letters in support facility planning study in cip letters ... · pdf...
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Attachment 3: Letters of Support (Version Date: January 16, 2017)
Letters in Support Facility Planning Study in CIP
Nancy Navarro, District 4 Representative to the Montgomery County Council
Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board letter to County Executive
GOCA letter to County Executive
Letters of Endorsement for this Concept Plan
Umbrella Organizations, Civic Associations, and Homeowners Associations
GOCA
Olney Civic Fund
Camelback Village Condominium Association
Highlands of Olney
Lake Hallowell HOA
Oatland Farm HOA
Reserve at Fair Hill HOA
Business
Olney Chamber of Commerce
RE/MAX Realty
Karen Rollings, Realty
Elected Officials
District 14 State Delegation
District 19 State Delegation
Olney Nonprofits
Project Change
Olney Concert Band
Olney Big Band
Olney Home for Life
Olney Farmers and Artists Market
P.O. Box 212 • Olney, Maryland • 20830
www.goca.org
December 16, 2015 The Honorable Isiah Leggett Montgomery County Executive Executive Office Building 101 Monroe Street Rockville, Maryland 20850 Dear Mr. Leggett, For many years now, the Olney community has looked forward to the day that it would have its own Civic Center and Town Commons, both for various public uses that can contribute to the vibrancy of our community, and as a gathering place for important community events. As far back as the creation of the Olney Master Plan, a need has been identified for such a center. This Civic Center and Town Commons concept has broad support in the community. The Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) has been on the record for over 15 years in support of such a concept. The Olney community is acutely aware that given the current fiscal situation, but we also are aware that unless planning takes place now, the vision that we have for a community center will never become a reality. The concept of the Civic Center and Town Commons has been long been led by an active and dedicated Olney Town Center Advisory Committee. There is increasing recognition, however, that if the Civic Center and Town Commons is ever to become a reality, there first needs to be a professional feasibility study performed, a task beyond the skillset of volunteers. GOCA therefore asks that you include in the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) a feasibility study to consider the location, scope, and cost of such a Civic Center and Town Commons. There is broad support for this concept, as reflected in a resolution adopted by GOCA at its December 8 meeting:
Resolution
Whereas the Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) is on record since 2000 in request of County action to create a Civic Center to house a mix of public uses within the town center; and Whereas the Olney Master Plan has identified the need for “…a major public open space that would serve as a town commons, and…a civic center that would house the various public services currently located in and around the Town Center”; and Whereas the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee has conducted a community survey to identify the current use needs of numerous local organizations soon to be released under the title Concept Plan for an Olney Civic Center and Town Commons; and Whereas the concept of a Civic Center and Town Commons has the support of Council Member Nancy Navarro, the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board, and the District 14 and 19 state legislative teams; and
Whereas a facility planning study is usually the first course of action for County public facility projects GOCA hereby requests that the County Executive include in the 2017-2022 Capital Improvement Program plan a feasibility study to consider the location, scope, and cost for an Olney Civic Center and Town Commons.
The Olney community is a thriving one, where residents take great pride in contributing to making it a great place in which to live and work. We have our own identity and deserve a place to gather for public meetings and to celebrate on special occasions. Including a feasibility study in the CIP for an Olney Civic Center and Town Commons Center not only would be an important first step in making such a vision a reality, but it would signal to the Olney community that the County recognizes and honors the community that Olney has become, and continues to strive to be. Sincerely,
Matt Quinn Chair, Public Policy & Community Affairs Committee cc: Montgomery County Council
P.O. Box 661• Olney, Maryland • 20830
November 26, 2016
Ms. Lydia Rappolt, Chair
Olney Town Center Advisory Committee
P.0. Box 1164
Olney, MD 20830
Dear Ms. Rappolt:
The purpose of this letter is to register Olney Civic Fund’s (OCF) endorsement of the Olney Town
Center Advisory Committee’s Concept Plan for a Civic Center and Town Commons for Olney,
Maryland, which can be found at www.olneytowncenter.org. OCF also wishes to advocate for the use
of county resources to develop a feasibility study for such facilities and to enlist the county’s help to
identify a suitable location for the facilities, preferably within the Olney town center.
