Private Project: Clarksburg Town Center
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Description
The Clarksburg Town Center is approximately 270 acres and is bounded by MD 355, Clarksburg Road (MD 121), Snowden Farm Parkway (A-305), and Stringtown Road. It is adjacent to the Clarksburg Historic District and Clarksburg Village. The Greenway Trail will bisect the project and will connect to Little Bennett Park to the north, and to Clarksburg Village and Ovid Hazen Wells Park further to the southeast.
The 1994 Clarksburg Master Plan proposes a transit-oriented, multi-use Town Center with up to 1,300 residential units, 100,000 square feet of office, and 150,000 square feet of retail, to be constructed in phases. The Clarksburg Town Center currently under construction is the product of a series of development review approvals beginning in 1995. A total of 892 residential units have been developed to date.
A series of Planning Board violation hearings were held in late 2005, to determine whether the Clarksburg Town Center is being built in conformance with the Planning Board's original approvals. Since December 2005, representatives of the Clarksburg Town Center Advisory Committee (CTCAC) and Town Center developers and builders met with a mediator to resolve differences concerning the Clarksburg Town Center.
On June 15, 2006, the Planning Board approved a conceptual compliance plan jointly created by community members, the developer and builders to redesign Clarksburg Town Center and add additional community amenities, landscaping and parking garages to support a pedestrian-friendly retail area. This action lifted the stop-work orders on some lots so that construction could proceed on 82 single-family detached houses, townhouses and multi-family buildings.
During a mediation process, the developer and builders agreed to invest an additional estimated $14 million to improve the already existing community and make significant changes to the site plans for future construction of the Town Center Retail Center. View Plan of Compliance Design Concepts (April 6, 2006) (pdf, 1.49MB).
In April 2007, detailed plans that amend the current preliminary, project and site plans and for the Third Stage of the Clarksburg Town Center Compliance Program were filed. These plans propose a total of 1,240 dwelling units (of which 348 units have not been built) and 265,660 square feet of nonresidential development for the Town Center. They also propose redesign of the recreation center and other facilities and amenities and improvements to Piedmont Woods Park. There is also a redesign and expanded Town Plaza and Town Green that includes a site for a library, plaza and fountain, seating areas, street lighting, street trees, and an open lawn area and open air market building for outdoor civic events.
The new Mixed-Use Core Area includes two parking garages lined by three-story retail spaces and residences. The other major plans elements are East Side modifications, Block GG (West Side) modifications, MD 355 connection, Clark Family Memorial, improvements to Sugarloaf Chapel Drive, alley entrances, bike path and greenway trails and Moderately Priced Dwelling Units.
After staff review, these plans will be presented to the Planning Board for review and consideration.
M-NCPPC Staff Contact
Robert Kronenberg
301-495-2187
Robert.Kronenberg@mncppc-mc.org
Applicant
Newland Communities, LLC and NNPII-Clarksburg LLC
Contact - Stephen Kaufman
Linowes and Blocher LLP, Attorneys at Law
7200 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800
Bethesda, MD 20814-4842
301-961-5200
Opportunity for Public Participation
A Planning Board worksession on the Compliance Program Stage III - Clarksburg Town Center is scheduled for December 11, 2008. No oral testimony will be permitted at the worksession. Additional written testimony or comments must be received by Wednesday, December 10, 2008 by 12:00 Noon. The e-mail address for comments is MCP-Chairman@mncppc-mc.org. This worksession is a continuation of a Planning Board worksession held on November 6, 2008.
Current Planning Board Applications and Case Numbers
Amended Preliminary Plan No. 11995042B
New Overall Site Plan No. 820070220
Amended Project Plan No. 91994004B
Planning Board Actions
The Project Plan No. 9-94004 was approved on May 11, 1995. The Preliminary Plan No.1-95042 was approved on September 28, 1995. The Phase I Site Plan No.8-98001 was approved on March 3, 1998. The Phase II Site Plan No.8-02014 was approved on May 9, 2002. On February 10, 2005, the Planning Board approved an amendment to Phase I and Phase II (No.8-98001G and No.8-02014B) Site Plans.
At the July 7, 2005 hearing, the Planning Board found height and setback violations. At the October 6, 2005 hearing, the Planning Board found a violation with respect to the phasing of amenities. A hearing to consider additional alleged violations was scheduled for December 2005, but was continued to a later date when the matter was referred to mediation.
On June 15, 2006, the Planning Board lifted the stop-work orders on some lots in the Town Center so that construction can proceed on 82 single-family detached units, townhouses, and multi-family units.
On September 27, 2007, the Planning Board approved an extension of the review of the Project Plan and postponement of the hearing in order for the applicant to respond to County agencies comments.
On December 13, 2007, the Planning Board approved the Interim Site Plan Amendment (81998001I & 82002014D) for 118 residential units, including 48 MPDUs to satisfy Stage II and a portion of Phase I of the Plan of Compliance.
On March 20, 2008, the Planning Board granted a three-year extension of validity period for Preliminary Plan No. 119950420 until March 26, 2011. The Planning Board also granted a six-year extension of the adequate public facilities (APF) approval until March 26, 2014.
On March 20, 2008, the Planning Board granted a six month (September 18, 2008) extension of the review period for the Project Plan in order for the Applicant to respond to agency comments, continue to work with the Clarksburg Town Center Advisory Committee and resolve various issues still outstanding. The Planning Board further recommended that if the parties continue to disagree on issues, then the Project Plan should be independently scheduled for the Planning Board with a recommendation and conditions.
On September 18, 2008, the Planning Board granted a three month (90-day) extension of the review period for the Project Plan in order for County agencies to respond.
On November 6, 2008, the Planning Board approved the Amended Preliminary Plan, New Overall Site Plan, and Amended Project Plan with conditions and modifications.
Notes from M-NCPPC Staff Contact
Date of last update: December 9, 2008