CITY OF ROCKVILLE PLANNING DIVISION

STAFF REPORT

June 24, 1999

SUBJECT:

Reconsideration of a condition of approval RTH95-015A, Ashleigh Woods townhomes

Applicant: 
Gary Balsamo, Ashleigh Woods, LLC
G.B. Builders & Developers
9812 Falls Road, Suite 114
Potomac, MD 20850

Property Location:
Ashleigh Woods Court
Rockville, MD 20854

Public Hearing Date: July 7, 1999

REQUEST:

The applicant has requested that a condition of the Planning Commission's approval of the 31 unit Ashleigh Woods townhouse development be reconsidered. The condition required approximately 100 linear feet of 4-foot high board on board fence adjacent to a storm water management area. The applicant is requesting that this requirement be deleted.

ANALYSIS:

Background

As part of the approval of this development, a fence was required to be installed near the storm water management facility for this property. The fence is not surrounding the SWM facility, but was added as a "visual barrier" for safety between the end townhome unit and the facility. The staff recommended a six-foot fence, but the Planning Commission approved a four-foot high wooden board-on-board fence at its October 11, 1995 meeting.

Project Proposal

The applicant proposes to eliminate the requirement for this fence. The applicant states that the fence will not be aesthetically compatible with the neighborhood, and this is evident now that construction has reached a substantial level. He goes further to state that the pond for which the fence was intended is a "dry pond," making the fence unnecessary. The applicant also states that the fence is "unbefitting" the neighborhood.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approval is recommended for this request.  Staff agrees with the applicant that the nature of the fence in this area will not be aesthetically appealing for this neighborhood. In addition, the fence does not surround the SWM facility, diminishing its usefulness as a protection device. Staff feels that the proposed landscaping for the project will provide an adequate visual barrier. It is worthy of note that the SWM area as it exists at the time of this report is a sediment control area for the site.  The SWM area will be converted to its stabilized and final graded condition once the last unit has been completed.

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