Mayr &couel esting Date: Ober 7.2038
aca te Type: Public Hesing
‘Response sa ey Wash
Subject
Public Hearing on a Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Between Montgomery County
Public Schools (MCPS) and the City of Rockville for Operation of Soccer Fields and Lights at
Julius West Middle Schoo), 651 Great Falls Road
Recommendation
Hold the Public Hearing,
Discussion
‘Background
In June 2016, the Montgomery County Board of Education approved a settlement agreement
with Montgomery Soccer, Inc, (MSI), following a lawsuit. As part of this agreement, MSI
contributes funding forthe construction of new artificial tur fields with fights at several schools
within the County in exchange for access tothe fields wnen notin use by the schools. One of
‘the schools dented in the agreement is lulus West Middle School
Mandatory Referral Review
In February 2018, Montgomery County Public Schools submitted a Mandatory Referral
application (ST2018-00340) to convert two natural grass fields into two artificial turf soccer
fields on the north of the school, adjacent to -270. The proposal includes the addition of 10,
poles of 60 feet to 70 feetin height to provide lighting for both fields.
‘The project location Is atthe northeast intersection of Falls Road and 1-270, with a Forest
Conservation Easement separating the fields from the interstate, The larger of the two fields
{totals approximately 103,490 square feet in area and will contain 6 lights with a maximum pole
helght of 70 feet. The smaler of the two felds totals $8,441 square feet in area and will contain
4 lights with 2 maximum pole height of 60 feet. Other miscellaneous improvements include
benches for the smaller fied, and modifications tothe existing “running loop” around the larger
field. There is no plan to provide any signage, scoreboards, amplified sound systems or
{randstands, nor are thereany improvements to the school building proposed as a result ofthe
project.
‘The proposed soccer fields were shown on the mandatory referral site plan approved in 2018forthe building addition to Julius West MS in the same location; however, there were no lights
associated with the 2014 plan, The proposed lights willbe placed along the north and south
sides of the two fields. lafermation provided with the 2018 application indicates that the
project will comply with the Landscaping, Screening, and Lighting Manual requirement for an
‘average illumination of S0-foot candies for soccer flelds. The lights are designed to focus
downivards to mitigate glace ond spillage onto adjacent properties. The closest residential
properties to the proposed felds are the homes across Falls Road on Marcus Court in the
Markwood neighborhood, which ate approximately 225 feet from the larger of the two
proposed fields. The townhomes alang Blaze Climber Way in Rose Hills Falls are approximately
20 feet from the northwest corner of the smaller field
‘The prolect was reviewed and approved as a Mandatory Referral in accordance with applicable
state law governing the construction of public buildings and structures. The Planning
Commission's review determined consistency with the Plan as definad under Section 3.205 of
the Land Use Anticle of the Annotated Code of Maryland, specifically as it relates to location,
character, and extent of the proposed site development.
[tthe Planning Commission meeting in Apil, 2028, here were concerns expressed by residents
from surrounding neighborhoods that the new fields with artificial turf and lighting wil ead to
an increased ulllzation of the fiekés. The concer 1s that the proposed improvements will
‘Significantly increase activity beyond the current usage, thus negatively Impacting surrounding
neighborhoods in terms of additional traffic and parking on neighborhood streets, 35 well a5,
Impacts from the lighting fivtures shining on residential dwellings.
‘The Planning Commission approved the mendstory ceferral application on April 4 2038, subject
to certain conditions, Including that site Improvements be made in accordance with the plans
submitted, and that all construction meet relevant code requirements (see Attachment A
Pr lemorandum of ding MOU)
‘A condition of approval elso requires that MCPS enter into an MOU with the City to monitor
Impacts associated with tratfic, nse, lighting, and to set limits on the hours of operation for
the use of the fields. The MOU is to include joint mitigation measures to address future impacts
‘that may arse in any ofthe areas of possible impact,
[MCPS and City staff have worked on the draft MOU dated September 25, 2019 (see Attachment
8) to address possible future impacts assoclated with traffic, parking, noise, lighting and hours
‘of operation. This MOU applies to the use ofthe soccer fields and has focused on their use by
MSI, which will also enter into @ field use agreement with MCPS. Additionally, staff has
discussed the use of the fields by other organizations, which is controlled by the County's
Community Use of Public Facies [CUP] offic. & representative from CUPF has informed City
staff that they dofollow the local requirements for use of the flelds. The required condition of
approval from the Planning Commission and the éraft MOU apply to the use of the fields,
regardless of the user.‘The following is 2 summary ofthe primary components of the MOU:
Project Contacts: The City and MCPS will designate Project Contacts who will oversee
implementation of the MCU; the City and MCPS will also designate contacts to handle day-to-
day operational issues
Inadeition, the agreement provides access to a contact number that the ity and the public
‘may use after regular workhours regarding FIELDS use through the after-hours protocol for
CCUPF, The CUPF website drects users to a phone number for concerns needing attention after
hours. This number can be accessed atthe following link:
htos://wwew.montgomerycountymd .ov/cupt/info-other /wforms/cupftrack. html
Hours of Operation: The proposed hours of operation would be after school dismissal until 9:45,
zm. on weekdays, and from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 p.m. on weekends, holidays and school breaks.
In discussions with staf to address community concerns, MSI has agreed that no games would
begin prior to 8:00 a.m, although game preparations are permitted to occur prior to 8:00 a.m.
