$3.3 million in CCDC / Barnaby Woods

[Anonymous]

I have no dog in this fight, and it's surprising how heated this thread has become.

If I had a budget of $3 million, I would buy this house in Bethesda 20814. It's within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, and in a very desirable neighborhood.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7121-Fairfax-Rd_Bethesda_MD_20814_M53046-46946

I currently live in the cheaper part of Bethesda (20816), and hope to one-day upgrade to 20814.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight, and it's surprising how heated this thread has become.

If I had a budget of $3 million, I would buy this house in Bethesda 20814. It's within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, and in a very desirable neighborhood.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7121-Fairfax-Rd_Bethesda_MD_20814_M53046-46946

I currently live in the cheaper part of Bethesda (20816), and hope to one-day upgrade to 20814.

I just don't think people who post Realtor.com links should get to be rich enough to live in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3.2 and street parking. Sweet.

I think this is a fair point. There’s no shed or anything. Where do you put bikes, lawn mower, etc? Maybe they have a solution not clear from the photos. Also want to know where the trash cans are and how you get them to the curb.

It says two of off alley spots will be constructed prior to closing.

They would have constructed them already if it was possible. No way you construct a house like that and wait on alley parking. My bet is the alley doesn't go all the way to the house and they are hoping to buy rights from the neighbors. Hence the ridiculous price. I bet the city hasn't agreed to it either.

+100 Developer is trying to lure buyers in by falsely promising parking. House sold in 2020 with no off street parking and continues to have none.

I live next to this house and this is false. Developer (and some of the neighbors to the left of the developer) waiting for city to pave what is known as a “paper alley” by DDOT. This is an alley that is on the map and is a real alley, but was abandoned by the city. There are several of these around Barnaby / CCDC and in most cases people still use them, they are just ragged. This one in particular is almost not usable and many years ago someone put large rocks on it to stop through traffic.

What are you talking about? There was never ever a through alley. It always ended where it stops today. There is a creek/tributary running through. There is no over grown road/alley as you describe and no outlet on Worthington.

Sigh. I’ll say this once more. The alley is a “paper alley” meaning that it is a DDOT owned right of way like any other alley — it is an alley according to DC’s land records, however it has not been maintained by DDOT and thus it is an alley on paper only. What this means, as with any paper alley in the city (subject to certain exemptions I would imagine) is that any neighbor that wants to have it paved by DDOT has the right to have that done. This is exactly what the developer did — they worked with DDOT to have the alley paved up to the property. The preconstruxtion meeting has already taken place, and it is already in DDOT’s schedule. The contractor selected for the job is “Capitol Paving”. The alley WILL be paved up to the developers lot, and the city has granted them two permeable parking spots once the alley work is complete. This isn’t up for debate, this is what is happening.

Totally NOT the developer.

So why did you decide to list it before the alley was paved and the parking spaces built? Seems weird to list in the dead of winter, near the holidays, when you could list after the holidays with a paved alley and driveway?

It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat this idiocy — I’m not the developer. I live a few doors down. The developer is “Dris Properties” — why don’t you call them and ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3.2 and street parking. Sweet.

I think this is a fair point. There’s no shed or anything. Where do you put bikes, lawn mower, etc? Maybe they have a solution not clear from the photos. Also want to know where the trash cans are and how you get them to the curb.

It says two of off alley spots will be constructed prior to closing.

They would have constructed them already if it was possible. No way you construct a house like that and wait on alley parking. My bet is the alley doesn't go all the way to the house and they are hoping to buy rights from the neighbors. Hence the ridiculous price. I bet the city hasn't agreed to it either.

+100 Developer is trying to lure buyers in by falsely promising parking. House sold in 2020 with no off street parking and continues to have none.

I live next to this house and this is false. Developer (and some of the neighbors to the left of the developer) waiting for city to pave what is known as a “paper alley” by DDOT. This is an alley that is on the map and is a real alley, but was abandoned by the city. There are several of these around Barnaby / CCDC and in most cases people still use them, they are just ragged. This one in particular is almost not usable and many years ago someone put large rocks on it to stop through traffic.

