Homeowners of adjacent properties enable resolution to long-term issue by providing access via their land from Farm Road parcels to Brooke Road.
SILVER SPRING —The Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved a request to provide addresses for several properties located on the north side of Brooke Road west of the intersection of Chandlee Mill Road in Sandy Spring MD (frequently referred to as the Farm Road). The approval was issued at Thursday evening’s Planning Board meeting following a review process and recommendation by the Montgomery County Planning Department.
The 11 properties are historically significant as land owned by the first freed slaves in the state, and have been without addresses because there was no clear legal access to a public road. This issue has just been resolved with adjacent homeowner declaring access via their properties, as recorded in a series of affidavits submitted in April 2013.
“This has been an extremely emotional and sensitive issue, and we recognize how important this land is to the property owners,” said Planning Board Chair Françoise M. Carrier. “We are very pleased to be able to approve this request. It has been a long and difficult process, and we hope that this outcome will enable the residents to move forward.”
The approval of addresses represents a first step in possible development of the properties. Residents will now have to go through the county government’s permitting and appropriate development process required to build on the land.
The Planning Department, in anticipation of the Board’s decision, has completed an address plan, and, once authorized, is prepared to issue addresses to the Sandy Spring Farm Road community properties, working closely with the landowners and surrounding community residents.
About The Montgomery County Planning Department:
The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission aims to improve quality of life by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for current and future generations. The Planning Department creates great communities by developing master plans, reviewing applications for development and analyzing various types of information to help public officials plan for Montgomery County’s future. The Department is comprised of 140 staff members and provides recommendations, information, analysis and services to the Montgomery County Planning Board, the County Council, the County Executive, other government agencies and the general public.
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