HANDOUTS
- Agenda, March 20, 2003;
- January 30, 2003, Community Liaison Council (CLC)
Meeting Minutes;
- CLC Member Roster (as of March 20, 2003);
- Stoney Creek Pond Presentation Slide Copies, Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP), Montgomery County
Maryland;
- Montgomery County Planning Board Agenda, February
13, 2003;
- Memorandum from Doug Redmond to Montgomery County
Planning Board, February 13, 2003;
- Memorandum from Marion Clark, Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission to Doug Redmond,
Park Planning and Resource Analysis, CWP, re: approval
and conditions to MR 01202 NCPC - 1 and MR
01202 MED - 4;
- March 7, 2003, E-mail and Memos to John Hollister,
DEP, Montgomery County re: Archaeological Evaluation
of the South Pond Water Retention Project Area;
- NIH Master Plan 2003 Update Slide Copies, NIH Office
of Facilities Planning (OFP), Office of Research Services
(ORS);
- January 31, 2003, Letter to Patricia Gallagher,
Executive Director of the National Capital Planning
Commission from Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, ORS, OD,
NIH; and
- Questions posed by the Building 33 Risk Assessment
Steering Committee (overhead transparencies).
WELCOME
Dr. Tom Gallagher, Co-Chair, welcomed members of the
Community Liaison Council (CLC) and guests. He explained
that the February CLC meeting had been missed due to
snowy conditions that reminded him of winters in Wisconsin.
Dr. Gallagher asked the members to review the minutes,
and noted there would be an opportunity for comments
or approval later in the meeting. In addition, he noted
that CLC member Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, ORS, OD,
NIH, who was scheduled to participate in the Master
Plan Update presentation was unable to attend. Dr. Gallagher
asked Clarence Dukes, Office of Facilities Planning,
ORS, OD, NIH, to introduce the first presenter on the
agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
Stoney Creek Storm Water Management Facility at
the NIH Campus
by Daniel Harper, Montgomery County Department of
Environmental Protection
Mr. Dukes noted there were several representatives
from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) who would participate in the presentation,
including John Hollister and Craig Carson. Mr. Dukes
asked Daniel Harper to present the 65% pond design update.
Mr. Harper presented slides and a map, which showed
project information and a representation of the pond
site. He noted the objectives of the Stoney Creek Pond
are to restore water quality and stream habitat by reducing
storm water flow rates and improve runoff water quality
from downtown Bethesda. Mr. Harper said the funding
for pond construction was provided by a County/State
matching grant under TEA-21. He presented statistics
on quantity control indicating the pond's 204-acre drainage,
which reduces peak flows from a 6-month storm and from
a 1-year storm by 68%. He said an example of a 100-year
storm was hurricane Agnes, which flooded Bethesda's
Wisconsin Avenue/Woodmont area. The storm water pond
surface area would cover a maximum of 3.3 acres in a
100-year storm. Mr. Harper described design features
including underground trash and oil collection devices,
a 6-foot-wide safety bench at the edge of pond, landscaping,
and strategies to control pests. Other features he noted
to discourage mosquitoes included mechanical aerators
below the water surface and native insectsdragonflies
and beetlesas well as amphibians and fish such
as blue gill.
Mr. Harper said the Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) held a public meeting
on February 13, 2003, to review the 65% design, and
recommended construction of the Stoney Creek storm water
management pond. Currently, his department is working
on relocation agreements, design, utility and other
approvals, and NIH easements. The schedule calls for
the next presentation to the National Capital Planning
Commission (NCPC) on the 90% design in May, with revisions
made by summer to present to the State of Maryland for
review. When construction begins is contingent on utility
relocations being completed, and the construction of
the NIH perimeter fence. Mr. Harper said there would
be advertisements for construction bids in December,
2003, with construction starting in May, 2004. Work
will proceed along an access road from Wisconsin Avenue.
