The Montgomery County Council has approved a $28.9 million budget for Montgomery Planning’s fiscal year 2027 work program, allowing the department to move forward with a series of major planning initiatives and policy studies beginning July 1, 2026.
The approved budget represents a 3.5% increase over the FY26 operating budget and will support ongoing planning efforts as well as several new initiatives aimed at addressing housing, transportation, economic development, climate resilience, and historic preservation throughout Montgomery County.
“Despite a constrained budget environment, this work program reflects our commitment to planning for the future of our communities and to meet the challenges ahead and continue to enjoy a high-quality of life,” said Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori. “We’re focused on identifying strategies to tackle the real problems that the county is facing today while advancing sustainable and equitable growth principles.”
Several major planning efforts already underway will continue through FY27, including the Friendship Heights Sector Plan, the Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan, the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment, and The Wheaton Plan: A Georgia Avenue Community Plan.
Among the new initiatives is the Burtonsville Employment Area Minor Master Plan Amendment, which will evaluate the area’s 1997 master plan with a focus on housing, jobs, transportation, urban design, and public benefits. The effort is intended to support future growth along the US 29 corridor while improving multimodal transportation options. Work is expected to begin during the winter of 2027-2028.
Planning staff will also begin work on a new Climate Resilience and Adaptation Functional Plan. The countywide effort will assess vulnerabilities in infrastructure and develop strategies to address climate-related risks such as extreme heat and flooding, while emphasizing equity and resilience in future development.
Damascus is also slated for an updated planning effort through the Damascus Main Street Sector Plan Amendment. County planners say the community’s 2006 master plan no longer fully reflects current housing, transportation, and infrastructure needs. The update will focus on revitalizing Main Street, improving connectivity, and supporting context-sensitive growth while preserving the community’s character.
Historic preservation will receive renewed attention through two countywide amendments to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation. One amendment will evaluate properties currently listed in the county’s Locational Atlas, some of which have remained under review for decades, while a second effort will focus on burial sites and incorporate updated historical research, preservation guidance, and policy recommendations.
In Kensington, planners will launch a Sector Plan Amendment designed to build upon the town’s 2012 sector plan. The effort will examine opportunities to expand housing, improve environmental resilience, enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, and address issues related to stormwater management, parking, and open space. A scope of work is expected to be reviewed by the Planning Board during the winter of 2026-2027.
Several policy studies are also included in the FY27 work program.
One study will examine the future of industrial land in Montgomery County. The effort comes as demand continues to grow for flexible industrial and research spaces while the county’s existing inventory ages and available development sites become increasingly limited. The study will assess market conditions, future demand, and whether zoning or land use changes may be needed to support economic growth and emerging industries.
Another study will evaluate implementation strategies within the White Flint and White Flint 2 sector plans through the Greater North Bethesda Implementation Study. The review will assess whether existing tools continue to support the vision established in those plans and explore potential updates based on current development trends and conditions.
Montgomery Planning will also begin work on the county’s next Growth and Infrastructure Policy update, a process required every four years. The policy helps guide how the county evaluates adequate public facilities and ensures infrastructure keeps pace with future growth.
County officials say the FY27 work program is intended to help shape Montgomery County’s long-term future while balancing growth, infrastructure needs, environmental sustainability, economic development, and community priorities.
