Untitled

Westbard
Sector Plan
Appendix
Approved Draft April 2016

MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING
WESTBARDCOMMISSION
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
Westbard
Sector Plan
Appendix
Prepared by the Montgomery County Planning Department
MontgomeryPlanning.org
Approved Draft April 2016

MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
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WESTBARD
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Table of Contents
AppendixA:
Charrette 1
A.1Charrette Summary 2
A.1.1Overview2
A.1.2Day One3
A.1.3Day Two3
A.1.4Day Three3
A.1.5Day Four - The Final Presentation 4
A.1.6Top Ten Challenges at Westbard 4
A.1.7The Three Most Asked Questions4
A.1.8Charrette Re-cap 4
A.2Day One: Nov. 10, 2014 6

A.2.1Visioning Exercise6
A.2.2Key Points/Ideas6
B.3.1Travel Demand Modeling40

B.3.2Existing and 2040 Intersection Analysis41
B.4Analysis of Proposed Land Use Changes 43

B.4.1Master Plan Area Traffic Analysis43
B.4.2Model- Commuting Information Outputs45
B.4.3Additional Operational Considerations45
B.5Conclusion 50
AppendixC:
Environment 51
C.1Introduction 52
C.2Existing Conditions 54
A.3.16:30 AM- 8:30 AM9

A.3.29 AM- 5 PM 9
A.3.36 PM- 9 PM at Whitman H.S.10
C.2.1Little Falls Watershed54

C.2.2Willett Branch 54
C.2.3Stream Channelization55
C.2.4Impervious Cover55
C.2.5Canopy Cover55
A.4Day Three: Nov. 13, 2014 13
C.3Willett Branch 56
A.3Day Two: Nov. 12, 2014 9
A.4.16:30 AM- 8:30 AM13

A.4.29 AM- 5 PM 13
A.4.36 PM- 9 PM at Whitman H.S.................................14
A.5Preliminary Concept Framework Plan 16

A.5.1Westwood II Area17
A.5.2Westwood Shopping Center Area18
A.5.3Capital Crescent Trail Area19
AppendixB:
Transportation 27
B.1Executive Summary 28
B.2Existing Conditions............................................... 30
B.2.1Sector Plan Study Area and Plan Boundary31
B.2.2Major Roadways32
B.2.3Intersection Capacity and Roadway Operations32
B.2.4Transit35
B.2.5Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities36
B.2.6Pedestrian39
B.3Travel Demand Forecasting Methodology.......... 40
C.3.1Northern Area58
C.3.2Kenwood Branch Confluence Area58
C.3.3Westwood II Area59
C.3.4Radio Tower Area59
C.3.5Industrial Area60
C.3.6Butler Road Area60
C.3.7General Recommendations..................................60
C.4Site Specific Recommendations 62

C.4.1Dorset Avenue Stream Culvert62
C.4.2Little Falls Stream Valley Park................................62
C.4.3Kenwood House Co-op. 63
C.4.4Washington Episcopal School63
C.4.5Capital Crescent Trail Stream Overpass63
C.4.6Whole Food/Storage Sites64
C.4.7River Road Overpass64
C.4.8Kenwood Court Townhomes64
C.4.9Manor Care64
C.4.10Westwood Center II Shopping Center 65
C.4.11Kenwood Office Building (circa 1975)65
C.4.12American Plant Food/Roofing Center 65
C.4.13Cemetery Site 66
C.4.14Radio Tower Area 67
C.4.15Bowlmor Site67
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C.4.16Schnabel Engineering Site...................................67

C.4.17Mini Storage Warehouse67
C.4.18CCT Overpass68
C.4.19Butler Road Area 68
C.4.20Willet Bridge Townhome Site68
C.5General Recommendations 69
C.5.1Sustainability Recommendations69
C.5.2Stormwater Management (SWM)70
C.5.3Soil and Groundwater Contamination71
C.5.4Little Falls Stream Valley Park71
C.5.5Boulders71
C.6Westbard Sewer Map 72

C.7Letter from Army Corps of Engineers 73
AppendixD:
Urban Design, Parks and Open Space 74
D.1Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Overview 75
D.1.1Existing Parks and Open Spaces75
D.2Parks, Trails and Open Space Analysis 78
D.6.1Phasing 100
D.6.2Property Acquisition 102
D.6.3Stream Naturalization 102
D.6.4Park Development 102
D.6.5Cultural and Historical Resources 103
D.6.6Archaeological Protocol...................................... 104
D.6.7Cultural Resources and Community Outreach105
D.6.8Cost Estimates for Initial Phase 106
D.6.9Long-term Vision Phase 106
D.7Conclusion 108
AppendixE:
Economics 110
E.1Business and Employment Data 111
E.1.1At-Place Employment 111
E.1.2Business Establishments 112
E.1.3Workforce 114
E.1.4Commuting Patterns 114
E.1.5Commercial Space 114
D.2.1Parks and Open Space Hierarchy 78

D.2.2Goals81
D.2.3Regulatory Framework and Policy Guidance81
AppendixF:
Demographics 118
D.3Existing Urban Form 84
F.1Demographics 119
D.4Parks, Trails and Open Space Recommendation

Details 90
D.4.1Civic Green at Westwood Center90
D.4.2Green Urban Park at Westwood Center90
D.4.3Community Open Space at Kenwood Station93
D.4.4Westland Middle School Rectangular Field93
D.4.5Countywide Urban Recreational Park93
D.4.6Legacy Open Space Recommendations93
D.5Willett Branch Urban Greenway

Recommendations 94
D.5.1Background94
D.5.2Willett Branch Existing Conditions96
D.5.3Willett Branch Urban Greenway98
D.5.4Defining Terms99
D.5.5Ecological Benefits of Stream Naturalization99
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D.6Willett Branch Urban Greenway Preliminary

Implementation Details 100
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F.1.1Demographic Summary 119

F.1.2Education, Occupation and Income 122
F.1.3Employed Residents 124
F.1.4Past and Future Growth 126
F.1.5Housing Characteristic 128
AppendixG:
Build-out Scenarios 130
G.1Build-out Scenarios 131
G.1.1Build-out Calculations 131
G.1.2Discussion of the Full Build-out Scenarios 133
G.2Binding Elements for Washington Episcopal Day School

Sites 9 and 10 in Sector Plan 131
List of Tables
AppendixA:
Charrette 1
AppendixB:
Transportation 27
Table B.1:Means of Commuting to Work 31
Table B.2:Average Annual Daily Traffic on River Road
and Massachusetts Avenue 31
Table B.3:Existing AM and PM Volume to Capacity
Rations and Critical Lane Volumes 34
Table B.4:Land Use Inputs for 2040 Vision Plan 41
Table B.5:Future AM and PM Volume to Capacity
Rations and Critical Lane Volumes 44
Table B.6:Vehicle Trip Comparison Current 1982
Plan to Proposed Plan 45
AppendixC:
Environment 51
Table E.3: Employee Demographic........................... 114

Table E.4: Commerical Space Trends since 2009 115
AppendixF:
Demographics 118
Table F.1: Population and Households 121
Table F.2: Employee Demographics 123
Table F.3: Employed Residents 125
Table F.4: Forecast Summary 127
Table F.5: Housing 129
AppendixG:
Table G.1:Build-out Calculations 131
Table G.2:New Unit and MPDU Unit Counts 133
AppendixD:
Table D.1:M-NCPPC Park Facilities within and near
the Westbard Sector Plan area 80
Table D.2:Advantages of Urban Parks 82
Table D.3:Initial Phase Cost Estimates 106
AppendixE:
Economics 110
Table E.1: Largest Employers 112
Table E.2: Private Establishments by Industry 113
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ListofofFigures
Figures
List
AppendixA:
Charrette 1
Figure A.18:Concept Framework Plan - New Streets

and Civic Buildings 21
Figure A.1:Westbard Charrette Schedule 5
Figure A.19:Concept Framework Plan - Open Spaces

and Trails 22
Figure A.2:Basemap of Existing Conditions in

Westbard 7
Figure A.3:Eight Community Based Plans Produced
through Visioning Exercise 8
Figure A.4:Day Two Scheme Diagram 1 10
Figure A.7:Framework Plan Alternative 1 14
Figure A.8:Framework Plan Alternative 2 15
Figure A.9:Existing Site Map 16
Figure A.10:Preferred Concept Framework Map 16
Figure A.11:Existing Westwood II Area Aerial 17
Figure A.12:Concept Plan Diagram for Westwood II
Area 17
Figure A.13:Existing Westwood Shopping Center
Aerial 18
Figure A.14:Concept Plan Diagram for Westwood
Shopping Center Area 18
Figure A.21:Concept Framework Plan 26
AppendixB:
Transportation 27
Figure B.1:Sector Plan Study Area and Vehicular
Access 32
Figure B.2:Existing Critical Lane Volumes 33
Figure B.3:River River Road Curb Cuts 34
Figure B.4:Ride-on Route 23 35
Figure B.5:Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority Route T2 35
Figure B.6:Types of Bicycle Facilities 36
Figure B.7:Level of Traffic Stress 37
Figure B.8:Existing Level of Traffic Stress Results 38
Figure B.9:At-grade Pedestrian Crossing of River
Road at the CCT 39
Figure B.10:Future Critical Lane Volumes 44
Figure A.15:Existing Capital Crescent Trail Aerial 19
Figure B.11:Future Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress 48
Figure A.16:Concept Plan Diagram for Capital

Crescent Trail Area 19
Figure B.12:2040 Development Forecasts and Road

Adequacy 49
Figure A.17:Concept Framework Plan - Heights 20
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Figure A.20:Concept Framework Plan - Land Uses 23
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AppendixC:
Environment 51
Figure D.9:1944 Map of Parcels 175, 177, 238

and 240 104
Figure C.1:Willett Branch Watershed 57
Figure D.10:Westbard Parks Recommendations

Long-term Phase Area Map 107
Figure C.2:Northern Area 58

Figure C.3:Kenwood Branch Confluence Area 58
Figure C.4:Westwood II Area 59
Figure C.5:Radio Tower Area 59
Figure C.6:Industrial Area 60
Figure C.7:Butler Road Area 60
Figure C.8:Interim Stream Bank Repair 69
Figure C.9:Major Trunk Sewers in Westbard 72
AppendixD:
Figure D.1:Existing Parks 76
Figure D.2:Westbard Parks Hierarchy 79
Figure D.3:Figure Ground Map 85
Figure D.4:Westbard Parks Recommendation Map91
Figure D.5:Westbard and Bethesda Proposed Legacy
Open Space Urban Designations 92
Figure D.11:Willett Branch Venn Diagram 109
AppendixE:
Economics 110
Figure E.1:Employment by Industry Sector 111
Figure E.2:Public and Private Sector Employment.111
Figure E.3:Vacancy Rates by Commercial Sector 116
Figure E.4:Commercial Space in Westbard 117
AppendixF:
Demographics 118
Figure F.1:Westbard 2010 Census Blocks 119
Figure F.2:Summary Study Area with 259 Census
Blocks 119
Figure F.3:Age Distribution (2010) 120
Figure F.4:Household Income (2012) 122
Figure F.5:Employment, Occupation and Income
Census Blocks 122
Figure D.6:Willett Branch Watershed Map 95
Figure F.6:Employment Study Area Boundary Block

Groups for 2012 ACS 5-year Data 124
Figure D.7:Westbard Parks Recommendations Initial

Phase Area Map 101
Figure F.7:Commute Mode (2012) 125
Figure D.8:1911 Map of Parcels 175 and 177 104
Figure F.8:Forecast Plan Area Boundary

Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ) 126
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Figure F.9:Forecast Study Area Boundary

Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ) 126
Figure F.10:Population and Household Growth
Forecast Area 127
Figure F.11:Housing Study Area Boundary 2010
Census Tracts 128
AppendixG:
Figure G.1:Concept Framework Plan 132
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AppendixA: Charrette
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A.1 Charrette
Summary
November 10 through November 18, 2014
A.1.1Overview
Charrette:
A French word meaning cart, often
used to describe the final, intense
work effort expended by art and
architecture students to meet a project
deadline. This use of the term is said
to originate from the cole des Beaux
Arts in Paris during the 19th century,
where teachers circulated a cart, or
charrette, to collect final drawings
while students frantically put finishing
touches on their work.
A Charrette as experienced at Westbard, is an intense

planning session where citizens, designers and multiple
agencies collaborate on a vision for a development or
planning area. It provides a forum for ideas and offers
the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to
the planners and urban designers. More importantly,
it creates consensus and allows everyone who
participates to be a mutual author of the plan. This is
contrary to conventional planning processes that takes
months and months of endless meetings, and puts
the Planning Department in the middle of presenting
to citizens and agencies. A Charrette allows all the
various agencies, Planning Department and citizens (all
Stakeholders) to work together in a condensed weeklong event all at the same table hearing and talking to
each other. It provides for immediate understanding
of issues and provides a forum for direct dialogue and
responses to concerns.
Charrettes save time and money through...
Reduced rework via short design feedback loops
Time-compressed work sessions
Creation of broad support from community
members, professionals, and staff
Charrettes increase probability for implementation
through...
An integrated team design process
Bringing all decision makers together for a
compressed period of time
Charrettes promote trust between citizens and
government through...
Meaningful public involvement and education in
which input may affect the outcome
The building of long-term community goodwill
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Broad stakeholder involvement - no one takes

over
Design based on shared guiding principles
This Charrette took place within a large office space
at the Westwood II mall located inside the Sector Plan
area on Westbard Avenue from November 10 through
November 18. Evening presentations and meetings
occurred at the Walt Whitman High School with the
final presentation at Westland Middle School.
A.1.2Day One
To begin the day, the Planning team opened up the
office space in the Westwood II building and then
gave 2 Westbard area site tours to more than 20
stakeholders in each tour. Individual meetings with
property owners and agencies also began the first
day with the general public invited to watch every
meeting if they desired. The Charrette team then
conducted an open public meeting that evening to
solicit the values, vision, and needs of the more than
200 stakeholders in attendance. Elements of what
makes great urbanism and an active public realm were
presented by staff, as well as the rationale behind
this creation of a new Sector Plan for Westbard. The
public was then asked to express their likes, dislikes,
concerns, wants and needs for the Westbard area.
Following the presentations and input, all those in
attendance were asked to split up into 8 groups to
create a vision diagram from their group that was then
presented by one of the participants. At the onset of
this process, all in attendance were asked to be cordial
to each other, respect everyones opinions, and that no
one would see 100 percent of what they wanted in the
final Sector Plan proposal. The overall goal was to build
consensus among all attendees in order that everyone
would get a majority of the urban design elements that
were important to them.
A.1.3Day Two
The Staff Planning Team broke off the next day to
synthesize the best aspects of the 8 alternatives
generated Monday evening into a set of 3 Framework
Plan alternatives. Meetings with different agencies,
property owners and neighborhood groups were had
throughout the day, including 6:30am meetings for
those who could not meet during the day or evening.
All meetings were held at the Charrette office. The
Framework Plans were created over the course of the
day and represented different aspects of urban design

that were important and heard from the previous
night. Building heights, a new elementary school
location, open spaces, environmental improvements,
new connections and street designs were all discussed
and put into the Framework alternatives that were
then presented and discussed the second evening to
an assembly of more than 200 people. The discussion
was lively and emotions ran high among many of
the attendees. Within these alternatives, ideas were
tested by the Parks and Planning staff team in relation
to economic probability, site and environmental
constraints, different agency requirements and
construction methods. From the many comments and
concerns, staff went back to the Charrette office that
evening and began to develop 2 refined, Preferred
Alternatives for the third evening presentation the next
day.
A.1.4Day Three
The Charrette office opened once again at 6:30am
and continued meetings with stakeholder groups
throughout the day. The staff team created 2
Framework Alternatives from comments heard the
previous evening and calculated the general concept
program numbers from the designs including amount
of square footage for commercial, office and light
industrial uses, and the number of represented
residential units. These 2 Plans were color rendered,
sketched site plans showing open spaces, landscape,
streets and trails, structured parking, and potential
new buildings. The building layouts and locations
were derived from land-owners input, public ideas,
and from best urban design theories and practices.
These layouts also helped the team to crosscheck
proposed designed program against zoning allowances
for the entire Sector Plan area. The presentation to
approximately 160 stakeholders that evening was a
dramatic contrast from the previous night. Residents
were relieved to see that their ideas and concerns
were addressed in the new Framework Alternatives.
Consensus had been created, although many still
wanted to see some different adjustments here and
there. The focus of most comments that evening
had to do with ultimate building heights and street
designs. At the end of the evenings presentation and
comments, the audience clapped with their gratitude
and support to the team.
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A.1.5Day Four - The Final Presentation

Over the course of the Friday and following Monday
and Tuesday, the 2 Framework Alternative Plans were
tweaked again to address final comments from the
Charrette attendees the previous Thursday evening.
Final conceptual program numbers were revised
(mostly down) and final rendered drawings were
created for the Final Presentation Tuesday evening at
the Westland Middle School. More than 200 attended
the final presentation, of which approximately one
third had attended the Charrette the previous week.
Most of the comments at this presentation were
in opposition to the plan or any change at all in
Westbard, with almost no people who had attended
the Charrette speaking out at this event. Some
adjustments to building heights were incorporated
into the plan from these comments. In general, the
Charrette developed Plan you are reviewing today has
remained intact.
The following images and information include primary
challenges, most asked questions, the schedule, and
Charrette Wrap-Up Presentation to the Planning Board.
A.1.6Top Ten Challenges at Westbard - Created at, and
before the Charrette
1. Maintain heights that reinforce the existing
neighborhood context and scale.
2. Provide options to help mitigate school capacity
concerns.
3. Establish better internal neighborhood
connections yet reduce commuter cut-thru
traffic.
4. Use the relocation of the Westbard library to
help create a civic center within the community.
5. Expand pedestrian and bicycle connections
throughout Westbard in particular between
neighborhoods, schools, open spaces and civic
institutions.
6. Enhance and create east-west connections
between Massachusetts Avenue and River Road.
7. Address vehicular and pedestrian conflicts at
River Road and the Capital Crescent Trail
8. Enhance the Willet Branch Stream to be an
accessible, natural public amenity within the
community.
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9. Preserve and enhance light industrial uses so

that they may continue to thrive and expand off
of River Road.
10. Maintain and enhance local, family-owned retail
and business services.
A.1.7The Three Most Asked Questions to Planning Staff
1. What is the justification for updating the
1982 Sector Plan and changing the zoning in
Westbard?
2. How will this Plan address the additional traffic
created by new development and increased
density?
3. How will MCPS and this Plan address the addition
of more students generated by new development
when local schools are already at or above full
capacity?
A.1.8Charrette Re-cap
Day 1: Visioning Session: characteristics and
concept; precedents Eight groups
Day 2: Presentation of three Schematic Diagrams
Day 3: Presentation of two Concept Plans
Day 4: Final Charrette Presentation to
Community
Concept Framework Plan includes:
Big Ideas - Vision
A Preliminary Plan
Visualizations and Diagrams
Numbers
Figure A.1:Westbard Charrette Schedule
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A.2 Day One:

Nov. 10, 2014
A.2.1Visioning Exercise Produced Eight Community
Based Plans
Set up office at Westbard site
Site tours for residents
General public and agency stakeholder meetings
200 + attendees
Great Sub-Urbanism 101 presentation
Visioning exercise at Walt Whitman H.S.
Connections
Open spaces
Focal points in community
Building types
A.2.2Key Points/Ideas
A.Streets
River Rd (local & regional traffic)
Connection from River Road to Westbard
Pedestrian connections
Close northern most entry to Giant (2 new
entries)
Slow down traffic
Westbard circle parking
Main street within Giant site (new street)
Street lights at corners on River Rd
Curve Westbard at Fairfield
Dorsey Lane going thru near Ridgewells
Create grid of streets and trails
Boulevard on River with five stories at each side
New street between River and Westbard Avenue
Westbard residents and community members participating
in day one visioning exercises
Multi modal at Westbard

Roads to disperse traffic
Shuttle circulator to Metro
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B.Building Types
Housing units effect on schools
Low density housing and shops
Affordable housing
Maintain history
Townhouse scale
Townhouses facing Kenwood Place, Gate
Kenwood Place
Westbard Ave. higher density than step down
Restaurants, dry clean, grocery, etc.
Want town square, civic gathering space
New local library (Giant site)
No destination regional shopping
Retail both sides Westbard Ave- ample parking
C.Open Space
More green space (industrial area)
Athletic fields, play areas for kids
More access to Capital Crescent trail
Maintain pedestrian flow & green space
Preserve Little Falls pkwy (impervious surface)
Green space/town center at Giant shopping
center
Encourage walking
Safety for biking across Mass Ave
Stream buffers, restore watershed, community
green
Figure A.2:Basemap of Existing Conditions in Westbard
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Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Figure A.3:Eight Community Based
Plans Produced through Visioning
Exercise
Group 7
8
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A.3 Day Two:

Nov. 12, 2014
A.3.16:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Sunrise series
Meeting with business owners
A.3.29 AM - 5 PM
Meetings with Citizens Associations and
individual residents
Received community input in the form of
comment cards, sketches and notes
Staff prepared 3 schematic diagrams derived
from community visioning session on Monday
Westbard residents and community members talk with

planning staff about their ideas for Westbard on the second
day of the charrette
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Figure A.4:Day Two Scheme Diagram 1
A.3.36 PM - 9 PM at Whitman H.S. (200+ Attendees)
10
Presentation and feedback on three scheme diagrams:
New Capital Crescent Trail street from Westbard

to River
A.Scheme Diagram 1: Large Ideas
New trail connections to CC Trail
Reconfigure Ridgefield Rd. at Westbard
New internal streets throughout
Potential new school site at Ridgefield Rd.
Restoration of Willett Branch
Create neighborhood green at Giant site
Butler St. connection to Little Falls Pkwy.
New grid at Giant site
Dorsey Ln. connection to Little Falls Pkwy.
Potential expansion of Westland M.S.
Largest amount of light industrial to remain
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B.Scheme Diagram 2: Large Ideas
Potential new school site Westland M.S. site
Create central square and library at Giant site
Dorsey Ln. connection to Little Falls Pkwy.
Small amount of light industrial to remain

to River
New residential at former library site

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C.Scheme Diagram 3: Large Ideas

Keep Ridgefield Rd. at Westbard
Potential new school site at library site
Create central square and library at Giant site
No Little Falls connections
Smallest amount of light industrial to remain

to River
12
Realign Crown Street ROW further north
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A.4 Day Three:

Nov. 13, 2014
A.4.16:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Sunrise series
Meeting with individual citizens
A.4.29 AM - 5 PM
Meetings with Citizens Associations and
individual residents
Livestreamed all meetings
Received community input in the form of
comment cards, sketches and notes
Staff prepared two concept plans based on
community feedback Wednesday evening
Corrections and modifications
Additions
Further refinements
Planning staff and community members discuss the issues

facing Westbard on day 3 of the charrette.
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Figure A.7:Framework Plan Alternative 1
A.4.36 PM - 9 PM at Whitman H.S. (160+ Attendees)

Presentation and feedback on two preferred concept
plans:
New trails connections to CC Trail
A.Concept 1: Large Ideas Highest Density
Potential new school site at library site.