Construction would be limited to 7 a.m.5 p.m.
on weekdays only. He concluded by stating the pond will
benefit Rock Creek and will be an aesthetically pleasing
addition to the community.
CLC Member Questions and Comments
Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association,
asked about the type of aerator and backup systems proposed
to ensure proper aeration. Mr. Dukes said that NIH makes
every effort to conserve energy, and he would look into
energy-saving measures.
Mr. Harper said consultants would consider this; however,
he said solar aerators are efficient, particularly in
the fall and spring. George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway
Citizens Association, asked where the aerators would
be placed and where the safety bench is shown on the
representation of the pond. Mr. Harper said the use
of underwater mechanisms which require a three-foot
depth is being researched as an alternative to fountain
aerators. These mechanisms would be situated at various
points in the pond's central area. Mr. Carson said the
safety bench extends into the pond for 6 feet from the
pond's edge at a gradual slope. The depth is 12 inches
at pond's edge.
Lucy Ozarin, Whitehall Condominium Association, asked
about the depth of the pond and whether it would be
fenced in. Mr. Harper said the depth is 6 feet and metal
warning signs would be posted to discourage wading,
swimming, and ice skating, since the pond will not be
fenced in. Randy Schools, NIH Recreation & Welfare
Association, asked if other more attractive sign materials
could be used instead of metal. Mr. Harper said he would
look into alternate materials. Ralph Schofer, Maplewood
Citizens Association, asked how close the pond would
be to the current bank where snow sledding takes place.
Mr. Harper said that the sledding area would be within
the NIH's security fence. Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill
Civic Association, wondered about how geese would be
discouraged from nesting and residing at the pond. Ralph
Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association, said it is
difficult to discourage geese from inhabiting ponds.
Mr. Harper said there would be a temporary nylon goose
fence to protect newly planted wetland plants and taller
vegetation planted at the pond's edge, which is an effective
deterrence at other County ponds.
Mr. Oberlander asked if water could overflow or backup
onto nearby streets. Mr. Hollister said it could happen
in a 100-year storm at the low point on Woodmont Avenue.
In addition, Mr. Oberlander asked about the structure
depicted at the south side of the pond, and what portion
would be visible from the south looking northwest at
the pond. Mr. Carson said the 54-foot-long structure
would be tucked into the bank. He said it would be visible;
however, the control facility's concrete top would be
obscured by using landscaping materials including ornamental
grasses and woody shrubbery, which could be used away
from the water's edge. Mr. Oberlander asked that Mr.
Harper return to present a design of the control facility.
He also asked about the lines, shown above the pond
area on the representation of the landscaped area. Mr.
Carson said this indicated utility lines and a temporary
construction access.
Ginny Miller, CLC Co-Chair, Wyngate Citizens Association,
asked about the budget to support the proposed landscaping.
Mr. Harper replied that existing trees would be either
moved temporarily or relocated on Campus, and additional
landscaping is provided for in the budget. In follow-up,
Ms. Miller asked which entity would be responsible for
caretaking and trash removal. Mr. Harper said the County
is responsible for the trash at the site of the pipes,
and NIH for mowing along the walkway and perimeter fence.
Mr. Dukes remarked how judicious Lynn Mueller and the
NIH crew is regarding grounds upkeep, maintaining the
area, and monitoring and removing trash.
NIH Master Plan 2003 Update
by Ron Wilson, Master Planner, OFP, ORS, OD, NIH
Ron Wilson said that due to an accident, Ms. Serras-Fiotes
could not attend the meeting. Mr. Wilson provided background
on the requirement by the NCPC that NIH update its Master
Plan every 5 years as a guide to future development.
He added that this update was delayed due to the proposed
requirements associated with President Bush's Homeland
Security mandate. Mr. Wilson said the plan is used as
a framework and shows how the NIH Campus will grow.
