The Mayor and City Council and Planning Commission conducted a Joint Public Hearing on June 17, 2024 on the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall property by WRS, Inc. followed by a Joint Work Session with the Mayor and City Council and Planning Commission that was held on July 8, 2024. Video of the meeting can be seen below. followed by renderings of what is proposed for the area.
The Planning Commission will hold their record open until 5 P.M. on August 23, 2024 with anticipated recommendation to the Mayor and City Council on September 4, 2024. The Mayor and City Council will hold their record open until 5 P.M. on September 11, 2024 with anticipated policy discussion and final action on September 26, 2024. Comments on this application may either be mailed to 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877 or emailed to [email protected].
WRS, Inc. submitted a Schematic Development Plan application SDP-9736-2024 proposing to redevelop the existing Lakeforest Mall property with 1,600 residential units, 750,000 square feet of employment uses, 250,000 square feet of large format retail, and 220,000 square feet of commercial uses. Ahead of the Joint Work Session, WRS. Inc. presented the following:
“The redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site will create a modern, social place, one that gestures outwards to reconnect surrounding neighborhoods, knits together living, working, and play into vibrant and diverse community, interconnected through ponds, canopies, parks and plazas. We envision a future for Lakeforest…. with a collection of individual neighborhoods that share a network of open spaces dispersed throughout linked with an enjoyable, human-scale walkable environment with equitable options for residents to grow.
Sense of Place is an attribute that is generated by; a) the built environment of buildings and the spaces between them and, (b) the people that live in, work from, and visit these. Very successful places mix uses both horizontally and vertically within blocks and in buildings that foster activity on the sidewalks and in the open spaces that surround them.
Housing variety is a key component of mix. Housing should provide opportunities for a broad range of residents, both families and individuals; and age groups, both young and old. Properly integrated with other uses, housing can address lifestyle needs to create a community that fosters civic awareness, eyes on the street, and social interaction. The ease and security embedded in the design of such places are what make them better than good.
Housing variety is a key component of mix. Housing should provide opportunities for a broad range of residents, both families and individuals; and age groups, both young and old. Properly integrated with other uses, housing can address lifestyle needs to create a community that fosters civic awareness, eyes on the street, and social interaction. The ease and security embedded in the design of such places are what make them better than good.”
