A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD AREA

BETHESDA, MARYLAND
-
A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD AREA
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
URBAN INSTITUTE STUDIO
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
In cooperation with the JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE WESTBARD PLAN,
a Bethesda Neighborhood Subcommittee of
Citizens Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights (CCCFH) ljml:I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Acknowledgements and Credits
3 Foreword
5 Introduction and Executive Summary
7 Neighborhood History
8 Maps: Existing Conditions; Overview of Proposed Development Enhancements
13 Detailed Design Proposals and Recommendations
14 Westbard Avenue - Westwood Village: Master Plan, Streetscape, Parks
35 River Road: "Main Street" Boulevard Plan, Small Intersecting Roads
52 Capital Crescent Trail: Parks
65 Environmental Analysis
68 Selected Bibliography
69 Appendix
70 A - Precedents and Inspirations Selected Sites Studied and Evaluated
80 B - Aerial Views of Site and Photographs of Existing Conditions
87 C - Maryland State Highway and Montgomery County, MD Maps
92 D - Selected Studies and Maps as Reference: 1982 Westbard Sector Plan
102 E - Community Goals and Objectives
103 Community Survey: "A Vision for the River Road I Westbard Area, Bethesda, MD"
109 F - Little Falls Watershed Environmental Report
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD-
WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD focuses on
the Bethesda community just beyond the northwest
Washington, DC boundary. A small area plan,
proposed herein, was developed for this community
by CUA Urban Institute Studio (UIS), fourth year
students and their professor. The urban design
concept for this suburban neighborhood evolved
through a collaborative process comprising CUA
UIS and community residents and stakeholders,
as well as local design and planning professionals
from the public and private sectors.
Design schemes and strategy proposals
were considered and tested during discussions
that included weekly meetings in the Bethesda
neighborhood and at Catholic University, School of
Architecture and Planning. Physical characteristics
of the neighborhood and precedents from other
communities, design concepts, social, economic,
political, and aesthetic issues were debated.
Centered along River Road in the east-west
direction and the Capital Crescent Trail in the north-
south direction, this Bethesda Westbard community
is bounded to the south by Massachusetts Avenue
and to the east by Little Falls Parkway. Although a
number of solutions might be applicable to the issues
at hand, the ideas advanced herein are the result of
a responsible process that adheres to community
goals and desires and anticipates outcomes that
might be accomplished and premiated.
We wish to thank the many people who
contributed to this process, sharing their time,
knowledge and insights. We especially wish to
than Dean Randy Ott for his support of our CUA
community outreach and pedagogical endeavor.
We also want to thank members of the Bethesda
community, Citizens Coordinating Committee of
Friendship Heights and the Joint Committee on the
River Road-Westbard Plan, and consultant George
Oberlander who had the fortitude and confidence in
the outcome.
Iris Miller, ASLA
Director, Landscape Studies, and
Director, Urban Institute Studio
School of Architecture and Planning
The Catholic University of America (CUA)
Washington, DC 20064
Copyright 2008, All rights reserved.
The Catholic University of America, School of Architecture
and Planning.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND CREDITS I
CREDITS
CUA PARTICIPANTS & URBAN DESIGNERS:
- Students:
David Hathcock (River Road and Vicinity)
Paola Moya (Westbard Avenue & Westwood Village)
Constance Stubbs (Capital Crescent Trail)
Robert Kocher (Research & Documentation)
Emmanuel Bates (Hand Rendered Images)
- Faculty:
Adjunct Professor Iris Miller, ASLA- Director,
Landscape Studies, and Urban Institute Studio
Dean, Randall Ott, AIA
BOOK PRODUCTION:
-Authors:
Iris Mi ller, ASLA
David Hathcock
Paola Moya
- Editors:
Iris Miller, ASLA, and William H. Freund
- Graphics:
- Design: Paola Moya
- Page Layout: Paola Moya, & David Hathcock
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND CREDITS
COMMUNITY CONSULTANT:
- George Oberlander, AICP
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS:
This publication is based on survey results
submitted by 1,588 households from the fifteen
citizens associations listed herein:
Brookdale
Chevy Chase West
Green Acres-Glen Cove
Kenwood
Kenwood Condos
Kenwood House
Kenwood Place Condo
Springfield
Sumner
Town of Somerset
Village of Drummond
Westbard Mews
Westmoreland
Westwood Mews Condo
Wood Acres
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
GOVERNMENT and QUASI-GOVERNMENT
CONSULTANTS:
- Stephanie Yanovitz, State of Maryland Highway
Administration
- Marian Elsasser, Montgomery County, MD Park and
Planning
- Scott Peterson, WMATA
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREA OF WESTBARD:
- Owners and employees of various businesses were
interviewed and attended a community meeting
PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS:
(Architects, Landscape Architects, Planners,
Transportation Engineers)
- Gorove Slade: Lou Slade, Stephen Pinkus
- Wilmott Sands: Kim Johnson Kavanaugh
- Cultural Landscape Foundation: Nancy Slade
- Capital Crescent Trail Coalition: Peter Gray
Not unlike most educational programs
at The Catholic University of America (CUA),
the School of Architecture and Planning has a
defined mission and set of goals. Recently, our
faculty chose "Building Stewardship" to represent
our community-oriented focus. Our school has a
special obligation to be a leader in community
outreach, in programs whether initiated by us
or in response to a community request. Along
with offering situations for enriching learning
experiences, professional and educational
benefits accrue to effect enduring and profound
consequences for these students and their
commitment to community service.
Our School of Architecture and Planning
recently added two new master degree programs
to underscore our responsibility: first, Master of
Science in Sustainable Design, and second,
Master of City and Regional Planning. The CUA
"River Road - Westbard" project in Bethesda
addressed each of these goals, in addition to our
programs in architecture, landscape architecture,
urban design, and real estate development.
During the summer of 2007, students in Urban
Institute Studio, under the direction of Professor
Iris Miller, ASLA, worked closely with Bethesda
representatives of The Joint Committee on the
Westbard Plan, a subcommittee of the Citizens
Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights
(CCCFH), and their consultant, George Oberlander
(formerly with U.S. National Capital Planning
Commission and a visiting CUAprofessor), to develop
an urban design concept and policy proposals. The
project culminates with the production of this book/
document detailing the community vision for this
area that is slated for re-development.
As the reader will note in the pages that
follow, the studio considered current issues and
applicable precedents. Working at both large and
small scale, students expanded their learning,
integrating spatial concepts and technical details.
Numerous meetings and critiques took place both
at CUA and in the neighborhood, along with walking
tours of the study area. In addition to regular
sessions with community members, students met
with government and quasi-public officials, and
design and transportation planners from leading
area firms. Meetings took place primarily in small
groups in addition to two large community
presentations. Previous study-travel with Miller to
Paris, India and Chicago was supplemented with
visits to communities close to home to investigate
best practices, and those that were less successful.
Sensitivity to neighborhood desires resulted in
project modifications during the design process.
FOREWORD I
The purpose of this project was to develop
a low density small area plan for the River Road-
Westbard Area on behalf of the community to
present to Montgomery County and Maryland State
government officials. This plan, in contrast to a high
density plan conceived by the current developer/
property owner, represents the neighborhood desires
for any re-development at village scale consistent
with the existing situation. Its comprehensive scope
reflects an extraordinary instructi onal workplace
environment, and firsthand experience.
The project focus is threefold: (1) River Road
(MD Highway 190) - redesign of heavily trafficked
roadway into an attractive "main street" boulevard
with center island, shared-use bike path; (2) Westbard
Avenue and Westwood Shopping Center - re-design
of an existing shopping center with a large open
parking lot to create "Westwood Village" master plan
with parks, food market, community center, retail,
restaurants and cafes, various types of residenti al
living and parking, statistical information, traffic/
transportation planning and sustainable aspects;
and (3) Capital Crescent Trail - parks (3), improved
access to local industri al zone, safety (pedestrian,
bike, vehicle), and stream remediation. Sustainability
of our ecosystem, storm water runoff and drainage
management, green roofs, and ecological best
practices are integral to the design concept.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I FOREWORD
With advances in computer and satellite
technology, students were also able to research
and "see views" of actual places relevant to this
project, locally and in other parts of our country
and abroad. Advanced computer and photographic
technology enabled production and modification
of design concepts. Books, documents, and maps
also were often consulted. Urban Institute Studio
replicates and functions as an office setting, with a
"togetherness" spirit of camaraderie. All members
share and critique each other's design ideas and
methods of production, viewing their roles as
professionals with responsibility to their clients in
the private and public sectors. Creative thinking
"outside the box," an approach that simulates tried
and true principles of urbanism, and stewardship
of our environment are emblematic aspects of the
students' work as a unified coherent strategy.
Randall Ott, AIA
Dean
School of Architecture and Planning
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC 20064
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
One of the region's most livable communities
is the River Road-Westbard area of Bethesda
in Montgomery County, Maryland. Attractive
residential enclaves of mostly single family homes
surround a successful small scale neighborhood
commercial center offering a range of amenities
and conveniences. Here, a handful of townhouses
and apartment or condominium buildings can be
found near the commercial center, co-existing with
several institutional and light industrial uses. River
Road-Westbard is located in close proximity to the
regional centers of Friendship Heights and downtown
Bethesda, as well as the District of Columbia,
although it remains a small neighborhood center.
A stone's throw away from the natural woodlands
along the Potomac River and C&O Canal, this
community contains bike trails, streams and linear
parkland. The popular Capital Crescent Trail
crosses the community in a north-south direction.
In order to preserve the scale and livability of the
area, the citizens chose to present their own vision
of an animated public realm as a catalyst for likely
new development in the commercial center.
This small area plan - a design and
development policy proposal for the Bethesda-
Westbard Sector - of approximately eleven ( 11)
acres, was formulated by CUA's Urban Institute
Studio (UIS), School of Architecture and Planning
in cooperation with the Joint Committee on the
Westbard Plan, a subcommittee of Citizens
Coordinating Committee of Friendship Heights
(CCCFH). CUA faculty and students working
together in close cooperation with neighborhood
citizens, and government and private consultants,
conducted a successful intensive participatory
process that led to an attractive, creative and
responsible design concept- a concept based upon
environmental sustainability, safety, and economic
viability. This proposal sets forth guidelines and a
vision for future growth, enhancements and land
use for this Bethesda community.
Inherent in the schemes, proposed
are environmentally sustainable design and
construction, protection and rejuvenation of
streams and watersheds, stormwater drainage
and management, protection of view sheds and
building height restrictions in keeping with current
low-scale conditions. Streetscapes beautification
are designed to encourage increased pedestrian
activity, linking promenades for pleasure and access.
Replete with benches for comfort, pervious paving
and shade trees, shrubs, and perennial plantings
to establish cooling summer microclimates, the
concept integrates walkability and visual interest
with a strong "sense of place." Following accepted
urban forestry guidelines to facilitate the health,
growth and long life of trees, tree pits will be linked
underground to result in a green mantle of mature
trees.
INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I
The plan proposes superior transportation safety
standards for pedestrians, bicycles, and other
modes of traffic. It reflects citizen concern for
reducing vehicular speed, cut-through traffic and
congestion. Sufficient parking - on street, open
and structured - aims to meet needs of residents,
visitors, shoppers, bicyclists and delivery
people. Infrastructure considerati ons reflect
energy conservation goals, while still including
an ample night lighting network to create a safe
environment. Maintenance of streets, sidewalks,
parks and open space is critical to the success
of the project and impression of livability. It is,
therefore, recommended that guidelines and
requirements for initial high-level construction
and subsequent maintenance be implemented
for both privately and publically owned buildings
and spaces.
Optimizing accessibility to parks and open
space on a variety of scales, the plan envisions
a cluster of pocket parks and plazas, restoration
of waterways and parkland along streams
with walking and biking trails, and attractive
streetscapes and boulevards with flowering trees,
low-maintenance plantings and charming places
to sit. In addition to protecting neighborhoods,
parks must be protected. It is urged that the linear
park along Little Falls Parkway be upgraded to
enable pedestrians and bicyclists to circulate
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
more safely. Commercial viability underscores
the design and development strategy: building
upon current resources, businesses and services
and incorporating a dynamic mix of new shops,
restaurants, cafes and a community center to
provide the vitality.
New residential choices - condominiums,
apartments, townhouses, live-work - will offer a
compact low-scale urban village fabric combining
urban conveniences with suburban comfort and
lifestyle. New townhouses will serve as a buffer
between retail development at Westwood Village
and existing residential Kenwood Place. A village
green style park will be the heart of the community
on Westbard Avenue at Westwood Village, adjacent
to a new community center and cafes. The
distinctive design plan imagines special outdoor
events, displays and markets. This will be a place
where people of all ages will meet and stroll - in a
harmonious memorable neighborhood.
Building design guidelines and
recommendations include drop-off space at
entrances, variationsinfacades(materials, balconies,
setbacks), "green" roof and building construction,
and maximum and minimum height limits. Streets
and sidewalks, both new and existing, should
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
provide aesthetic enhancements, attractive paving
patterns and high quality sustainable substructure,
improving substandard streets where called for.
Similar to the experience at Bethesda Row, shops
and restaurants along Westbard Avenue should be
aligned to "hug" the street on both sides to reinforce
street activity. If possible, the bowling alley should
be retained as is, or perhaps with a fitness center
or other live-work uses above.
An exciting desirable place to live, shop, dine
and work, this "Vision for the River Road-Westbard"
neighborhood highlights preservation of its quality
of life. The ideas and designs offered herein build
upon pastand present community, County and State
studies and surveys, recent regularly scheduled
weekly meetings and walking tours over the course
of a year, and a general consensus among all
participants. This document/book reflects clearly
stated community values, a desire for a beautiful
mixed-use, low density neighborhood that includes
the services provided in the light industrial zone,
environmental mitigation of damaged areas and a
reconstituted stream valley. It proposes a framework
to unify and guide development.
Iris Miller, ASLA
2008
LITILE FALLS PARKWAY
The Bethesda River Road-Westbard area
grew "along a major transportation corridor"
initially as an industrial center adjacent to the B&O
Railroad, Georgetown Branch (Metro Southern
Branch), crossing at River Road to bisect the
area. In Maryland, the railroad line covered seven
miles, from Silver Spring through Chevy Chase and
Bethesda to the DC line and on to Georgetown.
The line was built from 1982-1910 with the goal
to develop suburban settlements, although it only
carried freight, never passengers. Eventually
B&O abandoned the rail route, and it became the
Capital Crescent Trail. In the 1920s, suburban
residential development began with the building of
Kenwood Country Club by Kennedy-Chamberlin
Development Company and contiguous high end
single-family housing. During the 1930-1940,
residential development carried on and persisted
after WW2. From the 1960s onward, a building
boom saw the addition of garden apartments,
townhouses, and a few high rise condos. Now the
site of well-established surrounding neighborhoods,
today zoning regulations no longer permit high rise
buildings in the area. The remaining light-industry
in large part serves the community.
Located in southwestern Montgomery
County, River Road-Westbard area is one mile from
the DC line, and about two miles from the mixed-
use commercial centers and Metro stations at
Friendship Heights and downtown Bethesda, and
not far from Little Falls Mall in the County. Via River
Road, it is also close to the Capital Beltway Route
495 and Interstate 270. Land uses in the immediate
area include retail-commercial, industrial uses, and
some residential, including one senior group home
facility. Public, semi-public and religious uses
include Little Falls Library, Westland Intermediate
School, Little Falls Park, Little Flower Church and
School, and ? Episcopal Church School. However,
the surrounding area is predominantly low scale
single-family residential, forming a series of cohesive
neighborhoods. Because of changes in the zoning
map and regulations, this area has a number of
non-conforming uses structures remaining.
In size, the area is about 153 acres, not
including street rights-of-way and the Capital
Crescent Trail (formerly B&O Railroad). Northeast
of River Road are about 31 acres while the area
between River Road and Massachusetts Avenue
includes about 122 acres. In 1982, the residential
population was about 1,048, and since has
increased slightly. South of River Road, extensive
quarrying has resulted in "irregular topography" and
"steep-sided declivity" and "odd shaped parcels" of
land. Willett Branch that flows through Kenwood
Subdivision, under River Road and into Little Falls
Branch is partially enclosed and largely channelized.
The uneven topography, combined with poor
NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY I
internal circulation, results in a lack of sufficient
access throughout the site. Streets connecting
to River Road are substandard, typically deadend
roads that need to be upgraded. (1 982 Westbard
Sector Plan pp. 10-12)
The area is served by two bus lines. WMATA
(Washington Metropolitan TransitAuthorityservers
River Road and Ride-On, a Montgomery County
transit system connects the area with Friendship
Heights. It is recommended that it also extend
its service to connect with downtown Bethesda
which has become a major mixed-use retail and
commercial center. Because no Metro line passes
through River Road-Westbard, connecting bus
service is an important transportation need for
this community. Further, neighborhood residents
desire that their community remains a low scale,
pedestrian-oriented village neighborhood, served
only by bus public transportation.
Iris Miller, ASLA
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
MAPS I FIGURE GROUND AND SELECTED PLANS:
EXISTING CONDITIONS
OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ENHANCEMENTS
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
MAPS I FIGURE GROUND: EXISTING CONDITIONS
WESTBARD PLANNING AREA WESfBARD SECTOR PLAN
--
--
===
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
PLANS: OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ENHANCEMENTS -
WESTBARD AVENUE I WESTWOOD VILLAGE
r;_-_-_-_-_-__ -, I
11 11
1 1 1 1
LL_-_-_-_-_-_:-_-.:.J
WESTWOOD VILLAGE OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED PLAN
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
NIGHT LIGHTING PLAN
VELOPMENTENHANCEMENTS-
PLANS: OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED DE RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD
=
- /,/?&>:// 5'..S- 4'-4" L 6" 6" //- - / - / - //- /#(
GRANITE CURB,
BRICK GUTTER,
AND BRICK BORDER
AT PLANTING BED
SIDEWALK
SHARED-USE FOR
PEDESTRIANS
AND BICYCLISTS
4'-4" 5..g-
/#/-' //-- / - / --//
16B" 8" l'..S- !' 1 l'..S- 8" 8'.'.6J / 4' /
/ 4'_ / I I' A,,_______ -----,/ / / 18"=6 / 2"/ - - ,
r PLANTING/

