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Community Liaison Council Meeting
Minutes
November 17, 2005, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Visitor Information Center, Building 45 (Natcher Building)
National Institutes of Health
HANDOUTS
- November 2005—NIH News in Health
- NIH Master Plan 2003 Update—Aerial Photograph (Bethesda
Campus)
- Question listing for the Maryland State Highway Administration
(SHA)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
By John T. Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, OD, NIH
Mr. Burklow welcomed Lee Starkloff of the State Highway Administration
(SHA). He pointed out that this was the first time SHA had
attended and presented to the Council at a CLC meeting. SHA
is present to discuss various parts of the NIH security system
that have a direct impact on traffic flow.
PRESENTATIONS
State Highway Administration (SHA)
By Lee Starkloff, Assistant District Engineer for Traffic
As an overview, Mr. Starkloff explained that the SHA has
concentrated on fixing and exploring smaller level improvements
to help improve capacity and safety, rather than major alterations.
The new left turn signal at Cedar Lane, just prior to the
495/355 interchange is one example. He said they understood
how bad the stretch of 355 was from Cedar into Bethesda, but
that a major change would be a slow process. Neither the county
nor the state has this on their priority list. Instead, the
focus is on doing little things to improve traffic flow. He
explained that the intersection at Cedar was one of most congested
in Montgomery County, and that the signal there processes
about as much traffic as possible without an interchange.
The result is long lines, early lines, etc. Something similar
happens at Pooks Hill Road. Mr. Starkloff also explained that
several projects were on hold because of the possibility of
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which is currently being studied.
If the BRT moves forward, that would assist in removing vehicles
from this corridor.
A council member asked what the current rush hour capacity
was on Wisconsin Avenue heading south. Mr. Starkloff answered
that capacity for this area is approximately 1,900 vehicles
per lane per hour, and currently 355 carries around 1,200
vehicles per lane, per hour. This estimate is roughly the
same heading north. Traffic is a little heavier in the morning
south bound and a little heavier in the afternoon northbound.
A council member asked how the traffic flows will be affected
when employees from Walter Reed Army Medical Center are placed
at the National Naval Medical Center. Mr. Starkloff answered
that he did not think it was possible to make projections
without more information from Walter Reed and the Naval Hospital.
With projections of an annual 3 percent growth rate of traffic
per year, the state is aware of the possibility that the traffic
flows on area roads will significantly increase. With approximately
2,000 NIH visitors each day, a council member asked if the
new traffic flow for the NIH Gateway Visitor Center would
affect rush hour. Mr. Starkloff explained that because the
projections did not show any concentration during rush hours,
the new NIH security system and Gateway Visitor Center would
most likely not affect traffic at these times.
A discussion followed about alternatives for visitors returning
to the Beltway after leaving the NIH campus, since drivers
will be required to only make a right turn exit out of the
campus. One suggestion made was that vehicles go to Battery
Lane and make a U-turn. Another suggestion for motorists would
be for them to use Old Georgetown Road to access the Beltway.
One concern was that when visitors come out of the new visitor's
center, they might try to cross all lanes and then do a U-turn.
This maneuver, it was agreed, could increase the likelihood
of accidents. One suggestion was that this be prohibited.
Mr. Starkloff said the state could study how many were doing
this, but he thought the average driver would do something
different. Ron Wilson suggested it might be possible to provide
information at the visitor's center about the preferred method
of returning to the Beltway. The Council agreed that somehow
a conscious effort to prevent this needed to be made. Ginny
Miller expressed concern that traffic might be diverted down
the narrow Bethesda streets where people unfamiliar with the
area were likely to get lost. She wondered if a signal could
be put in at the intersection. Mr. Starkloff explained that
this was difficult, because signals any closer to an existing
signal than 700–800 feet did not work well. He said the
state would look at the possibilities, but it was difficult
because much was on hold with the BRT study.
Mr. John Dattoli commented that Mr. Starkloff was correct
and the study did not indicate any increased visitor traffic
flow during peak hours. In addition, NIH visitor badge usage
data supported the claim that we are not expecting a big rush-hour
visitor bulge on Rockville Pike. Furthermore, he explained,
his data shows that visitor traffic flow is constant, with
no morning or afternoon peaks. After the new center is finished,
he continued, visitors won't enter or exit on Old Georgetown
Road. This will relieve traffic on that side of town. Ms.
Miller suggested that traffic flow could be directed formally
with signs, or informally. George Oberlander wondered if visitors
doing their U-turns would back traffic up at Woodmont Avenue,
and expressed his concern that increasing traffic and altered
traffic patterns never follow what the studies indicate. Mr.