The concept plan represents significant volunteer input and dedication by the Olney Town Center
Advisory Committee (OTCAC). Several of our board members have contributed to this effort. Helene
Rosenheim and myself are members of the OTCAC and have served as Chair. In addition, Barbara
Falcigno has participated in several community meetings advocating for these facilities in the town
center.
Olney has vibrant civic organizations and programming but lacks the public facilities to support
that programming. We support creating this public space to provide a central location with adequate facilities for our community festivals, organizational meetings, and public performances. Section 1 of the concept plan includes specific uses for the facilities that our community needs. OCF is
particularly interested in, and would directly benefit from, the following:
A major public open space to provide a central location for Olney Days activities and possible
festival in autumn such as an Olney Oktoberfest. In the last 4 year, the responsibility for fund
raising for Olney Days has transitioned from GOCA to OCF. Our organization also supports the
Olney Days Committee with planning of particular events and with volunteers. A public open space
would provide a suitable terminus for our parade, an improved location for the block party, and
provide other possible locations for events currently held in parking lots or at locations that are not
in the town center.
A concert pavilion adjacent to the public open space would provide a focal point for community
events, concerts, and other types of performances by local groups. The Olney Days block party
event is currently held on a public street with a rented stage. A concert pavilion in the public open
space would be an ideal location for the block party and be well used for other community festivals
and events.
P.O. Box 661• Olney, Maryland • 20830
Public meeting space that we would use for our board meetings. We often meet at the Olney
library and find that the hours are not convenient and availability is limited.
We thank the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee for its work on developing a concept plan
for a civic center/town commons in Olney and urge county government to pledge resources to
implement the plan in the near future.
Sincerely,
Jim Smith, Chair
Olney Civic Fund
Camelback Village Condominium Association
at Spartan and Buehler Roads
Olney, Maryland, 20832
(IncareofComsourceManagement,3414MorningwoodDrive,Olney,MD20832)
LydiaRappolt,ChairTheOlneyTownCenterAdvisoryCommitteePOBox1164Olney,MD20830July26,2016DearMs.Rappolt,ThepurposeofthisletteristoacknowledgethesupportoftheCamelbackVillageCondominiumAssociationBoardofDirectors,representing193owners,oftheConceptPlanforaCivicCenter/TownCommonsdevelopedbytheOlneyTownCenterAdvisoryCommittee.WehopethattheCountyCouncilwilldevoteadequateresourcesdedicatedtowardafeasibilitystudyforthesefacilitiesandhelpidentifyasuitablelocationwithinthetowncenter.WerecognizethatthisconceptplanrepresentssignificantvolunteerinputandthededicationoftheOlneyTownCenterAdvisoryCommitteethatincludesyou,nominatedbyourcondominiumassociationin2010,whoparticipatedintheprocessofdevelopingtheplanandcurrentlyserveonthecommitteeasitsChairperson.Section1oftheconceptplanincludesspecificusesforthefacilitiesthatourcommunityneeds.Ourcondominiumassociationisparticularlyinterestedinandwouldbenefitfromthefollowinguses:
• PublicmeetingspacethatwecouldconsiderusingforourAnnualHomeownersMeetingandourRegularBoardMeetings.
• AmajorpublicopenspacetoprovideacentrallocationforOlneyDaysactivities,NationalNightOut,theweeklyFarmersandArtistsMarket,andotherfestivalsandevents.Currently,manyoftheseactivitiesareheldinparkinglots,publicstreets,oratlocationsthatarenotinthetowncenter.Wesupportcreatingthispublicspacetoprovideacentrallocationandadequatefacilitiesforourcommunityevents.
• Aconcertpavilionadjacenttothepublicopenspaceprovidingafocalpointforcommunityevents,concerts,andothertypesofperformancesbylocalgroups.
• ApermanenthomefortheMontgomeryCountyPolicySubstation.OurCondominiumAssociationhassupportedthemaintenanceofthecurrenttrailersandwouldliketoseeapermanenthomefortheOlneyPrecinct.