He said the plan, as presented in 1995, adheres to master
planning principles including the fostering of innovative
research strategies designed to advance the nation's
capacity to improve health, provide a physical framework
for the changing nature of the campus, provide a supportive
environment for the people involved in NIH activities,
enhance and respect the integrity of the surrounding
residential community, protect the natural resources
and environmental qualities of the NIH campus and the
region, and use the Master Plan to foster communication
about NIH goals and policies.
Mr. Wilson noted there had been projections for a demand
of up to 27,000 personnel on Campus by the year 2020.
However, the NIH planning office anticipates that in
2020 a maximum of 22,000 could be reasonably accommodated.
Approximately 15,000 other employees would need to be
located off campus. He emphasized that consolidated
off-campus planning is now underway. Mr. Wilson said
factors that will affect campus growth beyond 2020 include
utility services, environmental impacts, ability to
provide space when needed, and previous agreements with
planning agencies and the community. In addition, he
said the 2003 Master Plan Update accommodates new security
requirements including the campus perimeter fence and
vehicle barrier system, the Visitor Center, and a commercial
vehicle inspection station.
Mr. Wilson introduced Charlotte Kosmela, Smith Group,
to review the 1995 Master Plan and present specifics
included in the Master Plan Update. The information
she covered appeared on a series of slides showing existing
and proposed buildings and their status, conditions,
land use, open space, transportation and parking, and
a phasing plan for 2003 through 2008, another for 2009
through 2014, and 2015 through 2020 and beyond. She
remarked that in 1998 the plan was amended to accommodate
the loop road and structures in the northwest quadfire
house, PEPCO substation, Children's Inn addition, and
the Family Lodge. She described the perimeter as remaining
informal, with a more open landscape, and higher density
development in the center of the campus with a more
formal system of quads.
Ms. Kosmela provided details on what projects would
be implemented within the 2003 through 2008 time period.
She noted the completion of the addition to the Clinical
Center (Building 10), the multi-level parking (MLP)
garages A and B which replace surface parking, implementation
of the security perimeter fence and visitor center,
and construction of laboratory buildings 33 and 35.
In addition, Ms. Kosmela said there would be landscaping
improvements in the buffer zone, a storm water quality
control underground facility installed in the northeast
corner, and the storm water pond in the southeast quad.
From 2009 to 2014, there will be landscape improvements
in the Central Core and southern buffer zone. In the
south quad, below-grade parking, the Animal Research
Center, and Laboratory N will be added, and a loop road
constructed. From 2015 to 2020, a central mall and a
pedestrian area will extend to Building 10 and laboratories
M and P will be added in the south quad. In 2020, addition
of laboratories D and H will be considered.
Mr. Wilson noted the timetable to include the internal
NIH/DHHS approval of the revised draft of the Master
Plan Update by April 2003, a National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) public hearing on the draft Environmental
Impact Supplement (EIS) in April or May, and approval
of the Master Plan by NCPC in the summer. He said the
CLC would receive updates resulting from these hearings.
Mr. Wilson introduced two consultants who worked on
the Master Plan Update: Erwin N. Andres, Gorove/Slade
Associates, Inc., who works with the CLC's Transportation
Working Group, and Fred Heider, Athavale, Lystad, and
Associates, who works with the Environmental Impacts
Working Group.
CLC Member Questions and Comments
Master Plan Update Goals
J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association, asked who
decides whether the Master Plan meets its stated goals,
whether the Campus had been enhanced for personnel who
work here, and whether it improved communication. Mr.
Wilson believes the communication goal is met between
internal and external entities regarding research. He
said the Master Plan goal is to ensure there are opportunities
for this, and this is achieved by physical design proposals
in the Master Plan that enhances these opportunities.
Ms. Kosmela replied that she believes this goal, established
since 1992, is being met. She added that the plan is
to improve the quality of life for employees and phase-in
replacement of obsolete or other structures not suitable
for research purposes and make a more pleasant environment.
BSL-3 Laboratory-Associated Risk & Past Master
Plan Update and EIS Representations
Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association,
wanted to know the potential impact on the surrounding
community associated with the proposed Laboratory 33.