Starkloff agreed that they offered an educated guess, but
they could never project exactly how people would behave.
Mr. Thomas Hayden commented that visitors also do not usually
leave at the same time, but rather are staggered throughout
the day. Many visitors leave prior to the rush period and
that these numbers would not have an adverse impact on Rockville
Pike.
A member asked that if the average expected growth for this
region is 3 percent per year, would visitors and new Naval
Medical Center employees cause a greater growth rate such
as 5 percent to 7 percent. Mr. Starkloff admitted they didn't
know. The job of his office is simply to manage extra traffic
as efficiently as possible. The problems being discussed are
not unique to Maryland. What he and his office are telling
people is to consider alternatives for traveling to work.
Consider public transportation, flextime, telecommuting, etc.
The answer is not more infrastructure, because we simply cannot
build our way out of congestion.
A Council member asked what was needed to move the problems
of 355 further up on Montgomery County's priority list. Mr.
Starkloff explained that each county selects its top 10 or
12 traffic priorities and submits them to the legislature.
For the problem at 355 and Cedar to become a priority, the
county's elected officials would have to place it at the top
of their list and try to get the legislature to provide funding.
It would compete with other priorities both within Montgomery
County and between Montgomery and other counties. Randy Schools
said he thought this problem might be within the top 10 and
asked why there was no movement. Mr. Starkloff agreed that
Cedar and 355 is the most congested intersection in Montgomery
County. But, he suggested to the Council, look where this
intersection is located. All around it is residential property,
with federal property on two quadrants, etc. He said he did
not think the problem was financial, and he suggested that
maybe the project planners thought they could not alter the
intersection without wiping out a neighborhood or altering
the community. He encouraged the Council members to contact
their state congressmen and senators.
The Gateway Visitor Center is expected to change the flow
of traffic, but not the quantity of visitors coming to the
area. Mr. Oberlander suggested that an important, longer-term
issue was that of the Naval Medical Center taking the patients
and staff from Walter Reed Army Hospital. He asked if there
was any judgment of whether this would help or hinder traffic
on Wisconsin Avenue. Mr. Starkloff answered that this would
change the traffic, but there was no way at this time to know
how. He said the state and county needed to convince the Naval
Medical Center that if there was a worsening of traffic as
a result, they might need to relocate entrances or make other
changes. In other words, he suggested, that the Naval Medical
Center will need to partner with the state and county to help
the region, and not be concerned solely about their individual
property. This, Mr. Starkloff admitted, would be a challenge.
There is likely going to be more traffic than ever on Wisconsin
Avenue, and there will be no widening of the corridor. Mr.
Wilson said he had been in contact with the Naval Medical
Center and had initiated conversations with the appropriate
staff and traffic engineers.
General Updates
Gateway Center
By Ron Wilson, Acting Director, Division of Facilities Planning,
ORF, OD, NIH
Mr. Wilson stated that NIH was obligated to remove the temporary
parking lot near the temporary Visitor Center at the Metro
Station and restore the area to its original condition, as
stated in the approved Maryland permit. He assured the Council
that the pedestrian pathway would be maintained and lighted,
and that access to campus would still be possible from the
Visitor Center area. The handicapped ramp would have to be
removed for construction, but the path would remain, even
though construction activity would continue in the area. This
will be handled so there will be no safety problems. Mr. Wilson
also informed the Council that the Gateway construction required
the erecting of a crane on the site. He pointed out that it
would be a major feature, and wanted to alert the Council
that it would be there. He did not think it would affect movement
into campus. Mr. Oberlander asked how close the crane would
be to Rockville Pike. Mr. Wilson answered that it would be
roughly 150 feet. A further question was if it would swing
over the Pike, and concern was expressed that people would
slow down to see what was happening. Mr. Wilson said that
no material would be suspended over the Metro, the childcare
center, or the pathway. Mr. Oberlander asked how long the
crane would be in place, and Mr. Wilson answered that it would
stay probably until the Gateway Center was completed. Ralph
Schofer commented that the building would not be very high,
so he did not think the crane needed to be very high either.
Ms. Miller wondered if any other parking lots were still to
be returned to green space, and Mr. Wilson answered that there
were at least four others to be completed over the next four
to five months. He also mentioned the small former tennis
court, and a temporary parking lot west of the day care center
was being torn out and returned to grass. Mr. Wilson added
that some re-seeding might be required because of winter's
wear and tear when warm weather comes. He said it would all
be done by the end of June.