• Ateencentertoserveouryouth.Ourcommunityhasmanynewandyoungfamiliesmove
inwhowouldbenefitfromateencenterinthenext10+years.Thelocalcommercialrealestatemarkethastrendedawayfromattractionsanddestinationsforteens,suchasmovietheatre,gamerooms,abowlingalley,etc.Weendorsecountyinvestmentinfacilitiesthatwoulddirectlyfosterhealthyteenactivitiesinourtowncenter.
WewillcontinuetosupporttheOlneyTownCenterAdvisoryCommitteesothatitcanmovethisprojectfromaconcept,toarealisticvision,toaprogramofrequirements,andtoitsimplementationinthenottoodistantfuture.Ourcommunitybordersthetowncenter,andweareparticularlyinterestedinfuturedevelopmentwithinsuchclosewalkingdistanceofourhomes.Sincerely,CamelbackVillageCondominiumAssociationBoardofDirectorsCynthia Edwards, Executive Vice-President LydiaRappolt,PresidentJosephDorseyCynthiaEdwardsLindaLapkoff ClaraSachsCc: [email protected]
The Management Group Associates, Inc.
A FULL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
July 26, 2016
Lydia Rappolt, Chair [email protected] Olney Town Center Advisory Committee P.O. Box 1164 Olney, MD 20830
Dear Ms. Rappolt:
The purpose of this letter is to endorse the Concept Plan for a Civic Center and Town Commons for Olney, Maryland that your committee recently made public and posted to vvvvvv.olneytowncenter.org. We agree that Olney needs the facilities that you describe in the Concept Plan and we are confident that many of our members would use the facilities when they are built. Our Board would like to see the County dedicate resources for a feasibility study and to help identify a suitable location for the facilities within the town center.
The concept plan represents significant volunteer input and dedication by the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee. The Lake Hallowell Homeowners Association nominated one of our members, Howard Grief, to serve on the committee and he was instrumental in leading the committee to develop this plan.
Section 1 of the concept plan includes specific uses for the facilities that our community needs. Lake Hallowell Homeowners Association is particularly interested in, and would benefit from, the following uses:
1. A major public open space to provide a central location for Olney Days activities, National Night Out, weekly Farmers and Artists Market, and other festivals and events. Many of these activities are held in parking lots, public streets, and at locations that are not in the town center. We support creating this public space to provide a central location and adequate facilities for our community events.
2. A concert pavilion adjacent to the public open space to provide a focal point for community events, concerts, and other types of performances by local community groups.
3. A permanent home for the Police Substation. Our HOA has supported the maintenance of the current trailers and would like to see a permanent home for the Olney precinct.
Please note that TMGA may be deemed a debt collector. Any information obtained from communication with our office may be used for that purpose.
20440 Century Boulevard • Suite 100 • Germantown, Maryland 20874 (301) 948-6666 • 1-800-536-TMGA (8642) • FAX (301) 948-6663 coin 11.111i1v
E-Mail: [email protected] / www.themamtgroup.corn
4. A teen center to serve our youth. Our community has many new and young families who would benefit from a teen center in the next 10+ years. The local commercial real estate market has trended away from attractions and destinations for teens, such as a movie theatre, games room, a bowling alley, etc. We endorse County investment in facilities that would directly foster healthy teen activities in our town center.
5. Public meeting space that we could consider using for our Annual Homeowners Meeting and Board meetings.
We thank you for your efforts to help make these facilities a reality in Olney.
Sincerely,
Jeff Rohrman, Presiden of the Lake Hallowell Homeowners Association
/sgs LK: IIL6 G:\LK\II.a. Developer-Community LiaisonTresident ltr to Olney Town Centre Advisory Committee - 072616.doc
15July2016
Ms.LydiaRappolt,ChairOlneyTownCenterAdvisoryCommittee
P.O.Box1164Olney,Maryland20830
DearMs.Rappolt,
TheReserveatFairHillHomeownersAssociationofOlneyiswritingthislettertoendorsetheConceptPlanforaCivicCenterandTownCommonsforOlney,Marylandthatyourcommitteerecentlymade
publicandpostedtowww.olneytowncenter.org.WeagreethatOlneyneedsthefacilitiesoutlinedintheConceptPlan.Ourresidentsareexcitedabouttheprospectsofmaximumuseofthemoncetheyarebuilt.OurboardwouldrequestsMontgomeryCountytodedicateresourcesforafeasibilitystudyand
toincludeourHOAaswellasothersintheplanningprocesstoidentifyasuitablelocationforthefacilitieswithinthetowncenterandsuggestdesignaspectsfromapatronperspective.TheReserveatFairHillispreparedtobeactivewithparticipationinsuchaprocess.
