More MOCO Upzoning - Starting in Silver Spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not even that I’m against it, it’s that they won’t paint a clear picture and hold meetings where one can’t see the others online or even how many are in attendance, chat is disabled, questions aren’t shown unless approved/answered/, polls are given and one has less than a minute to process the info and answer, etc.

Yes, where exactly is this opportunity for public input that they keep talking about? A single unscientific and badly written poll? This method of trying to get people to support a general plan without any details is completely backwards, and I get the feeling that it’s done this way on purpose because they do it again and again, starting with Thrive. The planning board and the council treat these things as if they are already a done deal…but if that the case, why the charade?

This also happened recently when a certain council member was asked about the BRT center lane on US29. She said oh no use talking about that, it’s already a done deal. However, last I checked it hasn’t yet been built. There is no “done deal.” Who do these people think they are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great news! Thanks for letting me know.

The University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan will build on previous initiatives, such as the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, and Vision Zero. The UBC Plan focuses on a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193), with the aim to understand community needs in relation to traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The plan explores opportunities for new development, bikeways, and bus rapid transit (BRT), as well as the creation of a complete street with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops, and safe access. Community involvement is key to the success of the process, and Montgomery Planning is offering virtual and in-person opportunities for feedback. The University Boulevard Corridor Plan is part of a larger vision for compact growth, supported by an excellent transit system and a safe, appealing network for walking, biking, and rolling.

Some of that is ok, but the BRT is stupid and the residents should be looking to line up their lawyers ASAP.

Lots of immigrants along University. I think they are just trying to get through long working hours to survive. They're not going to be calling lawyers about BRT.

That’s why they’re doing this here first.

You mean, because there are a lot of people who use the bus and will benefit from more frequent buses that don't get stuck in car traffic?

You think just because they’re lower middle class immigrants that they cannot afford to buy a car? That’s racist and demonstrates that you have spent very little time around there. Every home has 4 cars parked out front.

Yes, and? It is also true that a lot of people currently use the buses that run on University Boulevard. It's a high-ridership route. I don't know how it can be racist to state the fact that a lot of people use the C buses and RideOn 8 and 9 - including people who can't afford a car, people who can't drive (kids, many old people, many disabled people), and even people who have a car and can drive but nonetheless find the bus more convenient for a particular trip. It's not like, if your household has a car, you have to use that car every time you go anywhere.

Provide the data. Double that either would rank among the top 20 routes in the county.

Find it yourself, or don't, I don't care. Or hey, here's an idea: use the bus yourself!

You’re the one claiming that these are heavily utilized bus routes and you don’t have any proof snd refuse to provide any proof?

So you just lied? What are you trying to accomplish with this lying about a zoning plan in an area that you don’t live in and don’t even know and understand who lives there?

Posted by a person who never takes the bus and doesn't know anybody who does.

[Anonymous]

Even the YImBYist of YImBY groups acknowledge that this will do little to nothing to create affordable housing.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/26/upzoning-might-not-lower-housing-costs-do-it-anyway

So, in the end we should go through all of this to have “walkable urban neighborhoods” in areas of suburban housing that few people have asked for, and in fact many of them moved away from on purpose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great news! Thanks for letting me know.

The University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan will build on previous initiatives, such as the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, and Vision Zero. The UBC Plan focuses on a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193), with the aim to understand community needs in relation to traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The plan explores opportunities for new development, bikeways, and bus rapid transit (BRT), as well as the creation of a complete street with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops, and safe access. Community involvement is key to the success of the process, and Montgomery Planning is offering virtual and in-person opportunities for feedback. The University Boulevard Corridor Plan is part of a larger vision for compact growth, supported by an excellent transit system and a safe, appealing network for walking, biking, and rolling.

Some of that is ok, but the BRT is stupid and the residents should be looking to line up their lawyers ASAP.

Lots of immigrants along University. I think they are just trying to get through long working hours to survive. They're not going to be calling lawyers about BRT.

That’s why they’re doing this here first.

You mean, because there are a lot of people who use the bus and will benefit from more frequent buses that don't get stuck in car traffic?

You think just because they’re lower middle class immigrants that they cannot afford to buy a car? That’s racist and demonstrates that you have spent very little time around there. Every home has 4 cars parked out front.

Yes, and? It is also true that a lot of people currently use the buses that run on University Boulevard. It's a high-ridership route. I don't know how it can be racist to state the fact that a lot of people use the C buses and RideOn 8 and 9 - including people who can't afford a car, people who can't drive (kids, many old people, many disabled people), and even people who have a car and can drive but nonetheless find the bus more convenient for a particular trip. It's not like, if your household has a car, you have to use that car every time you go anywhere.

Provide the data. Double that either would rank among the top 20 routes in the county.

Find it yourself, or don't, I don't care. Or hey, here's an idea: use the bus yourself!

You’re the one claiming that these are heavily utilized bus routes and you don’t have any proof snd refuse to provide any proof?