Create town square at Giant site
A new Dorsey Ln. (west of current location)

connection to Little Falls Pkwy.
New library at town square
Largest amount of light industrial to remain
75 tall along River Road
Potential expansion of Westland M.S.
50 tall along Westbard except at Ridgefield at

100 tall.
New CC street from Westbard to River, north of

Crown St. ROW
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120 tall at Park Bethesda site
Figure A.8:Framework Plan Alternative 2
B.Concept 2: Large Ideas Lower Density

Potential new school site at Ridgefield Rd.
Create town green at Giant site
New Westbard to River Rd. street, behind
Westwood Tower
Small amount of light industrial to remain

50 tall along River Road
50 tall along Westbard except at Ridgefield at 75
tall.
75 tall at Park Bethesda site
New trails connections to CC Trail

A new Dorsey Ln. loop
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A.5 Preliminary
Concept
Framework
Plan
Figure A.10:Preferred Concept Framework Map
Figure A.9:Existing Site Map
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A.5.1Westwood II Area
Ave.
River Road
75 tall allowed at River Road

Primarily mixed-use buildings to the
north, east and south and townhouse
construction to the west
Rid
gefi
el
100 tall allowed east of Ridgefield

Road.
dR
oad
Naturalization of Willett Branch
We
st
bar
dA
ven
u
Figure A.11:Existing Westwood II Area Aerial Photo
Figure A.12:Concept Plan Diagram for Westwood II Area
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A.5.2Westwood Shopping Center Area

New street grid a Giant site
New civic plaza and library at
Giant site
50 tall south of Westbard Ave.
and 75 tall north of Westbard
Ave.
Primarily mixed-use buildings with
large local retail below
Townhomes located to the west
and south of the site
Figure A.13:Existing Westwood Shopping Center Aerial Photo
Figure A.14:Concept Plan Diagram for Westwood Shopping Center Area
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Figure A.15:Existing Capital Crescent Trail Aerial Photo
A.5.3Capital Crescent Trail Area

New Crescent Trail road from Westbard Ave. to
River Rd.
New grid of streets adjacent to Willett Branch
Additions to Westland M.S.
New school site at old library site
Figure A.16:Concept Plan Diagram for Capital Crescent Trail Area
Butler Road connection to Little Falls Pkwy
Additional bike and pedestrian linkages to Capital

Crescent Trail
Primarily mid-rise construction buildings (50 - 75

tall) with 120 tall allowed behind Park Bethesda
Townhouses located just north of Crown Street

and the Westbard Mews townhouses
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Figure A.17:Concept Framework Plan - Heights
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Figure A.18:Concept Framework Plan - New Streets and Civic Buildings
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Figure A.19:Concept Framework Plan - Open Spaces and Trails
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Figure A.20:Concept Framework Plan - Land Uses
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Existing photo of Westbard Avenue
Computer-rendered perspective of Westbard Avenue
24
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Existing photo of River Road
Computer-rendered perspective of River Road
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Figure A.21:Concept Framework Plan
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AppendixB:
Transportation
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B.1 Executive
Summary
This appendix represents a compilation of existing
conditions at the time the Westbard Sector Plan was
drafted and provides a summary of the methodology
and analysis behind the Sector Plan transportation
recommendations. Those recommendations are
intended to promote a multimodal transportation
system through a complete network of streets that
encourage equitable roadway utilization by all modes
of transportation within the Westbard community
over the life of the Sector Plan. It is anticipated that
an enhanced multimodal transportation network
resulting from this plans recommendations will meet
future transportation demand within the Sector Plan
area. In order to achieve this goal, transportation
recommendations included in the Sector Plan focus
on strategic improvements to existing transportation
infrastructure as a means of improving connectivity
and mobility through the horizon year of this
document.
An on-call consultant was hired to assist with the
assessment of intersection system performance for
the master plan vision, using the regional Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG)
travel demand model, National Cooperative Highway
Research Program (NCHRP) 765 post-processing
assessments and Critical Lane Volume/Highway
Capacity Manual techniques as generally used to
implement the Countys Adequate Public Facilities
Ordinance (APFO) described in the Planning Boards
Local Area Transportation Review / Transportation
Policy Area Review Guidelines.
Major recommendations within the Sector Plan are as
follows:
River Road should contain four-divided travel
lanes and have separated bike lanes.
Westbard Avenue should contain four travel
lanes with a shared use path or separated bike
lanes as specified in the Sector Plan.
A new two-lane connector road from Westbard
Avenue to River Road should run within close
proximity of the Capital Crescent Trail.
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Westbard Avenue should be reconfigured at

Ridgefield Road to prioritize the traffic movement
from Westbard Avenue to Ridgefield Road,
instead of Ridgefield Road to River Road.
Enhance transit service through public and/or
private buses.
Establish a multimodal bus hub at the
redevelopment area along Westbard Avenue.
Create a safer at-grade crossing of River Road at
the Capital Crescent Trail.
Transportation Demand Management programs
as appropriate with new development or
redevelopment areas should be considered.
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B.2 Existing
Conditions
The Westbard Sector Plan study area is located along
two major regional roads, River Road (MD 190)
and Massachusetts Avenue (MD 396). These roads
connect the southwest portion of the Bethesda-Chevy
Chase Plan Area, as well as areas beyond the Capital
Beltway, to major employment areas in Bethesda
and Friendship Heights, and to the regional Metrorail
system. River Road and Massachusetts Avenue also
serve as the only two roads that connect the Westbard
area from east to west. Little Falls Parkway is a limited
access park road that runs along the eastern boundary
of the study area with truck restrictions. Westbard
Avenue and Ridgefield Road serve as the local roads
that connect a majority of the study area. There are
few local streets that provide connections to the
existing developments. Most of the developments in
the study area have access to either Westbard Avenue
or River Road. A tremendous asset in the community
is the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT), on the old B&O
Railroad right-of-way. This pedestrian and bicycle
trail is a major regional connection that also provides
limited local service in the Westbard area.
A majority of trips to, from, within and through
Westbard are made using private automobiles. Most
of the vehicles traveling through the Westbard area
are on River Road and Massachusetts Avenue, with
the majority on River Road before Little Falls Parkway,
and an even distribution on Massachusetts Avenue
and River Road from Little Falls Parkway to destinations
closer to the District of Columbia border. While the
automobile still needs to be accommodated in the
area, data trends, at least in the study area, indicate
a shift in mode choice or commuting patterns away
from the automobile. This change is shown with the
2010 decennial census and 2013 American Community
Survey both published by the United States Census
Bureau as well as yearly average annual daily traffic
(AADT) downward trending data published by the
Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).
The census data (census tract 7057.01 used as it
represents most of the study area) is shown in Table
B.1 with updated 2014 data. The trends still indicate
that driving alone to work has been falling over the
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Table B.1:Means of Commuting to Work
Table B.2:Average Annual Daily Traffic on River Road and Massachusetts Avenue
past five years with the means of commuting, such as

carpooling and taking public transit, increasing. The
SHA AADT data is shown in Table B.2, which shows
daily traffic decreasing on River Road through the
study area while traffic on Massachusetts Avenue stays
roughly flat.
B.2.1Sector Plan Study Area and Plan Boundary
The boundaries for the Sector Plan study area are
shown in Figure B.1. This includes all of the commercial
area in the Westbard area generally between
Massachusetts Avenue to the south, Little Falls
Parkway to the north and east, and Ridgefield Road to
the west. The definition of the Plan area is important
in that it is the first step in establishing the interface
between the regional transportation model and the
Sector Plan local area model intersection analysis. The

Plan boundary is formally established by the Planning
Board during its deliberations on the Plan scope of
work. The more detailed transportation analysis is
conducted for the area within the Plan Boundary.
The Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) that were used for
the long range analysis do not align exactly with the
study area; however, allocation of land uses into the
appropriate TAZs that make up the Westbard study
area was done based on the proposed changes in land
use by the district boundaries. See Table B.4 for the
distribution (in households and jobs) of the proposed
land uses among the two TAZs that make up the
Westbard Sector Plan area.
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Figure B.1:Sector Plan Study Area and Vehicular Access
B.2.2Major Roadways
River Road (MD 190) is a major highway with two
travel lanes in each direction and a center turn
lane throughout the majority of the study area. At
Ridgefield Road and Little Falls Parkway, the center
turn lane becomes a dedicated left turn lane. The
current 1982 approved and adopted Westbard Sector
Plan calls for a right-of-way of 128 feet.
Massachusetts Avenue (MD 396) is a major road with
two travel lanes in each direction. This road is not
technically within the Westbard Sector Plan. The 1990
approved and adopted Bethesda-Chevy Chase Master
Plan states that the existing right-of-way should be
retained at 120 feet.
Westbard Avenue is currently an unclassified road
from Massachusetts Avenue to Ridgefield Road. The
unclassified segment continues to include Ridgefield
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Road from Westbard Avenue to River Road, since these

two segments of roadway technically operate as one
segment. The road is currently two undivided travel
lanes in each direction with a master plan right-of-way
of 70 feet.
Little Falls Parkway is a park road owned by the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. Since it is a park road, there is no
classification, although the intent of the road is to be
a park road that has a few access points. The road
has two divided travel lanes in each direction north
of River Road and one undivided travel lane in each
direction from River Road to Massachusetts Avenue.
B.2.3Intersection Capacity and Roadway Operations
There are a number of ways to measure the quality
of service provided by a transportation network. In
Montgomery County, the method of measuring
network performance is established by the Countys

Subdivision Staging Policy (formerly called the Growth
Policy). This policy requires consideration of the
critical lane volume (CLV) at major intersections as
the key metric used to measure the quality of service
provided by the network. CLVs are essentially the
sum of vehicles passing through an intersection at a
single point (the most critical point of the intersection)
during the peak hour. The level of CLVs considered
acceptable varies by Policy Area within the County.
Master Plan intersections included in this analysis are
located within the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Policy Area,
which currently has a congestion standard of 1,600 CLV
set by the Montgomery County Council.
Westbard Sector Plan boundary. As shown in Figure

B.2 and Table B.3, all six intersections operate within
the acceptable 1,600 CLV threshold.
A.Existing Intersection Performance
One of the problems on River Road is the vast amount

of curb cuts that exist. These are openings in the curb
that allows vehicles to access a site. The extensive
number of curb cuts in such a short distance also
Figure B.2 below shows the existing CLVs at the six

studied intersections within and adjacent to the
The six intersections studied are:

1. River Road/ Ridgefield Road
2. River Road/Little Falls Parkway
3. River Road/Willard Avenue
4. Ridgefield Road/Westbard Avenue
5. Massachusetts Avenue/Westbard Avenue
6. Massachusetts Avenue/Little Falls Parkway
B.River Road Operations
Figure B.2:Existing Intersection Critical Lane Volumes
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Table B.3:Existing AM and PM Volume to Capacity Rations and Critical Lane Volumes
Figure B.3:River River Road Curb Cuts
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contributes to traffic stress on the road. This leads to

queuing on River Road as vehicles wait to turn into a
site. Curb cuts are acceptable and wanted but need
to be consolidated in a logical pattern for vehicles
but also for pedestrians and bicyclists. The closing of
the excessive amount of curb cuts would occur with
redevelopment when sites would be requested to have
inter-parcel access with each other and local parallel
roads to River Road. This closing of curb cuts would
allow vehicles to access each development without
having to access River Road, thus avoiding the many
turns that occur on the road today. In addition, a
median would funnel vehicles to logical points where
left turns could be made and are expected.
Figure B.3 shows the extensive number of curb cuts
that exist along River Road today. The length of River
Road in the study area is approximately 1,800 feet
long. In the eastbound direction, there are 20 curb
cuts that total about 630 feet and in the westbound
direction there are 12 curb cuts that total about 400

feet. Along this stretch of road, in a more urban type
environment, there should only be about five curb
cuts, or one every 300 feet.
B.2.4Transit
The Westbard Sector Plan area is currently served by
Ride-on Route 23 and the Washington Metropolitan
Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Route T2. Ride-on
Route 23 runs from Sibley Hospital to the Friendship
Heights Metrorail station. The service runs Monday
through Friday every 30 minutes with a late bus every
hour after 8 p.m. There is also Saturday service every
30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. WMATA Route
T2 runs form the Rockville Metrorail Station to the
Friendship Heights Metrorail Station with service every
25 minutes in the peak period and 30 minutes in the
off-peak Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Figure B.4:Ride-on Route 23
Figure B.5:Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Route T2
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Weekend service is every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7

p.m.
Route 23 service is shown in Figure B.4 and WMATA
Route T2 is shown in Figure B.5. The star marks the
center of the Sector Plan study area on Westbard
Avenue in front of the Giant supermarket.
B.2.5Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
A.Bicycle Facility Classification
Bicycle facilities in Montgomery County are designed
to be used by a wide variety of bicyclists with differing
travel purposes, abilities and levels of comfort with
vehicular traffic. In response to that variety, there
exists a range of bicycle accommodation available for
implementation. Existing and proposed bicycle facilities
within the Sector Plan area include the following (See
also, Figure B.6):
a) Shared use path: A paved path that is typically
10 feet wide but can vary between 8 and 14 feet
wide, designated for bicycles and pedestrians
that is separated from motorized traffic by a
curb, barrier or landscape panel.
b) Bike lane: A portion of a roadway designated by
striping, signing or pavement markings for the
preferential or exclusive use of bicycles, and on
which through-travel by motor vehicles is not
allowed.
Figure B.6:Types of Bicycle Facilities
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c) Shared use roadway: A roadway open to both

bicycle and motor vehicle travel, and which is
designated as a preferred route for bicycle use by
warning or informational signs.
d) Separated bike lane: Also known as a protected
bike lane or cycle track; a bikeway that is
physically separated from motor vehicles
and pedestrian facilities. The separation may
be vertical, such as a curb; horizontal, such
as a landscape panel or parking lane; or a
combination.
e) Buffered bike lane: a bikeway separated from a
motor vehicle travel lane with an area of striped
pavement.
The current 2005 Countywide Bikeways Functional
Master Plan calls for the following bicycle facilities:
A dual bikeway on River Road (MD 190)
consisting of a shared use path on the north side
of the road and shared roadway.
A shared roadway on Massachusetts Avenue (MD
396).
A shared roadway on Little Falls Parkway
(existing).
Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) (existing).
B.Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress Test

This Sector Plan uses the Level of Traffic Stress (LTS)
method which is currently being used in the update to
the Countys Bicycle Master Plan to identify roadways
stress on bicyclists. LTS analysis measures the amount
of stress that bicyclists feel when riding on a roadway
alongside vehicular traffic. A synopsis of the LTS
methodology is presented in Figure B.7. The existing
conditions LTS results are presented in Figure B.8.
The LTS study of the Sector Plan area revealed the

following:
Riding from east to west through the Sector
Plan area can only occur on River Road or
Massachusetts Avenue, which are both classified
as an LTS 4 (high stress route), making east-west
travel difficult.
The CCT is a great north-south bicycle facility,
which shows up as LTS 1 (lowest stress route).
There are no low-stress (LTS 1) connections to
the CCT.
There is a lack of local bicycle routes in the Sector
Plan area.
Figure B.7:Level of Traffic Stress
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Figure B.8:Existing Level of Traffic Stress Results
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B.2.6Pedestrian
The existing at-grade pedestrian crossing of River
Road at the Capital Crescent Trail lacks sufficient
infrastructure to facilitate an easier, faster and safer
crossing of River Road at-grade. The image on the left
in Figure B.9 shows the current pedestrian conditions
to cross River Road. There is only a sign and a nonhighly-visible crosswalk indicating to vehicles that
pedestrians can cross River Road in this location. The
image on the right in Figure B.9 indicates the distance
that would be required for a pedestrian to safely cross
River Road using the CCT versus crossing at-grade. A

person trying to get from point A to point B using the
CCT would take about 7.5 minutes to travel the 1,840
feet walking at a pace of 4 feet per second. If a safer
crossing of River Road is provided, then the crossing
time between point A and B is reduced to about 20
seconds.
Figure B.9:At-grade Pedestrian Crossing of River Road at the CCT
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B.3 Travel Demand

Forecasting
Methodology
and Process
The following steps were undertaken to develop peak
hour forecasts and conduct operational analysis of
plan area intersections. The first section describes the
travel demand modeling conducted to generate 2040
daily forecasts and the second outlines the process
used to gather existing intersection counts and develop
2040 peak hour forecasts.
B.3.1Travel Demand Modeling
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
(MWCOG) travel demand model version V2.3.52
was used as the basis for forecasting vehicle trips
on the road network. The baseline for the model
incorporates land use and regional transportation
network changes from the Round 8.2 Cooperative
Forecasts. Two different analysis years were used to
estimate the impacts of the proposed land use change
in the Westbard area. The first was year 2015 that
established current year conditions, and the second
was year 2040 that incorporated background growth,
changes from the proposed Westbard Master Plan,
as well as nearby master plan proposed changes.
Land use verification was also done to ensure that
the model incorporated known changes in nearby
land uses that were not associated with any proposed
Sector Planchanges.
No modifications were made to the local road network
as the existing roads contained the number of travel
lanes called for in the currently approved 1982
Westbard Sector Plan. Additionally, no modifications
were made to the current or future transit networks in
the model. The Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) structure
of the model in the study area remained intact as
it was determined that the TAZs were sufficient to
forecast vehicle trips resulting from the proposed
change in land use.
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The two applicable TAZs from the MWCOG model in

the Westbard study area are shown below in Table
B.4 along with the 2040 land use inputs. The 2040
model run also incorporates the proposed land use
changes associated with the revisions for Bethesda and
Lyttonsville Sector Plans. The Intelligence Community
Campus Bethesda (ICC-B) is also accounted for in the
2040 land use and is part of the Round 8.2 baseline
land use that was used in the model.
Daily volumes were taken from the model, instead
of peak period volumes, as this makes for a simpler
comparison to available Average Annual Daily Traffic
(AADT), which is used to help estimate the peak
hour impacts that are the subject of the Critical Lane
Volume analysis presented later on in this report. Daily
traffic forecasts were estimated utilizing procedures
from the National Cooperative Highway Research
Program (NCHRP) 765: Analytical Travel Forecasting
Approaches for Project-Level Planning and Design.
The forecasts were developed individually for each
intersection in isolation but were tied back to the
existing counts that were collected. Since the Sector
Plan is a long-term vision for the area, land uses can
vary based on development applications, and access
points can be moved, the forecasts were not fully
balanced between intersections; however, quality
control was conducted to ensure that the forecasts
between the intersections did not vary widely. When
development applications are submitted with traffic

studies, the intersections will be reviewed to ensure
that all vehicles entering and exiting a development or
turning at intersections will capture the appropriate
traffic.
The 2015 baseline model results (using Round 8.2 land
use) were used as the base year traffic assignment.
The 2040 model results (using Round 8.2 land use
with the exception of the proposed land use changes
in Westbard as well as the proposed changes in the
Bethesda and Lyttonsville Sector Plans) were used as
the future year traffic assignment. The daily forecasts
resulting from the NCHRP 765 post-processing were
taken as-is with minimal manual adjustments.
B.3.2Existing and 2040 Intersection Analysis
Existing intersection counts from fall 2014 and one
intersection count from spring 2015 (Massachusetts
Avenue and Little Falls Parkway) were provided as
the basis for 2015 existing conditions and to calibrate
year 2040 forecasts. The AM and PM peak hours
were extracted for each location based on the peak
hour as indicated by the existing intersections counts.
Daily roadway volume was extracted from Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) shapefiles acquired from
the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). The
daily data used for this study was AADT from the year
2013.
Table B.4:Land Use Inputs for 2040 Vision Plan
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Greater Lyttonsville
Westbard
Bethesda
NADMS for Journey to Work