Noise Abatement
By Kenny Floyd, ORS, OD, NIH
Mr. Floyd informed the Council that the first meeting of
the noise study group with the acoustical contractor had recently
taken place. During this meeting the acoustical contractor
had agreed to communicate with community members who had current
noise issues in addition to reviewing previous complaints,
in order to identify where to make the noise readings. They
plan to select 12 off-campus locations to measure ambient
noise. On campus, they will place a grid of monitors or noise
meters so that data can be collected across the entire campus.
These meters will be in place for at least a week so that
all time periods will be monitored. Lesley Hildebrand asked
why there would be 12 stations, and wondered if more might
be needed off campus. Mr. Burklow asked if community members
were likely to see the contractors. Mr. Floyd answered that
the community would probably see them both in the placement
and the monitoring of the measurement sites. He explained
that if the community members saw devices that from a distance
resembled a handgun, they were most likely the noise monitors.
Mr. Burklow suggested that the neighbors needed to know precisely
when and where these measurement stations would be to ensure
that the community is not surprised by the visitors.
Discussion followed on the importance of studying both the
west side and the south of the campus, in addition to informing
the community where the selected monitoring sites would be
located. Mr. Schofer wanted to know how long the monitoring
would continue. Mr. Floyd assured the Council that this would
be over a sufficient period of time, not just a few hours,
to ensure that all times of the day and night, and both weekend
and weekdays were measured. He further suggested that the
neighbors would need to assist in the process by keeping children
and animals from interfering. Ms. Miller said this all brought
back bad memories of their five-year fight to get the Beltway
sound barriers installed. She thought it necessary to approach
the study by looking at places where the complaints had been
made. Mr. Floyd assured the Council that they were well represented
on the study group and asked Council study group members to
collect the neighborhoods' concerns. Mr. Oberlander asked
what standards would apply after the data were collected.
Mr. Floyd answered that both county and NIH standards had
been established, and that they were very similar, though
they varied slightly, depending on the time of day. Mr. Burklow
expressed concern about whether the contractors would use
standard protocol. Mr. Floyd assured the Council that these
contractors had done many similar studies and that expertise
will help them to identify noise mitigation strategies.
South Lawn Project
By Tony Clifford, Chief Engineer, ORF, OD, NIH
Tony Clifford informed the Council that much of the temporary
construction chain link fence had now been removed. With the
nice weather, many people had been out, enjoying the lawn
with their kids, playing touch football, etc. People were
starting to use the area. He reported that on November 1st,
he had met with Steve Sawicki and a neighbor, and they had
walked around the north lawn. They had noted several features
of the lawn that aroused safety concerns. These include the
tilt from north to south and the swale area to the south,
and Mr. Sawicki wondered why the swale was not further south
to allow more field area. Could it possibly even be moved
to the east side to allow different grading? Mr. Clifford
assured the Council he was talking to the engineers about
these concerns, costs to fix the problems, etc. He promised
ongoing discussion with Mr. Sawicki and said he will report
back as more information becomes available. Mr. Clifford asked
Mr. Burklow to walk around the area with him.
Mr. Sawicki commented that perhaps the fence had come down
too soon in the area where construction is still ongoing.
He found it was still spongy from pooling runoff, and he had
sprained his ankle while walking through the area. He suggested
it was still not safe because there was a bit of a retaining
pond in that sector from poor drainage. He thought the situation
was making for hazards; you really cannot run and play on
the south lawn as had been expected. Two areas really need
to be more level, and the ditch on the southern side is especially
problematic. Solving this, Mr. Sawicki suggested, would increase
the recreation area because right now people must be really
careful, and it would be good to accomplish this in the near
future.
NIH/OCL Progress Matrix
By John T. Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, NIH
Mr. Burklow asked Ms. Amy Blackburn for an update on Council
member comments on the Progress Matrix. Ms. Blackburn reported
that she had received a few comments and those had been incorporated
already. She hoped more members would add their comments and
asked that they be sent to her. She commented that this Matrix
could serve as an educational effort, especially for new members
to learn about the issues dealt with previously by the Council.
Mr. Burklow updated the Council on the search for a new director.
He said that the job announcement was closed and a number
of people had applied. He noted, however, the Department of
Health and Human Services had just announced a freeze on all
on outside hires. This, he said may limit their ability to
fill the position. He nonetheless expected interviews to begin
in early January. Mr. Burklow said it was well understood
that the director needed unmediated access to NIH Director
Dr. Zerhouni, to avoid bottlenecks that might result otherwise.
Mr. Burklow assured the Council that CLC members would be
on the review committee. He also announced to the Council
that this was Anita Linde's last CLC meeting because she was
taking on new position within the agency. He thanked her for
a job well done and noted that other staff would fill in to
maintain the continuity of operations.