So you just lied? What are you trying to accomplish with this lying about a zoning plan in an area that you don’t live in and don’t even know and understand who lives there?

Posted by a person who never takes the bus and doesn't know anybody who does.

When confronted with your lying about bus utilization you resort to taking personal shots? Sounds like you’re a real winner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great news! Thanks for letting me know.

The University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan will build on previous initiatives, such as the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, and Vision Zero. The UBC Plan focuses on a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193), with the aim to understand community needs in relation to traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The plan explores opportunities for new development, bikeways, and bus rapid transit (BRT), as well as the creation of a complete street with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops, and safe access. Community involvement is key to the success of the process, and Montgomery Planning is offering virtual and in-person opportunities for feedback. The University Boulevard Corridor Plan is part of a larger vision for compact growth, supported by an excellent transit system and a safe, appealing network for walking, biking, and rolling.

Some of that is ok, but the BRT is stupid and the residents should be looking to line up their lawyers ASAP.

Lots of immigrants along University. I think they are just trying to get through long working hours to survive. They're not going to be calling lawyers about BRT.

That’s why they’re doing this here first.

You mean, because there are a lot of people who use the bus and will benefit from more frequent buses that don't get stuck in car traffic?

You think just because they’re lower middle class immigrants that they cannot afford to buy a car? That’s racist and demonstrates that you have spent very little time around there. Every home has 4 cars parked out front.

Yes, and? It is also true that a lot of people currently use the buses that run on University Boulevard. It's a high-ridership route. I don't know how it can be racist to state the fact that a lot of people use the C buses and RideOn 8 and 9 - including people who can't afford a car, people who can't drive (kids, many old people, many disabled people), and even people who have a car and can drive but nonetheless find the bus more convenient for a particular trip. It's not like, if your household has a car, you have to use that car every time you go anywhere.

Provide the data. Double that either would rank among the top 20 routes in the county.

Find it yourself, or don't, I don't care. Or hey, here's an idea: use the bus yourself!

You’re the one claiming that these are heavily utilized bus routes and you don’t have any proof snd refuse to provide any proof?

So you just lied? What are you trying to accomplish with this lying about a zoning plan in an area that you don’t live in and don’t even know and understand who lives there?

Posted by a person who never takes the bus and doesn't know anybody who does.

When confronted with your lying about bus utilization you resort to taking personal shots? Sounds like you’re a real winner.

When's the last time you rode a public bus in Montgomery County?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even the YImBYist of YImBY groups acknowledge that this will do little to nothing to create affordable housing.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/26/upzoning-might-not-lower-housing-costs-do-it-anyway

So, in the end we should go through all of this to have “walkable urban neighborhoods” in areas of suburban housing that few people have asked for, and in fact many of them moved away from on purpose.

Exactly. People live there because there are affordable single family homes in a generally safe neighborhood with decent schools within a reasonable distance to the beltway. They are not living there because they seek greater transit convenience to Rockville Town Center. Planning has lost the plot and really needs a house cleaning and a reset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great news! Thanks for letting me know.

The University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan will build on previous initiatives, such as the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, and Vision Zero. The UBC Plan focuses on a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193), with the aim to understand community needs in relation to traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The plan explores opportunities for new development, bikeways, and bus rapid transit (BRT), as well as the creation of a complete street with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops, and safe access. Community involvement is key to the success of the process, and Montgomery Planning is offering virtual and in-person opportunities for feedback. The University Boulevard Corridor Plan is part of a larger vision for compact growth, supported by an excellent transit system and a safe, appealing network for walking, biking, and rolling.

Some of that is ok, but the BRT is stupid and the residents should be looking to line up their lawyers ASAP.

Lots of immigrants along University. I think they are just trying to get through long working hours to survive. They're not going to be calling lawyers about BRT.

That’s why they’re doing this here first.

You mean, because there are a lot of people who use the bus and will benefit from more frequent buses that don't get stuck in car traffic?

You think just because they’re lower middle class immigrants that they cannot afford to buy a car? That’s racist and demonstrates that you have spent very little time around there. Every home has 4 cars parked out front.

Yes, and? It is also true that a lot of people currently use the buses that run on University Boulevard. It's a high-ridership route. I don't know how it can be racist to state the fact that a lot of people use the C buses and RideOn 8 and 9 - including people who can't afford a car, people who can't drive (kids, many old people, many disabled people), and even people who have a car and can drive but nonetheless find the bus more convenient for a particular trip. It's not like, if your household has a car, you have to use that car every time you go anywhere.

Provide the data. Double that either would rank among the top 20 routes in the county.

Find it yourself, or don't, I don't care. Or hey, here's an idea: use the bus yourself!

You’re the one claiming that these are heavily utilized bus routes and you don’t have any proof snd refuse to provide any proof?

So you just lied? What are you trying to accomplish with this lying about a zoning plan in an area that you don’t live in and don’t even know and understand who lives there?

Posted by a person who never takes the bus and doesn't know anybody who does.

When confronted with your lying about bus utilization you resort to taking personal shots? Sounds like you’re a real winner.

