The latest threat to the proposed Willett Stream Valley Park is the Westbard Self Storage facility to be constructed behind the McDonald's on River Road on what was the Galway property. The plans call for a 58 foot high building -190,000 square feet in all. The building is sited with one corner in the stream valley buffer.
Montgomery County Environmental guidelines dictate that no building may be done in a stream valley buffer as stated below:
i. The guidelines treat streams as sensitive areas needing protection from the negative consequences of development, and therefore prohibit buildings in stream buffers; only necessary, minimized infrastructure is allowed. (p.17)
ii. Exceptions must meet five tests: that reasonable alternatives to encroachment do not exist; encroachment has been minimized; existing sensitive areas such as buffers, streams, and floodplains are avoided; the proposal is consistent with the preferred use of the buffer; and the plan includes compensation for any buffer loss. (p.19)
Letters Needed Now:
As you know, Little Falls Watershed Alliance has been working to support a new park for the Westbard Sector - the Willett Branch Stream Valley Park. The park will feature a naturalized Willett Branch and a restored stream buffer. We cannot do this alone. We are asking surrounding communities to join us in supporting the park and opposing this new building in the buffer.
Below is our letter to the Planning Staff outlining our concerns and opposition to the Westbard Self Storage. If you could take a few minutes to send your own letter, it would go a long way to helping the cause. Please feel free to use our language.