Mr. Burklow reported that the policy of prohibiting minors
less than 16 years of age from entering campus unaccompanied
by an adult had been reviewed, and a decision was made to
stay with the current limits. This, he said, is consistent
with other federal agencies. The OCL will ensure that everybody
has copies of the perimeter shuttle schedule, which begins
operations at 6:15 a.m. The number of riders averages around
105 per day. The shuttles run about every 15 minutes, with
approximately one minute between stops. All drivers have been
asked to stop at every stop and open the doors. The perimeter
shuttle carried some 1,600 riders in the month of October.
Janice Marks said she had talked to her group and was surprised
that nobody knew about the service. Mr. Burklow replied that
because so many changes had occurred, he did not find this
surprising, and that there is a real need to make sure the
information is available to surrounding communities.
CLC ROUND ROBIN
Mr. Schofer expressed his concern that pedestrians crossing
Wilson Lane have a conflict with vehicles. The visibility
there is limited, and it can be difficult to tell when there
is a green light. He suggested that this problem needed to
be resolved. Tom Hayden, ORF, OD, NIH, noted that several
steps could be taken, such as increasing the bulb wattage,
removing the gazebo, and taking away the dirt pile. Possibly
additional lighting might be added on the NIH side. Within
five to seven months, the intersection will be include a walk/no
walk cross light. Mr. Schofer suggested that the solution
was needed now, because people can't cross safely.
Ms. Hildebrand reported that she knew of two bicycles, used
by teenagers, that had been stolen during the same week from
the Metro station. NIH Police are aware of these incidents
and are investigating the matter.
Mr. Burklow mentioned that the previous week had been very
busy for the NIH. President Bush came to Natcher for the Avian
Flu plan, and this was followed by the visit of Prince Charles
and the Duchess of Cornwall, who came to the Clinical Center.
He understood the traffic problems generated by these events.
He suggested that commuters use the NIH AM radio station and/or
look for visual signs to alert them to future impacts on traffic.
Mr. Hayden noted that he will be reactivating a committee
which includes county and metro governments to deal with the
Walter Reed Medical Center closing and the Naval Medical Center's
expected growth as a result. At this time, we don't know when
this group will be formed, or how many people will be involved.
Mr. Schools announced that the nine acres of land at Strathmore
used for the summer NIH film festival will continue to be
green space. It was slated to be used for new housing, but
with NIH input, Centrex Homes has decided not to build on
the property and they have deed it to Montgomery County. It
will now continue to available for the film festival and other
community events.
The next meeting of the CLC will be on December 15. Mr. Burklow
announced that the December meeting would include an update
on Building 33 and an update on perimeter security by Mr.
Dattoli. Also, he noted, the meeting would include the annual
end of year celebration.
ADJOURNMENT
The formal meeting ended at 5:55 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
- CLC members will continue to study the Matrix and send
comments to Ms. Blackburn.
- Review of applicants for the OCL Director position will
continue and CLC members will be asked to join the review
committee.
- Mr. Floyd will continue to work with the CLC members and
the contractor on the comprehensive review of NIH noise
problems. CLC work group members will collect neighborhood
complaints for the work group.
- Mr. Clifford will continue to work with CLC member Mr.
Sawicki on resolution of the south lawn problems.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
- Edmond J. Safra Lodge (Family Inn)
- Building 33 Update
- Perimeter Security Update
CLC Members Present
Amy J. Blackburn, OCL, OD, NIH
John Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, OD, NIH
Anthony Clifford, ORF, OD, NIH
Harvey Eisen, Ph.D., Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
Darrell Lemke, Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association
Debra Liverpool, YMCA-Bethesda
Janice Marks, Ayrlawn Community 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
Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
Randy Schools, Recreation and Welfare Association, NIH
Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center
Ron Wilson, Acting Director, DFP, ORFDO, NIH
Guests
Marin Allen, OCPL, OD, NIH
Adriana Bourgoin, Wyngate Neighbor
John Dattoli, ORS, SER, NIH
Pam Dressell, ORS, OD, NIH
Kenny Floyd, ORF, OD, NIH
Jennifer Gorman, OCPL, OD, NIH
Tom Hayden, ORF, OD, NIH
Al Hinton, Chief, NIH Police
Howard Hochman, DFP, ORFDO, NIH
Joan Kleinman, Congressman Van Hollen's Office
Anita Linde, OCPL, OD, NIH
Brad Moss, ORF, OD, NIH
Dianna Purvis, ORS, SER, NIH
Lee Starkloff, State Highway Administration
Meg Stevens, Edgemoor Neighbor
Terry Taylor, Palladian Partners, Inc.
Chris Williams, Gazette News
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