What are you talking about? There was never ever a through alley. It always ended where it stops today. There is a creek/tributary running through. There is no over grown road/alley as you describe and no outlet on Worthington.

Sigh. I’ll say this once more. The alley is a “paper alley” meaning that it is a DDOT owned right of way like any other alley — it is an alley according to DC’s land records, however it has not been maintained by DDOT and thus it is an alley on paper only. What this means, as with any paper alley in the city (subject to certain exemptions I would imagine) is that any neighbor that wants to have it paved by DDOT has the right to have that done. This is exactly what the developer did — they worked with DDOT to have the alley paved up to the property. The preconstruxtion meeting has already taken place, and it is already in DDOT’s schedule. The contractor selected for the job is “Capitol Paving”. The alley WILL be paved up to the developers lot, and the city has granted them two permeable parking spots once the alley work is complete. This isn’t up for debate, this is what is happening.

Totally NOT the developer.

So why did you decide to list it before the alley was paved and the parking spaces built? Seems weird to list in the dead of winter, near the holidays, when you could list after the holidays with a paved alley and driveway?

It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat this idiocy — I’m not the developer. I live a few doors down. The developer is “Dris Properties” — why don’t you call them and ask.

How in the world do you know so much neighbor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight, and it's surprising how heated this thread has become.

If I had a budget of $3 million, I would buy this house in Bethesda 20814. It's within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, and in a very desirable neighborhood.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7121-Fairfax-Rd_Bethesda_MD_20814_M53046-46946

I currently live in the cheaper part of Bethesda (20816), and hope to one-day upgrade to 20814.

I just don't think people who post Realtor.com links should get to be rich enough to live in Bethesda.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is so bad about realtor.com links?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3.2 and street parking. Sweet.

I think this is a fair point. There’s no shed or anything. Where do you put bikes, lawn mower, etc? Maybe they have a solution not clear from the photos. Also want to know where the trash cans are and how you get them to the curb.

It says two of off alley spots will be constructed prior to closing.

They would have constructed them already if it was possible. No way you construct a house like that and wait on alley parking. My bet is the alley doesn't go all the way to the house and they are hoping to buy rights from the neighbors. Hence the ridiculous price. I bet the city hasn't agreed to it either.

+100 Developer is trying to lure buyers in by falsely promising parking. House sold in 2020 with no off street parking and continues to have none.

I live next to this house and this is false. Developer (and some of the neighbors to the left of the developer) waiting for city to pave what is known as a “paper alley” by DDOT. This is an alley that is on the map and is a real alley, but was abandoned by the city. There are several of these around Barnaby / CCDC and in most cases people still use them, they are just ragged. This one in particular is almost not usable and many years ago someone put large rocks on it to stop through traffic.

What are you talking about? There was never ever a through alley. It always ended where it stops today. There is a creek/tributary running through. There is no over grown road/alley as you describe and no outlet on Worthington.

Sigh. I’ll say this once more. The alley is a “paper alley” meaning that it is a DDOT owned right of way like any other alley — it is an alley according to DC’s land records, however it has not been maintained by DDOT and thus it is an alley on paper only. What this means, as with any paper alley in the city (subject to certain exemptions I would imagine) is that any neighbor that wants to have it paved by DDOT has the right to have that done. This is exactly what the developer did — they worked with DDOT to have the alley paved up to the property. The preconstruxtion meeting has already taken place, and it is already in DDOT’s schedule. The contractor selected for the job is “Capitol Paving”. The alley WILL be paved up to the developers lot, and the city has granted them two permeable parking spots once the alley work is complete. This isn’t up for debate, this is what is happening.

Totally NOT the developer.

So why did you decide to list it before the alley was paved and the parking spaces built? Seems weird to list in the dead of winter, near the holidays, when you could list after the holidays with a paved alley and driveway?

