What is the Burdette Property?
The Burdette Property is a property in Damascus, MD, to the right of the Damascus Reserve community and to the left of Damascus Tattoo Company.
Acreage is 4.73 (tract)/4.5 (site) with a CRT zone of 2.96 acres. The proposed building's gross square footage is 128,473, 4 stories high, with 107 units. 100% of units will be LIHTC, with 36 units being 1 bedroom, 63 being 2 bedroom and 8 being 3 bedroom.
What are the key issues with the property?
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This proposed building would be larger than both Victory Haven and Woodfield Commons and is on less acreage.
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Open space issues. There is a 10% requirement for open space which this application does not meet. To accommodate for the open space requirement, instead of changing plans for the units or building size, the developer is trying to take over the Damascus Neighborhood Park.
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Density: Burdette property recommended land use density is 15-20. The current application is for 36.13 du/ac.
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Current policing shortage - Commander Picerno and Councilmember Luedtke shared police shortage (operating at 69% of budget) at December 4th meeting
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Noise challenges of a building this size as well as noise from pending local developments like a car wash.
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Traffic issues on 27
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Capacity of surrounding schools, many of which already operate beyond capacity and with many students in portables.
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Parking challenges. The proposed property does not have adequate parking.
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Concers of aesthetic compatibility and cohesiveness. This is something that was considered and accommodated when developing Victory Haven and Woodfield Commons. The proposed property does not aesthetically fit with Damascus Reserve or surrounding community.
Applicants ongoing show cause hearings for property in Derwood:
LIHTC
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, established in 1986, is the primary federal tool for creating affordable rental housing in the U.S. It provides tax incentives to developers for building or renovating units for low-income households. Developers sell these credits to investors for equity, reducing debt and allowing for below-market rents.
In Damascus:
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4 Existing Buildings with LIHTC credit
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Woodfield Commons (84 units at 89% affordable; 65 units LIHTC, 11 MPDUs)
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Victory Haven (72 units and 90% LIHTC)
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Cain Commons (76 units and 100% LIHTC)
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Greenhill Apartments and Townhomes (71% of units are LIHTC)
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2 subsidized housing (Perrywood Apartments; Damascus Gardens)
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LIHTC housing plays a vital role in expanding access to affordable homes and promoting stability for families and individuals who might otherwise be priced out of their communities. Because this program is designed to serve those with the greatest need, it carries a strong ethical responsibility to uphold equity, quality, and long-term livability. Cutting corners in design, construction, or oversight undermines the very purpose of LIHTC and risks perpetuating inequities rather than addressing them. Equitable housing must be built to the same standards of safety, durability, and dignity as any other development, ensuring residents are not asked to accept lower quality simply because housing is affordable. A true commitment to LIHTC means honoring both the letter and the spirit of the program by delivering housing that is fair, responsible, and built to last.
What can you do?
Contact the board:
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Board E-mail: mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org
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Patrick Butler (Chief of the Upcounty Planning Division) patrick.butler@montgomeryplanning.org
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Phillip Estes (Lead Reviewer) Phillip.Estes@montgomeryplanning.org
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Mark Beall (Lead Reviewer) Mark.Beall@montgomeryplanning.org
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Nkosi Yearwood (Supervisor) nkosi.yearwood@montgomeryplanning.org
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Dean Packard (Applicant) dean@packardassociatesllc.com