Northwood News ♦ June 2002

Hearing is Postponed for KFC Drive-Through

As reported in earlier issues of the Northwood News, NFCCA has joined other civic associations to oppose the application of TriCon Global/KFC to squeeze a drive-through restaurant in the back parking lot of the Woodmoor Center directly across from Blair High School and next to several single family homes.  The fight against Kentucky Fried Chicken’s request for a special exception to the zoning ordinance continues.  A petition with more than 1,200 signatures in opposition has been sent to the Board of Appeals.  Over one hundred letters from residents and others have been sent to the Board’s chairman Donald H. Spence asking that the application be denied.

As a result of the pressure from the community, KFC has requested and obtained a revised hearing date before the Board of Appeals:  the hearing is now set for either July 2 or 9.  There will also be a public hearing at the Planning Board on Thursday, June 13, possibly in the evening.  It appears that KFC is changing some aspects of the restaurant’s design, although all indications are that it still will not pass muster with either the zoning requirements or the community’s wishes.  More information can be had by attending our meeting on June 12 or calling NFCCA president Ken Hawkins.

Voices from the community carry a lot of weight in these matters.  Please write a letter to the Board of Appeals expressing your feelings about this issue, and plan to attend and testify at the July hearing if you can.  To confirm the hearing date, or for more information, call the Board of Appeals at 240.777.6600.

Letters should mention the Case Number, S-2505, and be sent to:  Mr. Donald H. Spence, Jr., Chairman, Montgomery County Board of Appeals, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Room 217, Rockville, MD 20850.

Copies of letters should also be sent to the lead staff person at the Montgomery County Planning Board for this case:  Mr. Joel Gallihue, Montgomery County Planning Board, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.   ■