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Developer outlines multimodal trail, easement and road repairs for National View project
Summary
At the May 4 Forest Heights council meeting, the National View development team presented a proposed easement exhibit to extend a multimodal pedestrian-and-bike trail into the town, tied to utility work on Seneca and sidewalk connections; the council asked questions about annexation tax terms and the schedule for final site plan certification.
Andrew Clayman, a member of the National View project team, told the Town of Forest Heights on May 4 that the development’s remaining easement exhibit would allow a combined pedestrian-and-bicycle trail to pass from the National View property through an easement into Forest Heights and connect to existing sidewalks and a signalized pedestrian crossing on MD‑210.
"So what you see in that red and blue striped line would be a, an area that would be striped for pedestrian and bike use," Clayman said, describing curb cuts, crosswalk striping and bollards to prevent vehicle access. He said crews would need to “tear up” the bottom of Seneca to place water and sewer lines and that the street would be rebuilt to county and town standards.
The presentation included engineering details: a combined striped crosswalk area at each side street, curb cuts and a sidewalk extension where the current sidewalk ends at a driveway. Clayman said signage and LED lighting would mark park hours and that the project would repair road damage incurred during underground utility work.
Council members pressed the development team about the scope of work and the tax and annexation terms. Council member Brownson questioned whether the property had ever been intended for single‑family homes and whether the annexation agreement had changed the town’s revenue expectations. Clayman replied that the annexation agreement was prepared assuming multifamily development and that multifamily buildings would generate substantially more tax revenue than the prior single‑family zoning.
Clayman also discussed an annual easement fee negotiated during prior discussions. "I think we moved it to 5... it was last moved to 10, and I believe that's where it stands now," he said when listing prior fee proposals. He asked the council to help conclude the easement agreement by the end of the month so the project could stay on schedule.
On timing, Clayman said the final detailed site plan comments were ready to be submitted at the end of the week and that, if certified, entitlements could be complete by early to mid‑September. After certification, the team expects a financing round before starting horizontal work.
The council did not take a vote on the easement at the meeting. Clayman stressed that public safety coordination with the town and county agencies — including Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and public safety staff — would continue as exhibit details are finalized.
