Notes prepared by Ed Murtagh

Notes from January 19, 2011 WRAC Meeting.ÿ 

A lot was discussed that should be of interest to our community.ÿ 

Mid County Regional Updates (Natalie Cantor)

Natalie Cantor and Dan Sadler (GIS staff) presented efforts to update the 
County s GIS database to better define Wheaton neighborhoods.ÿ This is actually 
pretty important. ÿThere is a perception that crime is a problem in Wheaton. 

Part of the problem is the way crime is identified by locationÿ by the media 
according to Natalieÿ.ÿ Many crimes occurring far from the Wheaton CBD are 
reported as occurring in Wheatonÿwhen in fact, crime is down by 40%.ÿ This is 
because the boundaries of Wheaton are not defined.ÿ The proposed northern most 
boundary of Wheaton will be Shorefield Rd.ÿ It was not clear from the map what 
the other boundaries will be.ÿ The police department is now working with Wheaton 
and the Planning Board to update the GIS database to better link crime reports 
to meaningful locations. 

This is complicated by the fact there is Crime Reporting Areas (CRAs) and Police 
Reporting Areas (RPAs). ÿ

Other updates: Natalie noted that come spring we will be able to use our cell 
phones to pay for parking like you can in Bethesda.ÿÿThere is also an effort to 
get  enhanced  medians on Georgia Ave instead of the proposed metal fence (near 
Safeway).

B.F. Saul Updates by Robert Wulff

A major portion of the WRAC meeting was dedicated to the B.F. Saul redevelopment 
project.ÿÿ Mr. Wulff noted that what he was providing was a very, very draft 
concept that would surely change in the next weeks.ÿÿ He noted that to make the 
project work, there will be many tradeoffs.ÿ No one will get everything they 
want. 

The draft concept provided was the area above and around the WMATA bus 
bays, which is the most problematic location. The concept for the Parking Lot 13 
location will come later.ÿ ÿMr. Wulff provided a concept that showed office 
space at the Viers Mill/Georgia Ave corner; residential units at the Viers Mill 
Reedie corner; and a hotel near the Reedie and Georgia Ave corner.ÿ All this was 
interspersed with plazas and some retail space.ÿ ÿ

The Viers Mill side will be dominated by the bus bays which will need to be expanded
from 13 bays to 15 bays.ÿ The current proposal calls for a pedestal structure 15' high will be 
built (about the same elevation as Georgia Ave.) over the bus bays.ÿ The Georgia 
Ave side will have office and hotel entrances, but little or no retail since 
B.F. Saul thinks that this will not appeal to most retailers (cannot be made 
pedestrian friendly). 

Mr. Wulff noted that Bethesda in some ways is a model due 
to its success.ÿ ÿMr. Wulff noted access problems along Georgia Ave and the need 
to work with MD DOT to get more curb cuts along Georgia Ave than would normally 
be allowed.ÿÿ The concept will be driven in part by what will be needed to 
obtain federal office leases via GSAÿ (Mr. Wulff also noted that approximately 
30% of all GSA agencies will not even consider the plan of building office over 
top of aÿpedestal-type structure due to the possible risk) key to the B.F. Saul 
plan.ÿ ÿThe proposed office space is 500'  from the proposed metro entrance which 
may be a problem (too far way).ÿ

Mr. Wulff noted that Wheaton will be competing with many jurisdictions for the critical
federal office leases.ÿ ÿGSA's selection process for leased office space will drive many 
aspects of the final concept.ÿ 

WRAC members had many concerns such as impact of traffic on Reedie Dr. 
and the concept did not appear to offer much appeal as a destination for the 
surrounding families who currently drive to Silver Spring for entertainment.ÿ 

It was noted that the Parking Lot #13 redevelopment work will include 
amenities that would make Wheaton a destination for local residences.ÿ B.F. Saul 
would like to work with the owners of the stores along Georgia Ave and Parking 
Lot #13 to get them to improve their appearance. It was also noted that the 
office building, though not particularly appealing to most residence in the 
surrounding area, will provide badly needed customers for our restaurants and 
stores that need lunch time business.ÿÿ Mr. Wulff noted that the traffic on 
Reedie was not anticipated to be problem.ÿ B.F. Saul will need to meet with and 
come to an agreement with WMATA before they can meet with GSA regarding the 
proposed plans.ÿ 

Wheaton Sector Plan Updates by Sandy Tallant

The Wheaton Sector Plan is nearing completion!ÿ The  Survey Monkey  results from 
WRAC members indicate agreement with the Planning Board and Staff on nearly all 
28 issues.ÿ One issue related to rezoning for high density homes (item #6) was 
the exceptions.ÿ Upon further review, the concern for item # 6 appears to be the 
result of confusing wording on the report not an actual problem. ÿNext steps   
there will be one more Planning Board Work Session on zoning issues sometime in 
February.ÿ Next a Fiscal Analysis then to County Council where there will be a 
public hearing for the Sector Plan.ÿ Dates should be set by next week.ÿ 

Redevelopment Report - Rob Klein

Costco was discussed including the gas station.ÿ There was some confusion over 
the number of pumps.ÿ Either 8 or 16.ÿ Mr. Leggett supports the Costco 
incentives.ÿ He believes the $4,000,000 will quickly be recouped. ÿÿCostco will 
help keep the mall healthy.ÿ

Next month there will be a presentation to the WRAC 
on the proposed development plans by Westfield Mall.

Due to legal concerns with the icy conditions, Safeway will close off their 
parking lot soon rather than later as originally intended.ÿ