Community Meeting Minutes 06/30/2026
Summary
The Twinbrook Community Association met on June 30, 2026, opening with administrative updates including praise for the new website, a switch to Northwest Federal Credit Union with expanded payment options, and plans for the September 5th Fall Picnic, which has a $500 sponsorship from the Credit Union. The Green Team reported on the Cambridge Walk Forest Easement development, raising concerns about demolition, tree removal, and bird nesting disruptions. Public Works updates covered the city's Vision Zero traffic safety initiative, several infrastructure projects (Rollins Avenue, Lewis Avenue/Halpine Road, and the Twinbrook Metro Bridge Study), and resident concerns about cut-through traffic at specific intersections. The Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Director and Chief of Police discussed the "One Community – One Rockville" vision, emphasizing equitable services and inviting residents to upcoming listening sessions and a Community Forum. The meeting closed with announcements about volunteer cleanup efforts, a possible community walking tour, and key upcoming dates including the September 5th picnic (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM) and the September 15th open meeting.
TWINBROOK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Community Meeting Minutes
Date: June 30, 2026 | Time: 7:00 PM
1. Meet & Greet & Administrative Updates
• Meet & Greet (7:00 PM – 7:10 PM): The meeting opened with a brief session for community members to connect.
• Website Accolades (Josephine): Extended compliments and accolades for the newly updated community website, noting that it makes taking actions significantly easier and more intuitive for residents.
• Financial & Banking Updates: The association has transitioned to a new bank- Northwest Federal Credit Union. Features now include mobile check deposits, and the ability to accept payments via checks, PayPal, and credit cards.
• Fall Community Picnic (September 5th): A $500 sponsorship has been secured from the Credit Union to go toward the event. Discussion occurred regarding new welcome signage with the text 'Welcome to Twinbrook – Established 1950' or 'Since 1950'. A question was raised by a resident regarding historical verification of 1950 as the official founding year; this will be looked into further.
2. Community Resources & Linkages to Learning
• Linkages to Learning Position (Vincent): An inquiry was made regarding whether the requested 'Linkages to Learning' support position was officially granted. It was clarified that this position provides critical support staff for extra resources, including an additional counselor. Marissa expressed strong support for this vital community initiative.
3. Green Team Update
• Stacked Housing Development (Joe): Joe, Shaun, Chris, and Evan held a meeting to discuss upcoming developments, specifically focusing on the Cambridge Walk Forest Easement. Concerns were raised regarding developer autonomy and adherence to guidelines.
• City Feedback (Natasha): Natasha from the City advised keeping a tight focus on development parameters. It was noted that certain granted variances allow developers to proceed without traditional setbacks. A significant environmental concern was raised regarding developers digging down 6 feet, which cuts off root supplies and destroys mature trees. There is a strong, explicit need for preserved green space in the area.
• Housing and Demolition: Discussion took place regarding single-family homes that could potentially be torn down to construct apartment buildings. Demolition is expected to begin in a few weeks. Specific resident concerns were raised regarding the current chain-link fence on Halpine Road, as well as potential disruption to nesting birds if trees are cut down during breeding season. Construction is slated to officially start in mid-August.
• Sustainable Maryland Grant: The Green Team secured a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust under the Sustainable Maryland program. Representatives toured 10 local sites to identify opportunities for tree planting, enhanced stormwater management, and the installation of rain gardens. The Green Team is actively collaborating with Joe from Cambridge Walk II on these efforts.
• Picnic & Additional Sponsorships: The upcoming picnic on September 5th is scheduled from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. In addition to the bank/credit union sponsorship, the team is actively pursuing other local sponsors.
4. Public Works, Traffic & Infrastructure
• Vision Zero Initiative (Bryant): Bryant presented updates on the city's Vision Zero initiative, which aims to entirely eliminate serious injuries and fatal traffic crashes through a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach involving the City Police, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), and the Maryland State Highway Administration. Highlights include Bike to School safety programs and integration of the 2020 Vision Zero Action Plan to support motorists and improve safety standards.
• Specific Traffic Enforcement & Corridors:
- Route 355: Continued focus on targeted traffic enforcement.
- Rollins Avenue Complete Streets Project: Spanning from East Rollins Avenue to Rockville Pike, this project will address traffic volumes and introduce curb extensions, a pedestrian refuge island, updated signage, improved signals, and dedicated left-turn lanes.
- Lewis Avenue & Halpine Road: Upgrades planned to improve overall access to the Twinbrook Metro station, including dedicated bike facilities and traffic calming measures. Existing conditions are being evaluated as of July 2026, with an estimated project completion date of February 2027.
• Resident Infrastructure Concerns: A representative from Cambridge Walk II raised a question regarding why certain improvements are proposed on both sides of Halpine Road. Bryant committed to sharing this feedback directly with the project engineering team. Additionally, it was noted that residential parking permit zones vary by neighborhood and are legally difficult to revoke once established.
• Twinbrook Metro Bridge Study: A consultant has proposed a general project schedule to evaluate pedestrian crossings across various locations. A kick-off meeting was held in June 2026. Next steps include a feasibility assessment and area surveying, followed by a formal cost-benefit analysis (which may necessitate federal funding) and robust public outreach. The final project completion is slated for June 2027. Note: Any proposed tunnel or overpass bridge above the railroad tracks must maintain sufficient clearance to accommodate double-decker trains. The City will closely coordinate this effort with WMATA.
• Neighborhood Traffic Calming Petitions: Residents raised concerns regarding excessive traffic volumes and cut-through traffic at the intersections of Leahy & Ridgway, as well as Wainwright & Atlantic. Residents interested in initiating a formal traffic-calming petition or exploring the possibility of 'modal filters' should contact Bryant directly.
5. Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) & Policing
• Director's Address (Jeanne): Jeanne, the JEDI Director (who has been with the City for 1 year), spoke alongside the Chief of Police regarding the shared 'One Community - One Rockville' vision. The office is focused on ensuring all residents feel respected, valued, and heard.
• Community Cooperation: Jeanne highlighted the high level of joint problem-solving work between city officials and community members, noting that most municipalities do not enjoy this level of proactive cooperation. The department is deeply committed to ensuring all residents have equitable access to services, support, and resources, with an emphasis on addressing localized concerns through open communication and swift, responsive cooperation when issues arise.
• Strategic Plan & Listening Sessions: The city is actively creating a comprehensive strategic plan for Rockville. Upcoming community listening sessions and a Needs Assessment Conversation/Survey will be hosted via Zoom/Teams on July 7th at 3:00 PM. A QR code to access the survey will be distributed to the community by Jen. Additionally, an in-person Community Forum will take place at Calvin Park on July 4th at 9:00 AM.
6. Community Announcements & Upcoming Events
• Weed Warrior & Trash Pick-Up: Volunteers are encouraged to participate in upcoming environmental cleanup and invasive plant removal efforts.
• Dog Park Update: There are no new updates at this time; Mary continues to actively track the project status with the city.
• Community Tours (Joe): Joe inquired if residents would be interested in a guided walking tour of neighborhood sites to view successful stormwater management installations, native flower gardens, and active composting setups. A bird-watching tour option was also proposed.
• Key Dates to Remember:
- September 5, 2026 (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Annual TCA Picnic at the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center
- September 15, 2026: Next TCA Open Meeting