From Area
Plan Area Auto Ps
NADMS
637 3090.15
1158.148
662 4211.55
1462.301
663 4969.46
1889.119
Total
12271.16 4509.568
641 1091.41
581.125
642 3343.1
2194.889
Total Ps
62.5%
65.3%
62.0%
63.3%
46.8%
34.3%
Total
626
628
630
631
Total
2776.014
37.4%
2733.85
2139.847
21.7%
5104.13
1826.22
668.01
1205.22
1997.914
817.55
359.5836
597.125
60.9%
55.2%
46.2%
50.5%
940.43
1695.44
2883.14
306.89
550.7414
996.8821
1896.926
181.135
41.4%
41.2%
34.2%
41.0%
8803.58
3772.172
57.2%
5825.9
3625.685
37.8%
For example, if an intersection had existing year AADT

data for the north, south, and east legs but not the
west leg, future year approach volume was calculated
for the north, south, and east legs. Then, a ratio of
existing TMC volume and this calculated approach
volume was calculated for these three approaches.
These ratios were averaged and applied to the existing
approach volume on the west leg to obtain a future
year approach volume for the west leg.
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Total Ps
46.9%
53.2%
45.4%
50.5%
23.7%
20.3%
4434.51
The intersection peak hour forecasts (k-factors)

were calculated for each approach of the analysis
intersections based on the existing intersection
Turning Movement Count (TMCs) and AADT data,
where available. The k-factors were applied to the
post-processed daily traffic volume on each approach
of each intersection to calculate an initial estimate of
peak hour traffic. Where a k-factor was unavailable
due to incomplete AADT data, approach volume was
estimated based on available data at the intersection.
The ratio of existing year approach volumes
and forecasted approach volumes (on available
approaches) was used to scale existing year approach
volumes (for approaches without data).
42
Auto Ps
9344.33
28464.97
8039.25
45848.55
1141.77
1592.08
To Area
NADMS
4960.89
13331.92
4386.052
22678.86
870.9707
1268.876
The intersection traffic was balanced. The initial

estimates of traffic on inbound links to the intersection
were summed, as were the estimates of the outbound
traffic. These two sums were averaged, and the
individual inbound and outbound approaches were
scaled proportionally based on this total. This was
done because each approach link has its own k-factor
and growth rate from the traffic forecasts which will
often lead to unbalanced traffic coming into and out of
the intersection.
Forecast turning movements were estimated based
on the existing TMCs and the approach link volumes
calculated as mentioned above. An iterative balancing
technique was applied to ensure the growth applied
was reasonable based on the proposed land use
changes near a particular intersection. The existing
TMCs act as a seed value for the balancing and the
2040 forecast link volumes are the target values for
the balancing. No manual adjustments were made to
the resulting balanced turning movement volumes;
some link volume totals differed slightly from those
forecasted due to rounding of numbers during the
balancing process.
B.4 Future Year
(2040) Analysis
of Proposed Land
Use Changes
B.4.1Master Plan Area Traffic Analysis

A.Intersection Critical Lane Volume (CLV) Results
The traffic analysis conducted forecasted future
traffic volumes, which estimated projected levels
of congestion in the year 2040 at key roadway
intersections within and just outside of the Plan area.
The analysis assumed that the roadway network in the
year 2040 would be the same as it is today, except for
the new connector road, which would run from the
intersection of Westbard Circle/Westbard Avenue to
River along the west side of the CCT. This road was not
added to the larger MWCOG model, but was instead
added after the model was run using the NCHRP 765
post processing method as mentioned above in the
methodology section. The results of the CLV analysis
are shown in Figure B.10 and Table B.5.
As shown in this Figure and Table, the intersections
continue to stay within the CLV threshold of 1,600.
Background growth and the Lyttonsville Sector Plan,
Bethesda Sector Plan and ICC-B campus were assumed
in the future year 2040 analysis. While the River Road/
Little Falls Parkway intersection does approach a
volume-to-capacity (v/c) of 1.0, it does not reach that
threshold. A v/c ratio of 1.0 or higher indicates that the
intersection has exceed the acceptable CLV threshold
for an area. It should be noted that the intersection
of Ridgefield Road/River Road improves in the PM
peak hour under the proposed land use change. This
is due to the new connector road that allows for some
vehicles that originally had to travel to Ridgefield Road
to access westbound River Road, to instead access
River Road at this location. The left turn volume on
Ridgefield Road to access westbound River Road is
reduced, which improves the CLV of the intersection.
One other reason that the CLVs do not exceed the
congestion threshold is due to the rebalancing of land
uses within the Sector Plan area. Table B.6 shows that
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Figure B.10:Future Intersection Critical Lane Volumes
Table B.5:Future AM and PM Volume to Capacity Rations and Critical Lane Volumes
the current 1982 Westbard plan compared to the

proposed plan is essentially vehicle trip neutral. This
is shown in the bottom line in Table B.6. Additionally,
the proposed plan is more balanced in terms of the
number of vehicles entering and exiting the study area
in the AM and PM peak hours compared to the current
plan, which can be clearly seen in the AM peak hour
when comparing the split distribution of the current
plan to the proposed plan. The better balancing of the
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land uses, which enables a more evenly distributed

number of vehicles entering and exiting the Sector
Plan boundary, allows the road network to be better
used and balanced in terms of commuting patterns by
not having two-thirds of the traffic enter Westbard in
the morning and then leave in the evening, as is the
case with the current plan.
B.4.2Model - Commuting Information Outputs

A cordon line (or circle boundary) was drawn around
the TAZs that make up the Sector Plan Boundary to
determine the number of vehicles that travel into
the plan area, from the plan area to a destination
outside of the cordon line, or through the plan area
on their way to another destination. The model
revealed that roughly 80 percent of the vehicles
crossing the plan boundary are traveling through
the area to other destinations. That means they are
commuting, for example, from points west along
River Road or Massachusetts Avenue to access
employment destination in the District of Columbia.
This is important because no change in the land
use, other than a dramatic re-concentration of jobs
and/or housing on the scale of Bethesda, is likely to
affect these trips. These are trips that need to be

accommodated on the regional roads, such as River
Road or Massachusetts Avenue. Improving operations
of River Road, as noted in the existing conditions, can
help by increasing the capacity of road and reducing
the neighborhood cut-through traffic that surrounds
the Sector Plan boundary.
B.4.3Additional Operational Considerations
Three considerations were assessed during the analysis
process and they are each described in below.
A.Incorporating the Effects of the Intelligence
Community Campus - Bethesda Sangamore Facility
As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) activities, the mission for the former National
Table B.6:Vehicle Trip Comparison Current 1982 Plan to Proposed Plan
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Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys (NGA) Sumner Site

at 4600 Sangamore Road has been revised so that
it is now the home of the Intelligence Community
Campus Bethesda (ICC-B). The site was reviewed
by the Planning Board as mandatory referral number
2011105-MDP-4 in September 2011. Community
concerns relate to the fact that the campus is located
in a residential neighborhood and that the potential
exists for cut-through traffic in Westbard via residential
streets such as Overlea Road. The November 2011
Transportation Management Plan for the ICC-B site
confirms the assumptions already embedded in the
MWCOG model that, while the facility had reduced
operations during reconstruction to transfer from NGA
to ICCB activities, the 3,000 jobs anticipated at the
ICCB site for the foreseeable future are included in the
background land use assumptions for the Westbard
Sector Plan.
lane arterials are only considered feasible when the

directional split exceeds about 65% (guidance tends to
range from 60% to 70% as a minimum threshold). Little
Falls Parkway has peak period directional splits on
either side of River Road ranging from 51% to 57%.
B.Little Falls Parkway Traffic Operations
Westbard Avenue currently has a four-lane undivided

typical section between Ridgefield Road and
Massachusetts Avenue. The forecast 2040 Vision
peak hour traffic volumes are about 500 peak hour,
peak direction vehicles (southbound in the AM peak,
northbound in the PM peak). The off-peak direction
volumes are about 300 in both AM and PM peak
hours. The total forecast average daily traffic volumes
are in the range of 8,000 to 10,000 ADT, well within
the rule of thumb (up to 15,000 ADT) that can be
accommodated on a two-lane roadway (with good
access management) or three-lane roadway with a
two-way left turn lane (where driveways and cross
streets are more frequent). Further operational
analysis would be required to assess elements such
as pedestrian crossings, bicycle accommodations and
transit operations, but a reduction from four lanes
would be an appropriate treatment from a planning
perspective based on forecast traffic volumes.
Concerns regarding the extent of current and future

delays along Little Falls Parkway between River Road
and Massachusetts Avenue were raised as part of this
Plan. In this segment, Little Falls Parkway is reduced
from four lanes (through the River Road intersection)
to two lanes (south of River Road). The concern was
that the single-lane roadway segment might constrain
traffic flow and that perhaps reversible lane operations
should be considered.
The existing and forecast CLV values shown in Table
B.2 indicate that the intersection of Little Falls Parkway
and River Road currently operates within the 1,600
CLV standard and is forecast to operate within the
CLV standards under the 2040 Vision Plan scenario.
The likelihood of delays due to the southbound Little
Falls Parkway merge from two lanes to one lane
immediately south of River Road are very slight. This
segment of Little Falls Parkway is nearly fully access
controlled; there is one driveway and Willet Bridge
Road is the only side street that serves a small area of
localized land uses. No trucks or parking are allowed
on this segment of Little Falls Parkway, so the link
capacity (segment of road) is roughly 1,600 to 1,800
vehicles per hour, and the highest peak-hour, peak
direction volume for 2040 forecast for this link is under
700 vehicles per hour.
Reversible lane operations are not an effective
treatment for Little Falls Parkway. Generally, reversible
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Community members expressed concerns about

delays on southbound Little Falls Parkway approaching
Massachusetts Avenue, potentially influencing some
motorists using the grassy shoulder to bypass queued
vehicles waiting to turn left. A peak period (6-hour)
traffic count was taken at the Massachusetts/Little Falls
Parkway intersection on April 14, 2015. No unusual
delays or illegal shoulder use were observed during the
traffic count and the CLV values in Table B.2 indicating
LOS A and B conditions are consistent with conditions
observed in the field.
C.Road Diet for Westbard Avenue
D.Urban Road Code Designation

The Westbard Sector Plan area should be designated
as an urban road code area. This designation is
intended to improve safety in areas with a lot of
pedestrian activity. The designation is necessary for
the roads to be eligible for alternative road designs
that improve safety by narrowing travel lanes, having
smaller curb radii, lowering target speeds (25 miles per
hour) and allowing for more bicycle accommodation.
This designation only applies to the roads and other
transportation elements within the public right-ofway and not to the built environment that is being
recommended in the land use section of the Sector
Plan.
Recommendations for Roadways
River Road (MD 190) should continue to be
classified as a major highway and contain four
travel lanes with a median to accommodate left
turns. The right-of-way should be a minimum of
110-feet.
Westbard Avenue should be classified as a minor
arterial from Massachusetts Avenue to Westbard
Circle and contain four travel lanes. The right-ofway should be a minimum of 74-feet. On-street
off-peak parking should be considered.
Westbard Avenue/Ridgefield Road should be
classified as a business district street from
Westbard Circle to River Road and contain
four travel lanes. The right-of-way should be a
minimum of 100-feet. On-street off-peak parking
should be considered.
A new connector should be constructed from
Westbard Avenue to River Road with two
undivided travel lanes. The right-of-way should
be a minimum of 52-feet or as minimal as
possible to limit the impacts to park facilities.
A grid of streets should be created on the
Westwood Shopping Center property (Giant
Food) to provide connectivity for future
development.
Reconfigure Westbard Avenue heading toward
River Road to prioritize the traffic movement
from Westbard Avenue to Ridgefield Road,
instead of Ridgefield Road to River Road. This
reconfiguration would create Westbard Avenue
extended that would connect directly with River
Road. Ridgefield Road would be reconfigured and
would no longer connect directly to River Road.
Designate the Sector Plan boundary as an urban
road code area.
E.Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress Test Results and

Recommendations
The results of the LTS test are shown in Figure B.11.
The recommendations to improve bicycling within the
Westbard Area are:
Separated bicycle lanes on the north side of
River Road. This changes the LTS from 4 to 1.
Separated bicycle lanes on the north segment
of Westbard Avenue and shared use path on the
southern segment of Westbard Avenue. This
changes the LTS from 2/3 to 1.
Increase local connectivity to and from the
CCT to allow it to be more integrated into
the community. This can occur with the new
connector road that is recommended as part of
the road network.
Designate the area as an urban road code area,
which is also recommended under the road
network.
The improvements as recommended above are
intended to provide a network of LTS 1 (low stress)
bikeways that will make Westbard more accessible to
users of all bicycle riding groups.
F.Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Recommendation
A specific Non-Auto Mode Share (NADMS) goal is not
being recommended for the Westbard area; however,
new development should strive to minimize its impact
on the transportation network by encouraging the use
of travel modes other than single occupancy vehicles.
TDM should be considered as a mitigation strategy and
thus is recommended as part of any development in
the Westbard area. TDM strategies could include the
use of the latest information technology techniques to
encourage teleworking, provide sufficient information
to enable commuters and other trip makers to choose
travel modes and travel times, or decide if travel is
actually necessary at that time. Strategies also include
encouraging transit use, shared parking for uses which
have different peak demand periods, instituting paid
parking or other parking reduction strategies are
encouraged. The appropriate mix of uses is also a TDM
strategy that helps to reduce congestion by providing
services within close proximity to minimize trips and
trip lengths, or by better balancing trips on the road
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Figure B.11:Future Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress
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network to promote non-peak period directional travel

or off -peak period travel. The TDM program should be
specific to a given site, given the proposed mix of uses,
density and location within the Westbard area.
G.Policy Area Roadway Network Adequacy Test
In support of the 2012 Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP),
a Transportation Policy Area Review (TPAR) analysis
was performed for each policy area in the county to
test the roadway networks adequacy in 2040. The
year 2040 TPAR analysis took into account buildout
of all the adopted master plans by the year 2040 in
combination with the implementation of all the unbuilt
master planned projects anticipated to be constructed
by 2040. It should be noted that this differs from
TPAR analysis for year 2024 that is currently used in
the context of the regulatory review process. In the
2012 SSP year 2040 TPAR analysis, the Bethesda-Chevy
Chase Policy Area is shown to be adequate for the

roadway test. Given that the Westbard Sector Plan
area is a small subset of a much larger policy area and
the planned growth in Westbard is anticipated to be
relatively minor compared to what is zoned but not
built, the transportation network is considered to be in
balance with the land use and densities proposed by
the Westbard Sector Plan.
Note that the analysis conducted for this Sector Plan
is not intended to be a blanket traffic study for new
development in Westbard. Instead, it is intended
to demonstrate that at a high level, the anticipated
year 2040 transportation network, in combination
with improvements as recommended in the plan, can
adequately support the zoning recommendations and
increased densities in the Westbard Sector Plan.
Figure B.12:2040 Development Forecasts and Road Adequacy
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B.5 Conclusion
The recommendations as outlined previously are
intended to promote a multimodal transportation
system through a complete network of streets that
encourages equitable roadway utilization by all modes
of transportation within the Westbard community
over the life of the Sector Plan. It is anticipated that
an enhanced multimodal transportation network,
resulting from this plans recommendations, will meet
future transportation demand within the Sector Plan
area through the horizon year of this document.
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AppendixC: Environment
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C.1 Introduction
The most remarkable environmental feature in
Westbard is the presence of the mainstem of
Willett Branch. Few, if any, development centers in
Montgomery County can say that theyve got a river
running through them. Although Willett Branch has
been engineered as a storm drain and is still being
used for illicit dumping, it has the potential to be an
asset, a unifying feature and wonderful natural area
right in the midst of Westbard.
Other remarkable features are the greenways adjacent
to and within Westbard, such as Little Falls Parkway,
the Capital Crescent Trail and Willett Branch. With
some guidance from the Sector Plan, the Willett
Branch could become an accessible walkable greenway
all the way through Westbard, connecting in three
different locations the Capital Crescent Trail and Little
Falls Parkway. The main roads like River Road and
Westbard Avenue are also an opportunity through
redevelopment to create continuous green canopied
roads from end to end through Westbard.
Although Westbard boasts a 42% canopy cover, much
of this area is in poor condition. Trees and forest
edges are threatened by invasive plants, such as
vines that smother the canopy. Furthermore, there
are many areas within Westbard that are completely
lacking trees and canopy cover, creating an intense and
unhealthy urban heat island effect. The Sector Plan
recommends that forest mitigation requirements for
development in Westbard be met within Westbard by
improving and enhancing existing forest in this area.
Westbards history of heavy industrial uses has left its
mark on the area. A 1956 United States Geological
Survey map shows several rail road spurs serving sites
such as a granite quarry and a gas storage facility. A
number of sites restrict development due to industrial
contamination. These areas will need both long and
short-term mitigation in order to redevelop. Although
there are former known munitions dumps in the
Washington region, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
knows of no munitions on sites in or near Westbard.
Westbard is largely characterized by a harsh landscape
with more than two thirds of the imperviousness
devoted to cars. As redevelopment takes place,
surface areas for roads and parking should be reduced,
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but what is built be shaded and more inviting and

more healthy landscape.
The overall goal is to move Westbard closer to
environmental sustainability and make this area a
more healthy, desirable and livable place by planning
to support and improve its remarkable environmental
features.
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C.2 Existing
Conditions
C.2.1Little Falls Watershed
The Little Falls subwatershed is one of the
Countys most urban stream systems and some
of the oldest developed areas of the County.
Most of the development in this subwatershed
occurred before todays requirements for
protected stream buffer, wetlands and
floodplains, and treatment of stormwater runoff,
which has resulted in very poor water quality and
very little aquatic life.
The original drainage pattern of Little Falls has
been extensively altered. Small feeder streams,
which once supplied water and aquatic life,
have been covered over to make room for
development or dried up due to extensive
impervious surfaces.
Little Falls receives much of its drainage from
highly impervious areas in the Bethesda Central
Business District and Friendship Heights.
C.2.2Willett Branch
Two thirds of Westbard drains to Willett Branch,
a major tributary to Little Falls.
70% of stream channels in Willett Branch are enclosed
in storm drains or lined with concrete ditches. High
velocity uncontrolled runoff is a major impact to
downstream channel stability.
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C.2.3Stream Channelization
Channelized and piped areas throughout the
subwatershed deliver flows into downstream channels
at accelerated velocities and often with very high
temperatures after flowing through open concrete
channels or across paved surfaces warmed by the
summer sun.
While stream channelization may solve local flooding
problems, it also results in environmental impacts such
as:
Thermal pollution.
Reduced aquatic life.
Habitat loss/lack of shade and food source.
Concentrating runoff further downstream.
slopes between sites, exacerbating the erosion

potential.
Significant areas of existing impervious cover are
unnecessary and the result of outdated design
standards.
C.2.5Canopy Cover
Most of the impervious cover of Westbard is unshaded
creating an urban heat island effect (UHIE).
UHIE is created by an area with low levels of vegetation
and therefore increased levels of solar radiation
collected by thermal mass such as brick, concrete,
pavement and impervious surfaces. This heat
amplifies and extends times of intensive heat, creating
negative impacts:
Channelization provides absolutely no habitat for

aquatic life resulting in a broken place in the food web.
Health hazards associated with volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) and heat exposure.
Redevelopment in Bethesda and the surrounding

neighborhood is slowly adding stormwater
management to areas that were developed without it.
Increased energy use in cars and buildings.

