Derwood, MD – Tonight Senator Roger Manno and Delegate Ben Kramer attended a meeting of the Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance (GSGCA) and State Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) officials, and reiterated their opposition to the Vehicle Emissions Station (VEIP) in Old Derwood, and in the alternative, suggested a local access road be built connecting the new VEIP station with Redland Road.

Problems surrounding the new VEIP station in residential Old Derwood surfaced immediately following it replacing the Gaithersburg VEIP station in commercially-zoned Gaithersburg, which closed in August 2009. As a result, numerous traffic and safety issues have arisen in the residential Old Derwood area, with major volume and blockages onto Chieftain Avenue, Yellowstone Way, and Redland Road. 

Roger and Ben have been in opposition to the Old Derwood facility for several years. The location was aquired by the State some 20 years ago, and was designated for its current use in the County Master Plan. Since the facility opened, Roger and Ben have advocated, along with with the GSGCA, for the creation of a local access road from Redland Road, as was originally envisioned for the new facility.

Tonight's conversation with MVA officials included suggestions for alternative access to the facility, in addition to suggestions for alternative locations for the facility in commercially-zoned areas, such as Gude Drive or Woodfield Road, as opposed to the dense residential historic district of Old Derwood.

Their recent letter to Mr. John Kuo, Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, is included below.

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