Less than 10 people spoke out against the proposal at a public hearing Monday night, saying the developer's plan for "The Vistas," 125 housing units on 13 acres, will congest residential streets and leave future homeowners little green area to call their own.

The developer--whose design plan includes 28 single family detached homes, 56 condominium units in two buildings, and 41 town houses at Quince Orchard Road and Twin Lakes Drive--said that the scheme provides more parking than required and fits in with neighboring communities.

The site abuts property set aside for the proposed Corridor Cities Transitway, a county project that proposes light rail or bus routes along Interstate 270. Representatives for the developer said the area called for higher density because of the location to a future transportation site, employment and retail.

But neighboring residents said the design would leave future Vistas homeowners yearning for more green area.

"The only thing missing in Quince Orchard Park is the park," said one resident concerned about the housing units he felt were "compacted" together.

The Vistas development proposes a tot lot, a playground for older children and a hiker-biker trail around the community that leads to Rockville. Some said these amenities aren't enough for the future residents, who will likely not be allowed to use amenities like pools and tennis courts in neighboring communities.

"This is not a neo-traditional design," added Kentlands resident Richard Arkin. "(Developers) have maxed out the numbers...until it's very crowded."

Others said they would support all single-family homes in the residential development.

"In my community we have families looking to move from town houses but stay in the same school district," said JoAnn Schimke. "You can't find these (single family detached) homes in Gaithersburg."

Some spoke about increased traffic and what they called a poorly designed traffic circle leading into the community.

Mayor Sidney A. Katz suggested the developer propose more amenities and consider not deeming roads within The Vistas as private streets for economic reasons.

The City Council and Planning Commission will meet with the developer in January.