When's the last time you rode a public bus in Montgomery County?

I used to ride the bus all the time until service fell off a cliff. Buses never arrive on schedule anymore and frequently a scheduled bus doesn’t come at all. You would know that if you took the bus but you’re an angry, rando anon internet liar. Which is a bizarre choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even the YImBYist of YImBY groups acknowledge that this will do little to nothing to create affordable housing.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/26/upzoning-might-not-lower-housing-costs-do-it-anyway

So, in the end we should go through all of this to have “walkable urban neighborhoods” in areas of suburban housing that few people have asked for, and in fact many of them moved away from on purpose.

Biggest take away from that is that we need more small-scale builders.

This corridor is probably a bridge too far for walkable urban neighborhoods. Its beyond the beltway, and most of it isn't even close to a metro station. This should be pretty far down the priority list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even the YImBYist of YImBY groups acknowledge that this will do little to nothing to create affordable housing.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/26/upzoning-might-not-lower-housing-costs-do-it-anyway

So, in the end we should go through all of this to have “walkable urban neighborhoods” in areas of suburban housing that few people have asked for, and in fact many of them moved away from on purpose.

Biggest take away from that is that we need more small-scale builders.

This corridor is probably a bridge too far for walkable urban neighborhoods. It’s beyond the beltway, and most of it isn't even close to a metro station. This should be pretty far down the priority list.

Promoting small builders has worked wonders in DC and definitely should be emulating in middle class neighborhoods in Montgomery County. What could go wrong?
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/engineers-cite-dc-condos-at-risk-of-imminent-collapse/65-4f645df6-cb38-4c80-9bbb-7f1296271ca9

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/washington-dc-construction-site-building-collapse-northeast-dc-dcra/65-5f2e88e3-4b48-43e8-b41c-cc6f84d51c41

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/questions-surround-kennedy-street-construction-project-after-collapse/65-ca65ecfe-91bf-43a3-850c-aaed4850edfb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to a meeting of Action Committee for Transit. The discussion was mostly about the need for more housing in Rockville to draw people there to support already existing amenities. It wasn't about the need to house more people, but the need to draw people to downtown Rockville from other areas.

Oh, are you talking about the meeting where the speaker was a planner for the City of Rockville, and the Rockville Town Center master plan was the speaker's topic? I was at that meeting too, and yes, unsurprisingly, the discussion at that meeting was about the Rockville Town Center master plan. I'm not sure how that's relevant to the University Boulevard corridor plan, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHQ0T8gqH_4
https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2309/Rockville-Town-Center-Master-Plan-Update

Shocking that a planner would focus on housing and not jobs. I don’t know what happened to college planning programs but they seem to churn out nothing but people who think you can grow an economy without jobs.

MoCo's unemployment rate is like 2.7%. Makes sense to focus on housing, specially on putting housing in places that don't add traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coming soon on to 4 Corners once the county is supporting density without parking.

https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/14/san-francisco-parking-cone-wars-neighborhood-disputes/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

If the corridor plan transforms Four Corners into San Francisco's Excelsior District, that will actually be a success for Montgomery County.

DP. If we want Excelsior, Glenmont to Wheaton is the better comparison and better community opportunity. Or Wheaton to Kensington, though shorter, and certain to generate even greater opposition.

Four Corners to Wheaton is all about developers' low-hanging fruit from a profit perspective.

Yup, it avoids the difficult and the ethnic areas so they can build the same cookie cutter project that appeals to the same cookie cutter demographic.

Please tell us where "the difficult and the ethnic areas" are.

White Oak and Central Wheaton. They would rather build up a new area rather than redevelop an old one that doesn't have the demographics they want for their over priced bougie apartments.

They want live bougie without having to earn the money to buy a single family home…if gentrification is the cost, that’s what it takes to be able to ride their bike to the local coffee shop. Current residents of neighborhoods be damned.

Damned to what ?

[Anonymous]

Will add traffic. Cars on streets parking. Do you even live in this corridor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will add traffic. Cars on streets parking. Do you even live in this corridor?

All the more reason to make growth transit-friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will add traffic. Cars on streets parking. Do you even live in this corridor?

All the more reason to make growth transit-friendly.

Nice circular reasoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even the YImBYist of YImBY groups acknowledge that this will do little to nothing to create affordable housing.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/26/upzoning-might-not-lower-housing-costs-do-it-anyway

So, in the end we should go through all of this to have “walkable urban neighborhoods” in areas of suburban housing that few people have asked for, and in fact many of them moved away from on purpose.

[b]Biggest take away from that is that we need more small-scale builders.[/i]

This corridor is probably a bridge too far for walkable urban neighborhoods. Its beyond the beltway, and most of it isn't even close to a metro station. This should be pretty far down the priority list.

Are you kidding? It's exactly those developers and their lobbyists who have been advocating for "missing middle" and this poorly targeted approach to line their own pockets, doing little for those truly in need but to the disadvantage of current residents of denser, less wealthy detached single family neighborhoods.