Resolutions
A partial listing of past GOCA resolutions.
Topic: ICC
Date: March 11, 2008
Motion by Arnold Gordon
Be it resolved that:
(1) GOCA, in concert with other civic associations not within the Greater Olney area, support, as its main objective, the completion of the Inter-County Connector (ICC) before opening any interchanges planned for Georgia Avenue or Rte 28/Layhill Road,
(2) GOCA oppose any exit from the ICC onto Layhill Road, in its judgment being unnecessary and destructive of local neighborhoods and the environment, and
(3) Should the State Highway Administration decide against our main objective as outlined above, then and only then, GOCA remain committed to the opening of a temporary intersection at Rte. 28 prior to opening of the Georgia Avenue interchange for the ICC.
The motion was seconded by Steve Cohen and passed overwhelmingly.
Topic: Olney Master Plan/32 acres
Date: Dec. 14, 2004
Motion by Arnold Gordon
GOCA resolve that the Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) should adopt the following policy: before the BOE declares properties owned by the Montgomery County Public School system as “unneeded”, a series of public hearings shall be held to allow ample time for Community input on the proposed action.
Seconded by Jackie Benn. Passed unanimously after discussion.
Topic: ICC
Date: March 9, 2004
Motion by John Lyons
It be resolved that GOCA endorse the Save Our Communities campaign that opposes all alignments of the proposed Inter-County Connector and supports addressing our traffic problems and transportation needs by investing in transit, improving existing local roads, and reducing the need for long commutes by balancing housing and jobs in livable, walkable communities. Further resolve that GOCA authorize the GOCA officers to take the necessary steps to effectuate this endorsement.
This motion was seconded by Ed Weisel and passed unanimously.
Topic: Winchester School
Date: Jan. 13, 2004
Motion by Arnold Gordon
Whereas the site sought by the Winchester School is extremely small and will not accommodate the parking requisite to a facility with an eventual enrollment of 180 in grades 1-6;
Whereas this facility will create traffic flows that will unduly burden the neighboring community, endanger pedestrians and motorists, and, whereas this site will have a degree of imperviousness more than 25%, be it resolved GOCA oppose the development of this Rock Hill Road site as presented.
The motion was seconded by Jackie Benn.
In the discussion of the motion, the following points were added:
- The school will be run by Mrs. Rhim and her son.
- If the Board of Appeals grants a special exception for the proposed used, the Board will need to impose a lot of conditions which Mrs. Rhim could be held to.
Following the discussion, the motion passed with 3 abstentions.
Topic: Upper Rock Creek Master Plan/Freeman Property
Date: Jan. 13, 2004
Motion by Susan Petrocci
GOCA oppose the Pulte-Dell Webb proposal on the Freeman/Pulte property of 334 units for an adult community and supports the Master Plan recommended density of .33 units per acre with a variety of housing opportunities.
Chuck Young seconded the motion. Motion was passed.
Topic: Upper Rock Creek Master Plan/ Freeman Property
Date: Dec. 9, 2003
Motion by Susan Petrocci
GOCA should send a letter to the County Council by January 1, 2004 opposing the Pulte-Dell Webb proposal on the Freeman property. And, that the language for the letter should be taken form John Lyons' testimony before the Planning Board, and that GOCA support the Planning Board recommendations for this property in the Draft Upper Rock Creek Master Plan.
The motion was seconded by Art Brodsky. Motion passed.
Topic: Upper Rock Creek Master Plan/Freeman Property
Date: November 11, 2003
Motion by: Susan Petrocci
GOCA hereby resolves that the goals of the Upper Rock Creek Master Plan as stipulated in the Planning Board Draft are: (1) to preserve and protect the headwaters of the Upper Rock Creek and to maintain the Use III streams, and (2) to preserve the residential character by maintaining low densities and relatively large lots.
Pulte’s proposal to build an active adult community of approximately 585 units is utterly inconsistent with these goals, with the Master Plan recommendations for this property, and with the provisions of the Rural Neighborhood Cluster (RNC) zone. Pulte proposed density of 1.8 units per acre is almost double the maximum permitted density of 1 unit per acre in the RNC zone.
Pulte has requested both rezoning of the property and a Zoning Text Amendment customized to enable this proposal to go forward. GOCA strongly urges that this request be denied. Further, GOCA believes it is ill-advised to alter the RNC zone to provide for any non-residential structure including, but not limited to, retail, medical services, or professional office facilities. Pulte’s proposed Zoning Text Amendment would affect all areas of the county where the RNC zone exists. GOCA is deeply concerned that the specific changes to theRNC zone proposed by Pulte would invite inappropriate development proposals on other large lot properties in the Upper Rock Creek wedge or in equally sensitive areas throughout the county, including areas in the Olney Master Plan area.
Therefore, GOCA strongly opposes any development of the Freeman property that exceeds the Planning Board's draft recommendations of .33 units per acres (i.e., a maximum of 110 dwelling units) for that property. GOCA also strong opposes Pulte's proposed Zoning Text Amendment that would substantially redefine the RNC zone. Finally, GOCA urges the Planning Board to stand firm behind its recommendations for the Freeman property in the Draft Upper Rock Creek Master Plan, and to reject any proposal for the Freeman Property, including Pulte's, that is inconsistent with the board's recommendations.
The motion was seconded by Arnold Gordon and passed, with no additional discussion.
Topic: Fire Services Legislation
Date: Nov. 11, 2003
Motion by Arnold Gordon
GOCA oppose bill 36-03 if it goes to public hearing. However, GOCA requests withdrawal of the bill as currently written and requests that the legislator hold open discussions with all parties to address safety issues that are broken and actions necessary to resolve them.
The motion was seconded by Susan Petrocci. Motion passed.