PLANTING/
SIDEWALK LIGHTING TWO VEHICLE LANES RAISED MEDIAN TWO VEHICLE LANES LIGHTING SIDEWALK
\
I
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
II
PLANS: OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ENHANCEMENTS -
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL
RI VER ROAD
II
"
I
,,
WHJTll
LED
UGKTS
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
\
I
\
\
\
NORTH PARK DETAIL PLAN
DETAILED DESIGN PROPOSALS
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
WESTBARD AVENUE - WESTWOOD VILLAGE: MASTER PLAN, STREETSCAPE, PARKS - 14
RIVER ROAD: "MAIN STREET" BOULEVARD PLAN, SMALL INTERSECTING ROADS - 35
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL: PARKS - 52
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
WESTBARD AVENUE
WESTWOOD VILLAGE
PAOLA MOYA
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
PROJECT INTRODUCTION - WESTBARD
WESTBARD SECTOR PLAN - REGIONAL MAP, 1982
The Westwood Village and Westbard Avenue
project areas represent a vision for a small-scale
mixed-use neighborhood district.
The design, by CUA's Urban Institute Studio, is
based on a community participation process and
critical response to a community questionnaire,
along with input from consultants from Montgomery
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
County and Maryland State governments, WMATA,
and the private sector.
With a focus on low density and compatibility with
the surrounding Bethesda neighborhoods, the
project envisions an enhanced setting for shopping,
circulation and open space, in a sustainable
ecologically protective environment.
This planning project intends to offer a high quality
of life - a place where residential, retail, commercial
business and "green" zones intertwine within
an exceptional fabric of suburban living without
substantially increasing its density.
WESTBARD SECTOR PLAN - VICINITY MAP, 1982
WESTBARD EXISTING TOPO PLAN
Westbard Avenue borders the Westbard-
River Road Area to the northwest between
Massachusetts Avenue and Ridgefield Road
near River Road and Little Falls Parkway.
The sidewalks along the residential segment
closer to Massachusetts Avenue are tree-
lined with tall oaks. Along the sidewalk closer
to Ridgefield in the commercial segment, new
oak trees should replace those that have died
to form a cohesive tree-lined street. On the
northeast side of Westbard Avenue, one finds
a mixture of different height buildings and open
space: a low scale building with a variety of
shops and parking at Ridgefield, several gas
stations, a bowling alley, open parking lots,
and two high-rise apartment/condo buildings
(one of which is set back from the road) that
were built before current zoning height limits.
*Following the model of Bethesda Row along
Woodmont and Elm Streets, it is proposed that
C - GIANT ENTRANCE
low scale three (3) to four (4) or four (4) story retail
and retail and live/work buildings be built close to
the street to create a significant mass of retail on
both sides of the street along Westbard Avenue.
Westwood Village, on the northwest side of
Westbard Avenue, is a popular shopping magnate
for residents and employees in nearby Bethesda
and the District of Columbia. Its popularity
largely stems from its convenient location, its
A - VIEW OF KENWOOD PLACE B - WESTWOOD STORES
D - GIANT FOOD STORE AND PARKING LOT
(Kenwood Place Beyond)
EXISTING CONDITIONS - WESTBARD I
EXISTING SITE - AERIAL VIEW
(Directional Views A-G)
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
EXISTING CONDITIONS WESTBARD
E WESTBARD AV. TOWARD A SHOPPING CENTER ENTRANCE
type of shops, and an abundance of parking
easily accessible in a huge open parking lot.
Particularly important to its patrons is its small
neighborhood scale. Also advantageous is its
location several blocks away from a variety
of other shops, gas stations and 'fast food
places on River Road. Although pedestrians
who live in nearby townhouses and condos
and students in adjacent schools can walk
to Westwood Village, public transportation is
minimal, and most people arrive by car. Only
limited bus service is provided by WMATA
and Ride-On. A new development plan might
include a circulator bus with more frequent
stops that connects to metro stations at
Friendship Heights and downtown Bethesda.
Further, the area streets and sidewalks are not
yet bicycle-friendly.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
In general, the appearance is unsightly along
the commercial blocks of Westbard Avenue and
at the immense parking lot of this single-storey
strip shopping center. The shopping center turns
its back on the street, with store entrances from
the interior parking lot. The back fagade of the
buildings face Westbard Avenue along a parallel
service road. Delivery service and loading is
handled by this service road. A low wall between
the sidewalk and this service road does not mask
the visual blight.
F - WESTBARD AVENUE TOWARD LOADING/SERVICE LANE
The range of essential-need stores, plus some specialty
shops, include big box grocery (Giant), pharmacy/drug
store (Rite Aid), banks, shoe repair, pet shop, coffee
shop (Starbucks), children's clothing store, liquor store,
technical equipment (Radio Shack), cleaner, etc. Safety
- both for parking and pedestrians - has been a concern,
and measures were taken to moderately ameliorate the
problem by painting white driving lanes and crosswalks
on the asphalt. During weekdays, much of the parking
lot is typically empty, although on weekends and holidays
it is often full.
RD.)
)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, OVERVIEW - WESTBARD I WESTWOOD VILLAGE I
A-B Townhouses 3-4 stories
C Structured Parking 3-4 stories above
ground and one below grade.
D-E-F-G Condominiums 3-4 stories
underground parking (1 level) plus
ground floor retail.
Coffee Shop
Giant relocation
Community Center on second floor
Retail / live-work 2-3 stories
Retail / live-work 3-4 stories
NIGHT LIGHTING
Westwood Village and Westbard Avenue
comprise a comprehensive mixed-use
development area.
The project plan addresses vehicular and
pedestrian transportation issues such as
new roads and boulevards, streetscapes
with plantings and seating, attractive night
street lighting, traffic signals and signs,
pedestrian crossing and walking zones,
pleasant bus stops (often sheltered),
planting throughout with special green
zones and parks, parking on streets and at
ground level lots with trees and shrubs to
beautify and capture water runoff, as well
as structured and below grade parking.
The project suggests the relocation of
existing businesses such as Giant Foods
Market, Starbucks, and others, plus space
for new businesses, including restaurants,
cafes, bakeries and retail stores, post
office, etc. The project includes residential
buildings such as condos or rental units
and townhouses.
Except for the townhouses, that would
have sloping roofs, green roofs and
sustainable materials are proposed for all
other residential buildings.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, OVERVIEW - WESTBARD I WESTWOOD VILLAGE
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
'I
I I
1 1,.. ___ N
L---
Retail / live-work 3-4 stories
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN
WESTBARD AVENUE OVERALL VIEW
Currently Westbard Avenue supports four (4) lanes
of traffic - two (2) lanes in each direction. Public
transportation includes both WMATA and Ride-On
buses which have few stops on this road or in the
area.
A moderate amount of pedestrian traffic is mainly
residents living in nearby townhouses and
apartments. Several factors and needs prompted
the new proposal: vehicular traffic, pedestrian
traffic, public transportation, public parking and
street enhancements. Vehicular traffic on Westbard
Avenue in the commercial area will be reduced from
four (4) to a total of two (2) lanes during non-rush
hours to allow parallel parking by patrons of the
commercial establishments. A one-way, two-lane
service road will also serve retail establishments
within Westwood Village Property adjacent to
Westbard Avenue; one for through traffic; and the
other lane for parallel parking and drop off space.
Several new crosswalks and traffic lights will offer
pedestrian traffic safety features. At Ridgefield
Road and Westbard Avenue, existing traffic lights
and pedestrian crosswalks are retained. The
short distance between Ridgefield Road and the
entrance road to Westwood Village will continue to
have four traffic lanes to handle vehicular traffic at
the intersection. Sidewalk is shifted at Westwood
Village to accommodate (5) traffic lanes.
PROPOSAL WESTBARD AVENUE
WESTBARD AVENUE TRAFFIC LANES
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
I PROPOSAL - WESTBARD AVENUE
WESTBARD AVENUE - TRAFFIC LANES
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Westbard Avenue, fronting Westwood Village, will
have four (4) designated crosswalks, three (3) of
which accommodate vehicles turning into Westwood
Village. Two of these will have traffic lights to
connect with an upgraded loop road around the site,
("Westwood Lane"). Another intersection between
these two (with traffic lights) will connect pedestrians
and cyclists to a new path from the Crescent Trail
and River Road to the new development.
The other intersection, at a new park within
Westwood Village, combines a lane exclusively for
pedestrians. At this intersection, only stop signs
are included on Westbard Avenue.
Pedestrian improvements proposed along Westbard
Avenue include:
Rows of tall deciduous oak trees to match
existing trees
Open space and public parks of various
sizes
Shaded places and full sunlit areas
Improved pervious paved sidewalks
Outdoor seating
Crosswalks (Zebra striped)
Parallel street and service road parking
Parking meters
Drop-off curb cuts
Bus stops with seating, signage, and some
shelter
Stop signs and traffic signals
Street lighting lampposts
WESTBARD AVENUE - STREET VIEW
STREET VIEW - PEDESTRIAN LANE
by ALLAN B. JACOBS in GREAT STREATS
NEW ROADS AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE
PROPOSAL - IMPROVED EXISTING ROADS AND NEW INTERIOR LANES I
An improved two (2) lane road, (proposed as
"Westwood Lane") will loop around the periphery of
Westwood Village and will connect to other roads
within the shopping area, and to Westbard Avenue.
This edge lane is enclosed by a fence with gates
(requested by Kenwood Place residents) and rows
of trees, separating new development in Westwood
Village from existing adjacent development
(Kenwood Place).
NEW INTERIOR SECONDARY LANES
A new primary road traverses North-South
through the center of Westwood Village parallel
to Westbard Avenue. With wide sidewalks and
an oval central plaza and fountain, this road is
enhanced by trees and slightly raised special
paving in the two (2) central blocks. If desired,
these blocks can be closed to vehicular traffic for
special events. This road becomes an inviting
amenity and extension of the new park. Devices
to insure that vehicles maintain low speed limit in
this zone include:
Stop signs
Special paving design (pervious treatment)
Speed bumps or raised ground surface
Wide pedestrian crosswalks
Speed limit signs .
Flowering trees
Awnings on restaurants opening to this lane
Street lighting: lampposts + lights on buildings
Curved road at central oval fountain
Perpendicular to Westbard Avenue in the
residential area, a new road provides an additional
vehicular connection for commuters to their
residences. This road is two (2) lanes, for travel
in each direction, with parallel parking at each
side, and direct traffic access to the underground
parking for the proposed condominiums.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
I PROPOSAL. BUSINESS RELOCATION
RELOCATED GIANT, NEW COMMUNITY CENTER AND COFFEE SHOP
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Giant, the largest existing "big box" store, is
relocated, at the site's southern edge that is
currently an empty parking lot. The building has a
large sky-lighted center atrium.
From Westbard Avenue, a dedicated driveway for
truck loading and shipments also leads to a small
green park with bike racks. Ground level parking
spaces (114) are provided adjacent to the new
Giant to the rear of Westwood Village. Structured
parking space (environmentally friendly) also
accommodates Giant shoppers and other patrons
of the Village.
A covered arcade surrounds the Giant building
on two (2) sides where patrons enter from wide
sidewalks. Facing north, Giant patrons will enjoy a
new community park with a fountain and hardscape
terrace and softscape green areas. A coffee shop
with interior and exterior seating looking toward the
park, is located at the interior street corner farthest
from Westbard Avenue. Also on this north fagade
at the Westbard Avenue corner is an entrance lobby
to a new community center with elevator and stair
access to offices, classes, community services and
activities on the second floor.
The community center, located on the second floor
of Giant, will face Westbard Avenue.
WEST STREET VIEW OF GIANT
SHOWING COFFEE SHOP ENTRANCE ON FIRST FLOOR
AERIAL VIEW OF GROUND AND STRUCTURED PARKING
STREET PARKING + RETAIL SAMPLE
A maximum four (4) story parking structure , (3)
above grade and (1) below, plus (1) mixed-use
with business and/or live-work residential on the
top floor is provided for Westwood Village. The
parking entrance is adjacent to the Giant on-grade
parking where double elevators will accommodate
patrons. The exit is on the west at the loop road.
Because one level of parking is below grade, the
building could accommodate residential or mix-use
at the upper level and still maintain the desired low
height. A pedestrian exit is located on the north
side. Parking areas have ample lighting, including
spaced at 30' to 35' feet on streets, and at intervals
on ground level parking medians.
PARKING LOT ELEVATION SAMPLE (SARASOTA)
PROPOSAL - PARKING I
STRUCTURED AND GROUND PARKING PLAN VIEW
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I PROPOSAL - PARKING
Parking is provided on several streets in Westwood
Village in addition to that on Westbard Avenue and
its service road. Most on-street parking will be meter.
On Westbard Avenue, parking will not be permitted
during rush hours. Condominiums and townhouses
have below-grade parking. Giant will have its own
delivery driveway for truck parking. Other retail and
restaurant establishments will have special hours
for delivery and designated parking places on the
service road.
lf=ll
l!(]I
I I ,_,,
STRUCTURED PARKING INTERIOR LAYOUT
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
WESTBARD VILLAGE SHOWING PARKING PLAN
PROPOSAL NEW COMMERCIAL BUSINESS - RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS
STREET VIEW OF RESTAURANTS AT WESTBARD AVENUE
New retail and restaurant space will be designed
on the first floor of most residential buildings
facing Westbard Avenue and the primary interior
parallel road. The community expects that
current, privately-owned businesses will be part
of the new commercial mix." Townhouses are a
more private enclave with a central green space,
and will not feature retail shops.
STREET VIEW OF NEW COMMERCIAL BUSINESS
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I PROPOSAL-STREETSCAPES
Restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating,
pedestrian-oriented roads, benches and low walls
for outdoor seating, parks and water fountains
located in the heart of Westwood Village will
create vitality for residents and pedestrian patrons.
Awnings, cafe tables, attractive lighting, special
paving and planting, beautiful streetscape and
parks will enhance the project area, with elements
such as trees, brick sidewalks, decorative paved
intersections, new street lighting, and landscaped
medians. Walkways and crosswalks will have
pervious pavers, as will some roads. Drainage and
storm water runoff will be managed in an attractive
and sustainable manner.
The central median will be the focal point consisting
of a contemporary fountain with silver bollards of
different sizes, inspired by water sculpture at Palais
Royal, Paris. The water that spills softly over the
bollards is intended to create a tranquil and soothing
experience for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
A low masonry curved wall will wrap the fountain
allowing for public seating.
The purpose of this water feature aside from being
a street embellishment feature, is intended to slow
down the traffic. Due to its oval shape, vehicles
will be able to slowly loop around and stop for
pedestrians.
SCULPTURE FOUNTAIN AT PALAIS ROYAL, PARIS FRANCE
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
PLAN VIEW OF FOUNTAINS AND INTERIOR ROAD
ROWS OF TREES OUTDOOR SEATING
PROPOSAL-STREETSCAPES I
PLAN VIEW OF PARK
Across from Giant a wedge shape park will offer a special community
amenity combining both greenscape and hardscape. To the north, next
to the residential building, will be restaurants with outdoor seating. This
plaza will allow for outdoor gatherings and trees from the park will provide
a sense of enclosure. The open space will offer outdoor seating, pocket
gardens and water fountains. From Westbard Avenue the circulation
sequence to the park begins with green space then links through small
paved paths into a more private garden space with outdoor seating. A
fountain is the center piece with water that falls in place in a recycl ing
drain (water can be shut off).
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I PROPOSAL-STREETSCAPES
While the garden appears to be symmetrical,
bisected by the paved terrace and fountain, in
reality the north side grass is at ground level near
the cafes and rises to an 18" seating wall at the
park's interior connected by a meandering path. On
the south side the grass is raised and surrounded
by an 18" seating wall and provides additional
seating for patrons from the coffee shop.
The green lawn closest to Westbard Avenue is
bermed in waves surrounded by an 18" seating
wall and an allee of trees aligning the park towards
the street.
PLAN VIEW
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
AERIAL VIEW OF PARK
PROPOSAL-STREETSCAPES I
PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF PARK
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
PROPOSAL - RESIDENTIAL I
The northernmost new residential building was
intentionally designed to embrace the townhouse
community located directly across the street.
This condominium will enjoy a ground floor
curved grill-work fenced-in private court visible to
the street with a public plaza with seating outside
the fence and a small park and lush landscaping
across the street.
On the top floor, this building will provide a
"sustainable" roof garden with views overlooking
the townhouses and Westbard area. A small
enclosed pavilion wi ll provide elevator and stair
access, and indoor seating. Parking will be
provided below grade.
The townhouses wi ll also enjoy several pocket
gardens for the residents that will be spread
throughout the townhouse complex.
At the main entrance of the townhouse
development, there will be a small triangular park
with trees, new planting and outdoor seating.
Parking will be provided below grade.
.,__,
B (4)STOR1ES- - -- ---- -
TOWNHOUSES ~ r r
---
---
PLAN VIEW OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
To the south of the condo, the master plan
shows two buildings on Westbard Avenue that
are proposed for residential use and will be
linked on the ground floor by a paved pedestrian
way with a two storey free-standing covered
arcade. This arcade will have a transparent
finish, ample street lighting, outdoor seating and
potted plants where residents and visitors will
enjoy retail, cafes and restaurants, meeting and
strolling. These buildings will also be linked by
parking below grade.
PROPOSAL RESIDENTIAL
The new service road and primary north-south interior road parallel to
Westbard Avenue will be adjacent to restaurants with outdoor seating.
Retail establishments will be located on the ground level of mix-used
residential buildings. Green and public spaces are enhanced by double
rows of trees both throughout Westbard Avenue as well as in the new
Westwood Village.
RETAIL PROPOSED ON GROUND FLOOR OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
STREET VIEW OF PUBLIC ARCADES AND OUTDOOR SEATING
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I ANALYSIS - WESTBARD
---
--
- - --
- -..- - '
- - -
--- ....
:

