Petition To Delay the March 23, 2023 Planning Board Hearing on Little Falls Parkway Lane Closures and To Request a Separate Hearing for Proposed Linear Park

As a member of a neighborhood in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area impacted by changes to the Little Falls Parkway, I am petitioning the Planning Board to delay its currently scheduled March 23, 2023 meeting, the purpose of which is to review traffic data from Montgomery Parks following the closing of two lanes on Little Falls Parkway. The reasons for the request for this delay are:

·        The public needs more time to analyze independently the large amount of data presented by Montgomery Parks during a February 15, 2023 virtual meeting, and to seek clarification on questions posed by that data.  Many residents feel these lane closures increase risk of traffic accidents and pedestrian safety.

·        If the lane closures are approved by the Planning Board, the Planning Board should hold a separate hearing on Montgomery Parks’ proposal for a linear park on the closed lanes.

·        Public concerns about safety, sanitation, access for emergency vehicles, and related issues have not been addressed by Montgomery Parks. Many residents feel strongly that Montgomery Parks did not take proper steps to understand residents' concerns and that it is unfair for them to proceed without public input. 

Montgomery Parks has failed to consult with or seek formal input from my community in advance of its decision to close two lanes of traffic along Little Falls Parkway, which has compromised its natural beauty, has inconvenienced drivers, and has introduced accident risks to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

By ignoring the need for community input, Montgomery Parks has violated the most basic principles of democratic processes that should be respected by Montgomery County officials in the interest of the county’s residents.