Increased stormwater runoff.
Poor air quality.
C.2.4Impervious Cover
Westbard has a 57% impervious cover. This
level is analogous to levels expected in highly
urbanized downtown areas.
Impervious cover seals off soil and the potential
for infiltration. Therefore, all rainfall rapidly runs
off, overloading storm drainage systems and
conveying pollutants directly to streams without
the benefit of purification via soil infiltration.
Much of the originally sloping landscape has
been terraced to create usable development
pads. This treatment has created even steeper
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C.3 Willett Branch

Willett Branch has a large watershed that extends
well beyond the boundaries of Westbard and includes
much of downtown Bethesda and Kenwood Country
Club. By the time flows reach Westbard, Willett
Branch is contained within a concrete channel that
continues until just before its confluence with Little
Falls. Development practices of the past in much of
Bethesda and the neighborhoods to the south and
west of Bethesda made this necessary by piping and
often burying the small streams of the watershed
and forcing stormwater runoff to flow uncontrolled
to storm drains and the major stream channels.
Figure C.1 clearly shows that only the main branches
remain above the surface. Without concrete
armoring, erosion of Willett Branchs stream banks
would destabilize this stream system and among
other issues create siltation problems downstream.
Although stormwater retrofits within this watershed
are slowly taking place throughout the watershed
as redevelopment takes place, it will be a very long
time before it is safe to remove Willett Branch from
reinforced stream channels containing engineered
elements.
Within Westbard along the main stem of Willett
Branch there are approximately 850 feet of tunnels
enclosing segments of the stream flow. Apart from
storm events, the flow of Willett Branch appears to
be minimal. There are a number of reasons for this
lack of flow. The concrete channel disconnects Willett
Branch from ground water which, under normal
circumstances, would supply a large percentage of
stream flow (base flow) in addition to surface flow.
Also, due to poor development practices, rainfall does
not get the opportunity to infiltrate, but is rather
forced to flow downstream as quickly as possible.
This creates extreme flows during storm events and
minimal flow at other times. Finally, the concrete
channels of Willett Branch within Westbard are
approximately 12 feet wide at the bottom. Normal
flow spread over this width will appear very shallow
except during storm events. In fact, the entire stream
channel within Westbard is walkable, including the
tunnels.
Willett Branch in Westbard cannot be restored to
a natural condition until the upstream hydrology in
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Figure C.1:Willett Branch Watershed
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Bethesda has been controlled. This being said, there

are a number of long and short-term measures that
are recommended in the Sector Plan that would
improve Willett Branch, not only for the purpose of
water quality, but also to make it a more accessible
natural feature and an amenity for the community.
The following is a description of the conditions
of Willett Branch and recommendations about
improvements that could be implemented in the short
and long term.
C.3.1Northern Area
Willett Branch enters the Westbard area at the
very northern planning area boundary. The Dorset
Avenue crossing is a low and narrow box culvert.
For approximately 150 feet, the stream becomes
channelized as it flows past the Kenwood House
condos.
Figure C.2:Northern Area
It then goes underground as it flows into a very

wide 150-foot-long tunnel. This tunnel is under the
Episcopal Episcopal School (WES) ball field. A large
sewer line also crosses under the ball field parallel to
the Willett Branch tunnel.
Just beyond the end of the tunnel, the stream crosses
under the Capital Crescent Trail and returns to the
surface.
Recommendations
C.3.2Kenwood Branch Confluence Area
Willett Branch crossings at Dorset Avenue and

the Capital Crescent Trail should take place
with an environmentally sensitive crossing
consisting of a wider span that can accommodate
naturalized channel and pedestrian path/trail
along stream.
Continuing in a concrete channel, Willett Branch

straddles the boundary between Westbard and the
Kenwood neighborhood. It flows past Kenwood
storage facility and the Whole Foods parking Lot. The
stream is approximately 12 feet lower than the surface
of the parking lot.
Future redevelopment of the Kenwood House

should provide an increased buffer area from
the stream. Stream channel enhancement and
naturalization should take place where possible.
On the other side of the parking lot is a row of six

townhouses built in the 1960s with no stormwater
management and featuring paving that abuts the
stream channel. Willett Branch next crosses under
River Road within a large tunnel. It is near this point
that the tributary that flows down the median of
Brookside Drive is piped into Willett Branch.
Should the WES property change hands and

redevelop, Willett Branch should be returned to
the surface and given a natural buffer.
This daylighting of the stream should include a
trail connection between Little Falls Park and the
Capital Crescent Trail.
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Figure C.3:Kenwood Branch Confluence Area
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Recommendations
Redevelopment of the Kenwood Storage Facility
or the Whole Foods shopping center should
widen the non-developed area adjacent to
Willett Branch.
A trail along Willett Branch should link the Capital

Crescent Trail with River Road.
Redevelopment of the townhomes should
provide a stream buffer along the Willett Branch
channel.
Reconstruct the River Road Bridge with
an environmentally sensitive crossing that
accommodates naturalized channel and a
pedestrian path/trail along stream.
C.3.3Westwood II Area
Willett Branch reemerges south of River Road
much deeper in the landscape and flows across the
Westwood II building property. A tributary to Willett
Branch joins with the stream from across Ridgefield
Road. At this point, the stream valley is barely wider
than the stream channel itself. The walls of the stream
channel are between 15 and 25 feet high. In addition,
the building and parking are held up by a massive
retaining wall. The stream goes into another large
250 foot tunnel as it crosses under the landscaping
business and roofing company.
The Kenwood building on River Road is held up by a
retaining wall. Redevelopment of this site is unlikely.
River Road dedication and stream setbacks would
leave little space for a building.
Figure C.4:Westwood II Area
Recommendations
The non-developed area surrounding the stream
should be widened and re-naturalized as redevelopment takes place.
The area of the stream in the tunnel should be
daylighted if redevelopment takes place.
C.3.4Radio Tower Area
Willett Branch emerges from the tunnel inside a 30+
foot deep canyon where fill from the adjacent uses
have created extremely steep slopes. The canyon
is between 70 and 200 feet wide and covered with
forest. Properties include Bowlmor, a bowling alley,
and the HOC Westwood II apartment building on the
west side of the stream valley and the radio tower/
Imperial Investments and small properties on the
east side. At the base of the radio tower is a wide
floodplain that is developed with a seldom-used
overflow parking lot that serves the HOC-leased
apartment tower that is owned by Equity One.
Figure C.5:Radio Tower Area
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Figure C.6:Industrial Area
Although not open to general traffic, the bridge in this

location is one of the few vehicle/pedestrian crossings
of Willett Branch within Westbard.
Recommendations
The floodplain area could be redesigned as an
off-site stormwater management area/amenity
for redevelopment in Westbard.
C.3.5Industrial Area
The stream then flows under a driveway bridge
crossing. This driveway originates at River Road,
parallels the Capital Crescent Trail on Parkland and
then leads to an industrial area currently the home
to a landscape company and a small business. This
industrial area is also the former site of a granite
quarry. The stream is still in a 25 feet deep canyon that
is about 80 feet wide and forested up to the concrete
channel of the stream.
Recommendations
Properties west of the Capital Crescent Trail and
on either side of Willett Branch are on grade with
the trail and have the potential to become public
amenity areas along the trail. If publicly owned,
these properties could provide a wider buffer
area for the stream.
C.3.6Butler Road Area
As it passes for the second time under the Capital
Crescent Trail, Willett Branch enters a 450 foot tunnel.
The tunnel continues at the base of Butler Road across
the parking areas of several businesses until it reaches
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Figure C.7:Butler Road Area
Little Falls Park in the vicinity of the new townhouses

at Willet Bridge Road. There, it emerges at the roads
entrance bridge to cross Willett Branch. The stream
channel is only 6 to 8-feet deep in this location,
although the stream is still channelized. The stream
parallels the new townhouses flowing south within
Park property until it reaches the confluence with Little
Falls mainstem near the southern boundary of the plan
area.
Recommendations
This area is another place for a pedestrian
connection between Little Falls Stream Valley
Park and the Capital Crescent Trail.
This area would be a good location for
stormwater management retrofits as well as
public access to the stream.
C.3.7General Recommendations for Willett Branch
Pedestrian access to Willett Branch should be
studied. This should include options for parallel
trails both at the top of adjacent slopes, within
the channel and across the channel.
As redevelopment takes place, efforts should
be made to return the landscape near Willett
Branch closer to its pre-fill condition.
Capital Crescent Trail over Willett Branch
Entrance to American Plant Foods Willett Branch tunnel
Inside the tunnel
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C.4 Site Specific
Recommendations
Site specific recommendations for Willett Branch

naturalization - upstream to downstream within
Westbard.
C.4.1Dorset Avenue Stream Culvert
Along northern tip of planning boundary (immediately
outside of formal Westward planning area boundary).
Existing Condition
Box culvert is low and narrow, limiting opportunities
for future comprehensive stream naturalization and an
associated pedestrian corridor.
Recommendations
When roadway culvert needs replacement or extensive
repairs, reconstruct with an environmentally sensitive
crossing (wider span accommodating naturalized
channel and potentially include a pedestrian passage
along stream).
Long-term recommendation since it may be many
decades before culvert needs extensive repairs/
replacement.
C.4.2Little Falls Stream Valley Park east of Kenwood
House
Existing Condition
Straight, channelized stream section located near
corner of high-rise building and garage access.
Recommendations
Area between Kenwood House Co-op and Little
Falls Parkway. Enhance or naturalize stream channel
(including a meander) to the extent feasible
(limitations with the existing nearby Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission sewer infrastructure).
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C.4.3Kenwood House Co-op.

Anticipated to remain as existing use/condition.
Recommendations
Any future redevelopment should provide an increased
buffer from stream, particularly along eastern edge of
site. Provide enhancement of stream channel/valley
with re-grading and naturalized plantings. Remove use
of concrete in/near stream channel where possible.
and naturalize area. Stormwater management

opportunities should also be explored.
Remove the small concrete channel that parallels
Parkway; restore with rip-rap and native plantings.
Incorporate stormwater management if possible.
These modifications would be considered short-term
recommendations.
Recommendations
If the school decides to close and a new

use is proposed: The ball fields and courts
associated with the stream corridor should be
demolished and the stream channel daylighted
and naturalized. The floodplain would be
restored within the general footprint of the
ball field, providing stormwater management
opportunities. Allow for a formal trail connection
from Little Falls Parkway to CCT. An example
of the vision for this area is the stream
naturalization project recently completed at
Evans Parkway Park.
Generally anticipated to remain as existing school

use, although one acre of site is anticipated for
redevelopment as a midrise building. There are specific
staff recommendations outlined for both scenarios
of either the school remaining or the school vacating
entirely (although the latter scenario is not anticipated
for the foreseeable future).
Long-term recommendation since it is unknown

when, and if the school use will be vacated;
however, Planning Staff notes that the concrete
channel bottom within the culvert has significant
buckling that is readily observable from the
inside of the tunnel. The damage likely shortens
the anticipated lifespan of the structure.
C.4.4Washington Episcopal School (former location of

Marriot Headquarters)
Existing Condition
North Willett Branch enters a 500 foot long tunnel
underneath the Washington Episcopal School ball
fields.
The school site has its main entrance off Little

Falls Parkway (south of Dorset Ave). Decades
ago, the school property used to be the Marriott
Headquarters which had reportedly obtained the
original agreement with Parks on the access. The
access appears to be overdesigned (for current
use) and also includes considerable acceleration
and deceleration lanes. Furthermore, there is
considerable maintenance by the school within
the Parkway land beyond the immediate access
area.
As part of school redevelopment activity the WES
should be required to renegotiate the access
agreement with Parks staff to replant the areas that
are currently maintained for 100 feet or more in either
direction of the entrance. This area contains turf
grass to the north and sparse grass/bare soil under
tree canopy towards the south, rather than the forest
settings typically associated with the Parkway.
C.4.5Capital Crescent Trail Stream Overpass

Existing Condition
Bridge span is narrow with vertical walls limiting
opportunities for future comprehensive stream
naturalization.
Recommendations
When the bridge needs replacement or extensive
repairs, reconstruct with an environmentally
sensitive crossing. This should include a wider span
accommodating naturalized channel and potentially
include a pedestrian path/trail along stream.
Long-term recommendation, since it may be many
decades before culvert needs extensive repairs/
replacing.
Remove the acceleration and deceleration lanes

associated with the entrance to the extent possible
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C.4.6Whole Food/Storage Sites

Potential Short-term Enhancements
Improve existing vegetative buffer with
supplemental native plantings.
Remove invasive species.
Explore interim trail connection/access
easement.
Redevelopment/Long-term Recommendations
Provide functioning buffer and stream
enhancements to the extent possible.
Include a trail connection from River Road to CCT
along east side of stream corridor.
Has some potential for environmental retrofits that

could include rain gardens, stormwater management
planter boxes or rain barrels, pervious paving,
and native plantings particularly along edges.
The enhancements would be relatively simple to
perform, however there is no foreseeable regulatory
requirement to compel the retrofits, but the
homeowners association may qualify for grants or
other sources of funding to proactively enhance the
environmental conditions.
C.4.9Manor Care
Floodplain enhancement near stream.
A comprehensive stream naturalization is needed to

stabilize banks address blockage/sediment and the
invasive plants
Shift redevelopment away from stream.
Existing Condition
C.4.7River Road Overpass

Recommendations
When roadway culverts needs replacement or
extensive repairs, reconstruct with an environmentally
sensitive crossing consisting of a wider span that
accommodates a naturalized channel and potentially
includes a pedestrian path/trail along the stream.
Project would be considered a long-term
recommendation, since it may be many decades
before culvert needs extensive repairs/replacing.
Willett Branch Trail should cross the stream
within the right-of-way just north of River Road
so that the trail continues under River Road on
the west side of the stream.
Willett Branch Trail should provide access to
River/Brookside Drive intersection.
C.4.8Kenwood Court Townhomes
Existing Condition
Row of six townhouses along north side of stream.
Built in the 1960s with no stormwater management
and featuring paving that abuts the stream channel
edge at points.
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Recommendations
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The associated stream has vertical/undercut banks

within 6 feet of the edge of River Road; area has heavy
pockets of invasive plants. As the stream enters a
culvert, theres a log jam with extensive blockage and
considerable buildup of sediment.
Recommendations
Parcel 902, a small adjacent property, should also be
included in this enhancement project.
Coordination with State Highway Administration
will be necessary to complete this work.
The linear parking lot should be deconstructed
and reforested as part of the stream
naturalization.
This work may provide off-site forest
conservation credit for mitigation requirements
in Westbard.
Daylight the tributary on the north side of
Ridgefield Road. This will serve as an amenity
area for the new development.
This project has the potential to be a shortterm recommendation due to anticipated
redevelopment and the threatened stability of
a major roadway and existing infrastructure/
drainage.
Example of naturalized stream with waterfall and adjacent to retail
C.4.10Westwood Center II Shopping Center

Recommendations
Provide buffer and stream enhancements for
mainstem to the extent possible within the
stream valley buffer.
Remove large failing retaining wall and create

amenity area with naturalized elements rather
than over-engineered structure that fragments
the landscape.
Provide pedestrian access to Willett Branch Trail.
Provide pedestrian access along north side of

stream since opportunities are currently limited
on the south side.
C.4.11Kenwood Office Building (circa 1975)
Daylight the currently piped tributary to Willett

Branch.
This small site has a limited footprint almost entirely

covered with midrise building.
Provide artful conveyance for the daylighted

tributary channel. Full buffer for the tributary is
not recommended at this location.
Recommendations
Exposing channel would provide environmental

enhancement over existing condition.
The drop in elevation from existing tributary to
the mainstem channel bottom would allow for
elements such a waterfall.
Site would benefit from the ambient sounds of
water.
Allowing development nearby, such as a pocket
park for seating/dinning at this particular
setting, provides a dramatic/dynamic landscape
feature celebrating the watershed. However the
encroachments to the stream valley buffer would
need to be offset by supplemental environmental
enhancements in other portions of the stream.
Existing Condition
No known plans for redevelopment/provide general

standard recommendations.
Renovation of the building should create a
setback from the stream and deconstruct the
retaining wall holding up the buildings first-floor
skirt.
New building must incorporate an amenity area
along Willett Branch.
C.4.12American Plant Food/Roofing Center
Existing Condition
Site is built on extensive fill directly over the stream
channel. The upstream edge of site has an extensive
timber wall likely built in the 1980s and nearing the
end of its functional life span.
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The downstream edge of site has a large, informally

built concrete retaining wall apparently constructed
with end-of-the-day concrete. (Concrete trucks
returning from a jobsite with a partial load remaining
must dump out contents before it sets within the
trucks storage drum. Landowners sometimes make
their sites available to accept the leftover concrete and
use it to create low quality pavement or structures.) A
large, 3-6-inch crack runs up the entire height of the
wall and is readily observable. No rebar that would
typically be used to strengthen concrete is visible
within the crack.
It is critical to note, even if no stream work was
proposed, that redevelopment of the site, particularly
near the stream/failing walls, would require extensive
earth moving to address the failing infrastructure.
Furthermore, depending on the quality of fill material
(clean fill dirt vs. concrete, rubble, debris etc.), hauling
the material away to an appropriate receiving facility
may be more cost effective than processing it into a
compactible base material.
If the plant nursery and roof center redevelop:
The existing fill and associated walls should
be removed and the stream daylighted. The
channel should be naturalized to the extent
possible
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A crossing is allowed to maintain a usable

vehicular and pedestrian connection between
the remaining developable property on the
east and west side of the stream channel. This
bridge may be pedestrian only if the property
is subdivided and vehicle crossing is no longer
required.
Initial recommendation for a bridge was
contested by property owner and bottomless
culvert arch was agreed upon.
Arch could incorporate native stone per historic
recommendation on use of local materials or
have sloped sides that include terracing and
access leading to the new trail.
Allow for pedestrian trail to tie into Park trail.
C.4.13Cemetery Site
Existing Condition
Site currently has informal gravel parking pad on east
bank and extensive mounds of dumped unstable soil
at top of concrete stream bank. West bank has an
approximately 6,000 square feet of a forestlike setting.
Provide buffer and stream enhancements to the
extent possible.
Landscape setting respectful of site history may

be most suitable use.
Allow for pedestrian trail along west bank.
C.4.14Radio Tower Area
Existing Condition
The site consists mainly of a seldom-used overflow
parking lot that serves the HOC-leased apartment
tower that is owned by Equity One.
The floodplain area could be redesigned from a
flat parking lot into a sizable offsite stormwater
management (SWM) amenity area for both
of the shopping center redevelopments. Per
the Little Sugar Creek example, the floodplain
capacity in the setting would be restored and
allow for detention and storage of overflow from
the Willet branch mainstem. SWM benches and
terraced seating areas can be incorporated into
redesign stream channel.
Existing groundwater is visible at surface below
the McDonalds retaining wall that flows onto the
parking pad. The consistent drainage currently
sustains a population of wetland plants in the
area. The flows would also sustain/enhance the
proposed facility during the times between storm
events.
Project may be a short-term recommendation,
since the owner has extensive redevelopment
plans within the vicinity.
Bridge should be replaced with an
environmentally sensitive crossing and be
limited to pedestrians, emergency access and
maintenance vehicles.
C.4.15Bowlmor Site
Existing Condition
Site appears to have extensive fill with apparently manmade steep slopes reaching approximately 50 foot in
height. Slope has a forest setting, although some heavy
pockets of invasive species are present.
Recommendations
Prior to re-construction on site, the soils would need
to be evaluated for suitability relative to stability for
building foundations, infiltration etc.
Potentially, the soils would need to be excavated

and re-compacted to appropriate standards for
construction.
Even if soils were to remain in current condition,
removal of invasive species could potentially destabilize slope.
However, stabilizing/recreating slope could
be achieved with terraces and the use of bioengineering with willow cuttings (dormant
live cuttings approximately 6-12 feet long are
buried perpendicularly within the slope with the
ends remaining exposed above the surface). In
spring-time, the cuttings sprout and grow into
trees with extensive/fibrous root systems, which
further stabilize the soils.
The terracing could potentially incorporate a
switch back trail that would provide access to the
stream and CCT.
Project would be considered as a short-term
recommendation, since the site is expected to
redevelop soon and the soils may need extensive
stabilization to accommodate the proposed
development.
C.4.16Schnabel Engineering Site and Adjacent Property
to North
Recommendations
Park acquisition of the Schnabel site and or the
site to north.
Parks would provide associated stream
naturalization/enhancements.
C.4.17Mini Storage Warehouse
Existing Condition
Not likely to redevelop although the landscape
operations on north end of site need basic cleanup and improved practices particularly since
immediately adjacent to stream.
Recommendations
As part of the stream naturalization, the
stormwater management could be updated and
potentially added to the proposed park.
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C.4.18CCT Overpass
Recommendations
When culverts below the trail needs replacement or
extensive repairs, reconstruct with an environmentally
sensitive crossing (wider span accommodating
naturalized channel and potentially include a
pedestrian path/trail along stream).
Project would be a considered long-term
recommendation, since it may be many decades
before culvert needs extensive repairs/replacing.
C.4.19Butler Road Area
Existing Condition
Many constraints such as access easement to the
Willet Bridge Townhome site, existing utilities and
contaminated soils.
Recommendations
Explore opportunities for stormwater
management and aesthetic landscapes plantings/
setting.
Daylight and naturalize Willett Branch.
Create pedestrian connection between CCT and
Little Falls Park.
C.4.20Willet Bridge Townhome Site
Recommendations
Project to remove concrete channel and provide
imbricated rip-rap or other treatments would
be considered a long-term recommendation,
since there are now severe constraints with
the existing townhomes and Parkway in close
proximity.
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C.5 General
Recommendations
C.5.1Sustainability and Environment

