Council Unanimously Approves Westbard Sector Plan (VIDEO)

The Montgomery County Council approved new zoning for the Westbard community of Bethesda on May 3rd. The vote was unanimous, 9-0, for the Westbard Sector Plan.

“It has been, to say the least, a bumpy ride,” said Council Vice President Roger Berliner, who worked to reduce the density in the plan and who also found himself the target of a group of residents who said the downsized plan didn’t go far enough to reduce the density.

Some of those residents held signs that read, “Save Westbard” throughout the Council meeting.

Councilmembers Hans Riemer, Marc Elrich, Roger Berliner and Nancy Floreen addressed the process and the controversial plan with comments from their seats at the Council dais. Take a look, below:

After the Council vote, the Westwood Shopping Center’s private developer, Equity One, released the following statement:

“This has been a long process, and we appreciate the time and hard work the community, planners and the Council have invested in updating the Westbard Sector Plan. We look forward to the next stage and continuing our work with all stakeholders as we move towards a new mixed-use Westwood that’s modern, convenient and community friendly.”

Berliner and Leggett Ask Planning Board Chair to Pause Westbard Plan and to Retain Mediator

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Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and County Council President Roger Berliner have written a letter to Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson asking for a delay in the Equity One sketch plan process, just weeks after the board approved the development plan (excluding the area believed to be a historic burial ground). In the letter dated March […]

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County Report This Week (VIDEO)

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The latest episode of County Report This Week includes reports on Noah’s Law signing, the Westbard Sector Plan, the Carver bus depot and more. You can watch the show, below:

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"21 This Week" Talks Elections, Westbard Plan and Metro (VIDEO)

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Casey Aiken hosts the latest episode of “21 This Week.”  Aiken and the panel discuss the Presidential election, the Westbard Sector Plan, the National Transportation Safety Board’s May 3rd report on the January 12, 2015 L’Enfant Plaza accident and the future of the proposed White Oak Silence Gateway Master Plan. This week’s panel of political observers […]

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Council Unanimously Approves Westbard Sector Plan (VIDEO)

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The Montgomery County Council approved new zoning for the Westbard community of Bethesda on May 3rd. The vote was unanimous, 9-0, for the Westbard Sector Plan. “It has been, to say the least, a bumpy ride,” said Council Vice President Roger Berliner, who worked to reduce the density in the plan and who also found […]

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Bethesda Residents Want County Councilmembers to Reduce Density in Westbard Sector Plan (VIDEO)

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Dozens of Bethesda residents protested outside the Council Office Building one week before the County Council scheduled a vote on the Westbard Sector Plan. The residents displayed signs that read, “Save Our Neigborhood,” and “Beautify not Densify,” as they took turns at the microphone sharing their thoughts on the current Westbard Sector Plan. They were […]

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Berliner on Westbard: "I Get That This is Not a Popular Stand" (VIDEO)

Berliner at Westbard Rally

Dozens of residents who say they are trying to “Save Westbard,” rallied in front of the County Council Office Building on April 26, one week before the County Council is scheduled to vote on the Westbard Sector Plan. Council Vice President Roger Berliner has worked to reduce the density in the plan for this Bethesda […]

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Councilmember Marc Elrich Addresses Save Westbard Group (VIDEO)

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In this MyMCMedia Extra video, below, Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich addresses the residents at the “Save Westbard” rally outside the Council Office Building on April 26th. Elrich said he shares the residents’ anxiety about the planning process. Take a look: The rally comes one week before the Montgomery County Council is slated to vote […]

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Save Westbard Group Plans Rally outside Council Office Building in Rockville

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Residents are organizing a Save Westbard rally to take place on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon outside the Council Office Building in Rockville. The rally comes one week before the Council is scheduled to formally vote on the Westbard Sector Plan. The last time the group organized at the Westwood Shopping Center, dozens […]

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Berliner Posts Open Letter on Westbard Sector Plan (VIDEO)

Roger Berliner

Montgomery County Council Vice President Roger Berliner has posted an open letter about the Westbard Sector Plan on his Facebook page. “I believe this plan will enhance the Westbard area, not degrade it,” he writes on his Facebook page as as a preface. He also notes that the plan has been “reduced in half from […]

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Council President Nancy Floreen on the Westbard Sector Plan (VIDEO)

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At her weekly briefing, County Council President Nancy Floreen announced that the Council will take up the Westbard Sector Plan in early May. According to Floreen, it is unprecedented that the Council is leaving this much time between the straw vote and final vote for further conversations. Find out more in this MyMCMedia Extra video, […]

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Sonya Burke

About Sonya Burke

Sonya Burke is the Multimedia Manager at Montgomery Community Media (MCM). You can email story ideas at sburke@mymcmedia.org or reach her on Twitter @SonyaNBurke.

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