He wanted to know what is planned to go on in this building
and how many square feet will go where. Dr. Gallagher
said this is handled on a building-by-building basis,
in dialog with the community (for example, in the presentations
in January, 2003, by Drs. Deborah Wilson and Karyl Barron,
who provided information on biosafety in laboratories
and NIH research needs).
Mr. Costello said this building wasn't mentioned when
the Master Plan was approved in 1995. Mort Goldman,
Sc.D., Luxmanor Citizens Association, mentioned he was
on board at the time the Master Plan Update was presented
in 1995. He stated that an environmental assessment
cannot be done on a laboratory until its mission is
known. Mr. Costello said during the November, 2002 CLC
meeting he asked whether Building 33 needed to undergo
the EIS process. Mr. Costello recalled that Ms. Serras-Fiotes,
OFP, ORS, OD, NIH, responded that it had gone through
that process. Dr. Goldman confirmed that in 1995 an
EIS was prepared.
Environmental Impact and Risk Assessments
Dr. Gallagher recalled that during the November meeting
members had asked about conducting another EIS and that
Ms. Serras-Fiotes' response had been that an EIS would
not address the heart of Mr. Costello's question, and
wondered if a risk assessment would. Mr. Oberlander
said the laboratory had not been considered by its amount
of square footage. Dr. Gallagher said when the building
gets to the design stage, the process continues. He
asked members whether they felt an EIS answers questions
better than a risk assessment.
Mr. Schofer remarked that although every effort is
made to fit everything together, a master plan is a
best guess about future need. However, he wondered why
the laboratory was put in the plan 5 years ago if its
mission wasn't known. Mr. Wilson noted that the NIH
director and the Institute directors look ahead at the
science in their planning, and respond as needs evolve,
e.g., HIV/AIDS. Mr. Heider said that some directors,
when interviewed, foresaw growth, while others did not.
He said that the Master Plan layout is a general guide
showing where structures or space will exist, represented
by numbered blocks. Mr. Heider said studies need to
be done when the time is right to do them, for instance
when the building is assigned a project justification.
He cited NEPA, which prescribes the timing for the study
of impacts.
Ms. Miller emphasized that members understand that
the Master Plan is a general guide. Regardless of the
past, she said the bottom line is that CLC members want
this building to undergo further review. She said now
is the right time to explain impacts.
Mr. Costello felt there would be a broader review by
people, with probably greater technical competence,
in an EIS. He thought they would be able to draw the
correct conclusions and assess whether there would be
a negative impact from the building.
Ms. Michaels asked for confirmation that a risk assessment
for Building 33 is already underway. She did not understand
why people do not think there is a process. Dr. Gallagher
noted three members of the CLC who serve on the committee.
Mr. Schofer offered the comment that members serving
on the Building 33 Risk Assessment Steering Committee
(himself included) are predisposed to being against
the BSL-3 laboratory building. Dr. Gallagher said one
of the members, Dr. Kira Lueders of the Parkwood Residents
Association, would discuss the group's discussions later
in the meeting.
Dr. Lueders said that she would present questions already
developed by the Building 33 Risk Assessment Steering
Committee. Mr. Costello said he preferred to ask his
own questions. Dr. Lueders invited members of the CLC
to judge whether the questions the group is asking will
get the right answers. She said members would have the
opportunity to add further questions as needed, and
that the CLC will get answers. Dr. Goldman offered his
expertise in posing supplemental questions, noting that
he's done a number of analyses and risk assessments.
Parking & Transportation
Ms. Miller asked Erwin Andres of Gorove/Slade to clarify
the number of parking spaces MLP facilities A and B
would provide versus the number of surface parking spaces
being lost. Mr. Andres said MLP-A will house 936 spaces,
and MLP-B will hold 1,230 spaces. Over the next 20 years,
there is a net gain of 2,100 spaces in five facilities.
