Council approves letter to Montgomery County Library Board and updates GEICO site abatement and litigation

The Friendship Heights Village Council voted July 13 to send a letter, signed by the mayor, to the Montgomery County Library Board urging consideration of a library and performing-arts center in the village area as the county updates the sector plan.

Councilmember Francine Klein presented the advisory committee's letter and moved approval with one amendment: the committee reduced its estimate of potential new homes on the GEICO site from 500 to about 300 ("proposed 300" in the letter). The council seconded the motion and voted to approve the amended letter and authorize the mayor to sign and issue it by July 30.

Klein also updated the council on the GEICO property: asbestos abatement is underway, and Jacob Butler, the state's asbestos abatement chief, told a July 2 public meeting that site contractors were using containment and air-monitoring processes appropriate to protect workers and surrounding residents. Klein said the work so far suggests the abatement process has kept asbestos out of the air. She emphasized demolition proper has not yet begun and county inspectors will continue monitoring.

Klein said the village has filed reply briefs in pending litigation about development approvals and will post pleadings on the village website for public review. She encouraged residents to attend a planning-board hearing on July 30 about preliminary/site plans; the committee plans to coordinate resident testimony and legal counsel attendance if needed.

The chair and manager said staff will circulate links to the filings and related materials so residents can review them before any hearing.