Kensington leaves public record open on proposed sale of Joseph Park

The Kensington Mayor and Town Council held a public hearing Feb. 12 on Ordinance O-01-2025, which would authorize the sale of Town-owned property at 3420 Plyers Mill Road, commonly discussed as Joseph Park. The council left the public record open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, for additional written comments.

Several residents spoke against the proposed sale. Joe Campbell, Beth Meyer, Leslie Olson, and Alicia Toledano voiced opposition during the hearing; Alicia Toledano asked whether residents would have recourse if the council approved the sale. Jody Krieger spoke in support of the ordinance.

Town Attorney Suellen Ferguson advised on the referendum process: “once the Ordinance is adopted, a petition can be filed before the 28th day following approval, containing the signatures of at least twenty percent of qualified voters for the ordinance to be submitted to referendum (Section 411 of the Town Charter),” she said. Town Manager Hoffman told the council the Town had received 14 public comments and a letter from the Kensington Historical Society and said he would determine an estimated building envelope prior to the next Council meeting; he also clarified Joseph Park is not in the historic district.

Council Member Engle moved to keep the public record open on O-01-2025 until March 7; the motion passed unanimously. The council did not adopt the ordinance at the Feb. 12 meeting; the public comment period remains open and the ordinance will return for further action after the comment period concludes.