In addition, the MOU states thatthe lights will not be used between 8:45 p.m, and 8:002.m
Lighting: Lighting will be centrolled by MCPS, and focused downward to eliminate spillage onto
nearby properties. It wll automatically turn off at 9:45 p.m; there will be no dimming period
prior to cut-off, The lighting is subject tothe criteria set forth inthe Landscaping, Screening and
Lighting Manual related to soccer Ned lighting,
Staff discussed with MCPS and MSI whether the lights could be cut off at an earlier time in
response to residents’ requests. MSI responded that they need to keep the 8:45 p.m. ending,
given their financial investmont in the fields. This ending time is one hour and fifteen minutes
more restrictive than the 11:00 p.m. ending time that the City’s code currently allows. In
Addition, this Is the same timeframe that was discussed during the Planning Commission
discussion of this item in April 2018, It was noted during this discussion that other City and
[MCPS athletic fields in Rachie are lt unt a late as 11:00 p.m.
Porking: The use ofthe onsite parking spaces Isto be manimized for the MSI use ofthe field, as,
2 total of 240 spaces are provided, (including up to 108 spaces to be striped within the bus loop
area). MCPS will require that MSI provide parking information to fold users, Including parking
alternatives available. Bott MSI and MCPS will monitor game attendance and the related
parking situation.
For events that may exceed the use of the 240 onsite spaces, the MOU requires that 20 days
advance notice be provided by MSI to the City and MCPS. The MOU Includes terms that require
a plan for overflow parking and traffic management. Options for the plan may include the use
‘of offsite parking lots, 2 parking attendant, participant drop-off instructions and
communication with partidpants at the event, implementing a shuttle service, and hiring an
off-duty police officer to manage traffic along Great Falls Road. The plan must be provided to
and approved by MCPS and the City Project Contacts. This wording has been modified toprovide some flexibility on what options are used; however, the plan for managing parking and
traffic must still be approved by the City.
Noise: MCPS will require that MSI and any other users of the facility comply with the
Montgomery County Noise Regulations, as these apply within the corporate limits of Rockville,
Tere shall Be no amplified sound system used atthe falas.
(Mitigation Processes: The partes commit to regular meetings and phone calls to discuss the
issues and any other concorns. These would be held monthly forthe fist six months ofthe field
use, and then the frequency would be adjusted as needed. The parties agree to monitor the
Impacts of parking, lights, noise and communication, and to discuss any disagreements in these
areas in good faith in order to reach a solution. The attached agreement refers to a single
representative from Rose sil, Rose Hill Falls, New Mark Commons, Markwood, and West End
Citizens Association who will be invited to participate in the regular meetings and/or
conference calls
Restroom Facilities: Portate toilets may not be used without approval of the City and MCPS.
The use of restroom facilites within Julius West MS may be arranged through CUPF, and will be
included in the Field Use Agreement with MSI
Field Use Agreement with ASI: MCPS wil provide the City wth a copy ofthe executed Field Use
[Agreement with MSI, as well as any changes. MSI's use schedule for the fields will also be
provided.
Staff supports the attached MOU. Staff belleves the MOU addresses many of the concems
‘expressed by the communty to date, and provides for mechanisms to address future concems
as they arise,
Mayor and Council History
‘hiss the fist time the iten is before the Mayor and Coun.
Public Notification and Engagement
Representatives from MCPS met with the Rose Hills Falls Neighborhood Association on January
23, 2018 and the West End Citizens Association on March 8, 2018. Concerns were expressed
with regards to the proposed lighting, as well as the potential for impact from increased trafic
and parking demand. It was expressed that the addition of lighting. at this location was a
potential incompatibiity er the adjacent neighborhoods. At the City's request, MICPS provided
written notification to surrounding property owners and homeowners associations in advance
of the meeting.
During the development of the attached agreement, the City staff held a meeting with
neighborhood representatives from WECA and Rose Hil Falls at their request to hear concerns
they had so we could share them with MCPS and MSI staff. We also attended a meeting hosted
bby MCPS staff and these neighborhood representatives to review their concerns.MCPS also conducted a rublic meeting on Wednesday, September 18, 2018, and a number of
‘operational concems were expressed by residents, including parking on neighborhood streets
and traffic congestion on Great Falls Road during events, access to restroom facilities, and
establishing a more reasonable start time for use of the fields than sunrise. A continuing
‘concern was for the lghts and thelr hours of operation, with neighbors supporting a shut-off
{ume of 8:00 pam. MCPS and MSI maintained that the proposed shut-off time should remain at
9:45 pum. Another concein was for security at games and tournaments, given the number of
attendees that will be on the school property. CUPF responded that they have guidelines for
‘when users are required to provide security, and that any users ofthe fields would be required
to follow those guidelines. If there are any safety issues that arise from the use of the fields,
CCUPF can require the user to provide security.
‘An ad was placed in the Washington Post for this public hearing, and written notice to the
Surrounding property owners was provided by the City.
Boards and Commissions Review
‘The Planning Commission reviewed and approved the Mandatory Referral application STP2018.
{00340 on April 4, 2018. implementing the MOU is 2 condition of approval.
Next Steps
Discussion and instruction: to Staff and Possible Approval ofthe MOU is scheduled for October
21, 2019,
‘Attachments
Planning Commission Approval Letter (PDF)
|MCPS-Rockville MOU DRAFT September 27, 2019 (D0CX)
Attachments
Planning Commission Approval Letter (PDF)
IMCPS-Rockville MOU DRAFT (DOC)
Jenny Kimball, i obciy chy Hanae Tos