II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
ANALYSIS OF EXISTING RETAIL IN WESTWOOD CENTER
Existing retail space: 110,379 SF
ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED RETAIL IN WESTWOOD VILLAGE
Building D = 1,200 SF*
*Retail proposed only by Westbard Avenue.
Building E = 5,000 SF*
*Retail proposed on ground floor level.
Building F = 13,200 SF*
*Retail proposed on ground floor level.
Building G = 10,000 SF*
*Retail proposed on ground floor level.
Building H = 1,600 SF*
*Coffee Shop with mezzanine space.
Building I = 69,000 SF*
*Relocated Giant including office area provided on second floor.
Building J = 38,000 SF*
*Proposed Community Center located on second floor.
TOTAL RETAIL AREA AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE
Proposed retail space: 138,000 SF
ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED RETAIL ACROSS FROM
WESTWOOD VILLAGE
Building K = 7,200 SF*
Building L = 6,400 SF*
Building M = 3,000 SF*
Building N = 19,200 SF*
*Retail proposed on ground floor level.
TOTAL RETAILAREAACROSS FROM WESTWOOD VILLAGE
Proposed retail space: 35,800 SF
ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL IN
WESTWOOD VILLAGE
Townhouses A= 40,400 SF
Total Units: 22*
Area per unit: 1,835 SF
*(2) Stories "piggyback townhouses"
Townhouses B = 21 ,200 SF
Total Units: 12*
Area per unit: 1,760 SF
*(2) Stories "piggyback townhouses"
TOTAL TOWNHOUSE UNITS: 34
Building D = 47,400 SF*
Total 1 Bed, 1 Bath units (750sf): 8*
Total 1 Bed + Den, 1 Bath units (850sf): 4*
Total 2 Beds, 1 Bath units (1,000sf): 3*
Total 2 Beds, 2 Baths units (1, 150sf): 3*
*Calculation using (3) stories ratio.
Total Units Building D: Aprox. 54
Building E = 15,000 SF*
Total 1 Bed, 1 Bath units (750sf): 2*
Total 1 Bed + Den, 1 Bath units (850sf): 1 *
Total 2 Beds, 1 Bath units (1,000sf): 1 *
Total 2 Beds, 2 Baths units (1, 150sf): 1 *
*Calculation using (3) stories ratio.
Total Units Building D: Aprox. 15
Building F = 13,200 SF*
Total 1 Bed, 1 Bath units (750sf): 6*
Total 1 Bed+ Den, 1 Bath units (850sf): 4*
Total 2 Beds, 1 Bath units (1,000sf): 3*
Total 2 Beds, 2 Baths units (1, 150sf): 2*
*Calculation using (3) stories ratio.
Total Units Building D: Aprox. 45
___ ,.. __ .....
Building G = 10,000 SF*
Total 1 Bed, 1 Bath units (750sf): 4*
Total 1 Bed + Den, 1 Bath units (850sf): 2*
Total 2 Beds, 1 Bath units (1,000sf): 3*
Total 2 Beds, 2 Baths units (1, 150sf): 2*
*Calculation using (3) stories ratio.
Total Units Building D: Aprox. 33
TOTAL CONDOMINIUM UNITS: 147
ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED LIVE/WORK SPACE ACROSS FROM
WESTWOOD VILLAGE
Building K =14,400 SF*
Building L = 12,800 SF*
Building M = 6,000 SF*
Building N = 38,400 SF**
*Calculation using (2) stories ratio.
**Calculation using (3) stories ratio.
PUBLIC PARKING ANALYSIS
Giant Ground Parking: 152 Parking Spaces
Off street parking: 210 Parking Spaces
Structured parking: 168 Parking Spaces*
*Calculation using (3) stories above ground and (1) below ground.
TOTAL PARKING SPACES: 530
WESTBARD - ANALYSIS I
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD
DAVID HATHCOCK
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
The intent of CUA's Urban Institute Studio
proposal for the section of Maryland State Highway
190, River Road, between Ridgefield Road and
Little Falls Parkway is that it be designated the River
Road Boulevard, and that it becomes a beautiful
centerpiece of pedestrian-oriented, community
activity for the surrounding neighborhoods.
River Road Boulevard will be a beautiful
"Main Street,'' designed according to Maryland
State Highway route guidelines befitting the
surrounding neighborhoods within Montgomery
County and nearby District of Columbia. The
extent of the Boulevard will comprise three (3)
special intersections - two (2) gateways at each
end (Ridgefield Road and Little Falls Parkway),
as well as a new large central intersection at the
bridge/overpass of Crescent Trail. These three (3)
RIVER ROAD OVERVIEW I
I
k

/L-,nn lf 1 "
i I 11
intersections will feature similar paving elements as
well as traffic signals and signage improvements.
All intersections along the Boulevard will feature
wide crosswalks with special pavement in a zebra-
stripe pattern. This safety element is inspired by
such precedents as Sarasota, Florida, as well as
Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland (see Appendix
A). A new, landscaped median strip with designated
turning areas will help to prevent accidents in what
is currently termed the existing "suicide lane".
In addition to the three (3) existing traffic
signals along this portion of River Road, two
(2) new traffic signals are proposed; the first at
Crescent Trail North/Landy Lane-Crescent Trail
South (access road to the light industrial area), and
the second at Butler Road. The overall aesthetic of
the Boulevard will be improved by elements such


as plantings, both in the median green strip as
well as in the green strip incorporated into the
sidewalks; decorative lighting, providing ample
night illumination for increased vehicular visibi lity
and pedestrian safety; improved and additional
signage; and the addition of bench seating with
a shelter canopy at bus stop locations as well
as decorative bench seating arrangements
for pedestrians placed intermittently along the
Boulevard. Thus, the Boulevard is designed to
follow Maryland's award-winning "Main Street"
initiative, which blends "function, beauty, and
identity" befitting the surrounding areas.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I CROSS SECTION OF PROPOSED STREETSCAPE FOR RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD
// 5'-8" / -/ 4'-4" //, 4' ////
l' 1 '-8" 8 ~ 8" J'
,,
7
,,
,
13'-4"
6
/
18'-6"
SIDEWALK PLANTING/
LIGHTING
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
3 ' ~ / / T_ - #J'-6"//
~ . . 6" 6. 6"
/ A'. / 8' - / ' /
11' 11' 16'
,
TWO VEHICLE LANES RAISED MEDIAN
GRANITE CURB, BRICK
GUTIER, AND BRICK
BORDER AT PLANTING BED
11'
,,
,
) ) I
TWO VEHICLE LANES
-J 4'-4" 5' 8"
//// A'. // / / -//
168" 8" l '-8" l'
,,
7
PLANTING/
LIGHTING
13'-4"
18'-6"
SIDEWALK
,,
7
,,
,
SIDEWALK
SHARED-USE FOR
PEDESTRIANS AND
BICYCLISTS
RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD SECTION SHOWING NIGHT LIGHTING
NIGHT LIGHTING PLAN OF RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD I
RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD OVERVIEW SHOWING NIGHT LIGHTING
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE SHOWING
EXISTING CONDITIONS ALONG MD STATE HIGHWAY 190
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
I RIVER ROAD AND RIDGEFIELD ROAD INTERSECTION
The existing intersections of River Road
and Ridgefield Road, as well as River Road and
Little Falls Parkway, will become the 'gateways' to
the boulevard, with visual and material aspects to
warn drivers that they are entering a special speed
zone. As the vehicular traffic approaches River
Road Boulevard from the Beltway, it will encounter
the welcoming redesign space at Ridgefield Road
intersection. Design elements that signify gateway,
caution drivers to slow down at an important
impending pedestrian zone include:
Low curved signage walls constructed of
brick, in the green space at each of the intersection's
four corners to consistently mimic the existing
signage wall at the entrance to the Kenwood
community.
Signage walls surrounded by landscaping
to include: ornamental cherry trees, planted behind
the walls, to complement Kenwood's existing
cherry tree-lined streets; and low-growing, low-
maintenance shrubbery in front of the walls.
RIDGEFIELD ROAD
/
BROOKSIDE
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I RIVER ROAD AND RIDGEFIELD ROAD INTERSECTION
Wide, zebra-striped paved crosswalks,
connecting all four (4) corners, to emphasize the
importance and safety of pedestrian movement in
and around the intersection.
Decorative paving pattern to be located in
the center of the intersection as this gateway's focal
point.
- A generously sized central circular
pattern of concrete pavers resembling brick (slightly
ramping up toward the center), will act as aesthetic
enhancement for the intersection, but more
importantly, serve as a texture, which, when driven
over, will indicate to the driver that caution must be
taken and a slower speed must be maintained while
on the boulevard.
Decorative traffic signal poles installed
with:
Crossing time indicators and
signage, to alert drivers that they are entering a
pedestrian zone, and
- Decorative lighting fixtures.
It is recommended thatthe wide crosswalks,
and if possible the entire intersection be slightly
raised to call attention to the need for reduced
speed and pedestrian safety.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
OR..'IAMENTAL
CHERRY TREES
DETAIL PLAN SHOWING ENTRANCE TO
KENWOOD COMMUNITY
KE.'fWOOO )IEIGHBQRHOOO
SIGNAGE WALL (EXISTL"iO) ----
BUS STOP,
SEATING WAIL

