Completion of this project is expected near July 1. It is coordinated with the completion of the Tower Oaks Retaining Wall work and access by the temporary construction road through the Stoneridge Pond site.

This construction is underway and should be finished shortly. Original estimates were 2-3 weeks. Yet unusually spring weather has been hampering completion.

The City project engineer contacted us to explain that the Public Works department has requested a modification to the proposed road stub reconfiguration. That is, making the paved pathway access to the storm water pond site wider to accomodate necessary vehicular maintenance access. Instead of the eight foot width indicated in the plan below, the design is changing to a twelve foot wide asphalt pathway. Bollards blocking general vehicular access remain in the design.

Association officers are supporting this modification since all along, we have recognized Stoneridge Pond as an engineered storm water facility, notwithstanding its park-like atmosphere and use. Included in the engineered aspects of the pond is a sedement trap that requires occasional emptying by heavy equipment and such vehicles must have reasonable access to the site to accomplish this. While somewhat disruptive, this access is necessary to service the real purpose of this facility. Therefore, a wider access pathway is consistent to service this understanding of purpose.

This Assoc. gave positive feedback, without modification, to City engineers on the proposed design (see below) for the reconfiguration of this road stub. Resident responses were generally positive or benign. The consensus clearly was that this design fulfilled the general desire to convert this dead-end paved area to general open greenspace while retaining (even enhancing) pathway access to Stoneridge Pond and converting this previous three way street intersection to a simple corner. One resident expressed a desire to retain some of the paved area for passive recreation space. However, more immediate neighbors firmly opposed this. Also, we discussed retaining just enough of the road stub near the curb for a head-in parking area for access to Stoneridge Pond. In the end, this was viewed as unecessary. Adequate street parking is available for such occasional use and the total pavement removal to most fully accomplish the greenspace enhancement objective was most desired.

The City has released initial design plans for the reconfiguration of this road stub area after the retaining wall reconstruction at Tower Oaks vacates the space as its staging area. The reconstruction is expected in the late fall of 2003. The initial City plans largely follow the proposed neighborhood plan, option #3 (see below), including the removal of the existing sidewalk. In the diagram at right, the gray areas are pavement (either road asphalt or cement sidewalk or curbing) that will be removed in favor of generally open, grassy area. The light yellow shading shows the configuration of an exstension of the bicycle/pedestrian pathway connecting Cabin John Parkway with the existing pathway at the Stoneridge Pond site. The light green shading shows the reconfiguration of the sidewalk and the pink shading shows the reconfiguration of the street curbing. Note, that the pathway will include removeable bollards so that maintenance and emergency vehicles still can access the storm water pond site. Also, note, this plan does not include any landscape ehancements (landscaping noted on the plan is what already exists). The City forester is considering this initial design and will make a forthcoming recommendation. We expect at least some ground level plantings along the lot boundary with the adjoining private property.

We have been notified that the road stub area of Cabin John Parkway will be used as a staging area for the reconstruction needed on the failing retaining wall at the Villages of Tower Oaks [Click here for more information on reconstructing the retaining wall.] In partial compensation to the City for use of this space and disruption of City/public property to access the retaining wall, the responsible private developer (via its contractor) will be pay cost of and execute the road stub reconfiguration after they are done with the retaining wall project. The benefit to our neighborhood is that the road stub reconfiguration will happen much sooner and not at public expense. Finalization of a detailed plan for the road stub reconfiguration will occur over the coming summer and implementation is expected in the fall of 2003.

The Association CIP proposal on this topic was reviewed in detail in general meeting. The attending membership expressed conceptual support for complete removal of the road stub (including the sidewalk) and installation of a suitable extension of the ped./bike pathway (option #3 below). A resolution was moved, seconded, and approved by vote to express a neighborhood preference for this proposed configuration. We will ask City staff to make a detailed plan following through on this concept and plan for its implementation.

This Assoc. submitted a letter in response to CIP proposal requests, requesting that some variety of treatment, as proposed here, be adopted as a new CIP project. Performing this work at the time of area disruption when Cabin John Sewer Line is laid was suggested. Similarly, performing recurbing work along East Lynfield Drive also was suggested.
Text of letter.

In response to observation, neighborhood comments and first hand experience related to the use of Stoneridge Pond and adjoining dead end of Cabin John Parkway, changes to the road configuration are recommended to make the area safer, more functional, and with reduced recurring maintenance costs to the City and tax payers.

[Note: This proposal was authored by Greg Manougian (resident on Leverton Road). It is supported by the officers of this association, whom expect to advocate for it in the City 2003, CIP Budget cycle. We aim to coordinate the construction of the adopted option to the Cabin John Sewer Line, Phase III project.]

The present configuration of Cabin John Parkway at the Stoneridge Pond (stormwater maintenance facility at the south terminus of the street) is a result of the diversion of Cabin John Creek to a stormwater filtration system. It was previously the access point to a community owned swimming pool. Although the roadway is marked for no parking in much of the dead end, it nonetheless attracts frequent users from outside the neighborhood, including driving school students and teachers. These various users leave trash behind along the curb and in nearby vegetation. Sexual activity is also known to occur through the leaving behind of condoms and wrappers. Despite these less than welcomed activities, the community transits this area as pedestrians, bikers, skaters, pet walkers, and nature enthusiasts. Wood bollards exist at the end of the raod to keep unauthorized vehicles from using the path toward Wootton Parkway. Many lost drivers accelerate into the dead end thinking it connects to Wootton Parkway or Dogwood Park, especially early in the sports seasons. Specific surface drainage issues are not addressed in these proposed options.

This option causes the least impact on existing conditions, likely is easiest to implement and has smallest cost. But, it does little to enhance the environment for community uses. It essentially preserves the status quo, only lessening vehicular access/traffic. With bollards only, the appearance remains much the same. No enhancement opportunities are applied.

This option creates a forced turn for southbound Cabin John Parkway traffic onto Leverton Road. Street curbing is modified preventing general access to the remaining dead end area. A curb cut is provided for handicap access, pedestrians, bicycles, and service vehicles. Restriction of non-authorized vehicles is accomplished by a removable bollard(s). The present sidewalk remains and those of Cabin John Parkway and Leverton Road are connected across the newly closed curb section. The preserved paving area remains accessible for recreation and pedestrian uses such as neighborhood yard sales, roller skating, learning to ride bicycles, observing nature or as a staging area for community or service activities. It also reduces the likelihood of vehicles accelerating into the area or parking.

This is the most aggressive option. It closes the roadway as in Option #2, yet additionally removes the dead end paving completely and replaces it with a bicycle/pedestrian path. The balance of the area is replanted with grass and trees as the approach to Stoneridge Pond. It reduces, if not eliminates, the area for many of the previously stated activities. The existing street sidewalk may remain.