It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat this idiocy — I’m not the developer. I live a few doors down. The developer is “Dris Properties” — why don’t you call them and ask.

How in the world do you know so much neighbor?

And why are you advocating for the developer?

[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:3.2 and street parking. Sweet.

I think this is a fair point. There’s no shed or anything. Where do you put bikes, lawn mower, etc? Maybe they have a solution not clear from the photos. Also want to know where the trash cans are and how you get them to the curb.

It says two of off alley spots will be constructed prior to closing.

They would have constructed them already if it was possible. No way you construct a house like that and wait on alley parking. My bet is the alley doesn't go all the way to the house and they are hoping to buy rights from the neighbors. Hence the ridiculous price. I bet the city hasn't agreed to it either.

+100 Developer is trying to lure buyers in by falsely promising parking. House sold in 2020 with no off street parking and continues to have none.

I live next to this house and this is false. Developer (and some of the neighbors to the left of the developer) waiting for city to pave what is known as a “paper alley” by DDOT. This is an alley that is on the map and is a real alley, but was abandoned by the city. There are several of these around Barnaby / CCDC and in most cases people still use them, they are just ragged. This one in particular is almost not usable and many years ago someone put large rocks on it to stop through traffic.

What are you talking about? There was never ever a through alley. It always ended where it stops today. There is a creek/tributary running through. There is no over grown road/alley as you describe and no outlet on Worthington.

Sigh. I’ll say this once more. The alley is a “paper alley” meaning that it is a DDOT owned right of way like any other alley — it is an alley according to DC’s land records, however it has not been maintained by DDOT and thus it is an alley on paper only. What this means, as with any paper alley in the city (subject to certain exemptions I would imagine) is that any neighbor that wants to have it paved by DDOT has the right to have that done. This is exactly what the developer did — they worked with DDOT to have the alley paved up to the property. The preconstruxtion meeting has already taken place, and it is already in DDOT’s schedule. The contractor selected for the job is “Capitol Paving”. The alley WILL be paved up to the developers lot, and the city has granted them two permeable parking spots once the alley work is complete. This isn’t up for debate, this is what is happening.

Totally NOT the developer.

So why did you decide to list it before the alley was paved and the parking spaces built? Seems weird to list in the dead of winter, near the holidays, when you could list after the holidays with a paved alley and driveway?

It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat this idiocy — I’m not the developer. I live a few doors down. The developer is “Dris Properties” — why don’t you call them and ask.

How in the world do you know so much neighbor?

And why are you advocating for the developer?

How do I know so much? Oh I don’t know, maybe because I’m a neighbor and live on this alley?

I’m not really advocating for the developer, I’m just explaining to you the current situation — isn’t this a thread discussing the property? To be honest with you though, I do have my bias — I do hope the developer gets top dollar for it as I see it as a positive for my property value. If he needs to pave a bit more of the alley to get the parking to get top dollar fine by me. I’m on the right so my yard already has egress into the paved alley, and I can’t imagine not having it so I would think the folks to the left would welcome it. Either way, my view is a digression — the point is that it’s getting paved. I’m not sure why it’s not in the DDOT GIS map yet as someone else pointed out (it wouldn’t be in SCOUT), but I can tell you that it is on their work schedule. Maybe, as with SCOUT and many of the other DC gov systems, it just isn’t on point or is slow to be updated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight, and it's surprising how heated this thread has become.

If I had a budget of $3 million, I would buy this house in Bethesda 20814. It's within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, and in a very desirable neighborhood.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7121-Fairfax-Rd_Bethesda_MD_20814_M53046-46946

I currently live in the cheaper part of Bethesda (20816), and hope to one-day upgrade to 20814.

I just don't think people who post Realtor.com links should get to be rich enough to live in Bethesda.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is so bad about realtor.com links?

The website is ugly. Redfin, even Zillow is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight, and it's surprising how heated this thread has become.