Traveling along River Road Boulevard in
the northwest direction away from the District,
vehicles will enter the boulevard at the Little Falls
Parkway 'gateway'. The intersection of Little Falls
Parkway and River Road Boulevard will be an
attractive, pedestrian-friendly place with a traffic-
calming aspect. It is especially imperative that this
intersection be a pedestrian safe traffic-calming
area, due to the high level of vehicular movement
from all directions, as well as the fact that a large
number of pedestrians and cyclists traverse through
here daily.
GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE SHOWING EXISTING CONDITIONS AT RIVER
ROAD AND LITTLE FALLS PARKWAY
RIVER ROAD AND LITTLE FALLS PARKWAY INTERSECTION
Rl\"lRROAD
BOl:ll\ .. \lU)
PROPOSED PLAN OF
LITTLE FALLS
PARKWAY
RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD GATEWAY AT LITTLE FALLS PARKWAY ~ - ~
urn.EFALLS
P . .\R..'<:WAY
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I RIVER ROAD AND LITTLE FALLS PARKWAY INTERSECTION
The design elements of the River Road
Boulevard gateway at Little Falls Parkway will
include:
Low signage walls in the green spaces at
each corner of the intersection to generally match
the walls at River Road Boulevard and Ridgefield
Road intersection.
o The walls will be constructed of
field stone to coordinate with a natural aesthetic
commonly found along parkway routes.
o The walls will incorporate post-style
lanterns, placed atop each edge of the walls. This
lighting will provide additional pedestrian safety as
well as enhanced nighttime aesthetics.
Stone signage walls surrounded by
landscaping to include: ornamental cherry trees
and/or crepe 'myrtles planted behind the walls; and
low-growing, low-maintenance shrubbery planted in
front of the walls.
Wide, zebra-stripe crosswalks, connecting
all four (4) corners, to emphasize the importance of
pedestrian safety and movement in and around the
intersection.
The main design feature of this intersection,
a central paving pattern, similar to that at Ridgefield
Road intersection, to produce a unified image for
the Boulevard.
o A generously sized circular pattern
of concrete pavers resembling natural field stone
color will act as aesthetic enhancement for the
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
NOTE: 3'-8" NON TYPICAL
CONDITION AT qo.NDOMINIUM
AND OTHER EXCEPTIONS
DETAIL SIDEWALK PLAN
intersection, and coordinate with the natural
parkway aesthetic.
o The pattern will be a sl ightly raised,
easily traversed rough texture hump, which, when
driven over, will give notice to reduce speed. This
will indicate to the driver that caution must be taken
and a slower speed must be maintained while in
the boulevard.
Decorative traffic signals incorporating
signage to indicate to vehicular traffic the entrance to
a pedestrian zone with increased ticket penalties.
Enlarged and reconfigured left-turn lanes
at all four sides of the intersection to encourage
ease of movement as well as increased directional
visibility for the drivers.
Turning radii at corners to conform to best
practices.
It is recommended that the wide
crosswalks, and if possible the entire intersection
be slightly raised to call attention to reduced
speed and pedestrian safety.
RIVER ROAD
-
-= . I PROPOSED PLAN OF IGIIT -- ""'
CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING
CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING I
The central intersection of River Road Boulevard is located
at the overhead pedestrian/bicycle bridge crossing of the Crescent
Trail and will be termed Crescent Trail Crossing. This intersection
will control vehicular traffic along River Road, where it adjoins:
1) Landy Lane, 2) the access road to the light industrial area south
of River Road and west of the Crescent Trail, and 3) the access
lane to the light industrial area north of River Road and west of the
Crescent Trail.
GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE SHOWING EXISTING CONDITIONS AT
RIVER ROAD AND CRESCENT TRAIL
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING
VIEW FACING NORTH UNDERNEATH
CRESCENT TRAIL BRIDGE
EXISTING CONDITIONS OF SOUTHERN SIDE
OF CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING
EXISTING CONDITIONS OF NORTHERN SIDE OF CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
The Crescent Trai l Crossing is the
largest intersection of River Road Boulevard
and is designed for a multitude of purposes.
For example, Washington Episcopal School
parents use it to drop off their children for
school. After school, children often cross
here to get to retail and food establishments.
Bikers and walkers use it to gain access to the
trail itself and to avoid backtracking over the
bridge. WMATA and Ride On have bus stops
there and employees walk across River Road
to get to local businesses on both the north
and south sides. Vehicular traffic from the
south side (local businesses and patrons of
the Volvo Service Center and light industrial
area) constantly use it, especially during the
rush hours. With the planned development
of an eight story senior housing facility on
the Washington Episcopal School campus,
such pedestrian and vehicular traffic will
only increase. These demands make this
intersection a potentially dangerous place,
especially during rush hours.
Therefore, this intersection was redesigned
with wide, visible crosswalks and new traffic lights,
as well as a refuge island to promote and ensure
pedestrian, bicyclist, and vehicular safety.
As such, the design elements proposed
will clearly define this spatial node as a unified
intersection; clarify the need for stopping for each
point of vehicular entry into the intersection; and
create visually discernable boundaries between the
vehicular and pedestrian/bicycle traffic paths. The
intersection will be further enhanced aesthetically
by a linear park designed around the base of the
RIVER ROAD
Crescent Trail Bridge, both on the northern and
southern side of River Road Boulevard. As a focal
point along the new "Main Street," it will unite the
two ends of the boulevard. Further, it will offer a
visual respite for some just passing through, while
becoming a destination for many.
The design elements of the Crescent Trail
Crossing intersection will include:
Wide, zebra-stripe, paved crosswalks to
define the perimeter of the intersection
Central, circular paving pattern, surrounding
a raised, circular pedestrian refuge island
LANDY LANE
BRUSHEDCONCRETE
CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSI NG I
o Central paving pattern set within
a brushed concrete area to signify a connection
between the northern and southern portion of the
Crescent Trai l Crossing Park, creating a unified
linear park.
Access road to light industry south of
the Boulevard, west of the Crescent Trail to be
relocated slightly to the west (towards McDonald's)
to reclaim Crescent Trail right-of-way for park
space
Decorative traffic signals incorporating
signage to indicate to vehicular traffic the presence
of a heavily used pedestrian-crossing-zone with
increased ticket penalties
Bench seating attached to a low, seating
wall with a shelter canopy at the bus stops located
at the south-east and north-west corners of the
intersection
A roadbed sl ightly sloped toward the curb
edge for drainage and stormwater runoff.
Consideration might be given to installing
art/sculpture on the bridge in the future.
It is recommended that the wide
crosswalks, and if possible the entire intersecti on
be slightly raised to call attention to reduced
speed and pedestrian safety.
DETAIL PLAN OF CRESCENT TRAIL
CROSSING SHOWING PAVING DESIGN
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
RIVER ROAD AND AMERICAN PLANT FOOD/
WHOLE FOODS INTERSECTION
Secondary crossing points along River Road
Boulevard include one (1) existing, traffic light
controlled intersection at American Plant Food/
Whole Foods Shopping Center; one (1) proposed
traffic light, and reconfigured existing intersection
at Butler Road; and one (1) reconfigured left turn
lane, non traffic light controlled existing crossing at
Dorsey Lane.
The intersection of River Road Boulevard
and American Plant Food Company/ Whole Foods
Shopping Center with existing traffic light will have
the following design elements:
Wide, zebra-stripe, paved crosswalks, as
per the three (3) main gateway intersections, to
clearly define the perimeter of the intersection
Reconfigured entrance to the Whole Foods
Shopping Center
o Pedestrian sidewalk portion of the
proposed shared-use path for the Boulevard will
extend along the entrance route to the shopping
center to give ease of mobility to pedestrians
Decorative traffic signals incorporating
signage as per the three (3) main gateway
intersections
It is recommended that the wide crosswalks,
and if possible the entire intersection be slightly
raised to call attention to reduced speed and
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
pedestrian safety
The stretch of River Road Boulevard
between the American Plant Food Company/
Whole Foods Shopping Center intersection and the
Ridgefield Road intersection will consist of a series
of cuts through the median to provide access to the
bank and office building along the south side of the
Boulevard.
GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE AND PEDESTRIAN-VIEW IMAGE SHOWING
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The intersection of River Road Boulevard
and Butler Road is located across the road from the
exit of the Kenwood Condominium building. The
intersection will consist of a proposed traffic signal
as a blinking yellow light that will be fully activated at
morning and evening rush hours, or by a pedestrian-
activated button (see below, other options). Slightly
reconfigured existing conditions of intersections
at Butler Road and the exit from the Kenwood
Condominium building should be considered.
The intersection at River Road and Butler
Road is located within close proximity to the
Boulevard Gateway intersection of River Road
and Little Falls Parkway, at the minimum required
stacking distance for the turning lanes between the
two intersections. The traffic signals will be timed
in coordination with each other. The River Road/
Butler Road intersection will remain green for east-
west travel along River Road and will not cycle
through unless a car prompts the light to do so,
either from the Kenwood Condominium exit or from
Butler Road.
The Kenwood Condominium building exit
generally aligns with the proposed traffic signal at
River Road and Butler Road.
The entrance to the Kenwood Condominium
building (at a separate location) will not be controlled
by the proposed traffic signal, but rather will have a
curb-cut through the central median to allow left-
turn access for east-bound vehicular traffic.
The intersection of River Road Boulevard
and Butler Road with proposed traffic light will have
the following design elements:
Decorative traffic signals incorporating
signage (typical)
o Signal to remain blinking yellow with
pedestrian hand operation control during non-rush
hour periods
Bench seating attached to a low, seating
wall with a shelter canopy at the bus stop located
between the entrance and exit of the condominium
Pedestrian sidewalk portion of the proposed
shared-use path for the Boulevard will extend along
both sides of Butler Road
o Butler Road will have lighting and
trees, as per those specified for the streetscape of
the Boulevard spaced at a distance of thirty-five
(35) +-feet along a new sidewalk on the northwest
side of the road
It is recommended that the wide crosswalks,
and if possible the entire intersection be slightly
raised to call attention to reduced speed and
pedestrian safety
The intersection of River Road Boulevard
and Dorsey Lane will not be controlled by a traffic
light and will incorporate the following design
elements:
RIVER ROAD AND BUTLER ROAD INTERSECTION I
Reconfigured left turn lanes
Wide, zebra-stripe, paved crosswal ks
(typical) at the entrance to the Lane only, not
crossing the Boulevard.
IMAGES SHOWING EXISTING CONDITIONS OF BUTLER ROAD
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD CROSS-SECTION
The above mentioned proposed new
signals along River Road Boulevard, Maryland
State Highway 190, will allow traffic to function
as a "Main Street" (as defined by Maryland State
Highway Administration) while it will also ensure
greater pedestrian safety. Washington Street, in
Alexandria, is a Virginia state highway with short
blocks, each block having traffic signals. It is an
excellent precedent and example of how traffic may
easily proceed on a state highway within a "Main
Street" setting.
River Road Boulevard will consist of four
vehicular travel lanes divided by a central planted
and paved 'green-strip' lane to serve as a pedestrian
refuge median. The location of the boulevard
serving the River Road-Westbard neighborhoods
makes it the centerpiece of everyday community
life. Small businesses, retail shops, local grocery
stores, light industry and even the local McDonald's
are but a sampling of the daily uses located along
the section of River Road comprising the boulevard.
Due to this fact, as well as the high level of vehicular
traffic that traverses the area en route to and
from the District and the Beltway and Maryland
suburbs, a major shortage of parking often exists.
It is, therefore, all the more imperative that the
surrounding communities have pedestrian as well
as bicycle access in and around the boulevard. To
accomplish this, the boulevard will be bordered
along both sides with wide landscaped shared-
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
use pedestrian and bicycle path sidewal ks, nearly
eighteen feet in width.
River Road reconfi gured as a boulevard may
be described by its cross-section consisting of the
following design elements and dimensions:
Five (5) lane divided highway
o Four (4) traffic lanes at eleven (11) feet
o A sixteen (16) foot wide central median
Central Median consists of turning lanes and two
(2) linear elements
o Eight (8) foot wide vegetation strip
surrounded by four (4) foot wide paved pedestrian
refuge strip
o Median vegetation strip to include crape
myrtl e trees, low-growi ng shrubs, perennials and
ground cover
o Street lampposts (attractive by day,
providi ng ample light by night)
A two (2) foot wide shoulder separates
the vehicular travel lanes from the curb and
sidewalk.
GRANITE CURB,
BRICK GUTTER,
AND BRICK BORDER
AT PLANTING BED
'
SIDEWALK
SHARED-USE FOR
PEDESTRIANS
AND BICYCLISTS
// 5.g- / /4"-4" // 4" /#/ #>"-0"# T
#>'"'"//
/#/ 4' # 4' -4"/ / 5.g- //
!" l"-8" 8" 36l"
13"4"
/ ---_,,
PLANTING/
SIDEWALK LIGHTING TWO VEHICLE LANES
6" 6" 6" 6"
/ 4' / S' / 4' /
/
Ii' ,
,
RAISED MEDIAN
~ 8" l"-8" I'
,
, 13:
,,,.,. ,,,
I "
/ r >
PLANTING/
TWO VEHICLE LANES LIGHTING SIDEWALK
DETAIL SECTION SHOWING SHARED-USE PATH WITH DECORATIVE
STREET/SIDEWALK LIGHTING AND MATURE TREES
The sidewalk is buffered from the street by
a linear vegetation strip designed to follow urban
forestry principles
o Six (6) feet is the optimum width
and four (4) feet is the minimal width for a tree pit
according to urban forestry design principles
o The River Road Boulevard tree/
shrubbery pits will be four (4) feet in width,
surrounded by a one (1) foot wide brick border
o The vegetation strip of trees, shrubs
and ground cover, having been designed within
a continuous linear strip of planting area follows
the urban forestry design principle of having the
maximum amount of soil volume to allow optimal
j
:s
DETAIL SECTION SHOWING BUS SHELTER AND SEATING
RIVER ROAD CROSS-SECTION I
tree root growth, thereby encouraging the health
of the trees.
The remainder of the sidewalk consists
of a thirteen (13) foot wide shared-use pedestrian
and bike path, also separated by a linear brick
strip
o Roughly seven (7) feet six (6) inch
wide linear path dedicated to pedestrian use
o Roughly six (6) feet wide linear
path dedicated largely to bicycle traffic
o Sidewalk paving to be brushed
concrete for ease of walking with lanes divided by
a functional and decorative brick strip
Storm drain inlets located at two hundred
(200) feet on center linearly along the Boulevard,
unless otherwise specified by a civil engineer
Reduced curb radii at the intersections
of River Road Boulevard with all side streets as
well as the entrances to parking lots to induce
turning vehicles to: 1) slower speed, 2) precision
of maneuvering and 3) greater awareness of
pedestrian activity
Curb radii modifications were made at
the Boulevard "Gateway" intersections following
consultation with traffic planners and engineers.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I RIVER ROAD BOULEVARD CONCLUSION
Sustainability and sound principles of
environmental ecology should be given highest
priority along the redesigned River Road Boulevard
and adjacent roads and areas throughout the River
Road-Westbard study sector. It has been twenty-
six (26) years since the 1982 Westbard Sector Plan
was "Approved and Adopted" that recommended an
"Urban Boulevard and Gateways Concept" (pp. 24)
of three (3) remarkably attractive nodes at the major
intersections with a raised center median (pp. 25).
The streetscape design elements, human
scale, and building proportions feature within the
proposal for River Road Boulevard have relevance
in the precedents of 1) Bethesda Row and 2)
MassachusettsAvenue at Spring Valley. At Bethesda
Row the vehicular lane width, ample sidewalk width
and vegetation/lighting/bench seating/paving strip
were all influential to our design. The neighborhood
building scale of the shopping center and the
mature vegetation strip of trees and shrubbery, as
well as the raised central median of Massachusetts
Avenue at Spring Valley were also influential design
elements (see Appendix A).
Maryland's award-winning "Main Street"
initiative supports the concept of encouraging
neighborhood identity through emphasis on people,
neighborhoods, businesses, and the transportation
network that serves them. Its goal is to ensure the
functionality of existing communities as vibrant,
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
appealing places to live and work, balancing an
accessible "community-friendly approach" with
safety features. Fundamental to main street
design are considerations of aesthetics and scenic
streetscapes, mitigation of environmental issues,
roadside vegetation management, traffic regulation,
and creation of welcoming places. This proposal for
upgrading River Road to a boulevard following the
"Main Street" concept is consistent with the State
of Maryland highway goals of "blending function,
beauty, and identity".
CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING
CONSTANCE STUBBS
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
The Capital Crescent Trail, formerly the B&O EXISTING coND1T10Ns AT RIVER ROAD
Railroad (Georgetown Branch) right-of-way track
bed and adjacent land, is now owned by Montgomery
County, and is now a popular linear park. Managed
by Montgomery County Department of Parks, and
supported by the Coalition for the Capital Crescent
Trail, the Capital Crescent Trail covers an extensive
amount of territory in the Washington, DC region.
The Trail begins in Silver Spring, Maryland, passes
through Bethesda, Maryland and Northwest
Washington, DC, proceeds adjacent to C&O Canal
National Park, and connects to the inner city in
Georgetown where it ends at Water Street. It joins a
network of trails along the Potomac River and Rock
Creek and Potomac Parkway, until it finally links
across the Potomac River to a Northern Virginia
trail ending at Mount Vernon. Increasingly, it is
heavily used by people of all ages and their dogs
- pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, skate-boarders,
roller bladders, and people in wheelchairs.
Along the Trail are a series of resting points at
regular intervals. One such point is where the Trail
crosses River Road, a Maryland State Highway.
The designated Trail crossing at River Road is by
means of a pedestrian bridge overpass with long
lead-in ramps, structurally supported by enclosed
walls, on each side of the roadway. While this bridge
is well-used, some people prefer to cross at street
level for a variety of reasons: to avoid the steep
ramp, to avoid speeding bicyclists, to patronize a
CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING I
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING
shop in this commercial district, or to avoid walking
back a long distance to the ramp.
Space for a small plaza/park is allotted
both north and south of River Road. CUA's Urban
Institute Studio, in the School of Architecture and
Planning, designed these parks to emphasize the
concept of "gateway" while also signaling a special
gathering place - a type of "pocket park" in which
to relax before continuing on. A third potential
park space along the Trail a short distance south
of River Road in the light industrial area was also
addressed by CUA's Urban Institute Studio. In
each of the designs, high priority was given to
sound environmental practices and concepts of
storm water management, drainage, and "green"
sustainable solutions to existing conditions.
The park north of River Road was given first
priority for construction of a plaza by the Coalition
for the Capital Crescent Trail. This park segment is
divided into four sections: two linear sections along
each side of the bridge, a third open space near
River Road partially under the bridge, and the fourth
as the primary focus where the bridge ramp ends
and the Trail continues northward at grade through
the proposed plaza, and then through woodland
toward Bethesda Row. The south park is currently
used as a parking lot under the bridge. Here, a road
leads to the light industrial section traversing on Trail
land parallel to the bridge. At the industrial section,
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
where Willett Branch stream flows into a culvert
under the asphalt road and Trail, an enlarged open
space creates an opportunity for a small woodland
park to the west of the Trail. Whereas, on the east
side, the land falls steeply, presenting a possibility
to expand the Trail with a linear bridge. The narrow
asphalt Trail (about 10 feet wide) then continues
southward through woodland.
NOTE: Trail width varies within project area.
EXISTING
LAND USE
(AS OF AUGUST 1179)
Sector Pian Boundary
H;::;:j Single Family Residential