Ms. Miller asked Mr. Andres to return to the CLC with
a depiction of which parking facilities have been added
and which surface parking areas have been removed. Mr.
Andres said the MLP facilities in many cases are constructed
at the site of former surface parking. He said that
would be the case for the parking area in the northeast
corner.
Mr. Oberlander asked whether the 2,100-space count
includes parking proposed at the Visitor Center/Metro
garage. In addition, he asked a series of questions
about planning, including if it is appropriate to construct
this facility in the buffer zone and how its placement
will affect the traffic management plan. Other questions
asked:
- How many feet from Wisconsin Avenue will it be?
- Will it be a below-grade or an above-ground facility?
- What are the plans to screen the area?
Ms. Kosmela said the 20,000-square-foot Visitor Center
and screening area includes plans for parking. Mr. Heider
said this area appears in the layout in block form.
Mr. Wilson noted that the area is under study and parking
plans are not fixed at this preliminary stage. He offered
to provide information to the CLC as early as possible.
Mr. Oberlander thought the Master Plan is ambiguous.
He wondered how the 22,000 personnel projected to be
on Campus in 2020 would impact the traffic-management
plan. Mr. Andres said the current vehicle traffic level
is 30% below 1992 projected levels.
Ms. Miller noted the positive efforts on transportation
management already accomplished and complimented NIH's
efforts to meet the challenges associated with vehicles
on campus. Mr. Andres cited Tom Hayden's position at
NIH had been created to develop a response to current
and future transportation situations. Mr. Schools cautioned
that budgetary issues should be monitored regarding
cuts and changes in Federal subsidies for alternate
transportation programs and solutions such as Transhare.
Presentation on Risk Assessment Questions
by Kira K. Lueders, Ph.D., Parkwood Residents Association
Dr. Gallagher introduced CLC members Dr. Lueders, Ms.
Miller, and Mr. Schofer, who serve on the Building 33
Risk Assessment Steering Committee, which includes CLC
representatives, NIH managers, and NIH staff from Dr.
Deborah Wilson's office. Dr. Gallagher said these members
developed an initial list of 12 issues to be addressed
by technical experts who are conducting a risk assessment
of Building 33, the proposed BSL-3 laboratory. In this
process, Dr. Gallagher hopes to find scientific measures
to assess risk.
Dr. Lueders showed on screen the text of the 12 issues
and asked the members to read them. She encouraged all
members to provide input and feedback, suggest questions
to remove, or to add appropriate questions to the list.
Dr. Lueders asked the OCL to send each member a copy
of the issues.
In addition, Dr. Lueders cited an article about plans
by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID) to build BSL-2, -3, and -4 laboratories
in Frederick in cooperation with the U.S. Army Medical
Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID),
which appeared in the Montgomery Journal. She
questioned why Dr. Kindt's argument that Building 33
must be built on the NIH campus to provide "synergy"
was not a consideration for the building in Frederick.
CLC Member Questions and Comments
Dr. Gallagher said the thrust of the questions includes
worst-case scenarios in terms of both people and biological
agents, and addresses the "what if everything goes
wrong at one time?" question. Ms. Miller said the
CLC previously had asked why this laboratory has to
be at the NIH Bethesda Campus. The purpose of the risk
assessment is not to address a need for alternate locations,
but to assess the risk of the lab being at the proposed
location on the Bethesda campus. Mr. Costello offered
to formulate questions about external threat, such as
a breach of the building had not been included. It was
pointed out that issue #11 includes this type of threat.
Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont, wanted to expand the
line of questions to include what would happen if the
building were a target of a bomb, for example.
Dr. Lueders said question number four addresses what
part of Building 33 would be BSL-3 lab space. The answers
she looks for include the number of personnel or the
percentage of usable space. She said this is being asked
in order to determine why the BSL-3 lab space has to
be placed in this building instead of elsewhere. In
addition, she noted that information about disposal
of animal carcasses did not specify what animals would
be used in research. Ms. Miller said the question is:
"Why does this building have to be on this Campus?"
