Executive Sends Plans For In-Line Skating Rink To Planning Board

ba/inline.pr 98-10 Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6548;
Charles Steinbraker, 301-217-6827

EXECUTIVE SENDS PLANS
FOR IN-LINE SKATING RINK
TO PLANNING BOARD For Immediate Release: January 13, 1998

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan has announced that plans for the in-line skating
rink at the Potomac Community Center have been submitted to the County Planning Board
for mandatory referral.
According to the plan, the rink will be used for open skating, skating classes, and
supervised youth play which will minimize the noise and disturbance to neighborhoods
adjoining the facility. Because programs will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. or
nightfall, whichever comes first, the rink will not be lighted.
Monitoring by the County's Department of Environmental Protection found that the
noise levels from the rink fall "significantly" below the legal limit and that "periodic
impulsive noise bursts" created by the pucks hitting the players' sticks or the backboards
approached but did not exceed the limit.
Activities at the rink will be supervised during hours of operation and security
cameras, to be installed in the Community Center, will monitor skating activity.
The plan calls for fencing to be added, by the County, to "provide a more thorough
-more-

.IN LINE SKATING RINK PLANS 2-2-2-2

visual barrier" even though the zoning ordinance does not call for landscaping at the rink. A
stand of pine trees already has been planted between the community center and the ball field
and between the rink and the nearby woods.
The proposal also contains exhibits and maps covering areas such as lighting levels,
sediment control, a sound engineering study, a proposed schedule for the rink and baseball
field, and an asphalt court grading plan.
In submitting the plan, Duncan said, "We have worked to help alleviate the concerns
of the homeowners while preserving a much-needed recreational facility paid for by private
funds."
The review process is expected to take approximately 60 days, during which time the
Board will evaluate the project and hold a hearing before making a recommendation.

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