A County Council committee Monday gave a cautious approval for a soccer complex at South Germantown Recreational Park, but wants more study before it allows 24 fields to be built.
The three members of the council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee decided unanimously Monday to approve the first of a three-phase plan that ultimately may allow 24 soccer fields at the 658-acre park off Schaeffer Road and Route 118.
The committee agreed that final approval will not come until after facility planning is completed.
The first phase of the plan is expected to be complete in 2001. It would include 16 fields plus a championship field and indoor arena. The second and third phases, to be completed in 2002 and 2004, would each include four additional fields.
But the committee wants the Montgomery County Parks Commission to submit a project description for other recreational amenities already approved in the 1996 park master plan before it agrees to move ahead with all 24 fields.
South Germantown residents, who fear soccer will replace other planned projects for the park, have argued equity issues with county planners since the plan's inception.
"I don't feel the current master plan should be displaced to make room for more soccer fields," said Laura Creedon, a South Germantown resident who attended Monday's meeting.
Thirteen fields plus various recreational uses were approved for the South Germantown park more than a year ago. Those amenities include an indoor tennis, soccer and swim center, plus playground, picnic area, miniature golf and motocross bicycle track.
Committee members will ask the council to spend $100,000 to have that planning completed.
"It does seem to me that to build the soccerplex, even phase one, without providing the master plan facilities or at least a share of those facilities would not be right," said Chairman William E. Hanna Jr. (D-Dist. 3) of Rockville. "For me, I'm going to have to see a plan that shows how some of the master plan facilities get some fair play."
Councilmen Derick Berlage (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring and Neal Potter (D-At large) of Chevy Chase also serve on the committee.
The committee also will ask that a business plan for operations at the complex be submitted with the plans for the park.
The county wants a detailed business plan because of the public-private partnership with Maryland SoccerPlex Foundation, a consortium of private individuals and soccer groups that pledged to raise $10 million to open the park.
The group always has supported the full 24-soccer field plan, but only within any environmental constraints, according to Trisha Heffelfinger of the foundation.
The proposed soccer fields and other recreation amenities would be situated on a 352-acre parcel at the park -- about 234 acres of that is allowed for development. If 24 soccer fields are approved it would take up 44 acres of space and require 1,800 parking spaces that would take 12 acres.
The committee's decision seems to have brought the two sides -- soccer enthusiasts and South Germantown residents -- a little closer to compromise.
"We see this as a win-win for everybody," Heffelfinger said following Monday's decision. "In Germantown, now they've got a commitment from the County Council and the county executive to find ways to bring the other facilities on board."
The full council is expected to take up the issue later this month. Councilwoman Nancy Dacek (R-Dist. 2) of Darnestown, who represents upcounty residents, sat in on Monday's vote.
"I think it's important to keep these tournaments and this soccer within a scope everyone can handle," Dacek said. "I support a public-private partnership; I support 16 fields in the first phase. We also have to understand this is public land and a public park."
Meanwhile, county planners will work to determine the solutions to many of the unanswered questions that still loom as potential obstacles.
Work is being performed to assess the environmental affects on the area and will determine this spring whether 24 fields will fit with other uses at the site. Additionally, the county wants traffic studies to take place that will give a more accurate assessment of its implications during tournament play.
"I think our voice is starting to be heard," Creedon said.
Three community meetings will be held this month to discuss issues about the environment, traffic and the other master plan recreational facilities. Maryland SoccerPlex Foundation, community members, outside consultants, park and planning staff and county officials will attend the meetings. Dates and times will be announced.
From the Gazette Papers