Emergency Communication Tower: Proposed for Installation at Georgia Avenue and the ICC

To the Members of The Greater Olney Civic Association, Inc.

Dear Fellow Members:

As you may be aware, there exists the possibility that the State of Maryland and Montgomery County will seek to place a very large emergency radio communication tower with the northwest clover leaf of the Inter-County Connector at its intersection with Georgia Avenue.

The Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) supports the idea of better emergency communications.  However, the installation of such a large tower at this particular location becomes an eye-sore on the avenue gateway, Georgia Avenue, to our community.  The membership of GOCA has adopted a Resolution in opposition to this tower at this location.  See the Resolution here

GOCA believes that suitable and alternative locations are worthy of serious consideration.  An alternative location will not diminish the objectives of the communication facility and will not be a blight upon our community.

In support of the community’s Resolution, you are asked to corresponded with our local elected officials.  A partial list of our local elected officials is included for your reference.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the delegates of the Greater Olney Civic Association your support is appreciated.

Thanking you in advance, I am,

Sincerely,

William Francis Xavier (Billy) Becker
President
Greater Olney Civic Association, Inc.

Local Elected Officials
Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive
Executive Office Building
100 Monroe Street
2^ndFloor
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Select Members of the County Council:
Gabe Albornoz (at large)
Evan Glass (at large)
Will Jawando (at large)
Hans Riemer (at large)
Nancy Navarro (4^thDistrict)

Address:
Stella B. Werner
Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850

State Senate (District 14)
Senator Craig D. Zucker
122 Jones Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

House of Delegates(District 14)
Anne R. Kaiser
Eric G. Luedtke
Pamela E. Queen
Address:
c/o Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1991

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The Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) believes the Maryland State Highway Administration’s proposed installation of a 349-foot tall radio communication tower off of Georgia Avenue would have a very significant and negative visual impact to everyone living in the Olney area..  President Billy Becker sent the letter in the link below to Senator Roger Manno and Senator Craig Zucker on July 11, 2018.

The 349-foot tall emergency communication tower right would sit on the side of Georgia Avenue at the southern gateway into Olney. Not only would this be a huge industrial looking structure but the tower also would have strobe lights that would flash 24 hours a day to warn off aircraft. This would be a very significant and negative visual impact to everyone living in the Olney area.

On June 22, 2018, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) mailed out an announcement of a public hearing on this proposal filed by the State Highway Administration (SHA) for the tower on State-owned land at the northwest corner of the intersection of Georgia Avenue and the Inter County Connector in Olney. The public hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 26, with a decision on awarding tower construction contracts to follow shortly thereafter.

The premise is that its installation is warranted for purposes of public safety communications. The problem/concern is the fact that the height of the proposed tower (almost 2/3rds the size of the Washington Monument) and flashing lighting would be in the midst of the main thoroughfare of our community (Georgia Avenue) and immediately adjoining residential neighborhoods along a lovely stretch of attractively landscaped highway. Once constructed, other commercial users would be encouraged to add equipment to the tower, thus increasing the visual impact.