Thirty new houses will be coming to River Road. The Giancola Quarry, on River Road near the Beltway offramp, received site plan approval on July 22.
"This plan has been in the works for a long time," said Erica Leatham, attorney for the developer, Michael Rose. "Even before the 2002 Master Plan.”
The approved development will consist of 15 townhouses and 15 detached houses. In order to achieve the desired density, the developer will be required to purchase 18 transfer-of-density rights.
The standard zoning would allow for only 12 units. The Transfer of Density Rights Program allows developers to purchase the rights to build units that will not be constructed as a result of the creation of the agricultural reserve.
The rights purchased allow that development to occur in other parts of the county.
The Potomac Master Plan allowed for a maximum of 40 units to be built on the site.
Some nearby property owners said that access to the quarry would be problematic.
Drivers who leave the quarry and want to get onto the Beltway will be forced to start out going west on River Road and then make a U-turn at the traffic light at Seven Locks Road. "The issue was raised about traffic on River Road," said Michael Ma of Park and Planning staff.
As a condition of approval, the developer will be required to modify the traffic island in the southeast corner of the intersection to allow vehicles to make the U-turn more easily.
"It is not clear that the applicant's proposed intersection improvement resolves the issue," said John Tiernan of the Riverhill Homeowners Association.
Some vehicles, particularly delivery trucks and construction vehicles, will still not be able to make the turn, Tiernan said. These will then make use of the next available chance to turn, the entrance to his development and the driveway of Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Station 10. "This potentially hazardous situation cannot possibly be in the best interest of Montgomery County or those in need of fire and rescue services," Tiernan said.
The developer pointed out that there are currently trucks that use the still operational quarry, and that after construction there will actually be fewer truck trips.
Also, as a condition of approval, construction traffic will be required to make use of routing that will send many of the trucks out of the Quarry and north onto Seven Locks Road. "You can just memorialize any agreement you make with your subcontractors," commissioner Meredith Wellington told the developer.
Michael Rose, the developer, said he expects to break ground on construction this summer and to have some houses delivered next year. The units, which will range from 3,800-5,000 square feet, will be "available at the affordable price of $1.2 [million] to $2 million," Rose said.