Theconceptplanincludesspecificusesforfacilitiesthatourresidentsareespeciallyinterestedintaking
benefit,including:
1. Apublicsquare–alandscaped,treeandplant-friendly,areawherefamiliesmaygather,relaxandenjoymeetingwithotherresidentsinanenvironment.
2. Aconcertpavilion–alocationthatwillallowlocalartiststoprovidemusicandother
performancesinacentrallocation3. Apolicesubstation–securityservicesmoreeasilyaccessibleandavailabletoourresidents
insteadofsharedserviceswiththeWheatonsubstationdistrict
4. Arecreationalcenter–adedicatedspaceprovidingourcommunity’syouthwithprogramsandasafeplacetogoforhealthyfamilyentertainment
5. Apublicmeetingfacility-alocationthatallowsourHOAandotherswithspacethatisfreeof
chargetoholdourmembershipandboardmeetingsaswellasotherspecialevents
THERESERVEATFAIRHILLOlney-LaytonsvilleandWickhamRoads,MD20832
WebelievethatthebuildingofthesefacilitieswillallowourcommunitytobemorecompetitivewithlocationslikeRockvilleTownSquareandDowntownCrownofGaithersburg,amongothersinthe
county,asadestinationforbothresidentsandvisitorsafar.ThisprojectwillenhancetheeconomicdevelopmentofOlney,Marylandandre-emphasizewhyOlneywasselectedbyForbesMagazineseveralyearsagoasoneofthebestplacesintheUnitedStatestolive.
Sincerely,
Jason B. Lee
JasonB.LeePresident
TheReserveatFairHillHomeownersAssociation,Inc.
PO BOX 934
Olney, Maryland
20830
www.projectchange-md.org
October 23, 2016
Lydia Rappolt, Chair
Olney Town Center Advisory Committee
PO BOX 161
Olney, Maryland 20830
Dear Ms. Rappolt,
We know that the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee (OTCAC)
has identified the need for civic center and town commons facilities that
you have outlined in a draft document entitled Concept Plan for a Civic
Center and Town Commons for Olney, Maryland. The purpose of this
letter is to provide our support of the concept plan. And, we sincerely
hope that County Executive Isaiah Leggett supports this endeavor
through the dedication of county resources toward developing a
feasibility study for facilities to address this need, and to help identify a
suitable location for the facilities within the town center.
The concept plan represents significant community volunteer input
and dedication by the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee. Helene
Rosenheim, the immediate past chair of Project Change has served on
the OTCAC since its creation by the County Council in 2005, initially as a
staff member of the Mid-County Regional Service Center serving Olney
and then by nomination from Project Change. As a member of this
Committee, she has participated in the process of developing this plan
relating the needs and long-standing interests of our organization to
provide a teen center for the youth of the greater Olney area.
Section 1 of the concept plan includes specific uses for the facilities that
our community needs.
Jeff Stinehelfer, Chair
Aaron Boker, Member
Anthony DeCicco,
Member
Thorin Erb, Student
Member (Magruder)
Soma Ganesh, Member
Tom McCarthy, Member
Tom Stevens, Member
Helene Rosenheim,
Vice Chair
Kim Williams, Member
Lallo Yadeta, Student
Member (Good Counsel)
Robyn Holstein-Glass,
Executive Director
Project Change Letter of Support for Civic Center/Town Commons 2 October 23, 2016
A teen center to serve our youth. Our community has many existing as well as many new
and young families that have moved into the area who would benefit from a teen center.
Project Change was created over 15 years ago when 4 Sherwood High School students
came to the community because they felt there wasn’t really a safe, drug-free, alcohol-free
place for Olney youth to gather.
