Kaiser Permanente/Former Vitro Site

Dear Aspen Hill neighbors,

The Vitro property has been the subject of discussion in our community for many years now. The last tenant was BSE systems. After they left, the owners, the Lee Development group, tried for years to find a new tenant. Because of the limited uses the current building offered, the county introduced the Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan. The plan focused on approximately 14 acres of land that included mainly the Vitro property of about 10 acres, and the parking lot across Aspen hill road. The plan analyzed current zoning and recommended more flexible mixed-use zoning that would allow for urban style development to occur.

The community strongly opposed the recommended zoning and, after a lengthy process, we were able to convince the County Council to approve more appropriate zoning with revisions. Those revisions placed limitations on the maximum footprint of any mixed-use store (big box store) along with height limitations of new structures. The Minor Master Plan was approved in 2015.

The building sat empty again. In 2017 we found out that the Lyndsay group bought the property from Lee Development, and their intention was to build a Ford dealership on the property. Initially there were mixed feelings about a dealership coming to our neighborhood. The AHCA once again sprang into action. We met with the Lyndsay group multiple times and advocated for the Aspen Hill community where we were able to address most of our concerns. We received concessions from the group that ensured us that they would be a good neighbor. One of the most critical issues was to close the Aspen Hill road exit, which the Lyndsey group agreed to do. However, it seems the dealership was not meant to be.

Earlier this year, while waiting for the Ford dealership plans to be approved, we were informed that Kaiser Permanente purchased the property from the Lyndsay group. Shortly after that, Kaiser reached out to the AHCA and the first meeting was arranged. Although multiple rumors have been circulating as to why Lyndsay sold the property, Michael Lyndsay himself told us that they sold the property because the development cost would have been higher that they had anticipated.

Kaiser Permanente seems poised to be a good neighbor. We have met with the group twice and we will continue to meet until we address all the community’s concerns. They are in the early stages of the planning process for the property. Kaiser has participated in a couple community events and they are now asking for input into the types of amenities we would like incorporated into the design. Your opinion is important! Please review some of the options on the posted information and provide any feedback. I ask all of you to stay connected - if you have any questions please reach out to the AHCA. Detailed information will also be available at our October membership meeting. The meeting is October 23rd at 7:00pm at Parkland Middle school. Hope to see you all there!

Sam Nasios

President, AHCA

NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER: You can find a copy of the presentation that Kaiser Permanente gave to the AHCA Board of Directors on September 11, 2019 below.