Germantown residents and soccer enthusiasts each claimed partial victories last week when the Montgomery County Council approved a soccer complex for South Germantown Recreational Park.
Despite council approval to move forward with planning for a nearly $15 million complex, many questions still remain about the plan. However, the council made one aspect clear. The park will be constructed in phases -- with 16 fields coming first -- and the rest of the plan will not be implemented until other non-soccer recreational uses are developed.
"I have never seen an issue that has so galvanized the community," said Councilwoman Nancy Dacek (R- Dist. 2) of Darnestown, who represents the Germantown area. "I can't say often enough this is a public park and this is public land."
The non-binding 7-0 vote last Thursday means the council will consider the phased plan that could ultimately allow 24 soccer fields at the 658-acre park, located at Schaeffer Road and Route 118.
But the council only approved 16 soccer fields for the first phase plus a championship field and indoor arena that will hold two fields.
No additional soccer fields will go forward until other planned amenities at the park, such as playgrounds and an indoor tennis center, are built.
"It's somewhat of a compromise," said Susan Burdette, a park neighbor. "I still ultimately think that 24 fields is too many because I know the commotion that is created out here from just one field."
The soccer complex is a public-private partnership between the county and Maryland SoccerPlex Foundation, which has pledged to raise $10 million, including more than $600,000 for planning.
"I think things are happening to benefit both sides," said Trisha Heffelfinger, a foundation spokeswoman. "I feel that there is a true commitment and a strong commitment from the County Council and county executive to bring those facilities on for the Germantown citizens as soon as possible."
The council takes its final vote on county budget items May 29. The Montgomery County Park Commission will have to determine the cost for the recreational uses not related to soccer, which would be subject to the council's approval.
The council only technically decided to approve $100,000 in planning money for soccer facilities and another $100,000 for non-soccer facilities, with the rest of the funds to be approved next fiscal year.
Whether the council will approve the rest of the money will depend on whether the private sector will be able to commit its share of the funding.
Future funding will also depend on the outcome of studies by the Park Commission on the feasibility of the project. The county's share would be about $4.5 million.
"We should be able to have access to all the studies, all the plans and we should have input because we're the ones who live here," Burdette said.
At last Thursday's session, council members were concerned about the wording of the proposal, particularly about when the non-soccer portions of the South Germantown park would move forward. Councilman Derick Berlage (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring called it "approval with a tight leash."
The council also expressed concerns about traffic and financing, and acknowledged the worry of nearby residents, but said the complex was something that county residents wanted.
"We support soccer, and we support the complex," Dacek. "But I still have concerns about the costs. I still have questions about the SoccerPlex folks' ability to raise $10 million."
According to Heffelfinger, the foundation has received much interest in contributing to the $10 million including corporate sponsors, soccer clubs and other private contributions. She is confident the foundation can raise the money. It has pledged to do so in the next three to five years.
However, Heffelfinger also said the $10 million is based on 24 fields being built.
Traffic remains one of the biggest concerns for local residents, who fear large tournaments will jam roads and leave people trapped in their neighborhoods.
"The way we're used to living is going to be detrimentally affected by the traffic," Burdette said.
Three community meetings about the environment, traffic and non-soccer recreational uses will be held next month.
The idea of building the complex in phases was approved earlier this month by the Parks Commission and a County Council committee, subject to further study on whether that many fields can be constructed on the site, which has already been tabbed for other recreational uses.
It also has not yet been determined whether that many fields and the additional construction will be permitted under environmental guidelines, and the precise phasing of the plan has not yet been determined.
The second and the third phases were proposed to be in 2002 and 2004, and would each include four additional fields.
Thirteen fields plus various recreational uses were approved for the South Germantown Recreational Park in its master plan. Those amenities include an indoor tennis, soccer and swim center, plus playground, picnic area, miniature golf and motocross bicycle track.
"I was pleased to see the soccer facilities will be held at bay until the community needs get some recognition," said Laura Creedon, a South Germantown resident who attended the meeting.
The proposed soccer fields and other recreational amenities would be situated on a 352-acre parcel at the park. About 234 acres of that is allowed for development. If it is determined 24 soccer fields will fit and they are approved, they would take up 44 acres and require 1,800 parking spaces that would take up 12 additional acres.
"I think phase one may be too big and we may have to scale it back to build part of the community park," said Betty Ann Krahnke (R-Dist. 1) of Chevy Chase.
From the Gazette Papers