Local facilities like Longwood Recreation, a valuable Olney asset, are so well used already
by a wide range of Olney residents that they do not provide the kind of space the youth are
interested in for the amount of time they would like to use it. And, the local commercial
real estate market has trended away from attractions and destinations for teens, such as a
movie theatre, a game room, a bowling alley, a performance space for local teen bands,
etc. We heartily endorse county investment in facilities that would directly foster healthy
teen activities in our town center.
Public meeting space that we could consider using for meetings of our youth leadership
and of the regular meetings of our Board of Directors.
A major public open space that would provide a central location for Olney Days activities
such as the Olney Days Block Party that takes place on the Sunday evening of that weekend
and benefits Project Change; as well as other Olney events like National Night Out, weekly
Farmers and Artists Market, and other activities and events including some planned by our
Project Change Youth Empowered Service Clubs in our local high schools and middle
schools. Many of these activities are now held in parking lots, public streets, and at
locations that are not in the town center. We support creating this public space to provide
a central location and adequate facilities for many of our community events.
A concert pavilion adjacent to the public open space would provide a focal point for
community events, concerts, and other types of performances by local community groups,
such as the Olney Concert Band, the Olney Big Band, and many of our youth bands.
A permanent home for the Police Substation. Our organization has supported the
maintenance of the current trailers and the existing police presence in our community,
particularly because of the distance between our community and the District 4 Police
Station. Having a permanent home for the Olney Satellite facility in close proximity to a
teen center would certainly enhance the security and sense of safety felt by those
participating in activities at a teen center, and their families.
The Board of Project Change thanks you for including space for our youth, and ask that the
County provide sustained support to the Olney Town Center Committee so that this plan can
Project Change Letter of Support for Civic Center/Town Commons 3 October 23, 2016
move from concept, to a realistic vision, to a program of requirements, and to implementation
in the not too distant future.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Stinehelfer Robyn Holstein-Glass
Chair Executive Director
cc: Isiah Leggett
Montgomery County Executive
Nancy Floreen, President
Montgomery County Council
Nancy Navarro
Montgomery County Council, District 4
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September 25,2016Ms. Lydia Rappolt, ChairOlney Town Center Advisory CommitteeP.O Box 1164Olney, MD 20833Dear Ms. Rappolt:
The Olney Town Center Advisory Committee has articulated the need for civic center and towncommons facilities and has drafted a document entitled Concept Plan for a Civic Center and TownCommons for Olney, Maryland that is found at www.olnevtowncenter.ors. The purpose of this letteris to document the Olney Concert Band's endorsement of the concept plan and to ask you to workwith County government officials, businesses and others to direct resources toward developing afeasibility study to address requirements and to help identify a suitable location for such facilitieswithin the Olney town center.
Having celebrated our 30th anniversary with a special concert in May 2016 at the Sandy Spring FriendsSchool, the olney Concert Band is comprised of volunteer musicians from olney and nearby areas.Our membership ranges from local high school students to retired persons who enjoy exploring andpresenting a variety of musical repertoire. Throughout the year, we perform indoor and outdoorconcerts to diverse audiences, including appearances at community events such as Olney Days, theOlney Farmers and Artists Market, the Sandy Spring Museum Strawberry Festival, and the MedStarMontgomery Hospital Bazaar, as well as performances for Leisure World and other MontgomeryCou ntry sen ior residences.
The concept plan represents significant volunteer input and dedication by the Olney Town CenterAdvisory Committee (OTCAC) on which Noreen Friedman represents the Otney Concert Band (OCB),having been nominated by both the OCB and the Olney Big Band. Several of our OCB Board membershave previously attended OTCAC meetings to express endorsement for the concept plan with aparticular focus on the concert pavilion/band shell.
Such a concert pavilion would serve the Olney Concert Band's interest in providing free communityconcerts to large audiences. lt would also facilitate other community entertainment by both localperforming arts groups, including youth ensembles, as well as visiting performers.
Several years ago, the Olney Concert Band hosted the annual Maryland Community Band Day festival,featuring community concert bands from throughout the State. While we would have preferred tohost the event in Olney to encourage attendance by local community members, we instead held BandDay in downtown Silver Spring to capitalize on the availability of the suitable outdoor venue.
ln addition to advocating for an Olney concert pavilion, the Olney Concert Band also supports:
A maior public open space to provide a central location for community events, such asOlney Days activities, National Night Out, weekly Farmers and Artists Market, and otherfestivals and events. Many of these activities are currently held in parking lots, publicstreets, and at locations that are not within the town center.A permanent home for the Police Substation. The Olney Concert Band supports themaintenance of the current trailers and would like to see a permanent home for the Olneyprecinct.