Recommendations
Environmental buffers must be reclaimed from
the built environment in order to facilitate the
Willett Branch Greenway. Roads, buildings,
parking lots or similar types of permanent
structures should be minimized within the
stream buffer and carefully designed to
complement the greenway park.
Minimize the use of retaining walls, fill, culverts
and similar practices that are high-maintenance
and/or carry the potential for catastrophic failure.
Numerous examples of such failing infrastructure
are found in Westbard today.
Maintain/restore the natural character of the
Willett Branch by avoiding an over-engineered
and fragmented landscape.
Complement the steam valley park with the
proposed new development by minimizing
severe grade changes, walls and fencing.
Naturalized stream demonstrates the elements of
an enhanced floodplain, landscape amenities and
pedestrian connections envisioned for Phase I of the
Willett Branch Urban Greenway.
When existing infrastructure falls into disrepair and
needs replacement, an environmentally sensitive
reconstruction should occur. For instance:
Figure C.8:Interim Stream Bank Repair without Concrete
Should sections of the concrete stream channel

need to be repaired prior to large scale stream
naturalization, repairs should be done with large
stone rather than reinstalling smooth concrete.
An example of this was done recently by the
Parks Department a few blocks outside of the
formal planning area boundary- on the east side
of Little Falls Parkway, approximately 600 feet
north of Dorset Ave (see Figure C.8). The large
stones could be reincorporated in the ultimate
stream naturalization design.
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Little Sugar Creek, Charlotte, NC
Bridges, Road Crossings, and Capital Crescent

Trail stream crossings should be replaced
with environmentally sensitive crossing that
would have wider spans that accommodate a
naturalized channel along with pedestrian and
wildlife passages where appropriate.
Townhouses on the west side of Willett Branch
were built with no stormwater management
and with pavement directly abutting the stream
channel. Environmental retrofits should be
part of any new permits or redevelopment
associated with this area. Short-term measures
that would help to enhance the environmental
setting could include rain gardens, rain barrels,
pervious paving, micro-bioretention, planter
boxes and native plantings along the channel.
The enhancements would be relatively simple
to perform. The HOA may qualify for grants of
other sources of funding to proactively enhance
the environmental conditions.
Where applicable, provide easements for stream
naturalization access.
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C.5.2Stormwater Management (SWM)

Most of the development in Westbard was completed
prior to the current environmental regulations. Among
the numerous environmental issues that resulted from
the unconstrained development patterns, there is very
little SWM associated with the vast impervious areas
within Westbard. As properties redevelop, they will
be subject to the current environmental regulations
such as stormwater management. However since
re-development may not be regulated as strictly as
new development in regards to SWM, waivers for
significant portions of the SWM runoff would likely
be sought by developers. The waivers would limit
the SWM benefits to the already impaired Willett
Branch stream.Therefore, the Westbard Sector Plan
recommends as a priority, that each redevelopment
project seek to maximize on-site SWM treatment,
rather than accepting waivers. This should include
the treatment of existing impervious areas beyond the
limits of the redevelopment areas. Such efforts may
be considered favorably when developers as seeking
concessions for other regulations that may limit the
redevelopment projects.
Supplemental methods of SWM could include:

Green roofs (supported by page 11 of Public
Hearing Draft of the Westbard Sector Plan).
Planter boxes connected to downspouts.
Raingardens, bioretention.
Grass swales/bioswales, including removal of
concrete/asphalt lined channels and daylighting
of piped conveyances.
Engineered structures (i.e. hydrodynamic
structures, water quality inlets, underground
treatment/storage vaults).
Infiltration trenches/areas.
Greenspaces/pervious areas (i.e. minimizing new
impervious areas and removing obsolete areas).
Dry wells.
Sand filters.
Water harvesting (rain barrels/cisterns).
Use of permeable pavement where pavement is
needed.
Soil restoration.
C.5.3Soil and Groundwater Contamination
As a former center for industrial activities, many of
the properties in Westbard are restricted to their
current use and any change in land use, particularly
or residential uses would require further cleanup
efforts. State requirements must be met in order for
redevelopment to take place.
Although there are former known munitions dumps
in the Washington region, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers knows of no munitions on sites in or near
Westbard.
The determination of those building the bike

course underscores the need for such a facility.
However, the existing course has a considerable
area of bare unstable soil that releases sediment
in to the nearby stream. Also, vegetation has
been cleared, and even some larger trees are
adversely affected by the excavations and soil
mounded at their bases (to form ramps).
The existing informal facility helps justify the new
skate park which needs to be open to bike usage
as well. Opening the new park to bike use should
obviate the need of the existing site which could
then be stabilized and restored.
C.5.5Boulders
The most downstream section of the stream within the
planning area contains large ancient boulders, which
have been rounded smooth over time.
Similar boulders, some of which are over 6 foot in
diameter, can be found in the vicinity of the plan area.
Impressive examples of the large oval boulders can
be found near the end of Willett Parkway, east of the
Bethesda Pool; and another occurs along the pathway
behind the Milton/Loughborough historic site. Other
stones of the same type were recently excavated
during the construction of the townhouses at Willet
Bridge Road.
It is likely that additional stones will be encountered
during future projects, particularly when the work
is occurring near low-lying drainages courses. A
recommendation of the Sector Plan is that the
specimen boulders encountered during construction
be salvaged and incorporated into the landscape as
placemaking elements.
C.5.4Little Falls Stream Valley Park

There is an extensive bicycle pump track/jump
course that has been unofficially constructed in the
conservation park immediately adjacent to the south
of Willet Bridge Road. The site of the current informal
facility is about 1,000 feet away from the proposed
skate park site.
The earth works within the conservation park
have been leveled by Parks staff twice, but have
been rebuilt shortly thereafter each time.
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C.6 Westbard
Sewer Map
Figure C.9:Major Trunk Sewers Along Willett Branch in Westbard
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C.7 Letter from

Army Corps of
Engineers
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Dear Ms. Nelson,
Hello. I am Ed Hughes and I manage the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) environmental restoration program for the
US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District. Our area of responsibility for FUDS projects includes the state of
Maryland, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia. In the past year or so there have been a few
inquiries regarding this property on Westbard Avenue and whether or not it was formerly used by the Army. It was not.
We have no information supporting the existence of any Spring Valley related World War I activity or munitions burials
at that location or anywhere nearby.
There are several FUDS locations listed as located in Bethesda or nearby (Defense Mapping Agency Topographic Center,
Powder Mill, Fort Mansfield, Fort Simmons and Fort Bayard (DC)). We have no historical information which indicates
that any of these sites had anything to do with any Spring Valley WWI activities or any munitions burials either.
I hope this helps clarify the situation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Ed
Ed Hughes PE, PMP
Program Manager, Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Cleanup Program USACE Baltimore District
410-962-4937 Office
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
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AppendixD: Urban Design,
Parks and Open Space
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D.1 Parks, Trails and

Open Spaces
Overview
Open space in the Westbard Sector Plan area is

provided through two linear parks corridors: the
Little Falls Stream Valley and the Capital Crescent
Trail Special Park, which is a hard surface rail-trail.
The Westbard Sector Plan area is made up of several
shopping centers clustered along a major thoroughfare
(River Road) and surrounded by residential
neighborhoods. Although Westbard does not feature
the density of urban and urbanizing areas in the
County like Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton, the
close proximity of single-family homes, apartments
and townhomes creates demand for parks and open
spaces in this area along with the retail and small
amount of office spaces uses.
There is no specific center to this Sector Plan area and
the area does not contain any local, neighborhood,
or recreational M-NCPPC parks. There are, however,
several local and neighborhood park spaces located
within a mile of the Westbard Sector Plan area
(see list below) and several of those parks provide
opportunities for linkages to the open space corridors
running through Westbard. The Parks Department
has determined an overall need for more recreational
space in this part of the Downcounty area, as
competition for rectangular and diamond field space
continues and requests for other amenities like skate
parks increase.
D.1.1Existing Parks and Open Spaces
A.Public Parks
M-NCPPC Parks within a mile of downtown Bethesda
include:
Bethesda Pool (Montgomery County Department
of Recreation).
Brookdale Neighborhood Park.
Capital Crescent Trail.
Glen Mar Neighborhood Park.
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Figure D.1:Existing Parks
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Little Falls Stream Valley Park.

Norwood Local Park.
Westmoreland Hills Local Park.
Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park.
Woodacres Local Park.
The following parks are within a mile of Westbard
Sector Plan area and are owned and managed by the
Town of Somerset or the Village of Friendship Heights:
Founders Park (Somerset).
Somerset Park (Somerset).
Capella Park (Somerset).
William Tyler Page Park (Somerset).
Hubert Humphrey Friendship Park (Friendship
Heights).
then across to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (SP-12) in

Silver Spring. The CCT/GBT also links to the Rock Creek
Trail just east of Jones Bridge Road. All of these park
trails and bikeways are used year-round by cyclists,
runners, walkers, in-line skaters and are vital corridors
for commuters and recreational trail users alike.
The Little Falls Stream Valley has several natural
surface trails that follow the stream valley corridor. In
the Westbard Sector Plan area, cyclists also use the
wide shoulders on Little Falls Parkway as a bikeway.
At the southern end of the Sector Plan area, along
Massachusetts Avenue, there is a hard-surface trail
that enters the Little Falls Stream Valley Park and
follows the stream on the opposite side of the Capital
Crescent Trail. This lower trail is used more by local
walkers and joggers for recreation, while the Capital
Crescent Trail has more cyclists using the trail for
transportation purposes.
Willoughby Park (Friendship Heights).

B.School Facilities
The Westbard Sector Plan area includes Westland
Middle School and direct access through parkland to
Westbrook Elementary School. Both schools provide
some recreational amenities. Westland Middle School
maintains three full size basketball courts, a diamond
field with a baseball infield and a softball infield on
either side, a small rectangular play field, and four
tennis courts. These facilities are typically available to
the public after school hours and on weekends.
Westbrook Elementary School is accessible just outside
of the Sector Plan area via a path through Little Falls
Stream Valley. The school has a diamond field and
an open grassy area for informal play. Little Flower
School, a private school for children Kindergarten
through eighth grade, maintains a small artificial turf
rectangular field that is unavailable to the public.
C.Trails and Bikeways
The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) is a significant
open space feature running through the Westbard
Sector Plan area. The hard-surface trail begins at
the Georgetown waterfront in Washington, DC
and runs directly into the heart of Bethesda at the
intersection of Bethesda and Woodmont Avenues.
At this intersection, the trail continues north to join
the Georgetown Branch Trail (GBT) (SP-6 in the 2005
Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan) and
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D.2 Parks, Trails

and Open Space
Analysis
D.2.1Parks and Open Space Hierarchy
The hierarchy is an analysis tool that park planners use
in the early stages of the planning process to assess
the open space system in a Master or Sector Plan area.
(Guidelines from the Parks, Recreation, and Open
Space Plan, 2012)
Urban Park Pattern and Role
Each area master plan should include a system of open
spaces based on the roles of each type of open space.
The following hierarchy should be applied to any new
urbanizing area.
For the Sector Plan Area:
Publicly Provided Open Space Type
Active recreation destinations located within or
near the plan area, including courts, playgrounds,
and lawn areas large enough for pickup soccer,
fes-tivals or events
A central civic green urban park (see Chapter 3
of PROS 2012), ranging in size from 1/2 acre to 2
acres, depending on projected densities, located
in close proximity to a public transit hub, next to
activating uses, with a mixture of hard and soft
surfaces in-cluding a central lawn area for events
An interconnected system of sidewalks and trails
to connect parks and open spaces
Comment on Westbard
No such space currently exists in Westbard. Westland
Middle School has 4 tennis courts, 1 rectangular field, a
basketball court and two diamond fields. These are not
open to the public on weekdays.
No central civic open space exists in West-bard.
This is currently lacking in Westbard. More connections are

needed from the west side of Westbard Avenue to the CCT.
There is a large need for pedestrian enhancements overall,
especially along River Road and from the properties on the
east side of Westbard to River Road.
Wooded areas that will provide a sense of contact This should/could also include areas of native landscaping
with nature
and natural areas, such as a wet-land, urban meadow, or
restored stream buffer. Opportunity exists to naturalize
Willett Branch and create a stream valley park there.
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Figure D.2:Westbard Parks Hierarchy
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Table D.1:M-NCPPC Park Facilities within and near the Westbard Sector Plan area
M-NCPPC Facilities
# within 2 miles
# within 1 miles
# Within Boundary
Basketball Courts
10
Half Basketball Courts
MCRD Pool
Multipurpose Court - Half
Park Activity Buildings
Playgrounds
22
11
Adult Soccer Fields
Softball Fields
Tennis Courts
25
12
Youth Soccer Fields
Youth Softball Fields
Capital Crescent Trail
yes
yes
yes
Natural Surface Trails
yes
yes
yes
Hard surface trails
yes
yes
yes
~265 acres
~214 acres
~26 acres
Managed Open Space / Natural Areas*

this is any landscaped or natural areas not
including a constructed park facility
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D.2.2Goals
B.County Level:
Parks, Trails and Open Space recommendations seek to

meet the following goals:
Montgomery County Environmental Guidelines
1. Develop new park spaces.

2. Improve connections between new and existing
spaces.
3. Improve the public realm by providing public
open space.
4. Retain and enhance existing parkland.
D.2.3Regulatory Framework and Policy Guidance
A.State Level:
The Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and
Planning Act of 1992
Article 66B of the Maryland Annotate Code
The Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and
Planning Act of 1992 requires local governments to
incorporate and implement seven visions through the
Comprehensive Plan and to adopt a Sensitive Areas
element in the Plan, in addition to other elements:
The Visions. the [planning] commission
shall implement the following visions through
the plan (2) sensitive areas are protected
(4) stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay
and the land is a universal ethic (Codified
at 3.06(b), Article 66B, Annotated Code of
Maryland).
Maryland Annotated Code Article 66B further defines
and instructs planning agencies and jurisdictions to
protect Sensitive Areas, which include:
1) streams and their buffers; 2) 100-year
floodplains; 3) habitats or threatened and
endangered species, and 4) steep slopes.
(Codified at 3.05(a)(2), Article 66B,
Annotated Code of Maryland).
Approved by the Planning Board in 1992, the

Montgomery County Environmental Guidelines are
a compilation of existing policies and guidelines that
affect the protection of sensitive natural resources
during the development process. Marylands Economic
Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act of 1992
established the requirement that all local governments
provide for protection of sensitive areas during the
planning and development process.
The Montgomery County Environmental Guidelines
state on page 17:
In Montgomery County, protecting and
improving the water quality and ecological
health of the Countys streams is a major
planning goal. The goal is particularly
important because the County is part of the
Chesapeake Bay watershed. Preservation and
clean-up of the Bay is a major State priority.
A. 1. Recommended Guidelines for Stream
Buffers:
b. No buildings, structures, impervious
surfaces, or activities requiring clearing
or grading will be permitted in stream
buffers, except for infrastructure uses,
bikeways, and trails found to be necessary,
unavoidable, and minimized by the Park
and Planning Department environmental
staff working closely with the utility or lead
agency.
The Environmental Guidelines designate Willett Branch
as a Use I-P stream with a corresponding 100-foot
stream valley buffer on either side of the stream
channel edge. This riparian buffer provides terrestrial
resources to protect water quality and control runoff.
The steepness of existing slopes, floodplain limits,
and soil types can expand the minimum buffer width.
Ultimately the stream buffer is determined by a
Natural Resources Inventory Forest Stand Delineation
(NRI/FSD) performed by a qualified professional and
approved by M-NCPPC.
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Table D.2:Advantages of Urban Parks
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Established floodplains are regulated by Montgomery

County Department of the Environment, Department
of Permitting Services, and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). Development is
generally limited within the 100-year floodplain and
will require permitting by local, state, and federal
agencies. Montgomery County Code Chapter 19,
Article II and Executive Regulation 108-92 govern any
construction activity in or near a 100-year floodplain.
The recommendations in the Westbard Sector Plan
to create an Urban Greenway are predicated on
the statutory framework and guidance stating that
sensitive areas must be protected and redevelopment
cannot occur in the stream buffer.
Vision 2030
Vision 2030, approved by the Planning Board in 2010,
is the longterm strategic plan for parks and recreation
in Montgomery County, developed in conjunction with
the Montgomery County Recreation Department. With
over more than a year of surveys, public meetings,
and focus groups, this strategic plan guides parks and
recreation services for the next 20 years.
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS)
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS),
approved by the Planning Board in 2012, guides
park and trail planning needs analyses, site selection
studies, and recommendations in sector and master
plans. The 2012 PROS Plan includes six new types of
urban parks, expanding the urban park type category:
Countywide Category:
Civic Greens
Countywide Urban Recreational Parks
Urban Greenways
Community Use Category:
Urban Buffer Parks
Neighborhood Greens
Community Use Urban Recreational Park
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D.3 Existing Urban

Form
The built environment in and around Westbard is

predominantly characterized by single-family houses,
large arterial streets, shopping centers and low, singlestory, single-use industrial buildings. It is a suburban,
auto-oriented environment. The commercial
area evolved into a service area for residents and
businesses. The local residents needs are served
by the shops located in the strip malls on Westbard
Avenue and River Road, and the light industrial class
businesses located along Dorsey and Butler Lanes. The
services in the strip malls include grocery stores, dry
cleaners, a drug store, coffee shops, restaurants, gas
stations, a nursery, fast food and convenience stores.
The services in the light industrial areas include auto
repair shops, self-storage facilities, a veterinarian, a
dog kennel, and a fitness center.
Other uses that have a more regional draw include
home improvement and landscape contractors,
Ridgewells caterer and the office building on River
Road called Kenwood House.
The built environment is clearly oriented toward
accessing the shops and services via automobile.
Wide roads, curb cuts and parking lots dominate
the built environment. Because of the focus on
automobile access, pedestrian access is secondary
and the resulting pedestrian environment is decidedly
unfriendly. Most of the sidewalks on River Road
are directly adjacent to the travel lanes, placing
pedestrians in close proximity to fast moving traffic,
while Dorsey and Butler Lanes have no sidewalks at all.
Most of the views from River Road are of the parking
lots located between the buildings and streets.
Westbard Avenue, a wide four-lane street, is lined by
the loading docks of the Giant Food store for much
of its length. The four-foot wide sidewalk is separated
from the curb by a five- to six -foot wide grass strip with
shade trees in several locations. The experience for
the pedestrian walking along either side of Westbard
Avenue is of the Westwood Shopping Center loading
docks or the parking lots that serve the apartment
buildings and businesses along this street.
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Figure D.3:Figure Ground Map
The figure ground plan of the Westbard Sector Plan area graphically illustrates the suburban
nature of the built environment. The uniformly spread out arrangement of the buildings in
the surrounding neighborhoods is typical of single-family development. The arrangement of
buildings creates a regular and discernable pattern of streets. The arrangement of the buildings
within the 1982 Sector Plan boundaries is typical of strip shopping center development; large,
isolated buildings surrounded by open spaces, usually large parking lots. Other than River
Road, there is no discernable arrangement of buildings that indicates a regular street pattern
to the north and south. Such a pattern usually indicates an environment that does not support
walkability, or the comfortable movement through the space by people travelling on foot.
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1. View of River Road from Capital Crescent Trail looking east

2. Western Gateway to Westbard at
River Road and Ridgefield Road
3. View of River Road looking west. The

automobile-oriented nature of this is clear
4. Eastern Gateway to Westbard at

River Road & Little Falls Parkway
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5. Butler Road the connection from River Road that serves the car
repair shops, veterinarian, dog kennel and storage facilities located
here
6. Dorsey Lane is home to auto repair shops and

Ridgewell
7. Dorsey Lane looking south a majority of the

land on Dorsey Lane is leased by Ridgewell
Caterers
8. The un-named alley(s) south of River Road and adjacent to the Capital Crescent Trail that
service the industrial uses in this area
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9. View of the parking lot at the Westwood

Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue
10. View of Westbard
Avenue looking
northwest
11. View of loading docks for the Westwood

Shopping Center that line Westbard Avenue
12. View of Westwood Towers from
the sidewalk on Westbard
13. View of intersection

at River Road and
Ridgefield Road
15. View of parking lot adjacent to the Westwood

Shopping Center
14. View of Bowlmor bowling alley located on Westbard

Avenue
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16. View of apartments at 5101 River Road
17. Westwood Apartments on Westbard Avenue
18. Park Bethesda Apartments on Westbard Avenue
20. Townhouses on Westbard
19. Kenwood Place Garden Apartments on Westbard Circle

21. Townhouse
condominiums of
Little Falls Parkway
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D.4 Parks, Trails
and Open Space

