Project Goals

Mission

Overview

Project Boundary

Market Analysis Report

Community Workshops

Planning Charrette

Post-Charrette Meeting

Project Schedules

Highlights & News Brief

Preliminary Plan

Public Hearing Transcript Analysis

Adopted Plan

Project Team

Comment Forms

Opinion Survey

(1)  How do you feel about the proposed plan that we discussed this evening?  What elements do you like?  Do you have any concerns about the ideas shown?

• I think the group is doing a great job in creating a concept plan and engaging the community

• The proposed plan is very positive.  I like the up-gaining of Iverson Mall and Marlow Heights Shopping Center.  I am concerned about all the traffic that these news homes will create
• This all sounds good, will it really take place?

• I am concerned about the high density areas.  We do not need anymore apartments and condos, these kinds of housing really breed crime

• I like the park and bicycle paths and the visual improvements of especially St Barnabas Road.  I also like the plan to improve access to the business area with parking and metro

• It is a good plan that needs to address more of the Branch Avenue traffic from other areas

• I like it, it is going to bring up the community in the form of retail and new residences.  My only concern is that new residential area needs to be affordable for existing residents

• I like the idea of some redevelopment and refurbishing in the area, it gives a classier look.  If there aren’t more police sub-units/stations available, I believe it would have all been done for nothing.  I am constantly seeing shopping carts from Family Dollar and Safeway on my street (Gaither), there is also a lot of trash

• The plan is good but the denial of increased traffic and need for greater police presence was absence in the presentation.  With the planned increase in people, more public services will be needed and should be intermixed with this plan.  There should be more schools, police stations, recreation centers, etc

• Traffic circles on St Barnabas Road are not a good idea

• I like the concept of revitalizing the Marlow Heights and Iverson Mall shopping centers.  Like the ideas of the Bed Bath and Beyond, TJ Maxx, book stores etc. being built in these centers.  Like the idea of new housing and renovations along Branch Avenue and St Barnabas Road corridors

• You have gone a long way in the development of the concept plan.  Everything discussed seems so clear and attractive.  I like everything mentioned, hopefully we should be able to maintain and enjoy it when it happens

• It came to my attention that most people making comments this evening were not at the workshops earlier.  Tonight they’ve been making their voices heard after the fact instead of studying /appreciating what you are trying to do to improve our communities. There are always “those.”  Hopefully you will not get discouraged and continue to help us as you have been doing

• Excellent concept, streetscape and public safety.  So far I have no concerns; this is the first opportunity I have had to see the plan

• The plan suggests too much density; it appears to be a glorified re-gentrification process

• Schools to grow with the area plans

• The proposed plan is quite extensive and would change the area quite completely in the long range plan.  I like the measures aimed at crime reduction in the area with better roads, traffic lights and walkways for pedestrians.  My concern is that the county will not approve all or even half of all these plans

• I would like to see places for family entertainment.  Please avoid high-rise apartments and apartment living.  I like the areas for businesses.  We need more high-end stores and restaurants

• The proposed plan was well presented, the crime solution (CPTED), the creative housing.  Will there be residences for seniors that we can purchase?  Nothing was mentioned about affordable housing

• The concern I have is that I see wonderful upgrades for Branch Avenue/Naylor Road but with the exception of trees there is nothing for St Barnabas road

• You focus on the historic Church on St Barnabas Road but what about the rest of the road?

• Why are the unattractive issues not applicable to the automotive part of St Barnabas Road?  There is a burnt out IHOP, laundry mat, a vacant restaurant and many unattractive retail spaces prior to the automotive sections

• What will happen with the Silver Hills Road which turns into St Barnabas?  It needs to be made more attractive with better retail choices

• My concerns are: parking in high density areas, litter and trash control in the existing community, will there be parking garages in the planned development?

• The issue of property maintenance needs to be addressed as well as future maintenance of the new developments.  There is too much renovation being proposed for the community, I like the serenity of my community as it now exists

• I strongly recommend that the BAC plan be proposed to go into the final stages for review by the city council so this major reconstruction and new development can begin

• I was turned off by staff’s comment on pedestrian bridges.  Traffic lights are often times ignored, people run through them all the time

• It sounds like a great plan to me.  My only concern is that all of the parking mentioned, are they free or metered

• Need to consider making it more pedestrian friendly.  Branch Avenue is a very dangerous Avenue and you need to make it safer by putting up a pedestrian bridge for people to safely cross the street

• This is quite an ambitious and seemingly costly plan, where is the money coming from?  Will gentrification pay for this or will the taxes from residents (the new ones) pay?

• This is quite a bit of info to absorb at one session.  Since this is the last opportunity for public input, I suspect that input is not really going to be utilized in a previously conceptualized plan.  Mall reconfiguration/transportation ultimately means people lose their property or have busy streets in front and back of their homes

• The plan is ok, will there be police coverage?

• Copies of the presentation would have been helpful to look at to absorb the info for the upcoming public hearing

• Yes, I see over population, more crime, and poor recreation for all ages.  I want safe play areas for the youth

• I am concerned about the funding for this, the implementation schedule and minority business participation

• New fire stations

• Will the homes close to Iverson Mall be taken over?

• Concerned about residential adjacent to heavy traffic corridor (Branch Ave)

• Branch Avenue is a throughway to South County for commuters to DC.  Need to consider traffic volume/flow to address any adverse impacts on proposed developments – shops, residential etc

• My concern is that I do not want to be priced out after the development

• Plan is well developed.  There needs to be more retail and there are not enough changes in the auto row

• Needs tennis courts and miniature golf courses

• The overall plan is positive.  I am concerned that the plan is proposing to take over acres of our land, 4911 St Barnabas Road owned by the Lutheran church and turn it into parks and a bikeway, we do not agree to this

• This is the first time I have heard the plan, it sounds good and intense

• Revitalization is a worthwhile effort.  The plan has a lot to offer.  I am concerned about the impact to the current residents whose property might be taken by this plan.  They should be fairly compensated

• The plan was informative; however, there should have been a print out of the presentation

• I like up scaling Marlow Heights and Iverson Mall

• Coordination of street lighting, street furniture and signage in the project area.  Proposed plan is good and will give the corridor identity

• No concerns, great design and effort

• The presentation was very informative.  The discussed elements will bring great value to the community

• My overall feeling is that “it is about time.”  I have lived in this area my whole life, except for three and a half years while attending college, the plan is long overdue

• I am pleased with the proposals

• Concerned with the influx of residents, what plans are there to address the school overcrowding issue?