Betsi Dahan doesn’t understand why the county wants to extend part of Hall Road. “It’s a big safety issue,” Dahan said.
Hall Road lies on both sides of River Road, between Falls and Persimmon Tree roads. The northern portion of Hall intersects with River, but the southern portion stops short of it.
A developer wants to build three single family homes, called the Village of Potomac, at what is currently a dead-end at the end of Hall Road.
“The county has indicated to us that they think it should be connected unless there are some issues,” said Barbara Sears, attorney for the developer. “[The developer] would prefer not to connect it.”
Currently, the project is being reviewed by Park and Planning. According to Malcolm Shaneman of Park and Planning, they are waiting for a study which was being done by the developer of horizontal and vertical alignments — whether the land the proposed road will go on would be too steep to accommodate a road.
“If there is excessive grading that needs to be done, we may not go through with it,” Shaneman said.
Residents have begun to form a coalition opposed to the construction of the intersection.
“We would have traffic all the time, Dahan said. “It’s not wide enough for that.” Dahan lives across the street from the proposed development and has been organizing the neighbors.
There would be insufficient sight distances if an intersection were to be constructed, Dahan said. “It’s a traffic hazard.”
A safety study is also underway, Shaneman said.
Neighbors are united in their opposition to the new construction, and they are not alone.
“We are supporting the neighbors’ desire not to see the road cut,” said Ginny Barnes of West Montgomery County Citizens Association. Barnes cited West Montgomery’s long-standing policy of supporting area residents in land use issues.
“I don’t really see any gain to it,” said Sen. Rob Garagiola (D-15). Garagiola visited the site and is also opposed to the construction of the intersection.
“You’re going to make a cut-through in the neighborhood,” he said. “I think the plan makes no sense whatsoever.”
Montgomery County People’s Counsel Martin Klauber said that more studies would need to be done than just whether the intersection is viable.
“What does that do to the village [traffic] circulation and the Master Plan recommendations?” Klauber said.
There is not yet a projected completion date for the study.