As a development proposal at Bethesda’s Farm Women’s Market nears a review by county planners, business owners are becoming antsy about its potential impact.
Earlier this month, 24 businesses signed and sent a petition to county government agencies urging caution in development on two parking lots near the market that are often used by patrons frequenting other shops and restaurants.
“I think they’re going to kill our business,” said Fu Cheung, owner of House of Foong Lin, a Chinese restaurant on Willow Lane. “Without parking during the project I can’t do my business at this corner.”
The two county-owned parking lots total 315 spaces and are at capacity six days a week, according to the petition sent to the Montgomery County Planning Board, County Council, County Department of Transportation and Town of Chevy Chase.
Developers intend to provide the same amount of parking spaces in an underground lot, according to preliminary plans, but business owners say they fear that proposal will change during the project’s approval process.
The businesses urged the parking lots, both set to be replaced by mixed-use buildings, be restored with the same number of spaces and only one lot be developed at a time to offset the strain of lost parking.
In early September, development company EYA presented information during a community meeting about the proposal to build multifamily housing, townhomes and retail space on a collection of properties, including the two parking lots, in an effort to revitalize the historic Farm Women’s Market.
The plan would feature a 70-foot-tall building running nearly the full length of what’s now the parking lot behind the market, extending to Leland Street behind the Ford Building at 7101 Wisconsin Ave.
Eighteen townhomes would stand on what’s now Parking Lot 10, according to the new proposal. Also included in plans is a 175-foot high-rise.
The development proposal is set to be considered by the county Planning Board in February.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