Recommendation
Details
D.4.1Civic Green at Westwood Center

Size: Approximately 0.5 acre, no less than 0.3 acre.
Vision and Purpose: A formally planned, flexible,
programmable open space that:
Provides a place for informal gathering, quiet
contemplation or large special event gatherings.
May support community activities, including
open air markets, concerts, festivals and special
events, but will not be used for programmed
recreational purposes.
D.4.2Neighborhood Green Urban Park at Westwood
Center
The 1982 Westbard Sector Plan (page 34) called for
this park, but it was never built. Park should provide
needed space for facilities, such as a playground,
community open space or possible dog spot.
Size: Approximately 0.5 acre, no less than 0.3 acre.
Vision and Purpose: Flexible open space that serves
the immediate residents and day time workers.
Provides a needed transition between the
planned Westwood Center development and the
Springfield neighborhood.
Establishes a place for informal gathering,
lunchtime relaxation, or small special event
gatherings.
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Parks, Trails and Open Space Recommendations
Figure D.4:Westbard Parks Recommendation Map
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Figure D.5:Westbard and Bethesda Proposed Legacy Open Space Urban Designations
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D.4.3Community Open Space at Kenwood Station

Size: Approximately 10,000 square feet.
Vision and Purpose: An open, green area for seating
and shade.
A space for eating lunch, meeting friends, sitting
in the shade, getting on and off the Willett
Branch trail and waiting to walk across River
Road.
D.4.4Westland Middle School Rectangular Field
If/when Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
decides to redevelop the athletic fields at Westland
Middle School, this Sector Plan recommends:
Move rectangular fields closer to the Westwood
development to better use available space and
create larger fields (adult size).
This location will better accommodate the
current range of users (weekday school use and
the weekend community use).
D.4.5Countywide Urban Recreational Park
Size: Approximately 2 acres, along the Capital Crescent
Trail.
Vision and Purpose: An open, level area alongside
the Capital Crescent Trail that offers a variety of
recreational activities.
Serves local residents and those beyond the
Westbard area.
Provides space for active recreation facilities,
such as a skate park, pump track, dog park, adult
fitness equipment.
Acts as a gateway to the naturalized Willett
Branch Urban Greenway and Trail.
Much of that new urban parkland will be created

through the development review process using
traditional and innovative zoning tools, such as
dedication or density transfers. However, a portion of
new urban parkland still will need to be purchased, in
whole or part, using traditional acquisition methods
through the CIP. The Legacy Open Space (LOS)
Program is one of the primary funding sources for
land acquisition and includes an Urban Open Space
resource category.
Legacy Open Space staff has taken a second look at the
proposed parks in the Bethesda and Westbard plans
to determine if any additional sites merit designation
as LOS Urban Open Spaces. After analysis and review
with the LOS Advisory Group and Park and Planning
Department staff, three additional sites of countywide
significance that should be designated as LOS Urban
Open Spaces were designated. See Figure D.4 for the
locations of the proposed LOS Urban Open Spaces in
the Sector Plan area.
The unifying theme for these Urban Open Spaces is
that they provide for a variety of types of green and
recreational spaces along the Countys most heavily
used trail, the Capital Crescent Trail. The four sites
include two Urban Greenways, one Countywide
Urban Recreational Park, and one Central Civic Green.
These sites all meet the LOS criteria to increase
access to open space and recreation in dense urban
communities, to promote interconnectivity of the
urban green infrastructure, and to provide community
open space for casual use and large community
gatherings. These park spaces adjacent to the Capital
Crescent Trail clearly rise to the level of being best
of the best open spaces in the entire County that
deserve designation as Legacy Open Space and active
efforts to implement as public parkland.
D.4.6Legacy Open Space Designations

Recommendations
Over the past decade, the Department has renewed its
focus on urban parks and the new types and preferred
locations for urban park amenities. As outlined in the
Vision 2030 report (2010) and the 2012 PROS Plan, our
urban areas have the lowest levels of service for parks
and recreation per population. In order to promote
livable communities with convenient access to parks,
additional urban parkland will have to be acquired.
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D.5 Willett Branch
Urban Greenway
Recommendations
D.5.1Background
Willett Branch is a stream in the Little Falls watershed,
which drains directly into the Potomac River. Willett
Branchs own watershed drains 1,248 acres, which
includes portions of downtown Bethesda, the
Kenwood County Club and suburban residential
neighborhoods. In the Westbard Sector Plan area,
the stream is two miles upstream of the Potomac
River and runs entirely in a concrete channel, exposed
to daylight in most areas and through culverts and
tunnels in other sections.
Few, if any, commercial development centers in
Montgomery County have a river or stream running
directly through the middle. In the 1950s, Willett
Branch was engineered into a concrete-lined
trapezoidal channel to function as a storm drain.
Today it remains as such; however in an extremely
deteriorated condition and is used for illicit dumping
and graffiti. High velocity, uncontrolled runoff from
significant impervious cover on surrounding properties
is a major impact to the stream, particularly when
this stream joins Little Falls. More than two-thirds of
Westbards impervious surfaces are devoted to roads
and parking lots for vehicles. Major trunk sewer lines
are parallel to the stream.
As explained above, Westbard lacks an interconnected
system of park and open space facilities to serve
present-day and future residents. In spite of these
challenges, the Willett Branch stream valley can
become a community asset, a unifying feature and a
rare natural area right in the heart of Westbard.
This Sector Plan reimagines the Willett Branch corridor
as a greenway corridor that creates new parkland,
improves the ecological functioning of the stream and
creates pedestrian connections.
This idea for Willett Branch as an urban greenway
initially developed as a recommendation in the
environmental section of the Plan; however, the
Parks Department decided to take on the idea
as an M-NCPPC parks, trails and open space
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Figure D.6:Willett Branch Watershed Map
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recommendation in early July 2015, before the

Working Draft presentation to the Planning Board.
Parks Department ownership of the corridor can
provide consistent standards for design, naturalization,
maintenance, policing and programming.
D.5.2Willett Branch Existing Conditions
In 1930 and then again in 1950 the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) installed sewer
lines in the area of Willett Branch. In 1956, WSSC
engineered Willett Branch into the concrete-lined
trapezoidal channel that exists today. The majority
of the land uses and developments adjacent to the
stream have not changed since they were developed
in the late 1950s and 1960s. Many of these properties
have significant retaining walls and are built on
layers of fill and culverts. This infrastructure is failing,
along with the trapezoidal channel itself. Even if
the Westbard Sector Plan was not updated and did
not contain this greenway recommendation, this
infrastructure must be replaced. The following images
illustrate the existing conditions of Willett Branch,
including but not limited to these issues:
Failing infrastructure.
Abandoned infrastructure.
Concrete lined trapezoidal channel created
impaired stream ecology.
Buildings in the stream buffer.
Barriers to the stream.
Direct storm drainage into stream.
Large areas of pavement in the buffer.
Retaining walls.
Dumping (and the physical appearance of a
dump, inviting more dumping).
Buried stream (culverts and tunnels).
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Failing infrastructure associated with Willett Branch
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D.5.3Vision for the Future Willett Branch Urban

Greenway
The Willett Branch Urban Greenway will be an
accessible, walkable trail, and an ecologically improved
and naturalized stream corridor.
Purpose:
Provide greatly needed pedestrian and bicycle
linkages across the Plan area and between the
two existing linear parks.
Improve the ecological functioning of Willett
Branch, and thus Little Falls, the Potomac and the
Chesapeake Bay.
Features:
A hard surface trail loop offering users an
alternative, quieter trail experience and
increased connections.
A naturalized stream.
Interpretive signage.
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D.5.4Defining Terms
What is a naturalized stream?
Stream Naturalization
Removing concrete-lined
channels to create a more
natural although still
channelized stream. The goals
include cleaner water, stable
banks and improved habitat for
aquatic life and wildlife.
Stream Daylighting
Physically uncovering and opening
up a buried/piped stream. The goals
include cleaner water, stable banks
and improved habitat for aquatic
life and wildlife. A daylight stream
might be naturalized or restored,
depending on available space and land
ownership conditions.
Stream Restoration
The process of repairing impaired
streams where the goals are
cleaner water, stable banks and
improved habitat for aquatic life
and wildlife, while attempting to
mimic natural conditions.
D.5.5Ecological Benefits of Stream Naturalization

Ecological benefits of naturalizing Willett Branch
include:
Opportunity for infiltration through connectivity
with groundwater.
Increased nutrient uptake.
Instream habitat creation.
Example of naturalization (Evans Parkway)
Improved water quality through biological

nutrient cycling.
Enhanced riparian buffer.
Reduction in erosive flows directed towards Little
Falls.
Stream daylighting (Little Sugar Creek, Charlotte, NC)
Restoration (Craddock St Tributary to Upper Paint Branch)
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D.6 Willett Branch
Urban Greenway
Preliminary
Implementation
Details
At the July 2015 Working Draft presentation

to the Planning Board, the Board asked for
more information on the Willett Branch Urban
Greenway recommendation, including preliminary
implementation details. The following information was
presented at the December 3, 2015 Westbard Work
Session at the Planning Board.
D.6.1Phasing
Further analysis of the Willett Branch Urban Greenway
recommendation indicated that the idea fell into two
phases, based on staff understanding at the time
of the Work Session of the likely timing of future
redevelopment in the Sector and the recommendation
to acquire the Countywide Urban Recreational Park.
These two phases are called:
A.Initial Phase:
From the Capital Crescent Trail, south of River
Road to approximately the Roof Center property.
This phase includes the proposed Countywide
Recreational Park.
B.Long-term Phase:
Section at the Washington Episcopal School.
Section at Kenwood Station.
Section from Westwood II and Kenwood building
to the Roof Center.
Section downstream of the Capital Crescent Trail
to the Hoyt property.
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Proposed
Initial Phase
Figure D.7:Westbard Parks Recommendations Initial Phase Area Map
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The preliminary implementation analysis indicated

the following major actions are needed to realize the
vision for the Initial Phase area:
Property Acquisition.
Construction of the naturalized stream channel,

including but not limited to:
Stream naturalization.
Step pools.
Park development.
Cross vanes with riffle aprons.
Cultural, historical and archaeological resources.
Stone revetments.
D.6.2Property Acquisition
Numerous tools exist for acquisition and naturalization
of primarily undevelopable portions of properties
that will make up the Willett Branch Greenway. They
include, but are not limited to:
Dedication through the regulatory review
process:
See the Montgomery County Environmental
Guidelines and Section 66B of the Maryland
Annotated Code regarding protection
of stream buffers for a perennial Use I-P
stream.
Fee-simple acquisition via:
Legacy Open Space (LOS) funds. Both
the Willett Branch Greenway and the
Countywide Urban Recreational Park are
designated as LOS Urban Open Spaces
in the Sector Plan under Parks, Trails and
Open Space (see Section 2.4.2 E).
Program Open Space (POS).
Advanced Land Acquisition Revolving Fund
(ALARF).
Private sector contributions, including:
Off-site improvements.
Contributions to an established amenity
fund.
Other local, state and federal sources.
D.6.3Stream Naturalization
The stream naturalization component of the project
includes:
Demolition of the existing concrete channel and
impervious areas in portions of the stream buffer
dedicated to the Parks Department as parkland
for the greenway.
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Removal of demolished materials and non-native

invasive species.
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Significant landscaping and mature

plantings for a stabilized riparian zone.
The Parks Department has recent success with projects
like this, including a stream naturalization project
at Evans Parkway Park on Georgia Avenue, where a
concrete lined trapezoidal channel was naturalized
in the area where the stream channel runs through
parkland.
D.6.4Park Development
The following facilities and elements are envisioned
as the Preliminary Program of Requirements for the
Willett Branch Urban Greenway and the Countywide
Urban Recreational Park.
Willett Branch Urban Greenway
Hardsurface trail
Naturalized stream corridor
Recreated wetland
Interpretive signage
Boardwalk over wetland area
Seating
WiFi access
Westbard Countywide Urban Recreational Park
Dog park
Skate park
Outdoor fitness equipment
Trail / Pathways
Landscaping
Seating
WiFi access
D.6.5Cultural, Historical and Archaeological Resources

In response to the Planning Boards request at the July
2015 Working Draft presentation for more details on
the Willett Branch Urban Greenway and the proposed
Parks Department ownership of the corridor, staff in
the Cultural Resources Stewardship section began
focused research on a potential cultural resource as it
pertained to the Initial Phase. This evaluation aimed
to better understand community considerations,
stewardship responsibilities, project scope, design
issues and the costs associated with a potential
archaeological resource, a former cemetery, in the
proposed Willett Branch Urban Greenway and stream
naturalization project. Although there is no aboveground evidence of a cemetery, there is historical
evidence that one used to exist.
The Parks Departments protocol when undertaking
construction in parkland is to conduct archaeological
reconnaissance in areas of high archaeological
potential. One such area consists of Parcels 175
and 177, presently owned by Equity One and Galway
Group. These parcels include part of the Westwood
Towers building, part of its parking lot and drive,
and a gravel area where cars park on Parcel 177.
The 1911 tax assessment recorded that Parcels 175
and 177, once a 1.04-acre single parcel owned by
Whites Tabernacle, were used as grave yard. Whites
Tabernacle was a chapter of the Ancient United Order
of the Sons and Daughters, Brothers and Sisters of
Moses, an African American benevolent society.
This Whites Tabernacle parcel had been in African
American ownership since 1869. Historic Preservation
Section staff found newspaper death notices for three
people interred in a Moses Cemetery, two in 1912
and one in 1935. The cemetery was identified as being
in Friendship, Md. and Friendship Heights, Md.
Friendship was the name for a large tract of land that
stretched from the Potomac River up to the Westbard
area. This reference to a Moses Cemetery may be
the River Road cemetery (a Moses Cemetery was
known to exist at Gibson Grove on Seven Locks Road in
Cabin John and there were several Moses Lodges).
Staff from the Parks Department and the Planning
Department conducted oral history interviews where

people recalled a few tombstones still standing in
the 1950s on the Rivers Property, (todays Parcels
238 and 240), named for Jane and Sarah Rivers, African
American landowners. These two parcels are presently
owned by Equity One and feature the Westwood
Towers and its parking.
Aerial imagery from 1948 shows Willett Branch as
it winds along the eastern edge of the parcels, the
Rivers House still standing on Parcel 238, and the
Bethesda Blue Granite Companys quarry on Parcel
240**. One cant make out a definitive cemetery on
Parcels 175 and 177 with the naked eye. Sometimes,
stereoscopic analysis of historic aerials by trained
experts can yield more information. The quarry was
recalled by several residents as a popular swimming
hole and a place where people would jump horses
by the quarry and . . . cut through the cemetery and
it was cleared because there was a trail back there.
The aerial photograph shows the trail north of the
quarry and how it becomes a road, called Outlet Road,
a right-of-way that still exists today (the road behind
the McDonalds). An earlier oral history with Cleveland
Clipper, as in Clipper Lane, quotes him stating that they
had to leave a road for the funeral to take bodies up
there to that graveyard.
Despite this evidence for a graveyard, there is no
clear indication in the historic record of the number
of graves, their condition, what happened as a
result of subsequent disturbance, or the possible
disinterment of human remains for the lands eventual
development.
The historic record clearly indicates that the land was
disturbed prior to its current appearance. In 1930 and
then again in 1950, The Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission (WSSC) constructed sewers through the
area, including the graveyard parcels. WSSC drawings
from 1930 show a trunk sewer line added beside
the stream and running through the Ancient United
Order of Moses property. After two sewer lines were
installed, greater disturbance to the land came in
the late 1950s when WSSC built a channelized storm
drain to replace Willett Branch. Engineering drawings
**Update 4.15.2016: The Bethesda Blue Granite Quarry was located on and/or near tax parcels 352, 354, 401, and 404, where
a Countywide Urban Recreation Park (skate park) is proposed. The Rivers family owned parcel 240, and both Light Detection
Radar imagery conducted in 2016 and the 1948 historic aerial reveal machine-made excavation on this site, which potentially
indicates a quarry-like operation there as well.
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Figure D.8:1911 Map of Parcels 175 and 177
Figure D.9:1948 Map of Parcels 175, 177, 238 and 240
show that the storm drain path was located west of

the actual stream, and effectively bisected the parcels.
The storm drain was built between 1959 and 1963,
resulting in the concrete lined channel that exists
today.
Preservation Office, recommends these surveys take

place as early as possible in the planning process
to facilitate design, manage costs and protect the
resource.
The graveyard may have been abandoned or its bodies

relocated to a different site, spurred by these kind
of land disturbances or by other disturbances at a
different time. Alternately, human remains may exist
underneath layers of development. Despite research,
evidence for what became of the graves is not yet
clear and may never be clear from the written and
oral records. What is known is that Whites Tabernacle
sold its land in 1958. Despite the disturbance and
consequent paving and development of the land,
the former graveyard is considered to have high
archaeological potential.
D.6.6Archaeological Protocol and Future Interpretation
Given the historical research findings, there is
potential for human remains to be located within
the proposed project area. Because of this, the Parks
Department recommends that a cemetery delineation
be conducted in these areas. The Maryland Historical
Trust, the state agency that acts as the State Historic
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While cemetery delineations are best practice, they

are not required unless the project uses state or
federal money or permits. If so, then the Section
106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act
is initiated. Section 106 is a process for identifying
cultural resources and evaluating them for inclusion on
the National Register of Historic Places. If the resource
is found to be National Register eligible, then adverse
effects to the resource must be mitigated. At present,
cultural resources within these parcels have not yet
been recorded or evaluated.
The other circumstance when a delineation would be
required would be if any project encounters human
remains during construction. In that case the extent
and nature of the remains needs to be determined
before work can resume in that area.
The standard methodology for delineation of
unmarked graves involves conducting a geophysical
survey, most often with ground penetrating radar.
Based on those results, mechanical stripping of the
upper soil layers is often necessary to confirm the

presence or absence of graves. If, as is the case on
these parcels, the ground is paved, the asphalt would
be removed in a test area and the upper soil would be
removal and area examined, and the asphalt replaced
after the work is completed. An example of mechanical
stripping of the soil to discover a cemetery underneath
can be found at Freedmens cemetery in Alexandria,
Virginia, where unmarked graves were located below
fill layers.
Because it is the Parks Departments mission to
be good stewards of any cultural resources, Parks
will conduct a cemetery delineation prior to any
construction if this land comes into Commission
ownership. Parks would also obtain federal permits for
the stream naturalization and therefore go through the
106 process.
D.6.7Cultural Resources Stewardship and Community
Outreach
If the survey confirms the presence of graves, and
depending on the size of the affected land area,
plans for a future park can incorporate them into
the design, as was done at Darnestown Heritage
Park, a Parks Department property that contained an
unmarked graveyard found through archaeological
work, including mechanical stripping. It is essential
in projects such as this to involve the community
especially the descendant community. Parks would
work with interested members to develop interpretive
signage that shares the history of this community
that has been lost to time and those would be
included in final design of the park project. For further
information, contact the Department of Parks, Park
Planning and Stewardship Division, Cultural Resources
Stewardship Section.
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D.6.8Approximate Cost Estimates Associated with the

Initial Phase
The tables below show approximate cost estimates for
the major actions associated with the Initial Phase.
Table D.3:Initial Phase Cost Estimates
Countywide Urban Recreational Park Range
Assumptions
Property Acquisition (approx. 2 acres)
$2.5 $3.5 million / acre
Park Development
$4.5 $5 million
Range estimate (total)
$9 $12 million
Willett Branch Stream Naturalization

