Bethesda residents may see land previously intended for a subdivision instead added to a local park if the Montgomery County Council approves a $2.5 million land purchase near Hillmead Neighborhood Park on Bradley Boulevard.
The Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously voted to approve the purchase of the 1.3 acres, ending a “contentious and controversial case that first came to the Planning Board in 2006 when the land owner sought approval to subdivide the property into four lots,” according to a written statement from the Board after its Thursday vote.
Two area residents, Harriet Lurensky Kuhn and Sue Ghosh Stricklett, led a charge against any re-subdivision of the land, alleging that construction of town houses on the lots would jeopardize the park’s trees and area water filtration because of a stream that runs under the park.
“Obviously we have been cheering this on since the beginning,” Stricklett said. “We are very happy to see this land get closer to becoming a part of the park.”
Kuhn said it was a “heartfelt effort to preserve our community.”
“The park is the jewel of our neighborhood,” Kuhn said.
Planning officials said they had originally approved subdividing the property into four town house lots and it was the seller’s choice to change her mind and agree to sell to the county.
Bill Gries, land acquisition specialist for the county’s park department, agreed with Kuhn and Stricklett that subdividing the area into four residential lots ” would have had quite an impact.”
“There are probably 21 mature trees that would have been lost to the development,” Gries said. “The overall appearance and feel of the park would change if it went from one residence to four residences in such close proximity.”
Planning officials said the one residence near the park, owned by the seller who originally sought to turn the land into a subdivision, will likely be demolished within the next six months.
The park is now home to two basketball courts, a tennis court and a playground. Gries said depending on the wishes of the community, the land may be left as open space or recreation facilities could be added to the property.
Next, the county council must approve the $2.5 million expenditure to acquire the land.
