Beach Drive Closure (Open Parkways)  Closure of Beach Drive at 9 AM on Fridays between Cedar and Knowles began in June without notice to Parkwood or Kensington Estates.  Now the year’s study requested by the Planning Board is wrapping up.  We met virtually with the Parks planners about the study, and we will review the data with them.   Speeding cut-through traffic is a safety issue here, and we want input and transparency on program decisions. 

MCPS Boundary Study:  Two new high schools are opening in Fall 2027, Woodward HS on Old Georgetown Rd, and Crown HS in Gaithersburg.  Boundaries for the middle and high schools in our area will be redrawn to balance current populations.  The process includes several rounds of community input and proposals before the boundary lines are refined by the end of 2025.  See the MCPS site and participate in the process.  Interested?  Form a committee! https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/boundary-study/#Timeline

Housing Initiatives:  Move over, AHSI, More Housing NOW is here.  The County Council remains concerned about  a lack of diverse types of housing, and a history of housing inequity.  The Planning Board’s AHSI proposal eliminating zoning for single-family housing has been dropped due to resistance.  Newer legislation is confined to corridors on traffic arteries.  For more information, please visit the MoCo Planning Board site, or read the brief articles on the Parkwood Residents Association (PRA) news link (parkwoodresidents.org).

What can you do?

• Follow developments on the listserv.
• Volunteer on the Development Committee to monitor MoCo and Planning Board activity.

Things are hopping!  I can’t keep up.  We need volunteers to keep tabs on local government.

Update on KECA member projects

Tree Plantings:  Anne Gagne and the Tree Committee got over 100 trees planted and watered last year.  MCDOT will still take requests for a street tree.  Write to:  agagne4547@gmail.com

Speed Limit and sidewalks:  Bob and Dottie Emmet worked with  Paul Ellis in Councilmember Stewart’s office  to get MCDOT to lower speed on our streets to 20 mph.  You may have seen the signs.  Except for Parkwood, all streets are now 20 mph in Kensington Estates.

Bianca Scherr has applied for the sidewalk to be extended down Puller to Parkwood.  We know how tight our streets are.  You can help by joining the Traffic and Safety Committee.

Volunteer:  KECA is growing.  You see how one person can make a difference.  We need members to serve as officers, committee members and block captains.  Did you enjoy the Halloween party, the dog parade and the block party?  Everyone has had a great time.  You can thank the Social Committee, or better yet, you can JOIN the Social Committee.  With more committee members and block captains, we’ll get more done, no one will have to work too hard and KECA won’t depend on just a few people.  (President’s note:  I have not been able to do all that I would like to do.  Example:  tracking membership and directory distribution.  Sorry, but we need more help!  Come to the meeting or Block Party, and we’ll catch up.  Thanks!)

Join the listserv!  Go to:

https://groups.io/g/kensingtonestates

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