Don O'Neill Response to Village Citizen Golf Course Questionnaire

Don O'Neill response to Village Citizens survey February 23, 21014:

Dear MVF Candidate,

Village Citizens.org<http://Citizens.org> is a group of Montgomery Village residents who believe that the golf course is an asset to our community. We would like to know your opinions on the following questions, to help our community better understand your candidacy. The answers will be posted on the Village Citizens web site for all candidates that respond. Thank you again for taking the time to respond to these questions.

1. Do you believe that the 248 population credits currently available under the law are sufficient? Yes

2. Would you support a zoning text amendment that increases the average density above the current 15.0 per acre? No

3. Do you support the County's plans for the widening of Goshen Road? No

4. Do you support the M-83 "build" alternatives for improving traffic flow on MD-355? Yes

5. Would you support the hiring of an independent traffic consultant to study traffic flow issues affecting Montgomery village? No

6. Do you believe that the plans by Monument Realty will improve the value of housing prices of all the other residents in Montgomery Village? No

7. Have you ever golfed at the MV Golf Club? No

8. Do you support limited development on the front 4 acres of the MVGC property with between 200 and 300 residential units and a zoning text amendment that accommodates this? Yes, within the limit of remaining population credits. I oppose any increase in the Town Sector Zone.

9. Do you support the Monument Realty plans to build on all 80 of the non-floodplain acres of the MVGC property? No

10. Do you support building a Rockville-Town Center style redevelopment in the Village Center property, with 600 to 800 residential units? No

11. Do you see revitalizing the Montgomery Village Center and developing the golf course as two different issues? No

12. Do you believe that the MVF should borrow money for investment or improvements in the local community when necessary? Yes, when considered necessary by the residents of Montgomery Village not simply the MVF Board.

13. Do you believe that the additional residences in any new MVGC development (large or small) and Village Center development should be supported only on the condition that they become integrated with and a part of the MV community, including payment of designated user fees? Yes

14. Would you support borrowing funds for investment into the MV community and amenities, with repayment based on the income stream from new residences added through MVGC and Village Center development? Yes

15. If the 18 fairways of the MVGC property become available for sale, would you support its purchase by MVF to become a permanent part of the MVF amenities and operations? Yes

16. Would you support continuation of golf as a public amenity in Montgomery Village, with both daily and membership based pricing options? Yes

17. Do you support spending nearly $1.5M to renovate a swimming pool, even though all 7 pools provide less than $25,000 per year in annual revenue to the MVF budgets? No

In 200 words or less, please feel free to add any comments you feel are relevant to your candidacy. Thank you!

I have made my position on the MVGC clear in my February 21, 2014 MV News letter to the editor. I recap that position below.

What does the Village want from the developer? 

1. Acknowledgment of the Kettler commitment to retain the golf course, the written documentation to that effect held by purchasers adjacent to the golf course, and the lot premiums paid by those purchasers.

2. Commitment to operate the golf course for the next ten years through 2025 and perform the deferred maintenance needed to renovate the clubhouse.

3. Provide sports fields, sports toilets, and a sports concession stand equivalent to those planned for South Valley Park, thereby, returning it to an environmental preserve. 

4. Scale back development plans from 550-600 houses to 200-300 homes.

What does the developer want?

1. MVF invitation to become part of MVF. 

2. MVF acceptance of the Town Sector Zone amendment it needs to build 550-600 houses. 

What outcome does the Village want? 

1. Keep the golf course a golf course 

2. Keep the number of homes at 200-300 not 550-600

3. Oppose the Town Sector Zone amendment

Don O'Neill

2014 MVF BOD Candidate