Stream Naturalization and
Associated Park Improvements
Cultural, Historic and
Archaeological Resources
Range estimate (total)
Operating Budget Impact
Range
$4 $6 million
$34,000
$180,000
The recommendation for the long-term vision phase

is to continue the greenway along Willett Branch,
including stream naturalization and hard surface trail.
A.Washington Episcopal School site:
Daylight Willett Branch if/when the Washington
Episcopal School redevelops.
Example: Evans Parkway.
B.Kenwood Station site:
Maintain a separation between the Kenwood
neighborhood and commercial buildings.
Hard Surface Spur Trail from Capital Crescent Trail
allows direct, safe pedestrian and bicycle access
from the Capital Crescent Trail to the Kenwood
Station site.
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Assumptions
Engineering, demolition, removals,
construction. Based on other stream
naturalization projects, subject to change
Geophysical survey for potential
cemetery, mechanical soil removal to
confirm presence or absence of graves,
creation of interpretive signage
$4 $6 million
D.6.9Long-term Vision Phase
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Based on assessed values today, subject

to change
Includes design, engineering, and
construction; subject to change
Annual, approximate
Plan recommends M-NCPPC acquire the land

adjacent to Willett Branch that is currently part
of the storage unit facility property.
C.Westwood II and Kenwood Building properties to
the Roof Center Properties:
Continue greenway along Willett Branch,
including stream naturalization and hard surface
trail.
Use environmentally-sensitive crossings.
D.Downstream of the Capital Crescent Trail to the
Hoyt property
Daylight and naturalize stream.
Preserve / improve the trail connection.
Proposed
Long-term
Phase areas
A
B
C
Figure D.10:Westbard Parks Recommendations Long-term Phase Area Map
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D.7 Conclusion
The benefits of naturalizing Willett Branch in the
Westbard Sector Plan area are numerous and
interrelated. Transforming this stream corridor can
create shared pride for a space that has been called
shameful by the community. With a new trail,
a bridge and access points in multiple areas, this
greenway corridor will create a new place, improve
pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and increase
opportunities for social interaction. The greenway will
shed light on the forgotten African American history
of this area and create educational opportunities
for students and visitors. A naturalized stream also
provides a learning environment for ecology and
environmental science education.
The economic benefits are obvious: businesses
and residences located next to a celebrated park
consistently have higher property values than those
located next to a trash-filled, graffiti covered, derelict
dumping ground. Safer infrastructure provides longterm financial and physical stability for property
owners and increased connectivity means customers
can more easily reach businesses.
As explained previously, the environmental benefits of
naturalizing this greenway corridor are tremendous.
There is very little living in Willett Branch today.
Removing the concrete-lined channel and pavement
in the riparian zone will allow water to infiltrate
into the soil and stream bottom, thus reconnecting
stormwater to groundwater. Naturalization of the
channel and edges will create instream habitat for
aquatic life, allow for increased nutrient uptake, and
improve water quality through biological nutrient
cycling. A naturalized riparian zone and stream buffer
will provide shade, while step pools and cross vanes
will create riffles and increase dissolved oxygen in the
stream, which is critical for aquatic life. By creating
opportunities for stormwater infiltration both in the
stream and at the edges, naturalization of this corridor
will reduce the intensity of the erosive flows currently
hitting Little Falls where the two streams meet.
The Willett Branch Urban Greenway is the central
feature in the future vision of Westbard as a green,
mixed-use, walkable center with strengthened
connectivity.
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Figure D.11:Willett Branch Venn Diagram
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AppendixE: Economics
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E.1 Business and

Employment
Data
Figure 2: Employment by industry sector (2013)
Figure
Industry
Sector
(2013)
Source:E.1:Employment
Maryland DLLR, Quarterlyby
Census
of Earnings
&
Source:
Maryland
DLLR,
Quarterly
Wages 2013
Q4; Research
& Special
ProjectsCensus
Division of Earnings &
Wages 2013 Q4; Research & Special Projects Division
Other industry
sectors
Business &
Household Services
Other Services
Accommodation &
Food Services
E.1.1At-Place Employment
27%
8%
9%
73%
71%
25%
Retail Trade
7%
31%
Westbard
Sector Plan
Area
5%
6%
7%
4%
7%
9%
10%
Greater
Bethesda
Montgomery
County
Nearly 1,800 people work in the Westbard Sector

Plan 1982 Boundary (Westbard). This number
accounts for approximately 1.7 percent of
employment in Greater Bethesda, the larger area
within which Westbard is located.
Approximately nine out of 10 jobs in Westbard
are in private establishments (see Figure E.2). In
contrast, more than one in four jobs in Greater
Bethesda is in the public sector.
Retail establishments employ nearly one in three
Westbard workers (see Figure E.3). This is a much
higher share of the job base than in both Greater
Bethesda and the county as a whole, where retail
accounts for only one in 10 jobs.
Westbard has a relatively higher concentration
of jobs in automotive repair, dry cleaning,
landscaping and other services compared to the
rest of Greater Bethesda and the County as a
whole.
Accommodation and food service enterprises
supply one in four jobs in Westbard.
Figure E.2:Public and Private Sector Employment (2013)

Source: Maryland DLLR, Quarterly Census of Earnings &
Wages 2013 Q4; Research & Special Projects Division
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
111
E.1.2Business Establishments
Westbards 18 retail enterprises (categorized
as Retail in Table E.2) employ a total of 520
workers. Grocery stores and supermarkets,
primarily Whole Foods Market and Giant Food,
account for roughly 300 of these retail jobs.
Eight food service establishments, including
restaurants and caterers (which fall within the
Accommodation and Food Services category in
Table E.2) employ a total of 405 workers. Catering
enterprises, predominantly Ridgewells and
affiliated companies, supply most of Westbards

jobs from food service establishments.
Westbard has more than 50 businesses in
the Consumer Services and Business and
Household Services sectors as shown in Table
E.2. These two categories, which include auto
repair shops, dry cleaners, beauty salons, and
landscaper contractors, together employ nearly
300 people.
Table E.1: Largest Employers (2013)

Westbard Sector Plan 1982 Boundary
Source: Maryland DLLR, Quarterly Census of Earnings & Wages 2013 Q4
ESTABLISHMENT
Purple Tie
Whole Foods Market
Ridgewell's
Giant Food Store
Washington Episcopal Day School
American Plant
112
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
LINE OF BUSINESS
Caterers
Supermarkets & Grocery Stores
Caterers
Supermarkets & Grocery Stores
Elementary & Secondary Schools
Nursery, Garden & Farm Supply Stores
EMPLOYMENT RANGE
100 to 249
100 to 249
100 to 249
100 to 249
50 to 99
50 to 99
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
113
Total Establishments
116
12
Professional, Scientific & Tech Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
11
Real Estate
27
Business & Household Services
25
Consumer services
18
NUMBER OF
ESTABLISHMENTS
Other sectors
Accommodation & Food Services
Retail
INDUSTRY
100%
5%
10%
9%
8%
23%
22%
7%
16%
PERCENT OF
ESTABLISHMENTS

Source: Maryland DLLR, Quarterly Census of Earnings & Wages 2013 Q4
Table E.2: Private Establishments by Industry (2013)
1,650
20
70
105
135
150
245
405
520
NUMBER OF JOBS
Physical; occupational and speech therapists; physician offices; and dentist offices.
Veterinary, management, and engineering services.
Residential and commercial property managers; storage unit leasing.
Landscaping; pest control; and office administrative services.
Automotive repair; dry cleaning services; and beauty salons.
Elementary school and secondary schools; recreation centers; commercial banking.
Caterers; full-service restaurants; and snack/beverage bars.
Supermarkets and grocery stores; nurseries/garden centers; and gas stations.
TOP THREE BUSINESSES (BY NUMBER OF JOBS)
E.1.3Workforce
Table E.3: Employee Demographic (2011)
Westbards workforce
is somewhat younger
compared to surrounding
areas, with 25 percent of
workers in the 1982 Plan
Boundary under the age of
30 compared to around 19
percent in Bethesda and
21 percent in Montgomery
County as a whole.
Men make up 56 percent
of Westbards workers,
substantially higher than the
44 percent and 48 percent
male share of employees in
Bethesda and the County,
respectively.
The majority (59 percent)
of Westbard workers earn
$3,333 or less per month,
compared to 35 percent
of workers in Bethesda as
a whole and 42 percent of
workers countywide.
Hispanics/Latinos make up
20 percent of Westbards
workers, double the Hispanic
workforce share in Bethesda
and Montgomery County.
Westbard Sector Plan 1982 Boundary, Greater Bethesda, and Montgomery County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies, LEHD OnTheMap
WESTBARD
GREATER
BETHESDA
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY
Age 29 or younger
25%
19%
21%
Age 30 to 54
53%
58%
57%
Age 55 or older
22%
22%
22%
Male
56%
44%
48%
Female
44%
56%
52%
$1,250 per month or less
18%
11%
14%
$1,251 to $3,333 per month
41%
24%
27%
More than $3,333 per month
41%
65%
58%
White Alone
70%
67%
68%
Black or African American Alone
22%
20%
20%
American Indian or Alaska Native Alone
0%
1%
0%
Asian Alone
7%
10%
10%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Alone
0%
0%
0%
Two or More Race Groups
1%
2%
1%
Not Hispanic or Latino
80%
90%
89%
Hispanic or Latino
20%
10%
11%
WORKER AGE
WORKER SEX
JOBS BY EARNINGS
WORKER RACE
HISPANIC/NON-HISPANIC WORKERS
WORKER EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Less than high school
13%
7%
8%
High school or equivalent, no college
19%
13%
15%
Westbard workers are

Some college or associate degree
20%
19%
20%
relatively less likely to have
Bachelor's degree or advanced degree
23%
41%
35%
graduated from high school
Not Available
25%
19%
21%
or to hold a bachelor or
advanced degree. Even
E.1.5Commercial Space
so, 43 percent of people
working in Westbard have some post-secondary
The Westbard Sector Plan 1982 Boundary has
education, with 23 percent having attained a
experienced no change in total commercial
bachelor or higher degree.
square footage commercial space being
composed of office, retail, flex and industrial
E.1.4Commuting Patterns
space since 2009 (see Inventory (SF) in Table
E.4).
Virtually all Westbard workers live outside the
1982 Plan Boundary.
Most people (47 percent) live outside

Montgomery County, including in Prince Georges
County (14 percent), the District of Columbia (11
percent) and Fairfax County (7 percent).
114
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
The total amount of industrial, flex and retail

space in the Westbard Sector Plan area has
remained relatively constant over the past
decade. However, office space in Westbard has
declined approximately 58 percent since 1982,
Table E.4: Commerical Space Trends since 2009 (3Q 2014)

Source: Montgomery County Planning Department analysis of CoStar data
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
BUILDINGS
Flex
Industrial
12
12
12
12
12
12
Office
Retail
25
25
25
25
25
25
Total
48
48
48
48
48
48
Flex
47,232
47,232
47,232
47,232
47,232
47,232
Industrial
73,405
73,405
73,405
73,405
73,405
73,405
Office
251,428
251,428
251,428
251,428
251,428
251,428
Retail
347,062
347,062
347,062
347,062
347,062
347,062
Total
719,127
719,127
719,127
719,127
719,127
719,127
Flex
44,154
39,120
39,120
39,120
39,120
39,120
Industrial
72,905
73,030
71,605
67,205
62,805
66,405
Office
241,340
242,317
237,917
237,809
231,970
231,123
Retail
345,662
342,774
343,554
345,246
346,749
347,062
Total
704,061
697,241
692,196
689,380
680,644
683,710
Flex
6.5%
17.2%
17.2%
17.2%
17.2%
17.2%
Industrial
0.7%
0.5%
2.5%
8.4%
14.4%
9.5%
4.0%
3.6%
5.4%
5.4%
7.7%
8.1%
0.4%
1.2%
1.0%
0.5%
0.1%
0.0%
3,078
8,112
8,112
8,112
8,112
8,112
INVENTORY (SF)
OCCUPIED (SF)
VACANCY RATE (SF)
Office
Retail
VACANT (SF)
Flex
Industrial
Office
500
375
1,800
6,200
10,600
7,000
10,088
9,111
13,511
13,619
19,458
20,305
Retail
1,400
4,288
3,508
1,816
313
Total
15,066
21,886
26,931
29,747
38,483
35,417
largely the result of gradual conversions to

residential and institutional uses after large office
tenants (NIH, Marriott) relocated approximately
20 to 30 years ago. The office market has
stabilized in recent years, with no further
reductions in office space since 2006.
Industrial and Flex Space comprise approximately
17 percent of the commercial space in the
Westbard Sector Plan Area. It is represented in
light purple in Figure E.4.
The Westbard Plan Area accounts for 89.6
percent of industrial and flex space in Bethesda,
and 0.5 percent of industrial and flex space

within the County.
The majority of industrial and flex spaces
in Westbard are located along local streets
and lanes that intersect River Road, such
as Dorsey and Clipper Lanes, the Capital
Crescent Trail, and Butler Road.
Vacancy rates for industrial buildings in
Westbard have fluctuated greatly over
the past 5 years (ranging from 0.7 percent
to 14.4 percent), reflecting more tenant
turnover (see Table E.4).
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
115
Retail comprises approximately 48 percent of

the commercial space in Westbard, consisting of
nearly 350,000 square feet (sf). It is represented
in blue in Figure E.3.
Office comprises approximately 35 percent of the

commercial space in the Westbard Plan Area. It is
represented in green in Figure E.4.
Two shopping centers exist within the

Westbard Sector Plan 1982 Boundary: The
Westwood Shopping Center (about 100,000
SF), and Kenwood Station (about 30,000
SF), located at the intersection of River and
Ridgefield Road.
The two most prominent office buildings

are the Kenwood Office Building and
Westwood Center 2, which comprise
about 42 percent of the office space in the
Westbard Plan Area. Remaining office space
is composed of smaller suites and low-rise
buildings.
Retail space in Westbard is currently fully

leased, and its 5-year average vacancy
rate of 0.5 percent is 3 percent lower than
Bethesda and 3.5 percent lower than the
County for the same period.
Office vacancy rates in Westbard have

increased over the past 5 years (currently
at 8.1 percent), although they remain lower
than Bethesda (13.6 percent) and the
County (11.1 percent) for the same period.
Figure E.3:VacancyFigure
Rates by Commercial
Sector
(3Q 2014)
8: Vacancy
Rates
by
Source: Montgomery County Planning Department
Westbard
Greater
analysis of CoStar data
Commercial Sector (3Q 2014)
Bethesda
Montgomery County
17.2%
16.4%
14.7%
13.6%
11.8%
11.0%
9.5%
7.7%
8.1%
4.3%
3.0%
0.0%
Flex
Industrial
Source: Montgomery County Planning Department analysis of CoStar data
116
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
Office
Retail
Figure E.4:Commercial Space in Westbard
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
117
AppendixF: Demographics
118
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
F.1 Demographics
F.1.1Demographic Summary
2010 US Decennial Census
Figure F.1:Westbard Census Blocks for 2010 Data
The demographic summary is compiled from 2010

US Census data. The geographic boundaries used to
create Westbards Summary Plan Area boundary are
19 Census-designated blocks which are approximate
but do not align precisely with the Westbard 1982
Plan boundary. The Summary Study Area is created
using 259 Census-designated blocks that provide a
richer profile of the surrounding areas demographic
characteristics. Refer to maps below for exact geographic
boundaries.
Figure F.2:Summary Study Area with 259 Census Blocks
Westbard 1982 Plan Boundary

Census Blocks

Census Blocks
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
119
In 2010, approximately 1,970 people resided in

1,190 households in the Westbard Summary Plan
Area (see Table F.1).
In 2010, the Summary Plan Area had a greater
share of millennials and seniors relative to
the County. Millennials, approximately 20 to
34 years in age, represented 25 percent of
Westbard residents, whereas the Countys share
was a lower 19 percent. Seniors, age 65 and
older, were about 24 percent of the Westbard
population in 2010, but represented a lower 12
percent share in the County (see Table F.1).
About of 59 percent of households in the

Westbard Summary Plan Area were occupied by
renters, compared to 32 percent of all County
households.
About 50 percent of the Westbard Summary Plan
Areas households were composed of one-person
households. This compares to a 25 percent
share in one-person households Countywide.
Consequently, the average household size in the
Westbard Summary Plan Area is lower at 1.8
than the Countys average of 2.7.
The Westbard Summary Plan Area is less racially

and ethnically diverse than the County. In 2010,
the population was about 64 percent nonHispanic white, 7 percent African American,
and 11 percent Hispanic compared to 49
percent, 17 percent, and 17 percent respectively
Countywide.
Figure F.3:Age Distribution (2010)
Figure 9: Age Distribution (2010)
Source: 2010 Decennial US Census
Westbard Plan Area

65+
County
24%
12%
17%
50-64
35-49
25-34
14%
20-24
6%
2010 Decennial US Census
120
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
22%
17%
8%
16%
0-19
20%
19%
26%
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
121
percent
0.2
3.9
11.7
8.4
16.8
19.0
16.6
23.6
89.1
63.5
7.3
14.1
4.1
10.9
count
1,967
76
231
165
331
374
326
464
1,752
1,250
144
278
80
215
18,631
16,062
571
1,386
612
1,329
1,061
3,684
821
1,793
4,080
4,322
4,199
19,960
count
count
93.3
80.5
2.9
6.9
3.1
6.7
5.3
18.5
4.1
9.0
20.4
21.7
21.0
806,379
478,765
161,689
135,104
30,821
165,398
63,732
188,825
54,031
132,393
218,387
194,640
119,769
83.0
49.3
16.6
13.9
3.2
17.0
6.6
19.4
5.6
13.6
22.5
20.0
12.3
percent
County
2.1 971,777
percent
Summary Study Area
HOUSEHOLDS (2010)
Housing units (% of County)
Households (% of housing units)
Tenure
Owner-occupied
Renter-occupied
Households by Type
Family households
Nonfamily households
Household Size
1-person
2-persons
3-persons
4 or more persons
Average household size
Owner-occupied
Renter-occupied
The 2010 US Census data is compiled from block level data aggregating 19 blocks for the WestbardSector Plan 1982 Boundary and 259 blocks for the Study Area.
POPULATION (2010)
Total population (% of County)
Age Distribution
0-4 years
5-19 years
20-24 years
25-34 years
35-49 years
50-64 years
65 years and older
Race and Hispanic Origin Combined
Not Hispanic:
White
Black
Asian or Pacific Islander
Other race
Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race)
Summary Plan Area
Westbard
Source: US Census Bureau, 2010 Decennial Census, Summary File 1; Research & Special Projects, Montgomery County Planning Department.
Table F.1: Population and Households (2010)
40.9
59.1
39.8
60.2
49.7
31.1
12.0
7.2
424
641
529
331
128
77
1.80
1.76
1.83
0.3
0.3
percent
436
629
1,188
1,065
count
2,929
2,900
1,157
1,737
2.28
2.45
1.95
5,211
3,512
5,873
2,850
9,299
8,723
count
33.6 89,264
33.2 108,694
13.3 60,216
19.9 98,912
2.70
2.81
2.47
59.7 244,898
40.3 112,188
67.3 241,465
32.7 115,621
25.0
30.4
16.9
27.7
68.6
31.4
67.6
32.4
95.0
percent
County
count
2.5 375,905
2.3 357,086
percent
Summary Study Area
Westbard
Summary Plan Area
F.1.2Education, Occupation and Income
Figure F.4:Household Income (2012)
Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey, 5-year estimates

Figure 11: Household Income (2012)
2008-2012 American Community Survey

The education, occupation and income figures are
compiled from the 2008-2012 American Community
Survey, a statistical survey administered by the US
Census bureau. The geographic boundaries used to
create Westbards Education, Occupation & Income
(EOI) Study Area boundary are 15 Census block
groups within a one-mile radius of the center of the
1982 Plan Area Boundary (roughly defined as 5353
Westbard Avenue), which is designed to provide a
richer profile of the surrounding areas education,
occupation and income characteristics. Refer to Figure
F.5 for exact geographic boundaries.
35%
Westbard Study Area
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
< $35,000 $35k to
49,999
122
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
$50k to
74,999
$75k to
99,999
$100k to $150k to $200,000+

149,999 199,999
2008-2012 American Comunity Survey, 5-year estimates
Figure F.5:Employment, Occupation and Income Census Blocks

Census Blocks
County
30%
The average household income in the Westbard

EOI Study Area was $199,498, about $69,000
higher than the Countys average of $130,415 in
2012 (see Table F.2).
In the EOI Study Area, about nine in 10 (86
percent) of the adults age 25 years and older
had a bachelor, graduate or professional degree
compared to about six in 10 (57 percent)
countywide.
About three in 10 (30 percent) employed

residents in the Westbard EOI Study Area
held professional, scientific and management
occupations compared to about 22 percent
countywide (see Table F.3).
The EOI Study Area, with 3.8 percent of its
residents having incomes below the poverty
level, had a lower incidence of poverty compared
to 6.5 percent found countywide.
Table F.2: Employee Demographics (2011)

Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-year estimate, US Census Bureau
EOI STUDY AREA1
estimate
Educational Attainment
Persons 25 years and older:
Less than high school diploma
High school graduate
Some college or associate degree
Bachelor's degree
Graduate or professional degree
Occupation
Civilian employed population:
Professional, scientific, and management
Educational services, health care and social assistance
Public administration
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation
Retail trade
Other services, except public administration
Finance and insurance, and real estate
Construction
Information
Manufacturing
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
Wholesale trade
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
2012 Household Income Distribution
Households:
Under $15,000
$15,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to 149,999
$150,000 to 199,999
$200,000+
Average 2012 household income
People whose income is below the poverty level:
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
percent
estimate
percent
14,903
178
570
1,323
4,596
8,236
1.2
3.8
8.9
30.8
55.3
667,634
59,814
94,335
133,578
177,612
202,295
9.0
14.1
20.0
26.6
30.3
9,998
2,977
2,060
1,529
442
273
647
1,019
101
594
160
52
132
12
29.8
20.6
15.3
4.4
2.7
6.5
10.2
1.0
5.9
1.6
0.5
1.3
0.1
522,564
113,945
111,911
57,717
43,496
39,095
36,078
36,067
30,635
18,452
15,637
12,333
6,295
903
21.8
21.4
11.0
8.3
7.5
6.9
6.9
5.9
3.5
3.0
2.4
1.2
0.2
9,198
358
710
539
977
970
1,588
1,220
2,836
$199,498
778
3.9
7.7
5.9
10.6
10.5
17.3
13.3
30.8
3.8
357,579
19,054
33,936
31,921
53,933
44,451
71,288
42,665
60,331
$130,415
63,154
5.3
9.5
8.9
15.1
12.4
19.9
11.9
16.9
6.5
The EOI Study Area consists of fifteen Census Block Groups within one-mile radius of the sector plan.
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
123
F.1.3Employed Residents
The employed residents are compiled from the 20082012 American Community Survey, a statistical survey
administered by the US Census bureau. The geographic
boundaries used to create Westbards Employment
Study Area boundary are 15 Census block groups
within a one-mile radius of the center of the 1982 Plan
Area Boundary (roughly defined as 5353 Westbard
Avenue), which is designed to provide a richer profile
of the surrounding areas employment characteristics.
Refer to Figure F.6 for exact geographic boundaries.
The share of private wage and salaryemployed residents was lower in the Westbard
Employment Study Area, at about 68 percent,
than in the County at 71 percent (see Table F.3).
The share of government-employed residents

was the same in the Westbard Employment
Study Area and the County at 22 percent.
Higher shares of Westbard Employment Study
Area residents use public transportation for work
trips (about 22 percent) than in the County (16
percent).
Conversely, the proportion of the population that
drives alone to work is lower in the Westbard
Employment Study Area at 61 percent, than in
the County with an 70 percent share (see Figure
F.7).
Just over 60 percent of employed residents in the
Westbard Employment Study Area commuted
to another state or the District of Columbia
for work, compared to about 30 percent
Countywide.
Figure F.6:Employment Study Area Boundary Block Groups for 2012 ACS 5-year Data

Census Blocks
124
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
Figure F.7:Commute Mode (2012)
Source: 2008-2010 American Community Survey, 5-year estimates
Table F.3: Employed Residents (2012)

Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-year estimate, US Census Bureau
EMPLOYMENT STUDY AREA1
Population 16 years and over:

Civilian employed population
Class of Worker
Private wage and salary
Government
Self-employed in own not incorporated business
Work Location
In County
Outside County, in Maryland
In another state or District of Columbia
Work Trip
Drove
Alone
Carpool
Public transportation
Walked
Taxicab, motorcycle, bicycle, or other means
Average travel time to work (minutes)
estimate
16,331
9,998
percent
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
61.2
estimate
769,401
522,564
percent
6,753
2,231
1,014
67.5
22.3
10.1
373,042
113,102
35,800
71.4
21.6
6.9
3,551
339
5,965
36.0
3.4
60.5
306,357
55,769
153,221
59.4
10.8
29.7
6,026
5,365
661
1,883
419
398
29.5
69.1
61.5
7.6
21.6
4.8
4.6
390,451
338,563
51,888
79,308
10,949
6,178
33.9
80.2
69.5
10.7
16.3
2.2
1.3
67.9
The Employment Study Area consists of fifteen Census Block Groups within one-mile radius of the sector plan.

WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
125
Figure F.8:Forecast Plan Area Boundary Transportation

Analysis Zone (TAZ)
U.S. Census & COG Cooperative Forecast Round 8.3

Past and future population forecasts in the Westbard
area are based on traffic analysis zone (TAZ)
boundaries, which do not align precisely with the
Westbard 1982 Plan boundary. The forecasts are
derived by adding the 5-year growth from the Round
8.3 Council of Governments Cooperative Forecast,
to the 2010 Decennial US Census based numbers in
the respective TAZs. The geographic boundaries used
to create Westbards Forecast Plan Area boundary
are defined as TAZs 641 and 642 (see Figure F.8). The
Westbard Forecast Study Area boundary, which is
designed to provide a richer profile of the surrounding
areas population and household growth projections, is
defined as TAZs 638, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, and 645.
Refer to Figure F.9 for exact geographic boundaries.
641
642
Increases of about 1, 550 people, 660

households, and 200 additional jobs are
forecasted for the Westbard Forecast Plan Area
between 2010 and 2040 (see Table F.4).

Tranportation Analysis Zones
Figure F.9:Forecast Study Area Boundary Transportation

Analysis Zone (TAZ)
641
642
644
Tranportation Analysis Zones
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
638
The population in Forecast Plan Area is expected

to increase at a faster pace than the Countys
rate during the forecasted years. Between 2010
and 2040, population in the Forecast Plan Area is
expected to increase by 26 percent, whereas the
County is forecasted to grow by 24 percent (see
Table F.4).
The households in the Forecast Plan Area are
expected to grow at the same rate as in the
County, 27 percent, between 2010 and 2040.
In the same time period, the employment growth
rate in the Forecast Plan Area of 6 percent is
expected to lag the Countys employment growth
rate of 40 percent.
643
126
F.1.4Past and Future Growth
APRIL 2016
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
127
2015
2020
2025
2030
2,440
3,100
Households
Employment
4,000
5,832
15,645
Forecast
Study Area
2035
510,300
361,000
972,600
County
3,300
3,100
7,500
Forecast
Plan Area
4,200
6,600
18,200
Forecast
Study Area
Westbard
715,100
460,200
1,203,000
County
200
660
1,552
Forecast
Plan Area
200
768
2,555
Forecast
Study Area
Westbard
2010 to 2040 GROWTH
204,800
99,200
230,400
County
2040
3,100
Households
Population
7,500
6%
27%
26%
Forecast
Plan Area
5%
13%
16%
Forecast
Study Area
Westbard2
PERCENT CHANGE
40%
27%
24%
County
The forecast is based on traffic analysis zone (TAZ) boundaries, which do not align precisely with the Census geographies used for other demographic and economic analysis in this report. As a result, the total population, household and job counts reported in the forecast will vary from those cited in other sections. The Westbard Forecast Plan Area is defined for this analysis as TAZs 641 and 642. The Westbard Forecast Study Area includes TAZs 638, 640,
641, 642, 643, 644, and 645.
The population and household forecasts for the Westbard Forecast Plan Area and Forecast Study Area are derived by adding the 5-year growth from the Round 8.3 COG Cooperative Forecast to the 2010 Decennial U.S. Census
base numbers compiled for the traffic analysis zones defining the areas. The employment forecast is from the Round 8.3 COG Cooperative Forecast.
5,948
Population
Forecast
Plan Area
Westbard
2040
2
2010
Source: Adjusted Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Cooperative Forecast Round 8.3, 2010 Decennial US Census
Table F.4: Forecast Summary (2010 to 2040)
2010
2,440
5,948
Growth:
Adjusted Cooperative Forecast Round 8.3 and 2010 Decennial US Census
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Figure
14: Population
& Round
Household
Source:
Adjusted
Cooperative Forecast
8.3 and
2010 Decennial US Census
Forecast Area
Figure F.10:Population and Household Growth Forecast Area
F.1.5Housing Characteristic
The housing characteristics compiled from the 20082012 American Community Survey, a statistical survey
administered by the US Census bureau. The geographic
boundaries used to create Westbards Housing
Study Area boundary comprise three Census tracts
that include 705502, 705601 and 705701, which is
designed to provide a richer profile of the surrounding
areas housing characteristics. Refer to Figure F.11 for
exact geographic boundaries.
Average monthly owner costs in the Westbard
Housing Study Area total $3,832 and exceed the
Countys average of $2,638 by 31 percent (see
Table F.5).
At $3,038, the average monthly rent in the
Westbard Housing Study Area is greater than
Montgomery Countys average rent by a
difference of $1,432 (see Table F.5).
Approximately 33 percent of homeowners in the

Westbard Housing Study Area face a housing
cost burden defined as exceeding 35 percent of
their monthly income. Conversely, 40 percent
of renters in the Study Area pay more than
35 percent of monthly income toward rent.
Countywide, the housing cost burden for owners
and renters was 27 and 41 percent, respectively.
Most for-sale units in the Westbard Housing
Study Area exist in multi-family structures.
Approximately 984 multi-family units are
housed in buildings that have 20 or more units.
Approximately 885 single-family, detached
homes exist in the Housing Study Area, although
most are not within the Westbard Sector Plan
1982 Boundary area (the Housing Study Area is
larger than the Westbard 1982 Plan area).
Figure F.11:Housing Study Area Boundary 2010 Census Tracts
2010 Census Tracts Selection

128
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
Table F.5: Housing (2012)

Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-year estimate, U.S. Census Bureau.
HOUSING STUDY AREA1
estimate
1,967
885
65
9
11
984
percent
100.0
45.0
3.3
0.5
0.6
50.0
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
estimate
Units in Structure1
375,973
1-unit, detached
182,216
1-unit, attached
68,403
2 to 9 units
25,432
10 to 19 units
36,545
20 or more units
62,722
Selected Monthly Owner Costs1
Housing units with a mortgage:
816
100.0
192,382
Less than $1,000
39
4.8
5,945
$1,000 to $1,499
14
1.7
18,916
$1,500 to $1,999
67
8.2
32,133
$2,000 or more
696
85.2
135,388
Average monthly owner costs
$3,832
$2,880
Gross Rent1
Occupied units paying rent:
501
100.0
110,399
Less than $500
142
2.2
4,614
$500 to $749
1.0
3,186
$750 to $999
21
5.7
6,764
$1,000 to $1,499
61
37.2
38,983
$1,500 or more
419
53.9
56,852
Average monthly rent2
$3,038
$1,606
Households Spending More Than 35% of Income on Housing Costs2
Homeowners with a mortgage
270
33.1
52,361
Renters
203
40.5
44,912
percent
100.0
48.5
18.2
6.8
9.7
16.7
100.0
3.1
9.8
16.7
70.4
100.0
4.2
2.9
6.1
35.3
51.5
27.3
41.1
1Westbard Housing Study Area for Units in Structure, Selected Monthly Owner Costs, Average
Monthly Owner Costs, and Gross Rents are comprised of block groups that include 705502.3,
705601.1 and 705701.3.
2
Westbard Housing Study Area for Average monthly rent, and Households Spending More than
35% of Income on Housing Costs are comprised of Census Tracts that include 705502, 705601,
and 705701.
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
129
AppendixG:
130
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
Build-out
Scenarios
G.1 Build-out
Scenarios
G.1.1Build-out Calculations
Under the CR family of zones, there is the potential
for a variety of build-out options. The total number of
residential units and the total amount of commercial
square feet that results from approved densities in a
Sector Plan cannot begin to be known until regulatory
applications are submitted under the new zoning.
However, staff has evaluated the Concept Framework
Plan as updated by the Planning Boards zoning
recommendions*. It is important to note that the
Planning Board has limited height in certain areas of
Westbard and square footage of development will be
limited in significant part by building heights and how
much can physically fit on a particular site. Below are
the calculations based on the concept plan:
Table G.1:Build-out Calculations

ExistingPlan
BuildoutcurrentZoning
(total)
BuildoutperSectorPlan
(total)
ResidentialUnits
1,134units
1,684units
2,500units*
CommercialSquareFootage
390,237SF
722,524SF
618,200SF
IndustrialSquareFootage
667,573SF
1,372,585SF
667,573SF
*Assuminganavergeresidentialunitsizeofapproximately1,250squarefeet.Thisincludeshallways,interiorpublic
spaces,loadingandreceptionareas.Smallerunitsizeofapproximatley900squarefeetwastakenintoconsiderationfor
estimatedaffordablehousingprojects.
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
131
Figure G.1:Concept Framework Plan
Planning staff has attempted, through the Concept

Framework Plan, to project what a logical mix of
commercial and residential may be achieved over time
when site and buildability constraints are considered.
Factors that were considered when creating the
Concept Framework Plan included:
Open space requirements
Transportation and circulation requirements
Environmental constraints
132
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
Lot dimension and configuration constraints

Potential structural and constructability
constraints
Potential market viability of use types
Properties that were not likely to redevelop
(Example Washington Episcopal School Site was
assumed will most likely stay a school despite having a
CR zone designation)
G.1.2Discussion of the Full Build-out Scenarios

A.Full Commercial Build-out:
Of the 1.5 million square feet in the full build-out
scenario for commercial, 520,752 square feet the
potential is yielded by the Washington Episcopal
School at a commercial 1.0 FAR (CRT 1.0, C-1.0,
R-1.0) which staff, in the development of the Concept
Framework Plan, considered to be very unlikely.
In addition, Westwood Shopping center, owned
by Equity One, in the full build-out scenario for
commercial, yields over 620,000 square feet, or
248,000 square feet more than the that anticipated
in the Concept Framework Plan. This yield is
unachievable given the open space and street
requirements and the height limit of 60 feet.
Therefore, of the 1.5 million square feet of commercial
listed in the maximum build-out above, at a minimum,
768,752 square feet of commercial development are
highly unlikely. The same can be said much of the
other properties recommended for the CRT zone in the
Westbard Sector Plan.
B.Full Residential Build-out:
Of the 5,059 total units in the full build-out scenario
for residential, 1,465 residential units are considered
highly unlikely given open space and street
requirements and the height limit established by the
zoning requirements of the Sector Plan.
Table G.2:New Unit and MPDU Unit Counts
PotentialNewUnitsandMPDUunitcounts
ExistingUnits
1104
ExistingRentalUnits
469
ExistingRentRestrictedUnits
43
PotentialNewUnits
1378
Min.15%moderatelypriceddwelling
unitsinnewconstruction
207
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
133
G.2 Binding Elements

for Washington
Episcopal Day
School
Sites 9 and 10 in Sector Plan

1. Land Use
a. Residential: Independent Seniors (at least one
resident in each unit will be over the age of 55).
b. Non-residential: Private Educational Institution for
grades nursery through eighth grade.
c. Other: In the cross-hatched areas denoted on the
Development Plan, no buildings other than accessory
buildings and structures such as storage sheds, gazebos,
restrooms and bleachers shall be constructed, and the
existing athletic field will be retained.
d. Parking: Parking for all uses shall be on-site.
2. Density
a. Residential: Not more than 121 dwelling units,
including MPDUs.
b. Non-residential: 175,000 SF Institutional (PEI)
3. Building Height
a. Residential: Eight (8) stories not to exceed 97 feet.
b. Non-residential: Proposed addition will be not more
than four (4) stories not to exceed 55 feet.
c. Accessory Structures: Any accessory building
including bleachers, shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
4. Building and Parking Setbacks: Building, parking,
playing fields and other amenity locations will be as
shown on the Development Plan with minor adjustments
permitted.
5. Access
a. A cul-de-sac at the terminus of Landy Lane will be
dedicated to public use.
134
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
b. Along Landy Lane, from River Road to the School

campus, subject to issuance of necessary permits from
Montgomery County, Applicant will install a sidewalk.
c. Sidewalk to be installed by Applicant extending to
the Little Falls Parkway right-of-way line.
d. Other sidewalks to be installed as shown on the
Development Plan.
e. Truck deliveries will be limited solely to the River
Road/ Landy Lane ingress/ egress.
f. Promptly, upon approval of the requested
rezoning, Applicant will request the State Highway
Administration to install a traffic signal at the
intersection of River Road and Landy Lane. Applicant
will coordinate with the Citizens Coordinating
Committee on Friendship Heights. Inc. and other
interested parties to support the request for a
traffic signal. Applicant will contribute to the cost of
installation of the traffic signal in accordance with the
terms of an agreement between Applicant and CCCFH.
6. Community Facilities: Applicant will contribute to a
facility supporting the Capital Crescent Trail, the nature
and extent of the contribution to be determined in
cooperation with the Department of Parks and the
Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail at site plan.
7. Use Facilities
designated on the Development Plan.

c. Gates or other control measures shall be
employed with the goal of preventing, to the extent
possible, the Schools property being used for cutthrough traffic (other than for School operations or
School functions) between Landy Lane/ River Road and
Little Falls Parkway.
9. Green Area: Green Area shall not be less than 54%
of lot area.
10. Phasing
a. Phase 1 will be development of the multifamily residential building, extension of Landy Lane,
installation of sidewalks and creation of two drop-off/
pick-up points, as shown on the Development Plan.
b. Phase 2, to occur at one or more unspecified
times in the future, includes improvements to the
School as shown on the Development Plan.
c. Simultaneous with construction of the multi-family
residential building, existing office buildings on the
Subject Property will be demolished, the underlying
land will be stabilized with grass and the area may
be used for recreational purposes either as a lawn of
improved as an athletic field (including the potential of
an underground garage).
a. Facilities designated on the Development Plan

with an * will be available for use by residents of the
multi-family building along with students, faculty, and
administration of Washington Episcopal Day School
(WES) under a shared use agreement between WES
and the owner of the multi-family building. Use of
these facilities will be supplemented by programmatic
activities intended to integrate the residential and
institutional uses.
b. Community use of School facilities for other than
residents of multi-family building to be arranged with
WES.
8. Circulation
a. No traffic entering the Subject Property will queue
or stack up onto public streets.
b. General locations for student drop-off/ pick-up
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
APRIL 2016
135

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Westbard

Approved Draft April 2016

Approved Draft April 2016

A.2Day One: Nov. 10, 2014 6

B.3.1Travel Demand Modeling40

B.4Analysis of Proposed Land Use Changes 43

A.3.16:30 AM- 8:30 AM9

C.2.1Little Falls Watershed54

A.4Day Three: Nov. 13, 2014 13

A.3Day Two: Nov. 12, 2014 9

A.4.16:30 AM- 8:30 AM13

A.5Preliminary Concept Framework Plan 16

B.3Travel Demand Forecasting Methodology.......... 40

C.4Site Specific Recommendations 62

C.4.16Schnabel Engineering Site...................................67

C.6Westbard Sewer Map 72

D.2Parks, Trails and Open Space Analysis 78

D.2.1Parks and Open Space Hierarchy 78

D.3Existing Urban Form 84

D.4Parks, Trails and Open Space Recommendation

D.5Willett Branch Urban Greenway

D.6Willett Branch Urban Greenway Preliminary

F.1.1Demographic Summary 119

G.2Binding Elements for Washington Episcopal Day School

Table E.3: Employee Demographic........................... 114

Figure A.18:Concept Framework Plan - New Streets

Figure A.1:Westbard Charrette Schedule 5

Figure A.19:Concept Framework Plan - Open Spaces

Figure A.2:Basemap of Existing Conditions in

Figure A.21:Concept Framework Plan 26

Figure A.15:Existing Capital Crescent Trail Aerial 19

Figure B.11:Future Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress 48

Figure A.16:Concept Plan Diagram for Capital

Figure B.12:2040 Development Forecasts and Road

Figure A.17:Concept Framework Plan - Heights 20

Figure A.20:Concept Framework Plan - Land Uses 23

Figure D.9:1944 Map of Parcels 175, 177, 238

Figure C.1:Willett Branch Watershed 57

Figure D.10:Westbard Parks Recommendations

Figure C.2:Northern Area 58

Figure D.11:Willett Branch Venn Diagram 109

Figure D.6:Willett Branch Watershed Map 95

Figure F.6:Employment Study Area Boundary Block

Figure D.7:Westbard Parks Recommendations Initial

Figure F.7:Commute Mode (2012) 125

Figure D.8:1911 Map of Parcels 175 and 177 104

Figure F.8:Forecast Plan Area Boundary

Figure F.9:Forecast Study Area Boundary

A Charrette as experienced at Westbard, is an intense

Broad stakeholder involvement - no one takes

day and represented different aspects of urban design

A.1.5Day Four - The Final Presentation

9. Preserve and enhance light industrial uses so

Figure A.1:Westbard Charrette Schedule

A.2 Day One:

Multi modal at Westbard

Figure A.2:Basemap of Existing Conditions in Westbard

A.3 Day Two:

A.2Day One: Nov. 10, 2014 6

B.3.1Travel Demand Modeling40

B.4Analysis of Proposed Land Use Changes 43

A.3.16:30 AM- 8:30 AM9

C.2.1Little Falls Watershed54

A.4Day Three: Nov. 13, 2014 13

A.3Day Two: Nov. 12, 2014 9

A.4.16:30 AM- 8:30 AM13

A.5Preliminary Concept Framework Plan 16

C.4Site Specific Recommendations 62

C.6Westbard Sewer Map 72

D.2Parks, Trails and Open Space Analysis 78

D.2.1Parks and Open Space Hierarchy 78

D.3Existing Urban Form 84

F.1.1Demographic Summary 119

Figure A.1:Westbard Charrette Schedule 5

Figure A.21:Concept Framework Plan 26

Figure A.15:Existing Capital Crescent Trail Aerial 19

Figure B.11:Future Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress 48

Figure A.17:Concept Framework Plan - Heights 20

Figure A.20:Concept Framework Plan - Land Uses 23

Figure C.1:Willett Branch Watershed 57

Figure C.2:Northern Area 58

Figure D.11:Willett Branch Venn Diagram 109

Figure D.6:Willett Branch Watershed Map 95

Figure F.7:Commute Mode (2012) 125

Figure D.8:1911 Map of Parcels 175 and 177 104