May 8 meeting scheduled

This is to update everyone on the status of the State Highway Administration seizure of our land for right-of-way for the InterCounty Connector highway. As of April 5 we have been notified that our case is being escalated to the Board of Property Review of Montgomery County. The reason given is that the State Roads Commission of Maryland feels we have not been able to agree with them as to “the fair value of the property taken and the resulting damages to the remainder.”

What this means is that the state is no longer willing to discuss whether the $102,000 they have offered us for use of our property is fair compensation or not. I had been working with State Highway Administration representatives to come up with a fair value of compensation (working on the assumption that we should get as much compensation as possible, as some of you have expressed to me), but it seems that their patience has run out despite the fact that I had been waiting to hear from them on some details to put forth a proposed amount.

According to SHA documents, the Board of Property Review will hear our case, at a date to be specified, and “render its award of just compensation. This award may be appealed by either side.” I will send out another notice when the hearing date is set.

Separately, a meeting has been set with SHA representatives and the full community, on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at my house (#7519). Please plan to attend. In attendance will be the contract manager for Contract A, our section of the highway, and public affairs representatives. The purpose of this meeting is not to discuss the amount of money we are getting, but to discuss any concerns we have about the impact on our community. This will be the best chance yet to ask the state questions regarding the appearance of the road in our community, the impact during construction, and so on. I will send out a full list of who will be attending in the days immediately prior to the meeting.