If I had a budget of $3 million, I would buy this house in Bethesda 20814. It's within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, and in a very desirable neighborhood.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7121-Fairfax-Rd_Bethesda_MD_20814_M53046-46946

I currently live in the cheaper part of Bethesda (20816), and hope to one-day upgrade to 20814.

I just don't think people who post Realtor.com links should get to be rich enough to live in Bethesda.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is so bad about realtor.com links?

The website is ugly. Redfin, even Zillow is better.

Got it. So I'm dumb for using an ugly website, and therefore should "not be rich enough to live in Bethesda?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight, and it's surprising how heated this thread has become.

If I had a budget of $3 million, I would buy this house in Bethesda 20814. It's within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, and in a very desirable neighborhood.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7121-Fairfax-Rd_Bethesda_MD_20814_M53046-46946

I currently live in the cheaper part of Bethesda (20816), and hope to one-day upgrade to 20814.

I just don't think people who post Realtor.com links should get to be rich enough to live in Bethesda.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is so bad about realtor.com links?

The website is ugly. Redfin, even Zillow is better.

Got it. So I'm dumb for using an ugly website, and therefore should "not be rich enough to live in Bethesda?"

Yes, exactly.

[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:3.2 and street parking. Sweet.

I think this is a fair point. There’s no shed or anything. Where do you put bikes, lawn mower, etc? Maybe they have a solution not clear from the photos. Also want to know where the trash cans are and how you get them to the curb.

It says two of off alley spots will be constructed prior to closing.

They would have constructed them already if it was possible. No way you construct a house like that and wait on alley parking. My bet is the alley doesn't go all the way to the house and they are hoping to buy rights from the neighbors. Hence the ridiculous price. I bet the city hasn't agreed to it either.

+100 Developer is trying to lure buyers in by falsely promising parking. House sold in 2020 with no off street parking and continues to have none.

I live next to this house and this is false. Developer (and some of the neighbors to the left of the developer) waiting for city to pave what is known as a “paper alley” by DDOT. This is an alley that is on the map and is a real alley, but was abandoned by the city. There are several of these around Barnaby / CCDC and in most cases people still use them, they are just ragged. This one in particular is almost not usable and many years ago someone put large rocks on it to stop through traffic.

What are you talking about? There was never ever a through alley. It always ended where it stops today. There is a creek/tributary running through. There is no over grown road/alley as you describe and no outlet on Worthington.

Sigh. I’ll say this once more. The alley is a “paper alley” meaning that it is a DDOT owned right of way like any other alley — it is an alley according to DC’s land records, however it has not been maintained by DDOT and thus it is an alley on paper only. What this means, as with any paper alley in the city (subject to certain exemptions I would imagine) is that any neighbor that wants to have it paved by DDOT has the right to have that done. This is exactly what the developer did — they worked with DDOT to have the alley paved up to the property. The preconstruxtion meeting has already taken place, and it is already in DDOT’s schedule. The contractor selected for the job is “Capitol Paving”. The alley WILL be paved up to the developers lot, and the city has granted them two permeable parking spots once the alley work is complete. This isn’t up for debate, this is what is happening.

Totally NOT the developer.

So why did you decide to list it before the alley was paved and the parking spaces built? Seems weird to list in the dead of winter, near the holidays, when you could list after the holidays with a paved alley and driveway?

It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat this idiocy — I’m not the developer. I live a few doors down. The developer is “Dris Properties” — why don’t you call them and ask.

How in the world do you know so much neighbor?

And why are you advocating for the developer?

How do I know so much? Oh I don’t know, maybe because I’m a neighbor and live on this alley?

I’m not really advocating for the developer, I’m just explaining to you the current situation — isn’t this a thread discussing the property? To be honest with you though, I do have my bias — I do hope the developer gets top dollar for it as I see it as a positive for my property value. If he needs to pave a bit more of the alley to get the parking to get top dollar fine by me. I’m on the right so my yard already has egress into the paved alley, and I can’t imagine not having it so I would think the folks to the left would welcome it. Either way, my view is a digression — the point is that it’s getting paved. I’m not sure why it’s not in the DDOT GIS map yet as someone else pointed out (it wouldn’t be in SCOUT), but I can tell you that it is on their work schedule. Maybe, as with SCOUT and many of the other DC gov systems, it just isn’t on point or is slow to be updated.