Multi-flfllily Residentlal
(W General Commercial

g Industrial
t : : : J 1nstttutlonal

c::=Jvacant
Capital Crescent Trail
occupies the right-of-way formerly
owned by Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad.
The Trail right-of-way varies in width
along the project area.
.. . . . . . . . .
... ....
ELEMENTAJIY
: . :
. .. . . . . . ..
CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING I
EXISTING CONDITIONS AT RIVER ROAD
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I CRESCENT TRAIL CROSSING - PROPOSED PLAN
COLOIW>
Pl.AS11C
I EOOISO
',COLOIW>
roc.mOl'Yl.ENll
I Sl?ATlNG
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
The park's symmetrical ordering system is
playfully manipulated through use of color, materials,
and vertical elements balanced in harmony with the
horizontal ground plane in this design proposal.
Most significant is a plaza - a seating area denoting
gateway - near the bottom of the bridge ramp. Two
curved stone seating walls face each other, almost
forming a circle, with the Trail proceeding between
them. A simple wood pergola structure over a
paved plaza (only at the west side) curves around
the seating wall. A stepping stone path meanders
through grass on the opposite side.
A solid wall supporting the bridge ramp cuts
the linear park in two parts between River Road and
the proposed plaza. An existing row of trees close to
each side of the bridge will remain. A parallel row. of
trees along the park's two outer edges is proposed
- white Natchez crepe myrtle trees - to match those
along the Trail at Bethesda Row. This "allee" of
trees will provide shade for benches clustered at
each side. Ample lighting, possibly LED lighting,
is especially necessary in winter months when sun
sets early. On the east side, a stepping stone path
will wind through the grass, extending from the
plaza. In contrast, a serpentine configuration will
divide the west linear path in two parts - grass at
the outer edge near the road, and pervious paving
or mixture of pebbles and sand (similar to that of
The National Mall) near the bridge.
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - NORTH I
PROPOSED PLAN
LANDY LANE
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - NORTH
At River Road, a new stand of cherry trees wil I
recall those in Kenwood nearby. Witty, playful turtle
sculptures (fig. D) on the lawn will be an amusing
addition to the composition. As a metaphor for
parent and child, two "turtle grass mounds," will be
surrounded by large rocks to denote the head and
feet. Turtles symbolize steadiness and call to mind
wild life that existed in nearby streams. Currently,
the north Crescent Trail is a narrow linear space
bound by two asphalt lanes at each side - Landy
Lane on the east leads to Washington Episcopal
School, commercial buildings, and a proposed
eight storey residential building; the road on the
west (leading to a gas station entrance and storage
buildings behind) has previously encroached on
part of the Trail for parking.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A small space south of River Road is
designated for a possible future park and rest area.
Today, one can frequently find vehicles illegally
parked under the bridge on Trail property. An
asphalt road, also on Trail property, runs along the
west side of the Trail bridge. This road connects to
a light industrial zone tucked behind River Road's
commercial buildings. On the bridge's east side,
a narrow Trail path leads to its south ramp and the
Trail heading southward.
CUA's Urban Institute Studio, in the School
of Architecture and Planning, designed a park with
colorful sculptural circles of various sizes (vertical
and horizontal). These imaginative sculptures,
resembling huge vehicle tires, are configured to
provide seating and to prevent vehicular parking.
Pervious paving will be used under the bridge and
will require minimal maintenance. A traffic signal
and crosswalks are needed at this location for
safety and to establish a strong connection between
the north and south parks of Capital Crescent Trail
(see section on River Road). This light will allow
Crescent Trail users, school children, shoppers and
people working in the area to cross River Road at
grade level, rather than use the bridge.
LANE TO
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
AREA
f A
PROPOSED PLAN
(
D

RIVER ROAD
/
/
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - SOUTH
A - AERIAL VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST
~
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - SOUTH
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
NOTE: Existing conditions south of River Road at the Capital Crescent Trail are a complicated, unattractive
and unsafe mix: two (2) parallel roads leading to the industrial zone; an open space of Trail property
partly under the bridge, used as a parking lot; and a paved path, perpendicular to the Trail and roads,
behind the McDonald's parking lot. The proposal will simpl ify, unify and beautify this area as follows:
create a small park under the Trail bridge and eliminate parking; combine the two (2) parallel roads into
a single entrance road to the industrial zone; and upgrade the paved path behind the McDonald's as a
connector to the proposed Westbard Village Development.
Two narrow loop roads through the industrial
zone converge at an open woodland space adjacent
to the Trail, where the road ends that connects to
River Road. To make this an attractive park space
and special resting place along the Trail, a strategy
was developed to provide appealing amenities and
to remedy several safety problems at this location.
First, the design concept- a plaza with pervious paved
stamped patterned asphalt, bordered by cobbles or
pavers, with ample lighting and an environmentally
friendly place addressing water retention and
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - SOUTH, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONE I
drainage - will warn commercial vehicles that Trail
users might be present west of the Trail. Seating
will be provided along with signage to nearby
shops. Second, the idea is to provide alternate
paths so that pedestrians and joggers can avoid
collisions with speeding bicycl ists, trucks and
automobiles. East of the Trail, where the ground
falls off steeply (still Trail property), a wooden
PRECEDENT IMAGE. BOARDWALK bridge parallel to the Trail will extend in width over
EXISTING CONDITIONS IMAGES
the hill, enabling users to find refuge from bikers
speeding down the Trail ramp. Restoration of the
stream and surrounding environs will convert this
area into an inviting park, a place to enjoy and
explore the natural environment and a place for
adventure and discovery.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
I CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - SOUTH, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONE
PRECEDENT IMAGES
SEATING AT PLAZA
BOARDWALK WITH SEATING
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL - SOUTH, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONE I
EXISTING CONDITIONS IMAGES
NORTH VIEW EASTVIEW SOUTH VIEW
NORTH VIEW - TRAIL RAMP WEST VIEW - WILLETT BRANCH SOUTH VIEW
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL
~
--
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
.._ ...
-
Pl.AJ .. 1 ~
o w 2to"
~
I
I
MONTGOMERY COUNTY SURVEY MAP
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
Preservation of our environment and
sustainability are among the most prominent issues
of communities today. "Going Green" is a popular
hyped aspect of new development for the twenty-
first century. Since publication of the 1982 Westbard
Sector Plan, many problems that were highlighted in
that document still remain in2008. In the RiverRoad-
Westbard area of Bethesda, Maryland, the natural
systems have been significantly changed by several
factors: land development, large open parking
areas, stream pollution and alteration of the course
of streams. These, in addition to noise pollution,
are among environmental problems discussed in
the 1982 Sector Plan that are summarized herein
along with recommendations to improve the quality
of life and ecological conditions.
Natural System Degradation - Both land and
water comprise natural systems. "Encroachment
on the stream valley ecosystem and inappropriate"
land uses, including large open parking areas with
little or no vegetation, caused natural systems
degradation. Two polluted streams that flow
through the neighborhood, Little Falls and Willett
Branch, do not meet Maryland State standards for
recreation and aquatic life. Although they traverse
potentially beautiful parkland, no attention has been
given to conservation of the natural environment.
Some remediation has since been undertaken on a
short stretch of Little Falls south of Massachusetts
Avenue, but a huge comprehensive endeavor is
necessary to remedy this difficult problem. Much
has been learned from work on Sligo Creek and
the segment south of Massachusetts Avenue that
should be adapted to Willett Branch and Little Falls
near the Crescent Trail. (Just beyond this point,
they combined at Little Falls Parkway, and Little
Falls flows southward toward the Potomac River.)
Entrepreneurs in the light industrial area and
community members alike recognize the potential
to establish parkland of great natural beauty.
Newchannelizationformsthatallowimproved
water flow and offer better flood controls can be
installed, when necessary, in sections where streams
are close to dwellings. In this project area, 68% of
the streams have been enclosed or channelized in
trapezoidal concrete channels. These channnels
allow typically only one inch of stream water. They
are subject to swift thermal fluctuation, and provide
no aquatic life habitat. Negative effects could be
minimized with a "v-shaped" channel cross-section
that contains greater water depth.
"The depth to bedrock throughout most of
Westbard is less than 20 feet." Much of the soil
in the western two-thirds of the area, especially
where there are steep slopes, is "not well-suited
for development due to a high erosion potential. ..
(Soils are) poorly drained creating construction
problems ... (and are) susceptible to frost action,
seasonal high water table, and flooding ... " Soils
ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS I
in some portions of the site, however, are suited
to urbanization. (p.104) Intensive urbanization
and a high proportion of impervious surfaces
caused hydrologic problems, such as reduced
groundwater from reduced base water flow
and fast runoff and drainage duri ng storms that
resulted from channelization. In turn, streams
cannot dilute pollutants (i.e. , self-cleansing)
nor supply water and aquatic life. Further, the
floodplain has been extended because of poor
storm water management in the area and an
undersized culvert at River Road.
This document for the River Road-
Westbard area concurs with the recommendations
of the 1982 Westbard Sector Plan, many of which
are included in this proposal. lmportarit concepts
include use of drainage swales and berms, grass-
lined ditches, stabil ization of disturbed areas via
vegetation, retention of natural open space as
buffer zones along streams, elimination of treeless
parking lots, addition of vegetation islands and
undergroundwaterstorage, minimizing impervious
areas, and multi-level structured parking facilities.
(p. 107)
Stream Pollution - Notably during the
1960s-'70s, stream pollution resulted from
aggressive development and questionable
flood control practices. Over the years the two
streams have further suffered from deteriorating
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS
water quality. In addition, stream pollution has
been generated by sewage and septic leakages
and illegal discharges resulting from careless and
intensive new development in the study area. This
River Road-Westbard document advocates adopting
measures to improve the quality of area steams
and to improve existing and future construction
environmental systems and management consistent
with the 1982 Westbard Sector Plan that lists the
problems in greater detail and suggests some
remedies. (p.105-106)
Noise Pollution - Disturbance has resulted
from heavy traffic volume, particularly on River Road,
including commercial and industrial operations and
their trucks and trash trucks. Additional noise,
although to a lesser extent, has been felt from traffic
along Massachusetts Avenue which has fewer heavy
trucks. Further, annoyance from noise arises near
the commercial/shopping zone of Westbard Avenue
and Ridgefield Roads.
This document contains proposals that
serve to abate the level of noise along these
major roadways and in the industrial zones. The
combination of tree-lined roads with pedestrian-
oriented activity along the sidewalks, added refuge
islands, an increased number of traffic signals at
closer intervals and special paving and crosswalks
at intersections will function as traffic calming
devices. Enhanced roadway aesthetics with
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
STREAM
CHANNELIZATION
~ & ENCLOSURE
- - - See tor PIM Bot.mdary
Piped S.clicn
Drop Slruclcre
-Natural
~ Preliminary ~ Year
~ Ultimate Ffcodplain
- Slopes Over 15%
retail/commercial activities will cause vehicles to
decrease speed and will increase the perception
of a "people place." Re-working the roads in the
industrial area south of River Road and creating a
plaza and park near the Crescent Trail and Willett
Branch will help reduce noise and increase safety.
These proposals also benefit the environment and
support the concept of "Going Green."
The many large and small parks and
"greened" surface parking lots and tree-lined
streets, proposed green buildings with green roofs,
water runoff and sewer management systems are
directed toward advancing a beneficial ecological
environment and improved air quality in the River
Road-Westbard project area.
Proposals in this River Road-Westbard Iris Miller, ASLA
document are based upon research conducted
by the CUA design team and feedback from the
community and other professional consultants.
Along River Road, implementation of a "main street"
type boulevard will decrease the noise and safety
problems by slowing the speed of traffic. Water
runoff reduction and an improved microclimate
will result from installation of shade trees and the
creation of linear pervious green spaces and paving
details in the central boulevard and along the
sidewalks, and islands of green spaces throughout
the area. Reduction of impervious surfaces will be
complimented by improved storm drains and sewage
systems in the River Road and Westbard Avenue
and Westwood Village areas, the latter of which will
have comparable treatment with high quality sewage
and drainage systems. Its new proposed service
road will function environmentally like a boulevard.
Safe convenient bicycle and pedestrian paths will
encourage a reduction in pollution with the use of
fewer cars.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS I
PRECEDENT IMAGE SHOWING STAMPED PERVIOUS CONCRETE
PAVING
PRECEDENT IMAGE SHOWING STAMPED ASPHALT PAVING
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY I
"Bi-County Transitway I Bethesda Station Access Demand Analysis:" Prepared For Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Office of Planning and
Project Development. Prepared by Parsons and Gallop Corporation. May 2005: 1-65.
"Design For Efficient Suburban Activity Centers:" Phase I Report. FHWA Contract: DTFH61-94-C-00146. US Department of Transportation. March 1997.
"Friendship Heights Sector Plan:" A Proposal Offered by: Citizens Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights, Inc. June 1996: 1-29.
GREAT STREETS. Allan B. Jacobs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1993.
GROUNDSWELL: Constructing the Contemporary Landscape. Peter Reed. The Museum of Modern Art. New York: 2005.
"Kenosha Downtown Plan:" A Guide for Urban Design and Development. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Planning and Design Institute, Inc., University of
Wisconsin, 1990.
THE POWER OF IDEAS: Five People Who Changed The Urban Landscape. Terry J. Lassar and Douglas R. Porter. ULl-The Urban Land Institute.
Washington, DC 2004.
STREETS FOR PEOPLE: A Primer for Americans. Bernard Rudofsky. Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York. 1969.
TOWN PLANNING IN LONDON: The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, Donald J. Olsen. Yale University Press, New Haven & London, 1982.
"Trip Generation:" Land Use: 210 Single-Family Detached Housing, Low Rise Apartment, Mid Rise Apartment, Supermarket, Shopping Center and,
General Office Building. 6th Edition, Institute of Transportation Engineers. 2007: 262-1045.
"Westbard Sector Plan:" Land Use, Transportation and Implementation Proposals for the Westbard Study Area. The Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. September 1982: 1-136.
"WHEN MAIN STREET IS A HIGHWAY:" Blending Function, Beauty and Identity. A Handbook for Communities and Designers. SHA, State Highway
Administration.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
APPENDIX
A - Precedents and Inspirations: Selected Sites Studied and Evaluated - 70
B - Aerial Views of Site and Photographs of Existing Conditions - 80
C - Maryland State Highway and Montgomery County, MD Maps - 87
D - Selected Studies and Maps as Reference: 1982 Westbard Sector Plan - 92
E - Community Goals and Objectives - 102
Community Survey: "A Vision for the River Road I Westbard Area, Bethesda, MD" - 103
F - Little Falls Watershed Environmental Report - 109
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
PRECEDENTS AND INSPIRATIONS: SELECTED SITES
STUDIED AND EVALUATED
(APPLICABLE AND NON-APPLICABLE)
1. BETHESDA ROW
2. MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE AT SPRING VALLEY
3. CLEVELAND PARK ALONG CONNECTICUT AVENUE
4. SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND
5. SHIRLINGTON, VIRGINIA
6. POTOMAC, MARYLAND
7. RESTON, VIRGINIA
APPENDIXA I
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I
AP PEN DIX A -
PRECEDENT 1 - BETHESDA ROW
Bethesda Row is an excellent precedent
of responsible, planned urban redevelopment.
Located in Bethesda, Maryland, at the convergence
of Bethesda Avenue with Woodmont Avenue and
Elm Street, Bethesda Row is a comprehensively
planned mixed use urban redevelopment project.
The Row shows how to attractively maintain and
encourage urban density where it is appropriate to
do so; in an existing urban setting.
NOTE:
(a) The sidewalk has linear zones: a store/
restaurant front, a paving patterned pedestrian
zone with occasional bench groupings, and a curb.
Parking is at the curb with a bike lane between the
parking and moving vehicles.
(b) The sidewalk enlarges to accommodate
two(2) paths- a raised pedestrian and a ramp (ADA
accessible). Facade materials vary, undulating and
stepping back to reduce perception of bulk and
height.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Wisconsin South
rl
Bethesda Row accomplishes in downtown
Bethesda what a shopping mall would further out
into the suburbs. Retail shops, restaurants, cafes
and a movie cinema are all beautifully arranged
in a convenient, compact manner. In the case of
the Row, these amenities are all arranged around
a pedestrian-friendly designed streetscape.
Both attractive and safe for pedestrian use, the
streetscape of Bethesda Row incorporates many
design elements pertinent for study in the design of
River Road Boulevard. (Note: Bike lane is on street
rather than safer location on sidewalk as a shared-
use path.)
The streetscape design elements of Bethesda
Row include the following:
Neighborhood convenience as well as regional
use
Four lane road with two bicycle lanes and two
lanes of parallel parking
No median lane
Minimum ample sidewalk width with decorative
paving to accommodate:
Generous pedestrian traffic area
Decorative benches in grouped
arrangements
Cafe seating
Planting buffer of a tree allee and
shrubbery between the sidewalk and roadway
Plaza with fountain at the corner of Bethesda and
Woodmont Avenues to promote pedestrian traffic
and create an area of repose in close proximity to
the retail establishments
Kiosks for small-scale merchants
Attractive, creative street furniture
APPENDIXA-
PRECEDENT 1 - BETHESDA ROW
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
II
I
APPENDIXA-
PRECEDENT 2 - MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE AT SPRING VALLEY
Massachusetts Avenue at Spring Valley is an
excellent example of a low scale, neighborhood
convenience center. Located along a major traffic
corridor, the shopping centers on both the north
and south sides of Massachusetts Avenue in the
Spring Valley neighborhood have been maintained
beautifully and have remained successful as low-
scale retail establishments, aimed at servicing the
surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Convenience retail shops, specialty grocery
stores, cafes, banks, and various other retail
establishments are all presented here in attractive,
traditionally inspired, brick construction. The
shopping center on the north side of Massachusetts
Avenue is one (1) level, with a pitched roof of slate,
covering a wide, pedestrian-friendly colonnade
abutting the entrances to the shops, which creates
a welcoming, residential neighborhood atmosphere.
The covered walkway, sheltering the pedestrian
from the elements, and located with direct access
to the moderately sized open parking lot, with four
rows of cars, creates ease of access to this attractive
community shopping center.
The shopping center south of Massachusetts
Avenue, likewise, features attractive, brick
construction with traditional stone accent and slate
roof. Here, two (2) levels are found at the Crate
& Barrel store, with other buildings within close
proximity being one (1) level. An open parking lot
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
of similar size is partially hidden behind buildings
and hedge plantings. A service road parallel to
Massachusetts Avenue has three (3) vehicle lanes:
two (2) for parallel parking with a center through
traffic lane. This configuration is less safe than a
two (2) lane service road plan.
The shopping centers found along both
the north and south sides of thi s portion of
Massachusetts Avenue are attractively sited
behind mature plantings of the wide green stri p of
the streetscape.
The streetscape design elements of
Massachusetts Avenue at Spring Valley include the
following:
Wide green strip along the north side of
Massachusetts Avenue include:
Mature oak trees, reaching 65 + feet high
A second row of smaller mixed trees
Various low-growing shrubbery and flowers
arranged into planting beds
Manicured grass areas
Concrete sidewalk, set back from roadway
behind the trees on each side of the street
Four ( 4) lanes of traffic, two (2) in each
APPENDIXA-
PRECEDENT 2 - MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE AT SPRING VALLEY
direction, divided by a narrow, raised concrete
median
The south side of Massachusetts Avenue
incorporates:
Green strip of mixed height trees and
grass
Service road of three (3) lanes: one (1)
travel lane and two (2) parallel parking lanes.
NOTE: A three (3) lane service road is less safe
for pedestrians and vehicles than a two (2) lane
service road. Parking disability and maneuvering
can be difficult.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I
APPENDIX A -
PRECEDENT 3 - CLEVELAND PARK ALONG CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC
The retail section of Cleveland Park along
Connecticut Avenue, NW, DC between Macomb
and Porter Streets, suggests some important
design strategies. Although the sidewalks are not
extremely wide, they provide comfortable 2-way
walking space. The low scale retail buildings with
tree-lined sidewalks, providing shade and a buffer
to Connecticut Avenue traffic, create a human
scale that is applicable to the goals for Westbard.
A full mix of various types of restaurants, cafes
and service-oriented businesses lining the street
with ample parking attracts a vibrant cross-section
of users. On the northeast side, one block has a
small on-site asphalt strip parking lot (pay-by-the-
hour) in front of the buildings. Especially relevant to
Westbard is a 1-way service road with one parking
lane fronting the other block. Here, a narrow linear
brick refuge island separates another row of parallel
parking along the main roadway, which restricts
parking during rush hour. Parking time here is
controlled by parking meters. On the northwest
side, a wide sidewalk fronts the buildings and some
parking is provided behind. The 6-lane roadway
with parking at each side, except during rush hour,
has crosswalks (unfortunately, not zebra-striped)
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
ID
0
...
:>
z
w

