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Commission approves shared‑use path upgrade connecting Muddy Branch to Great Seneca
Summary
The Gaithersburg Planning Commission unanimously approved final site plan SP-10152-2025 to upgrade about 0.3 miles of gravel access to a 10‑foot‑wide shared‑use path between Muddy Branch Road and Great Seneca Highway. The city will keep gated maintenance access and expects temporary construction closures.
The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on July 15 unanimously approved final site plan SP-10152-2025 to convert part of an existing gravel maintenance access into a paved shared‑use path that will connect Muddy Branch Road to Great Seneca Highway.
Mark Kyle, a project engineer with Gaithersburg Public Works, said the overall length of improvements is "0.5 miles" and that the portion being changed from gravel to hard surface is "approximately 0.3 miles." He described the new path as "10 feet wide, with 2 and a half foot shoulders on each side" to allow drainage and edge protection.
Kyle said the project is split into two components: improvements on Isaac Walton League property (striping, signage and minor asphalt upgrades) and upgrades on city land where a gated access will remain closed to the public. "We will maintain no through traffic on this," he said, adding the city will install a bollard to prevent unauthorized vehicles and allow access only for city maintenance, Pepco and utility companies.
Jasmine Forbes of planning staff recommended approval, saying the application meets the criteria in sections 24‑12.6(e) and 24‑12.6(g) of the city zoning ordinance. A committee member moved the motion to grant final site plan approval consistent with staff findings; the commission granted the motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Commissioners questioned signage, ADA compliance and impacts to informal trails. Kyle said approach signage and ADA ramp upgrades within the MDOT right‑of‑way will be included and that the narrow informal dirt path off the Muddy Branch Trail would remain, though temporary closures during construction are expected. He also said the city obtained an access easement from the Isaac Walton League to formalize the connection.
Chair Bauer said he looked forward to a future announcement about a grand opening. The commission did not set a construction schedule at the meeting; staff and the applicant will follow the conditions of approval and coordinate construction notifications and temporary closures with neighbors and traffic control plans.
