• Patricia M. Murret writes, New anchor slated for Frederick Avenue Corridor:

    A two-story medical office building could soon anchor the Frederick Avenue corridor near Olde Towne, where Gaithersburg leaders have made improvements a priority, but a city councilwoman is worried about historic preservation.

    City officials moved too quickly by allowing site plans for the proposed complex at the intersection of Frederick and DeSellum avenues to get so close to completion without a site visit and review by the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, said Councilwoman Cathy Drzyzgula.

  • Patricia M. Murret writes, Feds close inquiry into former officers:

    Federal prosecutors will not file charges in the county disability retirement cases of Gaithersburg Police Chief John A. King or William O’Toole, both former assistant chiefs with Montgomery County Police, according to the city attorney and O’Toole, who received the news this morning.

  • Alan Brody writes, Funding waivers drive wedge between counties, schools:

    Requests to waive the maintenance-of-effort funding requirement for fiscal 2010 are creating a new fault line in some counties, pitting local governments against school officials and boards and teachers’ unions.

  • Patricia M. Murret writes, City tries reaching displaced residents:

    Three years ago, Jennifer Jones was forced along with 197 other families from West Deer Park Apartments in Gaithersburg to make way for what was supposed to become an upscale townhome community.

    Now Jones, 45, plans to apply for one of 10 moderately-priced dwelling units in Amber Commons, the apartment complex the developer built there instead.

    City officials have advertised and say they cannot find former West Deer Park residents, who should have first dibs on those affordable apartments.

  • Sebastian Montes writes, Concessions made in Webb Tract plans:

    As envisioned by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, the police and fire rescue training academy that will in a few years be built at the Webb Tract near Montgomery Village would get the county’s emergency personnel out of cramped, 36-year-old quarters and into digs that feature state-of-the-art equipment.

  • Sebastian Montes writes, Water fee woes resurface for HOAs:

    On the heels of a 40 percent increase last fiscal year, Montgomery County is planning a 26 percent increase in the fee it charges to keep its stormwater management system up to grade.

  • Patricia M. Murret writes, City bans paving over front yards:

    Gaithersburg leaders on Monday approved an ordinance change that will prevent city homeowners from paving over their yards to create parking pads.

    Leaders called for the measure when discussing mansionization legislation in fall.

  • Patricia M. Murret writes, City wants residents to bank on it:

    A recent study found that 5,000 Gaithersburg residents stow their money at home, just like Charles Herman Rabbitt, a wealthy city landowner who died in 1972.