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Community Liaison Council Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2003, 4–6 p.m.
Natcher Conference Center, Building 45, Conference Room D
DRAFT


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 insects—dragonflies and beetles—as 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 quad–fire 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