THIS JUST IN:
The Montgomery County Council has been advised by staff that there is only one person who is complaining about the proposed 230 foot radio tower at Bretton Woods Country Club. The Council Public Safety Committee will be briefed this Tuesday in a closed door meeting. The briefing packet states on page 5:
“It is staff’s understanding that only one person complained about this site.”
And this is precisely why the Reserve gets short shrift and unwanted land uses... because they simply wave a hand and say no one cares.
So let's write in and let them know we do care and we are the ONE. (enter your return address and click "start writing" to send an email below.)
Affected area: Southern gateway to the Agricultural Reserve at River Road near Riley's Lock near Darnestown and Poolesville
In 2017, without proper public process, including coordination with area stakeholders, MC Department of Technical Services picked a spot to construct a 230’ radio tower that will serve as part of the County’s emergency services radio system. The location on River Road, in a State designated Heritage Area, at the southern gateway to the Agricultural Reserve is highly visible. Due to the tower height at that spot, it will require strobing red and white lights. As soon as discovered, stakeholders met with County Executive Ike Leggett in early 2018. He agreed that the site was problematic and asked that alternative sites be identified. And despite having stakeholder timely supplied potential feasible locations, County staff apparently pressed forward with the original site and now is demanding that the County Council facilitate building immediately. Contrary to what the County Council has been told, the County executive and staff have heard from numerous residents, adjacent neighbors, community, and historic preservation groups asking to place the tower in a less prominent location.