain. The Chair concluded the item "without objection" and said the committee would support the resolution to forward to the full County Council.

The County Council will receive the committee’s recommendation and, if it approves, the abandonment would still need any required administrative steps to finalize easements and recording. Planning and public-safety conditions attached by the Planning Board remain part of the committee’s recommended action.