I unfortunately know the developer and would never advocate for him. He doesn’t live in our neighborhood and for his own personal benefit he wants to extend the paved alley where there has never been one. What I don’t understand is how a developer snaps his finger and the city jumps. No public hearing, no neighborhood advisory or consultation. I wasn’t aware the city had money to burn like that and for the benefit of one developer who is already profiting a ton (the house is on the market for over 3X what he paid for it in 2020) and over the detriment of all the other neighbors? Not to mention the destruction of nature (all trees and greenery were removed during the construction process so he could put his illegal non-permitted construction road in, that the city asked him to remove) and the impact on the watershed with the creek and overall environment.

You may not care about adding more pavement and parking behind your house because you have always had an alley and cars behind your house. Those of us who do not have pavement, cars, Verizon poles with lights, and garages behind our houses 100% do care. We have nature and a creek and we don’t want that changed. We like our lots with a view of green space and a creek behind us. The deer, the red fox, the bunnies, the trees, the creek which is a tributary to Rock Creek. We don’t want that changed, just because a developer who doesn’t even live here wants it. Oh, and don’t worry about your real estate value. It will be just fine. Tons of people want to spend top dollar to live here that has already been proven with recent sales. This house has a ton of issues with design and layout that have been pointed out already on this thread that are likely to affect desirability and sale price. A well designed house in our neighborhood would get over $3 million easily. The potential destruction of what was green space and hopefully will be again (if it is not paved over) is not worth it.

It’s interesting that you know so much (just because you live here) when none of the other neighbors don’t know this to be true. And it’s not just the immediate neighbors who don’t know about this “permitted” and “scheduled” plan. The ANC Commissioners don’t know about these plans and neither does the Mayor’s office. Not to mention, there has been no public meeting or announcement about this new paved alley extension that you believe is on DDOT’s schedule. You may have inside information, either way it’s ethically wrong on many levels. It also goes against the Mayor’s 2050 net zero initiative. She and the city want less pavement and cars and more nature. This directly goes against that policy.

[Anonymous]

An excellent neighborhood where excellent people live.

[Anonymous]

There appear to be serious legal issues presented by the listing of this property at this time.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it goes against the city’s green initiative if they blindly approve it. My kids have so many happy memories playing there, though we live a few block away. There must also be a ton of light pollution with the house - I feel so bad for the neighbors behind them.

[Anonymous]

So we walked down the alley tonight to get a good look. There is some paved area to the property before this house but it is small, runoff type paving with high sides. Unless you have a clown car it will not fit past the actual paved alley onto the thinner paved area which doesn't even reach this house. In addition the neighbors across the alley from this house have a large fence up to the property line. Unless the developer is going to buy land adjacent to this house (where they have a trampoline and their driveway entrance) I have no idea how widening to allow TWO cars in and out will actually happen. Maybe the next door neighbors will allow access but putting something in will take up a lot of the backyard to make it useable including backing out your Range Rover. It is clear the neighbors across the alley aren't going to move their fence unless someone makes it worth their while.

What I thought was interesting is that all the houses on 32nd and Barnaby that do not have alley access (from this house east) have curb cuts with driveways and most have garages. I don't know if this house had a curb cut at one time but it is definitely an outlier. If the developer had gone deeper into the lot for building they could have left room on the side for a driveway like the two other new builds on that block (one of which doesn't have alley access either). But it seems like they choose to keep the house wide and shallow. There are definitely garbage bins sitting out front since there is no place to put them.

It is a massive fishbowl too. Someone is going to need a massive window covering budget for this one. Close to the street and neighbors in the back too.