Manor Lake Civic Association

More Info on the Bus Depot & Why Avery Rd is a Bad Idea - Updated 9/23/16

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We recommend that you also visit
      www.SaveBlairEwing.org for backgroud, status, and other information.

CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY RESIDENTS AND OTHERS.

TRAFFIC -

Traffic - Greatly increased number of buses driving on Norbeck Road in the morning and early afternood rush hours. (We don't need hundred's of additional buses on Norbeck Rd in the morning and afternoon.)

A State Highway Administration Traffic study conducted in Spring of 2016 at the request of MLCA included the following statement in their report. "Our discussions revealed that the issues along this corridor are due to the capacity of the roadway being insufficient for the demand as opposed to coordination between signals".  

ENVIRONMENTAL -

Noise - Drivers performing mandatory tests of their buses' horns and backup beepers before departing for their first trip of the day.  We would likely hear them in Manor Lake early in the morning.  Some say this could start as early as 4:30 to 6:30 every day.

Noise - Greatly increased number of buses driving on Norbeck Road in the morning and afternood.

Pollution - Exhaust fumes, especially in winter, as buses idle and warm up.

Pollution - Runoff from parking lot oil drippings into Rock Creek.

Pollution - Possible leaks from oil or gas storage tanks or buses themselves contaminating Rock Creek with harm to wildlife iliving or feeding in or along the creek.

Disruption to wildlife - Possible disruption to the pair of nesting bald eagles on Lake Frank and their young. In light of federal and state guidelines, is this a factor being considered in the selection of a site.

FINANCIAL IMPACT -

Cost to the county and taxpayers to replace the Blair Ewing school with one at another location. 

There is already a shortage of schools in the county.  It makes no sense to tear down an existing school.  

The expense of tear down plus the expense to build the depot vs just building a depot at an unimproved location where no tear down is needed.

WHO BENEFITS -

Developers - Certainly not the taxpayers.

COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP THE SITE
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DGS/Resources/Files/OPD/CSP-JeremiahPark-RFDP.pdf

READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ON BLOGS AND ELSEWHERE.

Maryland State Delegate, Ben Kramer, at the Sept. 8, 2016 meeting and rally:

“I will certainly do what I can to impress our local government officials with the understanding that the Avery [Road] site for the bus depot is illogical, ill-conceived and irresponsible. I am at a loss as to how the Blair Ewing site has been given any consideration at all as it is flawed as so many levels: undersized, excessive construction costs, safety hazards, traffic congestion, adverse environmental impact, loss of public amenities and school facilities.”

Montgomery County Councilmember Sydney Katz, echoed these same sentiments.

From East MoCo Blogsite

July 27, 2016 http://eastmoco.blogspot.com/2016/07/advisory-board-revolts-against-leggett.html

June 24, 2016 http://eastmoco.blogspot.com/2016/06/leggett-rules-out-carver-westmore-bus.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EastMoco+%28East+MoCo%29

June 21, 2016 http://eastmoco.blogspot.com/2016/06/county-council-staff-puts-avery-road.html

June 17, 2016 http://eastmoco.blogspot.com/2016/06/planning-board-says-no-to-westmore-bus.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EastMoco+%28East+MoCo%29

May 10, 2016 http://eastmoco.blogspot.com/2016/05/rockville-moves-could-reignite-blair.html