A center to serve our vouth and others. Our community has many new and young familiesmoving in who would benefit from a teen center in the next 10+ years. The localcommercial real estate market has trended away from attractions and destinations forteens, such as a movie theatre, games room, a bowling alley, etc. We endorse countyinvestment in facilities that would directly foster healthy teen activities in our town center.Potentially, such a center could double as a seniors activities center during school hours.Public meetine/storaee space that we could consider employing for our administrativemeeting requirements as well as possibly storage for our growing music library and largepercussion equipment.
Members of the Olney Concert Band remain strong supporters of an Olney Community Center andTown Commons within the Olney Town Center. The Olney Concert Band appreciates the efforts ofthe Olney Town Center Advisory Committee and other community members in pursuing thisinitiative. Please let us know how we might help in moving forward with making the concept arealistic vision to be realized in the not too distant future.
Sincerely,./7,// r
/',/ /') /
(!:(,',rifu:::K'ftl'l*'President, Olney Concert Band3512 Toddsbury Lane
Olney, Maryland 20832Home: 301-570-9176Mobile: 3O1-8A7-4514
OLNEY HOME FOR LIFE PO Box 1684, Olney, Maryland 20830
301.446.2512 www.OlneyHomeForLife.org
August 4, 2016
Ms. Lydia Rappolt, Chair
Olney Town Center Advisory Committee
P.0. Box 1164
Olney, MD 20830
Dear Ms. Rappolt
The purpose of this letter is to endorse the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee’s
Concept Plan for a Civic Center and Town Commons for Olney, Maryland, which can be found
at www.olneytowncenter.org. We also wish to advocate for the use of county resources to
develop a feasibility study for such facilities and to enlist the county’s help to identify a suitable
location for the facilities, preferably within the Olney town center.
The concept plan represents significant volunteer input and dedication by the Olney Town
Center Advisory Committee. As a stakeholder representing the needs of seniors, Olney Home
for Life (OHFL) board members have attended a number of briefings about the plan. One of our
board members, Audrey Partington, is also a member of the Olney Town Center Advisory
Committee.
Section 1 of the concept plan includes specific uses for the facilities that our community
needs. Olney Home for Life is particularly interested in, and would benefit from, the following:
Senior Interests/Senior Center— Our nonprofit organization, Olney Home for Life,
provides services for seniors to help them age in place in their own homes. These
services include rides to medical appointments, friendly calls and friendly visits to
isolated seniors. Modest office space, and a location for senior programs (in some
cases, in conjunction with the county or other nonprofits groups) would provide
synergies to enhance the quality of life of Olney’s fastest growing segment of the
population.
As noted in the concept plan’s discussion on a Teen Center, since teens are in school
during the day throughout the school year (and presumably their use of the space
would be after school, evenings and weekends) perhaps the space could be shared
with seniors whose programs would be held during weekday hours. Also, during the
summer, senior programs are held at the Olney Library since their usual meeting
space at Longwood Recreation Center is occupied by county camp programs.
OLNEY HOME FOR LIFE PO Box 1684, Olney, Maryland 20830
301.446.2512 www.OlneyHomeForLife.org
We thank the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee for its work on developing a
concept plan for a civic center/town commons in Olney and urge county government to
pledge resources to implement the plan in the not too distant future.
Sincerely,
Tom Brunetto
Board Chair
Olney Home for Life, Inc.
OLNEYFARMERS **AKTTSTS
}vtAE-KET
Olney Farmers and Artists Market
PO Box 1787
Olney, MD 20830
November 19,201-6
To Whom lt May Concern,
I am writing to express my full support for the Concept Plan for the Olney Civic Center and Town
Commons. I know Jim Smith and the Advisory group have worked so hard to make this a reality. The
Olney Farmers and Artists Market commends them for their hard work and dedication.
Olney Farmers and Artists Market President
Sincerely,
,F*tUanetterrv