Sandy Spring-Ashton Rural Preservation Consortium

 

The SSARPC (PreserveAshton.net)

supports development in Ashton that conforms to the Master Plan.

We are pro-Master Plan, not anti-development.

 

Chevy Chase Bank Proposal to Build New Branch Bank

Upcoming Events

 

Chevy Chase Bank Proposal to Build New Branch Bank

Overview

Chevy Chase Bank is proposing to build a branch bank at the Kimball’s Market site, 12 Olney Sandy Spring Road.  The site also adjoins Porter Street on the west.  A meeting was held December 19 at the proposed bank site.  Chevy Chase Bank representatives provided a number of handouts, which were conceptual planning documents and are subject to change.  Representatives from Chevy Chase Bank met with representatives of the SSARPC Steering Committee before the bank created its plan.   Copies of the conceptual planning documents can be obtained by contacting Joe Pearson’s office at 240-497-7032.

The following is from the preface of the documents and is a good summary of what was covered at the meeting: 

“Chevy Chase Bank is proposing to construct a one-story 3,650 sq. ft. branch bank with a three-lane drive-up ATM and teller service.  The proposed plan provides landscaped setbacks at both road frontages, as well as at the abutting residentially zoned property to the south.  At rte. 108, a new sidewalk with an adjacent brick garden wall will connect to a small brick pedestrian plaza with appropriate lighting and seating at the Bank’s street entry.”

Presentation

Chevy Chase Bank wants to be part of the community and its design of the Ashton branch bank focuses on making it accessible and coordinated with the rest of the area.  The building is close to the street, and so will encourage walking. 

There will be no dumpsters on the property; the cleaning staff will take all trash out and shred the paper.  The heating and air conditioning units will be in the attic; the only things on the ground will be the building and trees.

The large size of the lot and the small size of the building encourage extensive landscaping.  The design pays attention to pedestrian elements.  The view from Route 108 will be screened by landscaping.  There will be a brick plaza, with a brick wall and seating in front of the building. Parking will be in back of the building. 

Entrance and exit will be off Route 108, with the drive through on the side with the gas station.  The bank wants to choose lighting fixtures and furniture that will be consistent with what is being used in downtown Ashton. 

There has been land set aside for an extra lane on Route 108 but the State Highway Administration has not shown bank personnel any drawings yet.

The storm water pond area will be installed under the parking area, in order to provide more space for good landscaping on the lot.

The building is a traditional design, all brick.  It is 3650 square feet in area, 19 feet high, 40 feet wide, and 90 feet long.

There will be brass letters on the wall identifying the bank.  The bank itself will have a red sign, as is used in the other Chevy Chase bank buildings.

Discussion

Is there a place where we can see a similar building?  There is a new branch bank in Savage, off Route 1.  There are two in Laurel (one on Route 1 and another on Contee Road), but these branches do not have a nice setting, as Ashton does.  The branch bank in Colesville is the same size, but doesn’t have any landscaping.

Did the bank think of having an entrance off of Porter Street?  It was decided by the bank to keep the Porter Street side for residential purposes only.  The area south of the bank will continue to be residential, and the bank representatives said these residents would prefer not to have a lot of traffic.  There will be a substantial amount of landscaping done to shield Porter Street from the bank traffic.  The narrowest landscaped area adjoining Porter Street will have 30 feet of trees, which will increase to 50 feet in some places.  There will be 31 parking places.

What about the lighting?  There will be no more external lighting than for other Chevy Chase branches.  The bank uses recessed, facing down lighting.  There will be enough lighting for safety, particularly around the walk-up ATM.  The bank agreed to work with SSARPC representatives and other developers of Ashton to choose a style of lighting that will be consistent throughout the streetscape of Ashton Village Center.  If a light goes out, there will be electronic mail sent and a phone call automatically made, so that maintenance will be done within a day.

What is the timeline?  The bank developers have met with staff from Montgomery County Park and Planning, and representatives from the SSARPC Steering Committee were there as well.  The bank representatives said that Park and Planning staff did not seem to have concerns about the preliminary plans.  On January 19, the plans will be officially submitted to Montgomery County Park and Planning.  If all goes as planned, the project will start construction in October.  If any group would like to meet with the developers, please contact Joe Pearson at 240-497-7032.

Upcoming Events

January 11, Thursday:  The SSARPC Steering Committee is holding a Town Meeting at Sherwood High School Cafeteria starting at 7:00.   Presentations will be given on the current status of the Ashton Meeting Place (AMP) as well as topics such as the northeast corner and the southwest area (Chevy Chase Bank).   Individual opinions will be solicited as part of the meeting.  We hope that you will be able to attend!

January 21, Sunday:  We hope you can join the SSARPC Steering Committee for a dinner at the Historic Cedars honoring some of the team who have performed work for free or at reduced rates.  Donations are $100 per person. The funds will help cover the costs of SSARPC’s attorney and city planner.  For more information, send email to SSARPC.reservations@verizon.net, call 301-570-9065 or go to the web site www.PreserveAshton.net.