...
:>
u
t
...
z
z
0
u
0


..
I

--
and traffic signals at each corner. However, no
provi sion is made for people who occasionally do
cross mid-block.
CONNll:CTICUT Allll:NUIE
9
)Ir I tY I .a t( i i ' I ia I r.i I r I It' t fl ' I .J I
Although some sites that were studies
offered many ideas that were applicable to River
Road-Westbard project, Silver Spring is a large
regional center rather than a neighborhood scaled-
village that typifies Bethesda's Westbard area.
Nevertheless, it is relevant in only a few particular
features. Whole Foods supermarket is an anchor
situated near both open on-grade and structured
parking (to serve over-flow traffic) with attractive
entrances/exits on two facades, thereby facilitating
easy circulation. The high ceiling and bright lighting,
along with its colorful flower mart near an entrance
(similar to that of Sarasota, Florida), created an
inviting atmosphere and sequence of spaces. The
coffee shop enables people to take a relaxing break
from shopping and as in Sarasota, shoppers can sit
outside to have a snack or quick meal. Additional
cafes in the area that spill out onto the sidewalk in
nice weather attract large numbers of people.
The site plan includes two primary tree-lined
streets crossing to form a central axis with open
plazas that encourage pedestrian use. A segment
of one street can be closed and converted to a
pedestrian way. Special paving on wide sidewalks
and ample attractive lighting are other elements
that add to the comfort and appeal. As a mixed-
use development with housing, retail, and provision
for parking, it is well-maintained and offers a safe
environment.
APPENDIXA-
PRECEDENT 4 - SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
I
APPENDIX A - SHIRLINGTON, VIRGINIA
PRECEDENT 5 -
' '!fl [f \T:j ftft
~
ROAD - WESTBARD A VISION FOR RIVER
II BETHESDA, MARYLAND
SKETCHES OF STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
APPENDIXA-
PRECEDENT6-POTOMAC, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
APPENDIXA-
PRECEDENT 7 - RESTON, VIRGINIA
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
APPENDIXB I
AERIAL VIEWS OF SITE AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
1. EXISTING CONDITIONS AND BUSINESSES
2. AERIAL VIEW FROM THE NORTH
3. AERIAL VIEW FROM THE SOUTH
4. AERIAL VIEW FROM THE EAST
5. AERIAL VIEW FROM THE WEST
6. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
APPENDIXB-
AERIAL VIEW 1 - EXISTING CONDITIONS AND BUSINESSES
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
I I
1 Po.C'-.> "-""O To'r2
2 "40aoa.MACIC:
SuNTJW2T DA.Kit
4 ,..., ... '"" CArT
$ J"aAMC WOJtLO
6
II Aua':c:UO A"""0Ht0 CC>tn"\ntU
9 9TeuclC'8 COl'Y"'C"C
1 0 C""tHCC CC)U:411bio1CT
1 t ODo-c.L
1 2 Wv..c AMO UOuOfll
1 :s wcTWOOo e.-uc
14 PCT Cc:NT'Dt

1 6 Arn::AJD Pk.fJlMACV
1 7 C"CVY CtfA!llC llA.H<

11 KCNWDOOCUSTQMTA.n..a.
1 2 VAN NC:eS CO"""-PUT'COS
13 I NTCANATIO.,.,.L 9CWOOL er Muatc. LL.C
14 WOOWT WATCHC.-.
1 AEPUauc F"Ooo. I HC.
l6 CAJIL H . RCAL l:STA'YC
17 WUT'WOOO IL.LC
111 ANO POI Sc
1 9 HO,..CTCCM JNrett ....... noH IMC.
::_o 0YHArrV CON8TllUC'Tl0H
% l NAT'Ooil.AL CHOOo1CCJHO P11tOOUCTS
22 T"c LN. TAUllC. F'AM.A.T ,.CUHOATIO.N, I NC.
23 CITOO
24 UNrH:O 8AhlC
2$ l(c_"IWQQO Omt:'C
26 J'OOO
27 T"c Acor- CCHTDt
%8 Vl...l...C"' CLCA.NUIS
:i ....OTON P. C . 2.9 TAL.9Drr" I CC AND 8CVCJtAGC: SVN'&C.C
:t WCST AfVDll Ocu 30 McOoHLD"
4 Ravca ROO SuAOCW'f' CCN'TC 3 t A41WT'MCNT'9
32 Dcn-e-uoA Ac:P.uA: Cc.HTC
6 M.....- 5Tuo10 33 CHTC-,..c
? Lr CHrAHTa 34 VD\.vo
e JCAK ... C."9 s ...ou 5Tllt1.C l!IC'rl4<..ao
? ie.a.'WOOo Jcwc.i.c-. 36 cnao
1 0 PrtOTOmlAl"t1Y STUOJO 37 Plt ec-n-.cso
38 CZ 8ToAO< e TMoMaOH
29 c.,..-1c.a AuTC"4CTIYC SCJNtec: 9 T ... c: OAu.aooM
.CO t.d"c:CM" OCHCOA.1.. CQN'TOACTtHQ.
41 l="ou OATlO C:VCTC.ft

43 81CT,..UOA J'O.RCJON CA.ti CUN..C
44 W'a&T DOTHUS L.A.""'OSCAH
I 0 OICTTV AIJT'CCAllC:
1 1 WA9MI HQTOH C0HVCNl1[""1'
I 2 AUTOAAHN MOTOWWOlll<.9
1 3 RtOOcwt:.U. s
1. CTM.t:D SMCIC'T "'4CTA1.. co.
111
8C"r"MCOA c .... cvv c ...... c AVTO aoov
1 WMOLC roooe
2 PAJICCL. PL.ua
1 6 MACCOOfl.:tA e...uirnST e ....u ac:H
1 7 T ....c: lC.cHwooo
IV
3 HU""AN C11nC:<CH
4 CHC: MOUW" MOTOPMOTO
5' LCOO PIZZA
6 WOW COW IC.C CCAM
7 8AHOC:Z SAl.OH
8 0..,. Cu:AN Pl.US
9 ODA 8AHlC
1 C T'MC 8.-GC\AY
1 1 9CCUIUTY Puauc 9TOllAOC
1 2 SOkOCO
1 l(CNWoco Houac
2 WOOOt-..C.9 COP.
:> A"""'" CYC.a Poouc:noHa. LL..C
4 MCTAU.12-1""' 1,..e ..
:l MA.-C IV 9Ul1..0CJla. I NC: ..
(> CN.A.. WASHIHO'TC.H. 0.C.
7 W"1HOTCH ... -.CO-AL SCHOOt..
v
1 t::XT9 s ...cc
2 7 - 1 1
3 SNO.l.
4 TM< :r..CCT LCVCL. A:nu.cnc ::one
5 t:uttO MOTCltCA..S
6 8CTCO 8"" A.l'olO P"OOUCT t HC.
7 ""-""""
Pa Pul.aC STOACC
9 t...llWN AJtO:O PO'W'Clll
1 c 8CTHC90A , ,..ll'OltT
1 1 QQ.A.aOfNO
1 2 KIC.""""O DoOOv 0AVC....C
t 3 ICCh'WOOO H0"1'.a..J..
1 4 AUToeoOY 0 1 ... CHatO ...
1 5 Tc..,.tTE A.,.0 PCaT CONTltOI.. J,.,C,
16 Crroo
17 ..Juuct:
IMAGE COURTESY OF MAPS.LIVE.COM
APPENDIX B -
AERIAL VIEW 2 - VIEW FROM THE NORTH
RIVCR ROAD ANO LITTLC F'ALLll PARKWAY
RIVCR ROAD ANO CRC8CCNT TRAll.ILANOY LANC
RIVCR ROAD ANO RIOOC,.ICLO ROAO
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
APPENDIXB -
AERIAL VIEW 3 - VIEW FROM THE SOUTH
RIVER RCAD AND RIDGEF"I ELD RCAD
RIVER RCAO ANO CRESCENT TRAI L/LANDY LANE
IMAGE COURTESY OF MAPS.LIVE.COM RIVER RCAD AND LITTLE FALLS PARKWAY
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
IMAGE COURTESY OF MAPS.LIVE.COM
APPENDIX B -
AERIAL VIEW 4 -VIEW FROM THE EAST
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
APPENDIXB-
AERIAL VIEW 5 - VIEW FROM THE WEST
IMAGE COURTESY OF MAPS.LIVE.COM
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
APPENDIX B -
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
EXISTING CONDITIONS ALONG WESTBARD AVENUE & AT WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER
EXISTI NG CONDITIONS ALONG RIVER ROAD
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
MARYLAND STATE HIGHWAY AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD MAPS
1. MONTGOMERY COUNTY TOPOGRAPHIC MAP, 207NW06 - HM123 scale 1" = 200'
The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning
A product of MC-Maps; Copyright March 1996
2. WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER, Site located on Base Sheet 207NW05 scale 1" = 100'
The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning
Licensed from Vargis LLC; Compiled and Orthophoto April 2004
3. WESTBARD PLANNING AREA, Site located on Base Sheet 207NW05 scale 1" = 200'
The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning
Compiled May 2007
4. Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration, scale 1" = 8333.33'; and 1" = 50'
PLANS OF PROPOSED HIGHWAY; S.H.A. Contract No. M651-501-377
MD 190 (River Road) from D.C. Line to 1-495; 8-16-91 (as built)
APPENDIXC I
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
II
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
APPENDIXC-
MAP 1 - MONTGOMERY COUNTY TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
Montgomery County Topographic Map
The Ka.t71and HaUonal CaMtal Puk aa.d Pt.anniDa" Comm!Mion: Montcoe17 Cou.nt1 De_putment of Part ..a. Ple1Ulinc
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
'
207NW05
- ...... , .....
APPENDIXC-
MAP 2 - WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER
Key Map
- Contours
Unoffical Zoning
Unofficial Zoning
CBDBoundaries
Parlcs
Hard SutfaceTrails
ApprlMd Prelimi nary Plans
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
APPENDIXC-
MAP 3 - WESTBARD PLANNING AREA
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
---
-........
__ ....__200'!
0rie1hriie:IP'altinsl.Oll.
mnn .._... ....... ,_,,_
r=:
_ .. __ ...
- llJlklncluin&
Key Map

-.. .....
--...-
--
-
--- -
-----
-
Planimetric I Orthophoto
Source Oates
t:::::J MurMdpdlleJ

--
- -;::;;::::.
--
[.::J ..._..""-'ltda.-2001


bll-.CSX&.Mf'TIIOt
__ ........,
[ = .::
_...__
--.. -
Key Map
- --
..
_ ._.. .............
-
---

EEO --
---
-- c:::J ""' .....
APPENDIXC-
MAP 4 - WESTBARD SECTOR PLAN
""' ...
l-=-:J .W..tlf'ldt('.'.oun
[ c-...
___ .... ,
f-:- ...

