Community Invited to Workshops for University Boulevard Corridor Plan

Workshops in April and May will discuss opportunities and challenges for the plan area. The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is inviting the community to attend a series of workshops for the University Boulevard Corridor Plan. The meetings will be held in a workshop format and will feature staff presentations on existing conditions followed by facilitated discussions on topics such as housing, land use, parks and open spaces, and neighborhood aspirations for the plan area. The workshops comprise of two in-person meetings and two virtual meetings for two different geographic areas along the University Boulevard Corridor plan area to allow a more focused conversation on specific parts of the plan area.

I-495 to Dennis Avenue Workshop: Focused on the University Boulevard Corridor plan area, from I-495 to Dennis Avenue

In-person Option
April 26, 2023 (7–9 p.m.)
Montgomery Blair High School cafeteria (51 University Blvd East, Silver Spring, MD)
RSVP for April 26 (Encouraged but not required)

Virtual Option
May 3, 2023 (7–9 p.m.)
Zoom
RSVP for May 3 (Required)

Dennis Avenue to Amherst Avenue Workshop: Focused on the University Boulevard Corridor plan area, from Dennis Avenue to Amherst Avenue

In-person Option
May 17, 2023 (7–9 p.m.)
M-NCPPC Wheaton Headquarters Auditorium (2425 Reedie Drive, Floor 2, Wheaton, MD)
RSVP for May 17 (Encouraged but not required)

Virtual Option
May 24, 2023 (7–9 p.m.)
Zoom
RSVP for May 24 (Required)

Planners are also asking the community to share opportunities and challenges in the plan area by using the plan’s engagement huband by completing a short questionnaire. Sign up for the plan’s eletter to receive news and information on the plan. For questions or comments about the meetings, please contact planner Nkosi Yearwood via email or at 301-495-1332.

Plan Scope of Work: The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the UBC Plan’s Scope of Work at the Feb. 16 Planning Board meeting. The Scope of Work defines the proposed plan area, context, and background, planning framework, issues to address for the plan, public engagement, and the plan timeline. Read the University Boulevard Corridor Plan Scope of Work

UBC Plan Area: The UBC Plan builds on major Montgomery County initiatives—including the 2013 Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050 and Vision Zero—and is centered on residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, places of worship, businesses, and other institutional uses along a three-mile segment of University Boulevard/MD 193 between Amherst Avenue at the edge of the Wheaton Central Business District (CBD), to the area immediately south of the Capital Beltway (I-495). The Four Corners area serves as an important element in the plan area with commercial and institutional properties, including the Woodmoor Shopping Center, Montgomery Blair High School, and Saint Bernadette Catholic Church and School. Colesville Road (U.S. 29) is a major intersection with University Boulevard in the plan area.

Purpose of the Plan: The purpose of the University Boulevard Corridor Plan is to comprehensively review the built, natural, and social environments along the corridor and consider opportunities to further the outcomes and objectives of Thrive Montgomery 2050, the county’s new General Plan. The Scope of Work is the result of multiple public engagement activities to understand the needs and desires of those who live in, work in, or visit the corridor. Moving forward Montgomery Planning staff will continue to engage the community to understand its needs to make transportation safer and more accessible and equitable, to address the effects of climate change, and to ensure the corridor is economically competitive. Planning staff will also work with the community to explore opportunities to redevelop underutilized spaces, create new bikeways and faster, higher quality, and more reliable bus service (also known as bus rapid transit or BRT). Transforming the corridor into a boulevard with wider sidewalks and safe, comfortable access to transportation stops will also be studied. Montgomery Planning will apply an equity and social justice lens to policies and practices in the planning process.

Planning staff will also review the following elements as part of a holistic, equitable approach to shaping the future of the UBC:

• Land Use and Housing
• Community Facilities
• Parks and Open Spaces
• Safety, Mobility, Access, and Connectivity
• Urban Design
• Historic Resources

Plan Timeline

• November 2022: Launch of plan development process and initial community engagement
• Spring 2022–Fall 2023: Community engagement, plan analysis, and staff review
• Fall 2023–Spring 2024: Planning Board review
• Spring 2024: County Executive review
• Summer–Fall 2024: County Council review and approval

Courtesy of Montgomery Planning