Last week the Coalition to Fix 198 received an invitation of a pre-filing community meeting for a proposed development in Burtonsville Town Square. The meeting will be held Tuesday evening, April 17, at the Praisner Library (more information at the bottom of this post).
Update: A facebook event has been created that can be shared with friends and neighbors.
The shopping center owner, Saul Centers, Inc., is currently working on three projects on their Burtonsville property:
- A new drive-thru restaurant in the middle of the shopping center
- Several new stores between the existing Petco and Dunkin Donuts
- A nearly-complete drive-thru Starbucks, which will replace the one currently at the Burtonsville Crossing shopping center
It’s important to note that the proposed site plan amendment only applies to the small restaurant area in the middle of the shopping center. Therefore, the other two projects listed above will not be discussed at the community meeting. A meeting was already held for the new Starbucks last year.
The third project (the retail expansion) is not subject to a site plan amendment or a public hearing, due to a previous agreement with the Planning Department. The agreement dates back approximately ten years, when in response to pressure from the surrounding community, the original developer of Burtonsville Town Square, withdrew an ambitious proposal to build a compact, walkable, community-focused town square and changed the design to what we have today: a strip mall with an expansive parking lot and multiple drive-thrus.
More drive-thru dining options
The proposed drive-thru in the middle was initially proposed to be 4,000 sq ft, but it appears to have been scaled down to 2,100 sq ft with a drive-thru. The property owner is reportedly targeting a fast casual restaurant for this area.
Several new shops
Saul Centers is also planning an expansion just north of the Dunkin Donuts. The nearly 20,000 sq ft of new to build approximately eight new stores. The area next to the Dunkin Donuts is expected to match the existing design of the shopping center. A potential tenant for this area reportedly includes a doctor’s office, according to people familiar with the project.
What’s going on across the street?
The development of Burtonsville Town Square stands in stark contrast to the Burtonsville Crossing shopping center across the street, which has been struggling for several years since the relocation of Giant. Today the retail space is 93% vacant. With the relocation of the Starbucks within the next few days, Burtonsville Crossing will be left with only three tenants: Pepino’s Italian Kitchen, Kim’s Hunan, and Burger King.
How you can get involved?
- Attend the pre-filing meeting next week:
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
6:45-7:45 PM
Marilyn J. Praisner Library
14910 Old Columbia Pike
Burtonsville, MD 20866
- Learn how to participate effectively in the development review process.
- Share your questions, comments and concerns with the Casey Anderson, chair of the Planning Board, and the district council member, Tom Hucker.
- Contact me if you are interested in getting more involved to advocate for revitalization of Burtonsville.
Burtonsville resident and County Council staffer Brian Anleu contributed much of the material for this post. Brian can be reached at brian.anleu@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Walmart is what burtonsville needs the customer’s will fly there walmart would be good for that location thanks .