---
""""""""'
- ...-.
C=:J --
r-oi ...............
-
- ----

...__ 9C:M( IGt.
- l>ttd.hm-4 .. tt. .... IGOW')
-----
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
SELECTED STUDIES AND MAPS AS REFERENCE: 1982 WESTBARD SECTOR PLAN
SECTOR
PLAN PAGE
1. 3
4
2. 7
15
3. 24
33
4. 37
38
5. 65
6. 72
73
7. 76
82
8. 85
89
9. 95
103
TITLE
REGIONAL LOCATION
VICINITY MAP
MAIN PLANNING PROPOSALS
MAJOR ISSUES
DESIGN CONCEPT
EXISTING LAND USE
LAND USE ANALYSIS AREAS
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
TABLE - ZONING DISTRICTS IN WESTBARD
TRAFFIC VOLUMES (AM - PEAK)
TRAFFIC VOLUMES (PM - PEAK)
RECOMMENDED ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS
ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FOR RIVER ROAD
STREET AND HIGHWAY PLAN
RECOMMENDED WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION
TABLE - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (1982-1987)
STREAM CHANNELIZATION & ENCLOSURE
APPENDIXD I
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
APPENDIXD
REGIONAL LOCATION AND VICINITY MAP
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
REGIONAL
LOCATION
.......
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---
. ' . ...
~
I u a.a uc
....--
VICINITY MAP
F19Ure2
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---
@o 111 1M ,.. ..oer
~ i
--
MAIN
PLANNING
PROPOSALS
Sector Pl9n 1ounc11rr
G) -flmllv RffldencH
Offi..t-"
@
lladif6H general
................
@ C-t IO light lndu1lry
@ Con.,.,t to OUICH
@ C-t bod< to-.: ..
(1) .... _, .... _ ..
@ Rlllrood l8
@-... k
fMMn bOUlnd PI09f.nl

Floure 3
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---
. ,. - .. _,

. . . - ....
--
APPENDIXD
MAIN PLANNING PROPOSALS AND MAJOR ISSUES
MAJOR ISSUES
Sector PIM 8oundery
Growth In Tlv- Trotllc
\...!}
I'\ k'ltenectlon "'1o.ot
\!!:) .... _...HI
@ I.Ill Tum -Trwlll<
--"'

Substandard strMt.
IS. .... :ISI
@ U..cert.tnty of Lii
lhe,... Ml
@ -.Ondml-ry
l ... N .. HI
A\
\!.) l s-.-.. 111

'"lflctent, lllxod UM
.... .... a11
f'M. Potenllel
\!!) ........
Hi\. Need far Buffer
.......
Retell M1rklt PrelturH
\!.JI 1a.,.... 211
Nelgllbomood Protection
........
Npprvprt Zonn
... ,...211
HA\ Strum Protection
\O' m..,....
Fl...... 4
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---

'(JL/, m
--
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
APPENDIXD
DESIGN CONCEPT AND EXISTING LAND USE
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
DESIGN
CONCEPT
MulPemllr llHldntlI
I field
ialott1ce
&m1nc1u.tNI
IX\ Mind Use Pl.nn.d
\Cl DnelopnMnt
18\. llJor CommerclllRtH
\!!I" DHe10p1nent

Ur111n IOulHl"8 and
Gr Concept
Figure 6
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
--.-.,CorJ,Met ......
EXISTING
LAND USE
(AS OIF ........,.1 1111)
---- Sector Pa.n Bound9rr
[};;;! Singlo F-!r -nliOI

MuttJ..'-nlly Rnklenti.I
Genermt Commerclal

BE 1noustr 1a1
t.:.:.: J lnltltutional
......
[:=Jvacant
flvura 7
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
..
@r;_j- 'LJ'
\:.IL/. to - ... _ ... .
LAND USE
ANALYSIS
AREAS
----Sector Plan lovndary
- 9
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
_.,_,._

I 41 llCI ZPOll
--
APPENDIX D
LAND USE ANALYSIS AREAS AND PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
PROPl!RTY
OWNERSHIP
Sector Peen Boundery
Ill( lie Cortlly , _,
KC
II
-
c 5-r
CH
- lllpllotCllurdl
D Voight-
E
-
F Rldgowtll Inc.
0
-
H Kogolt
I
RR
__ ... __
J PlcUtt-Pa-.hill
II
--
L Sk._
M
-
N
-
CR
0
-
p
-
Q
--ion R Kenwood Profnlionel
8uiklng Ud. Ptft.
s Shorb Lond Deftlopmor< Co
..... rtMt,...
T Warfield1.MU.-. ....... ,
y
Soc.OfColll. - --
w ln-EyeFoundollon
WW T1gonl
x Frri
z HogeMogier I_, .....,...
Flgure1CI
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
-"""'"-
' ... - - -
L ..
--
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
APPENDIXD
TABLE ZONING DISTRICTS IN WESTBARD
Zone
R-60 Single-family
R-90 Single-family
R-T Townhouse
R-30 Multiple-family, Low-density
R-ZO Multiple-family, Medium-density
R-10 Multiple-family, High-density
C-0 Commercial office building
C-1 Convenience-commercial
c-z General-commercial
C-4 Limited commercial
C-T Commercial, Transitional
0-M Office Building, Moderate
Intensity
I-1 Light industrial
I-2 Heavy industrial
TABLE II
ZONING DISTRICTS IN WESTBARD
Minimum Lot Size Height Limit Density
6,000 sq.ft. ZS feet 4.Z DU/Acre
9,000 sq.ft. ZS feet Z.9 DU/Aae
zo,ooo sq.ft. 35 feet U.5 DU/Acre
lZ,000 sq.ft. 35 feet 14.5 DU/Acre
16,000 sq.ft. 30 feet (80' if 5 acres)
Z0,000 sq.ft.
**
43.S DU/ Acre
None 3 stories or 4Z feet. 1.5 FAR
None ( 15 acres maximum) 30 feet average
None 42 (60 feet to l.S FAR
expand existing use)
None ( 2 acres for optional 3 stories or 40 feet 0.2.5 FAR (up to
development) O. 75 FAR under
optional method)
None
***
1.0 FAR
None 60 feet (7Z feet l.S FAR
with conditions}
None 4Z feet
None 70 feet
* This does not include possible 20 percent maximum density bonus for the provision of moderately priced dwelling units
(MPDU's) in residential zones for any development having 50 or more units.
** No height limit but setbacks must be increased one-half foot for every additional foot in height above 30 feet.
Two stories or 24 feet for lots under lZ,000 square feet; three stories or 40 feet for lots over lZ,000 square feet; four
stories or 40 feet for lots over 18,000 square feet.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
TRAFFIC
VOLUMES
(8:m-h1n)
Sector PIM Boundary
... NumlilerolV.NcMMd
-----.....,-
FlguN 13
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---
@r-t.i--\....T'
\'.:JI). 411 .. - "'" ..,._,,...
APPENDIXD
TRAFFIC VOLUMES AM AND PM PEAK TIMES
TRAFFIC
VOLUMES
PM.PUK-
Rlvw R011d:C4:30-l:SO pml
-....Chusetts:fs:pm-e:pm
11791
-S.Ct' Pl.en Boundlry

Figure 14
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---

,.. m
--
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
Ill
APPENDIXD
RECOMMENDED ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FOR RIVER ROAD
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
RECOMMENDED
ROADWAY
IMPROVEMENTS
- Sector Ps.\ 8oundlty
---.. CoMection
PrapoMd ,...,,... Pathwrf
= p,_..i .... Ing Width
....... EJcletlng IMktpeth
Figure 11
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---
I "' ~ d , d , a 0' a 1 a e' . w [
===d tr=rl.. I I = I H 0--
u.-- .- J. ~ 1' 1' -1"--.i
~ ' 9 2 Po- Senlce 0r1...
~ ~
! " ; n I u i a i < l n Jr- =In ! < I n i i n , n' I n' l-
-iJ,a .J. .I. .J. T T 'I' .I. .I. .&. i/i T T 1'
lllDlllJ)CI( Allornotive 3A Six ~ lblivlded, Fi.tad Intersection lllTEllSECTION
ALTERNATIVE
PROPOSALS FOR
RIVER ROAD
F1g&ire 17
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
---
--
APPENDIXD
STREET & HIGHWAY PLAN AND RECOMMENDED WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION
STRBET &
HIGHWAY
PLAN
---- Stctton .... louftdltf
= lblotl"" IUufit-a<-WQ
;:_-.::.:: Pr._,i ........ .,.w.,
II.Ill llildlllg Rfflrictloo Uno
Figur. ti
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
-"""'-
~
'-Jl), m
--
RECOMMENDED
WESTWOOD
SHOPPING
CENTER
PEDESTRIAN
PROTECTION
Figure 19
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
_.,_.._
@ o so 100 200
'-IL/ ..
--
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
Ill
APPENDIXD
TABLE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND STREAM CHANNELIZATION & ENCLOSURE
TABLE VI
WESTBARD SECTOR PLAN
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FY 1982-1987
Projects Funded By
;, AUTHORIZED
River Road Sidewalks County
Little Falls Library Improvement County
WW.rd Avenue Local Park M-NCPPC/State
Little Falls Parkway Reconstruction M-NCPPC
Ridgefield/River Road/Westbard Intersection
Improvement County/State
Bethesda Ride-On Buses County
COMPLETED
Willard Branch Replacement Sewer wssc
Little Falls Replacement Sewer WSSC/State/US
PROPOSED
o River/Rldgefield/Brookeslde Jntersectlon State
Little Falls Parkway/River Road Intersection M-NCPPC
Road
County/State/US
Sprlqfield Urban Park M-NCPPC
Railroad Street County
Stormwater Facilities County

Indeterminate at thb time
See Flpe 16
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Amount Completion
($000) by FY
80 1983
301 1982
815 198&
188 1980
so 1982
1,900 1984
s,szs 1981
991 1981






STREAM
CHANNELIZATION
& ENCLOSURE
---- SOetor ....., -...,
* *** Channeli .. c SOetlon
Piped S.Cttcn
Drop Structcre
- Natural
li9

l nf onnatlon Ill.own El band on
Pflimin.y * IUttlCI to dtnte
Figure 21
WESTBARD
SECTOR PLAN
__,.......,._
COMMUNITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
"VisionforRiverRoad-Westbard,"2007-2008,
a proposal prepared together by Urban Institute
Studio, at the School of Architecture and Planning
of the Catholic University of America, and the Joint
Committee on Westbard, sets forth a concept for the
direction of new development and for enhancement
of outdoor public space in the area. In drawings and
text, the visual and written descriptive material and
with policy guidelines, reflect a general consensus
about the future that evolved through numerous
working meetings and site walk-throughs.
Consistent with this proposal, over twenty
five years ago, the Montgomery County Council
approved the Westbard Sector Plan initially
developed by a committee of business and property
owners, lawyers, and neighborhood citizens. The
most important recommendation then was to
"reaffirm and strengthen the residential character
of the neighborhoods surrounding Westbard." The
single-family residential developments were to be
enhanced by appropriate buffers and traffic controls.
That meant "local commercial services in Westbard
should be preserved and improved to increase
their attractiveness as well as their convenience
and accessibility to the public." Traffic operations
along River Road were to be improved. Another
recommendation was to initiate an urban boulevard
and gateway improvement project along River Road
that also included sidewalks, better landscaping,
and improved pedestrian movements. High density
development was not suggested; nor was any
expansion or linkage with other commercial areas.
The major recommendations of the 1982
Sector plan were strongly reaffirmed by a 2006
survey questionnaire returned by nearly 1,600
households who are members of fifteen citizen
associations that surround the Westbard area.
Briefly, the results included the following:
The Westbard Sector ought to remain a
neighborhood shopping area;
A revised retail business mix seems
appropriate;
High density residential development is not
desired but some lower density development is
acceptable;
Despite public transportation options, a car
is the overwhelming mode of transportation; and
River Road is considered a major choke
point for traffic, even on weekends.
Thus, current residents want to retain the
1982 vision of the residential character of the
area, emphasizing that significant increases in
density remain unacceptable, and reaffirming the
2007-2008 vision presented herein. This vision,
APPENDIX E I
including WestbardAvenue and Westwood Village
(Center), River Road, and Capital Crescent Trail ,
stresses human scale, low height buildings,
restaurants and retail services responding to
community needs and desires, pedestrian and
bicyclist amenities, traffic safety, environmentally
sustainable policies, and an inviting public realm.
Will iam H. Freund, Author
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
Ill
I APPENDIXE
COMMUNITY SURVEY SUMMARY:
"A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD I WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD"
Introduction
Prior to 1982, a Joint Committee on the
Westbard Plan was established to advise the
MontgomeryCountyPlanningBoardontheproblems,
needs and views of the Committee's members
with regard to a new River Road/Westbard Sector
Plan. The Committee had a diverse membership
composed of business owners, lawyers, property
owners and neighborhood citizens of the area. The
group provided input for the important decisions the
Planning Board made with respect to the Sector Plan
that was approved in 1982 by the County Council.
Perhaps the most important decision was adopting
a vision that the commercial area should be zoned
to operate as a local convenience shopping area.
For years this vision remained intact but in 2004
the property along Westbard Avenue was sold to
Capital Properties Associates, LP. This purchase by
a developer, coupled with the County's population
and economic growth, and limited developable
land is putting pressure on down county areas to
increase density and develop mixed commercial/
residential properties.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Under the auspices of the Citizens
Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights
(CCCFH), the Joint Committee has been reformed
with representatives from neighboring c1v1c
associations to monitor any changes to the zoning
and land uses for the River Road/Westbard sector.
Another Committee responsibility is to speak
actively on behalf of our communities.
The group disseminated a survey to over
4,600 households surrounding the sector to
discern citizen perspectives for the Westbard area.
This report presents selected findings from the
1,588 sur\tey responses and includes appendices
containing the questionnaire and responses to all
questions.
Table 1.-- Responses to Survey Question 54.
Do you agree or disagree with these
statements:
The vision should remain that this be a
neighborhood shopping area.
The River RoadNVestbard area should be
changed in a substantial way.
Total Respondents for this question: 1,428
A Shared Vision
Over 90 percent of the 1 ,428 respondents
agree that local commercial areas should provide
neighborhood support (table 1 ). Also, about 7 4
percent didn't want substantial changes to the
area while 13 percent were amenable to maj or
changes.
However, while area residents want to
maintain the original vision, that doesn't preclude
changing the composition of the commercial
sector. For example, survey respondents felt that
more shopping options were needed along both
River Road and Westbard Avenue.
Agree No Disagree
Opinion
92% 5% 3%
13% 13% 74%
APPENDIXE I
COMMUNITY SURVEY: "A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD I WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD"
Chart 1. - Six most desired additions to the commer c i a l mix on
Riv er Road (Res pendents = 1,456)