Dr. Lueders said the answer given by NIAID's Dr. Thomas
Kindt last year was synergy.
Ms. Rice suggested that this and other proposed NIH
expansion should be fenced, secure facilities. She suggested
the NIH consider a second campus location, because the
NIH Bethesda Campus was never built to be secure. Ms.
Rice said this work belongs at a military-type facility
such as the former Naval Surface Weapons facility on
New Hampshire Ave. [White Oak, MD].
Dr. Gallagher determined that at least a half-hour's
time each meeting should be designated to the risk assessment
process. Members agreed that all member comments between
the March and April CLC meetings should be shared with
the entire CLC, and not limited to members of the Building
33 Risk Assessment Steering Committee.
Additional Topics
by CLC Members
Dr. Ozarin asked about the status of the gas pipeline
contract. Dr. Gallagher deferred, stating that the answer
should come from Ms. Serras-Fiotes.
Stephanie Sechrist, NCPC, invited CLC members to the
next public meeting of the NCPC on the Master Plan in
the summer.
Ms. Rice introduced a member of the Locust Hill Civic
Association, Dr. Joe O'Malley, former NIH physician
and scientist from her neighborhood.
Dr. Gallagher asked for comments or corrections to
the minutes. There were none, and the minutes were approved.
The meeting was adjourned.
ACTION ITEMS
- Mr. Harper was asked to provide information to the
CLC about the types of aerators suitable for the storm
water pond.
- Mr. Harper was asked to report on his findings regarding
alternative sign materials to the standard metal type
used in County ponds.
- After the 90% design, Mr. Harper is asked to present
the storm water control facility and landscaping design
plans.
- Mr. Wilson offered to provide information to the
CLC as early as possible about plans for the Visitor
Center and parking area.
- Mr. Andres was asked to provide documentation to
the CLC about which surface parking areas are removed,
and how many spaces are provided in the planned MLP
facilities to replace the surface parking.
- The NIH OCL office was asked to send copies of the
risk assessment questions presented by Dr. Lueders
to CLC members.
- CLC members were asked to add questions and to comment
and to share their comments with other CLC members
via the OCL.
- The CLC requested OFP to provide information on
any planned review process for Building 33 and how
many people would be working in the building.
- CLC members asked for Ms. Serras-Fiotes to provide
information on the status of the gas pipeline contract.
Attending CLC Members
- Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
- Jeanne Billings, Ph.D., Wisconsin Avenue Condominium
Association
- Marilyn Clemens, M-NCPPC
- Anthony Clifford, Division of Engineering Services,
ORS, OD, NIH
- Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association
- Kimberly Cragg, OCL, OD, NIH
- Daniel M. Fox, East Bethesda Citizens Association
- Tom Gallagher, Ph.D., Director, OCL, OD, NIH
- Mort Goldman, Sc.D., Luxmanor Citizens Association
- Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
- Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens
Association
- Kira K. Lueders, Ph.D., Parkwood Residents Association
- Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
- Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association
- Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
- George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens
Association
- Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
- Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
- Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
- Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
- Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association,
NIH
- Stephanie Sechrist, NCPC
- Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center
- J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association
Guests
- Erwin N. Andres, Gorove/Slade Associates, Inc.
- Susana Arisso, Smith Group
- Giron Atruro, ORS, OD, NIH
- Craig Carson, Montgomery County DEP
- Catherine Dolinski, Gazette
- Daniel Harper, Montgomery County DEP
- Tom Hayden, ORS, OD, NIH
- Fred Heider, Athavale, Lystad, and Associates
- John Hollister, Montgomery County DEP
- Charlotte Kosmela, Smith Group
- Joseph P. O'Malley, Locust Hill Civic Association
- Ed Pfister, Environmental Compliance Officer, ORS,
OD, NIH
- Stuart Robinson, A. Martin Thomas & Associates
Inc.
- Ron Wilson, ORS, OD, NIH
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