Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) President Doniele Ayres recently shared a message through the MVF website affirming that Montgomery Village is not in the city of Gaithersburg. While Gaithersburg is the nearest major city and provides a convenient point of reference, Montgomery Village has always been its own entity, a census-designated place (CDP) with its own unique history and administrative structure since its development began in 1962.
Montgomery Village is a community of its own, separate from the City of Gaithersburg, and it is governed by a unique two-tiered system of homeowner associations (HOAs). According to Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) President Doniele Ayres, this distinction is often confused by residents and outsiders alike, but understanding it is key to participating in the community’s governance.
While it’s common for people to use Gaithersburg as a point of reference for Montgomery Village, they are distinct entities. Montgomery Village is not a municipality; it’s a large residential community managed by a foundation and several HOAs. This can lead to confusion, especially since services like the post office and public library within Montgomery Village often use Gaithersburg’s name. Ayres notes that the county provides essential services such as police and fire departments, unlike a municipality that would have its own.
Montgomery Village has a unique governance model. At the top is the Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF), which Ayres likens to a “state” government. The MVF is responsible for rules that apply to all communities, such as architectural standards. Below the MVF are individual HOAs or Condominium Owners Associations (COAs), which Ayres compares to “city” governments. These boards are responsible for community-specific rules, such as parking and trash collection. This structure means residents have a direct voice in both their local community and the larger Village.
Montgomery Village is the second-largest HOA in Maryland, a fact Ayres emphasizes is a “big deal.” This status gives the community a significant voice, even allowing it to influence statewide legislation related to HOAs. Because the community is not a municipality, residents have a direct relationship with their elected officials and board members. This direct interaction empowers residents, making their voice important in both big and small matters.
Ayres concludes by encouraging residents to embrace their community’s distinct identity and understand their responsibility in its governance, stating, “we are Montgomery Village, and although we are neighbors, we are not in the City of Gaithersburg.”