-
60
... u
44
50
40 -
-
25
30
22
-
15
20
10 - -
0
Bakery Gift Shop Movie Theatre Post Office Res tau rant Video Store
The types of new shopping desired were
similar for both River Road and Westbard Avenue.
For example, 57, 46, and 44 percent of the 1,456
respondents who answered the question on desired
additions) wanted a sit-down restaurant, bakery
and post office along River Road (Chart 1 ). The
comparable figures for locating such establishments
on Westbard Avenue were 58, 52 and 49 percent
respectively. These results are consistent with the
vision of maintaining the neighborhood shopping
area.
Zoning and Land Use
The zoning for the sector covers eight
different types of land use ranging from multi-family,
high density (R-10) to light industrial (1-1) and
everything in between. Planners will be considering
a number of zoning alternatives for the sector,
including how much housing will be added, the
amount of retail or office space to include and how
it would all look. One of the survey's key questions
posed a series of developmental scenarios and
asked for respondents views. Four things can
be gleamed from the data. First, regardless of
proposed buildi ng heights, buildings without retail
space were looked upon with the least favorable
ratings. This is consistent with other survey
results. Secondly, despite the fact that several tall
buildings already exist along Westbard Avenue,
survey respondents were consistently against 10
story (90+feet) buildings with or without ground
floor retail space on either side of the avenue.
The unfavorable percentages ranged from 82 to
90 percent and virtually everyone had an opinion
(Table 2). Third, reactions were decidedly more
mixed when asked about smaller residenti al
buildings of 4 to 6 stories (40-60 feet) and with
ground floor retail. For example, over half the
respondents had either favorable or no opinions
for 4 - 6 story residential bui ldings provided retail
space was available. Lastly, additional housing
options in the form of condos, townhouses,
etc. plus senior citizen housing received higher
favorable ratings than other options. Fifty four
percent were for additional senior citizen housing
wi thin the community.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
APPENDIXE
COMMUNITY SURVEY: "A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD I WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD"
Table 2.--Possible developmental changes along Westbard Avenue and citizen reactions
# Developmental scenarios Favorable No Unfavorable
Opinion
Pct. Pct. Pct.
1 Residential buildings exceeding 1 O stories (90+ feet) 9 6 85
with ground floor retail on both sides of Westbard
Ave
2 Residential buildings exceeding 10 stories (90+ feet) 4 6 90
with NO ground floor retai l on both sides of
Westbard Ave
3 Residential buildings exceeding 10 stories (90+ feet) 9 8 83
with ground floor retail on the west side (Giant side)
of Westbard only
4 Residential buildings exceeding 10 stories (90+ feet) 8 10 82
with ground floor retail on the east side (bowli ng
alley side) of Westbard only
5 Residential buildings of 4 - 6 stories (40-60 feet) 36 14 50
with ground floor retail on both sides of Westbard
Ave
6 Residential buildings of 4 - 6 stories (40-60 feet) 19 20 61
with NO ground floor retai l on both sides of
Westbard Ave
7 Residential buildings of 4 - 6 stories (40-60 feet) 39 19 42
with ground floor retail on the west side (Giant side)
of Westbard Ave only
9 Residential buildings of 4 - 6 stories (40-60 feet) 34 21 45
with ground floor retail on the east side (bowl ing
alley side) of Westbard Ave only
9 Additional multiuse space (such as retai l, 39 20 40
townhouses, condos) in the area that is now
Westbard Shopping Center
10 Additional senior citizen housing for the community 53 30 17
Total Respondents= 1.489
(skipped this question) = 98
II
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
While a similar question was not asked for
the stretch of River Road from Ridgefield Drive
to Little Falls Parkway, survey respondents were
questioned (# 21) about whether the two story
height limitation along that stretch of road should
be retained. The answer was decidedly yes by 79
to 21 percent margin.
Transportation issues
As mentioned above, the Westbard sector
includes buildings of 10 or more stories along
Westbard Avenue and River Road has a seven
story office building and a 10 story plus residential
building. The respondent reluctance to react
favorably to additional high density development
may be due to infrastructure issues such as
transportation. A series of nine questions were
asked on transportation issues.
Public transportation is readily available
to residents surrounding the Westbard sector.
Specifically, two Ride-On routes (23 and 29) bisect
the area and take passengers to the Friendship
Heights Metro Station. So does the T-2 bus from
Rockville via River Road to Friendship Heights.
Respondents were asked to indicate all
the modes of transportation they used to get to
work (question11 ). Ninety percent of the 1,556
respondents use a car as part of his or her trip. For
some, that may mean a trip to Friendship Heights and
for others, a drive to the office. Public transportation
was used by 39 percent of the respondents with
biking and walking indicated by 13 and 14 percent
respectively (Chart 2).
The predominant use of a private auto when
public transportation is available is unquestioned.
For example, 53 percent of the respondents to
question 15 use a car to get to Metro (unpublished
data) and this situation may be difficult to change.
As a result, the issue of traffic congestion under
current densities plus any proposed development
must be considered.
Some rush hour congestion is to be expected
and respondent perceptions confirm this. For
instance, all three major arteries in the Westbard
sector (River Road, Massachusetts Avenue, and
Little Falls Parkway) were deemed "congested"
by respondents with River Road, at 70 percent,
considered the most packed (Table 3). In fact,
only15 percent felt that River Road traffic conditions
were even adequate. In contrast, Westbard Avenue
was not considered to be a bottleneck. Congestion
was not a problem during the weekends on
Massachusetts and Westbard Avenues or Little Falls
Parkway. However, an interesting finding is that 35
percent of the respondents considered River Road
to be congested even on weekends.
APPENDIX E
COMMUNITY SURVEY: "A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD I WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD"
Chart 2. - Forms of transportation used to get to work
(Respondents = 1,556)
100
80
60
40
20
0
--
--
--
--
I
Car Public
Transportation
I
I I
Bike
I I
I I I
Walk Other
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
Ill
II
APPENDIX E
COMMUNITY SURVEY: "A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD I WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD"
Table 3. -- Perceptions of traffic conditions on selected Westbard Sector streets
Time of day Free- Adequate
Flowing
AM/PM rush hours
... on River Road during am/pm rush? 1 14
.. . Westbard Ave. during am/pm rush? 17 51
.. . on Mass Ave. during am/pm rush? 3 24
... on Little Falls Parkway during am/pm rush? 5 27
Weekends
.. . on River Road on weekends? 17 46
.. . Westbard Ave. on weekends? 37 47
... on Mass Ave. on weekends? 29 57
... on Little Falls Parkway on weekends? 30 54
* - Less than .5%
Total Respondents = 1520
(skipped this question)= 67
Chart 3. -Preferred parking options at Westbard Avenue
(Respondents - 1,440)
Garage ,___-'I 10
Underground ,__ __ __,I 15
Congested
70
30
61
57
35
15
14
15
Ground level I 7E
~
0 10 20 30
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
40
Percent
50 60 70 80
Gridlock
15
2
12
11
1
1
*
1
Shopping
Unpublished data from survey questions
24, 29, and 30 (see appendix 2) may provide some
insight to the traffic situation. For example, survey
respondents visit both the Giant and Whole Foods
for groceries (91 and 81 percent respectively). In
fact, respondents visit Westbard area stores one
to four times a week (61 percent) and 25 percent
say they visit these stores 5 to 7 times a week .
Ninety six percent say they use a car to get to
the these stores so weekend congestion on River
Road should come as no surprise and even a
much appreciated pol ice presence can't totally
control the congestion .
One developmental issue for Westbard
Avenue will be the nature of available parking. As
might be expected, ground parking was preferred
by 76 percent of the respondents. The other twenty
four percent wanted either underground or garage
parking (chart 3). More critically, unpublished
data (survey question 37) show that a little over
half of the respondents might go elsewhere if only
underground parking was available. If a charge
for parking was implemented, 90 percent indicated
they would go elsewhere.
Parks and recreation
A number of questions were posed to survey
recipients on parks and recreation facilities within
the Westbard sector. Unpublished data (survey
question 40) indicate that about 57 percent of
survey respondents use park facilities at least once
a week. Results regarding the Capital Crescent
Trail may be informative. Almost 50 percent of the
respondents indicated they use the Trail at least
once a week and almost all (82 percent) use it at
least once a month. Walking, biking and jogging
are the most popular uses (unpublished data). As
such, the Trail is considered a valuable green space
for the community.
APPENDIXE I
COMMUNITY SURVEY: "A VISION FOR THE RIVER ROAD I WESTBARD AREA, BETHESDA, MD"
Conclusions
These preliminary findings may change somewhat
once the remaining survey forms are entered into
the system. However, the results reported above do
indicate general community consensus regarding
zoning considerations in the Westbard Sector.
These include:
The Westbard Sector ought to remain a
neighborhood shopping area;
A revised retail business mix seems
appropriate;
High density residential development is
not desired but some lower density development
appears more acceptable;
Despite public transportati on options, a
car is the overwhelming mode of transportati on;
and
River Road is considered a major choke
point for traffic, even on weekends.
Surveyed Communities:
Brookdale
Chevy Chase West
Green Acres-Glen Cove
Kenwood
Kenwood Condos
Kenwood House
Kenwood Place Condo
Springfield
Chart 4. -- Usage of the Capital Crescent Trail
(Respondents= 1,447)
Sumner
Town of Somerset
Village of Drummond
Westbard Mews
Westmoreland
Westwood Mews Condo
Wood Acres
Rarely or never I 18
I 16
2-4/month l
120
131
115 5-7Nleek
I I I I I I I
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Percent
William H. Freund, Author
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
II
II
I APPENDIXF
LITTLE FALLS WATERSHED - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
Montgomery County has listed the whole
Little Falls Creek watershed (the Upper Mainstem
and the Willett Branch) as having poor water quality,
the worst category possible.
Willett Branch has two stems, one stem that
appears to start at Kenwood Country Club, flowing
through Kenwood and under River Road at Westbard
Avenue and then continuing south of River Road.
The second stem appears to start north of Bradley
Boulevard at Glenwood Road and flows along Little
Falls Parkway, through Kenwood to the tunnel at
River Road where the two stems of Willett Branch
meet.
The Upper Mainstem appears to start at
Chevy Chase Country Club, flowing underground
near Wisconsin just north of the Saks, and emerging
above ground again at Wisconsin Avenue in
Somerset behind the Somerset House apartment
complex. It crosses River Road at Willard Avenue,
then flows through Green Acres as a channelized
section to Little Falls Parkway. The two branches
meet along Little Falls Parkway where the Upper
Mainstem flows under Little Falls Parkway.
A visit to the park shows the effects of
uncontrolled stormwater runoff and the County's
efforts to mitigate and control the problems. Viewing
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
the stream from the south side of Massachusetts
Avenue, we could see that the erosion has reached
as high as 30 feet up the embankment, coming closer
and closer to the Capital Crescent Trail above. The
rapid water flows during storm events had scoured
the stream banks, causing erosion and widening
the stream, so much so that without remedial
action the stream would eventually undermine the
underpinnings of the Trail. The erosion has also
exposed sewer pipes which were originally buried
underground, creating the hazard of an accident
with a severe public health impact. A strong odor
of sewage occurs around the gas outlets for the
sewer system.
Stormwater flow has been a major problem
in the watershed for several reasons. The large
volume of uncontrolled stormwater, in large part
because of development in the watershed with
large areas of impervious surfaces - parking lots,
streets, and building roofs - all contribute to a large
volume of fast-flowing water. The large volume of
uncontrolled rain-water runoff also increases the
possibility of floods, as much of the water simply
flows into the stream rather than being absorbed
by the ground. This contributed to the decision to
pave ("channelize") the stream to avoid flooding.
Paving, in addition to causing the stream to look
like an open sewer, increases the speed of the
flowing water, creating danger for children playing
near the stream during times of high flow, causing
damage to the stream bed and making aquatic
life impossible.
The stormwateralso becomescontaminated
from whatever it comes into contact with - such
as oil , fertilizer, pesticides, and whatever else is
on the ground -- before it flows into the stream.
The speed of the water flow then prevents, or
minimizes, the abil ity of natural processes (as
found in wetlands) to filter, aerate, and otherwise
clean the water before it flows into the Potomac
River, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
The County installed experimental works to
control storm run-off flooding, slow the water flow
and direct it so as not to be so destructive along
the stream south of Massachusetts Avenue. This
project includes placement of inter-laced timbers
and large rocks along the stream bank, as well
as designed V-cuts away from the bank, and
placement of rocks across the stream creating
small waterfalls, to slow and divert the rushing
water. Whether these attempts will work is yet
to be seen. One problem is that this work is on
the lower part of the stream, not upstream where
water management strategies might have more
effect.
The County must be encouraged to do
more, especially in our area which has significant
problems with excessive stormwater run-off, due to
development. The County has started a new program
called Rainscapes which advises homeowners with
small stormwater capture projects (e.g. rain barrels,
rain gardens) on their own property.
Walking upstream, along Little Falls Parkway,
one can see that natural barriers, mostly rock
outcroppings, have created pools, little cascades,
and have limited the ability of the stream to leave
the stream bed - the banks were mostly of rock, not
soil. Some beautiful areas exist along this stretch
of the stream. A picnic table even appears to have
been placed there by the County, as it is well located
and undamaged. However, underbrush is beginning
to take over and soon the table will be fully hidden
by new growth. Poison ivy is nearly everywhere.
Foam floats on the surface of the water. Trash is
seen that had been deposited along the banks and
in brush and trees and where the water pooled. All
along are little bits of paper and plastic deposited
by the stream over time. Many neighbors have seen
large trash items, especially during spring cleanup
efforts.
By crossing Little Falls Parkway, one can see
upstream and in the other direction where it crosses
under the Parkway. At this point, looking toward
River Road on the east side of the Parkway, the
APPENDIX F I
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - LITTLE FALLS WATERSHED
County currently is not maintaining the large open
area - formerly it was mowed and had colorful wild
flowers, but it is now overgrown. The stream (from
River Road until it reaches and crosses under Little
Falls Parkway) is mostly paved to allow rapid flow
of water to prevent flooding further upstream. It is
also channelized upstream through to Green Acres
neighborhood.
In the past, the County proposed building
a water holding project/pond on the southeast
side of Little Falls Parkway (adjoining the cement-
covered channelized stream). The area would
have to be designed carefully and in concert with
the community - any wetland would have to be
designed with safety in mind, allowing for safe
passage tQ and from school and the neighborhood
to Little Falls Parkway. Clearly, with proper design
a shallow pond and wetland would improve water
quality, while also making a visually attractive little
wetland that could become a landscape amenity
for the neighborhood. Strategies are needed to
improve the appearance and improve water quality
in the stream's channelized portions, such as
terracing and planting at the sides.
Stormwater control/water quality
management has been built near NIH, near the
corner of Battery Lane and Woodmont Avenue at
Wisconsin Avenue. It is both a method to improve
water quality and a visually attractive neighborhood
landscape feature. Further, it helps to fi lter
pollutantsfromthewaterandtomanagestormwater
flow. It would provide an attractive alternative to
the current overgrown field and would begin to
eliminate the "open sewer" appearance as it flows
through the neighborhood while preserving the
necessary flood control measures that originally
led to paving the stream 50+ years ago.
Between Little Falls Parkway and River
Road at Ridgefield Road, the stream flows through
the light industrial zone, alternately through
tunnels or channelized areas, and in some places
intermittently as an open stream above ground. A
walkway behind the McDonalds leads to a bridge
over Willet Branch (after it emerges from the
tunnel) that could provide a walking/bicycle path
from Capital Crescent Trail to Westbard Avenue
and Westwood Center and Giant food parking
lot.
Suggestions for improving the watershed
in the Westbard area include expanding the
parkland that adjoins the stream through land
purchases, and introducing sunlight to that portion
of the stream which is underground by removing
all underground pipes and constructing exposed
stream beds.
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
El
Ill
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
A VISION FOR RIVER ROAD - WESTBARD
LITTLE FALLS STREAM - EAST OF PARKWAY
APPENDIX F
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - LITTLE FALLS WATERSHED - EXISTING CONDITIONS
LITTLE FALLS STREAM - WEST OF PARKWAY