Comments on Annexation war pits Gaithersburg against Rockville - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Richard Layman

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:52:45 EDT

cf. Hyattsville, which has been pretty aggressive with annexation. 2. the disadvantage of annexation for residents is much higher property taxes compared to being in unincorporated sections of the county (in either PG or Montgomery).

you make the point about planning. My line about this is a riff on Pasteur's "chance favors the prepared mind." Mine is "chance favors the prepared city."

But it's not really chance as much as it is as happenstance and circumstances providing opportunities that without plans are very difficult to take advantage of.

http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-will-obama-relate-to-district.html

Comment by Tom

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:51:23 EDT

Mr. Malouff, thanks for your comment on Gaithersburg Patch in response to Councilman Moore of Rockville. While I dont agree with the conflict this will cause between Gaithersburg and Rockville, it was a very informative piece. I just wish you included a direct link to your article. Again thanks.

Comment by Bob

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:03:01 EDT

And actually, I should point out that NIST only occupies the portion (of the central pink zone in the map above) South/West of I-270. The small triangle North and East of I-270 is residential, mostly apartment complexes. While that could be annexed, it just has never happened. There's no particular incentive for the City or property owner to pursue that at this time, although I don't think the County would mind if the City took it off their hands. Perhaps if the owners decide to redevelop some day in the future...

Comment by Bob

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:54:10 EDT

kk,

That isn't "empty". That's NIST, it belongs to the Federal Government. There really wouldn't be much point in annexing it into the City.

Comment by kk

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:36:23 EDT

Whats with the giant empty spot in the middle of Gaithersburg how in the heck did that happen ?

Comment by Bob

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:31:47 EDT

Jim T.: Sears approached Gaithersburg requesting the annexation, so I think that answers your question.

Comment by Gaithersburger

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:46:36 EDT

Go G-burg!

Comment by Jasper

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:10:01 EDT

As long as Rockville an Gaithersburg do not have tanks shooting at each other, it's not a war. Calling this bureaucratic kerfuffle a war is a bigger cliche than complaining about misleading political ads.

There should at least be a tug of war as between The Maritime Republic of Eastport and Annapolis.

http://www.themre.org/index.html

Comment by Frank IBC

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:20:48 EDT

Interesting. I've always thought that Rockville and Gaithersburg should have nice clean boundaries along Randolph/Montrose Road and Shady Grove Road, but I see that they've both anticipated this.

Comment by Bossi

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:06:57 EDT

This is why my long-term plan includes annexing the entire county. And then the state. And then... THE WORLD.

Comment by Jim Titus

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:58:48 EDT

Which town do the owners favor? Why wouldn't that be the deciding factor?