Montgomery Planning Archives - Page 10 of 22

The Great Seneca Plan Goes to the Planning Board This December

Published November 9, 2023 at 12:53PM

Montgomery Planning’s Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science team held two community meetings on October 23 and October 25. “It was great to share the first look at the plan’s preliminary recommendations and get feedback.” At the meetings, preliminary recommendations were shared for each of the plan’s distinct geographic enclaves including:

If you couldn’t make it to the October 23 and 25 meetings, here is a guide to the preliminary recommendations, which the Great Seneca plan team will be finalizing over the coming weeks as it prepares to present them to the Planning Board on December 7.

Loehmann’s Plaza Redevelopment Sketch Plan Goes to Planning Board on Nov. 9 (Renderings Included)

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 5:37PM

Rosenfeld Investments has proposed the redevelopment of Loehmann’s Plaza at 5200 Randolph Rd. in Rockville, and the sketch plan will be going in front of the Montgomery Planning Board on Thursday, November 9. The plan (renderings below) includes 710,000 square feet of residential uses and up to 40,000 square feet of commercial uses for a cumulative density of up to 750,000 square feet of mixed-use development, with 15% Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs), open space, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and associated public benefits to support the requested incentive density.

Summary: Planning Staff recommends approval of the Sketch Plan with conditions. The proposal will transform the existing shopping center with surface parking and a one-story brick building pad site into a mixed-used development with retail. Under the Optional Method of development, the Applicant requests approval for up to 710,000 square feet of residential use (currently estimated to be up to 680 dwelling units) with 15% MPDUs and up to 40,000 square feet of commercial use.

Community Meeting to Discuss Proposed Sensory Trail at Montgomery County Park Takes Place on Nov. 12

By MCS Staff

Published November 6, 2023 at 4:13PM

Montgomery Parks invites the public to a community meeting and walking tour at Fairview Road Urban Park to discuss the proposed sensory trail at the park. The meeting will take place on November 12, 2023, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. The rain date is December 3, 2023, 2 – 3:30 p.m. During the meeting, park planners will present two concepts for the potential sensory trail location with a detailed introduction to the various sensory stations planned along the trail. Below is a list of sensory stations proposed for this trail:

Sensory trails are designed outdoor spaces that stimulate and engage the senses. They are typically used as an inclusive environment for people of all ages and abilities, including those with sensory processing disorders, autism, are blind or have low vision or other disabilities, as well as individuals seeking relaxation and sensory exploration. The project will be a first for Montgomery Parks and will help to make our parks more inclusive and welcoming to all our visitors.

Jason K. Sartori Appointed as Montgomery Planning Director

By MCS Staff

Published October 27, 2023 at 4:51PM

Planning Board selects Sartori after a six-month-long nationwide search for the leader of the nationally renowned 150-staff member Montgomery Planning Department

At its weekly meeting today, the Montgomery County Planning Board announced its appointment of Jason Sartori as Planning Director of the Montgomery County Planning Department, also part of The M-NCPPC. Sartori has been with the department for nearly eight years and has served as Chief of the Countywide Planning and Policy Division since January 2019.

Montgomery County Planning Board/Planning Department Announce Nov. 2023 Calendar of Events

By MCS Staff

Published October 27, 2023 at 8:53AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board and Montgomery County Planning Department have announced their November 2023 calendar of events and meetings. The public can participate in Planning Board meetings by testifying in-person, testifying virtually, over the phone, or by sending in written comments to the Planning Board. Information about submitting written testimony and testifying live at Planning Board meetings can be found below. Contact us for accessibility accommodations.

The public may attend Planning Board meetings in-person, watch them live or on-demand, or listen over the phone. View individual agendas, which are usually made public 10 days prior to the start of a meeting. Consult the Development Review Committee (DRC) and Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) websites for their agenda information. For more details, review the list of events below and visit www.montgomeryplanning.org. These events are subject to change. The Montgomery County Planning Department and Planning Board offices will be closed on November 10 in observance of Veterans Day and on November 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving. There is no Planning Board meeting on November 23. November Calendar of Events:

Montgomery Planning Wins National Award for Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan

By MCS Staff

Published October 23, 2023 at 11:27AM

The Montgomery County Planning Department has won a prestigious Award of Excellence in the Small Area Planning category for Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan by the American Planning Association (APA) County Planning Division and the National Association of County Planners.

Approved by the Montgomery County Council in April 2022, The Corridor Forward Plan conducted detailed analysis to deliver near-term and long-term transit recommendations focused on improving access to transit options as well as advancing the county’s equity, environmental, and economic development goals along the I-270 corridor.

Various Montgomery County Developments Win 2023 Design Excellence Awards (Montgomery Planning)

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2023 at 10:54AM

The Montgomery County Planning Department, announced the winners of the biennial Design Excellence Awards competition at Celebrate Design 2023 held October 19 at M-NCPPC’s Wheaton Headquarters. An independent jury of accomplished design and development professionals honored two developments with Design Excellence Awards and three developments with Merit Awards that exemplify Montgomery County’s best architecture and building design. The Celebrate Design event was co-hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Potomac Valley Chapter, which presented its Design and Leadership Awards.

“The M-NCPPC was honored to once again host the Design Excellence Awards which showcase the artistry and innovation shaping Montgomery County’s outstanding places and spaces millions of residents and visitors enjoy,” said Montgomery Planning Board Chair Artie Harris. “This was an evening to recognize and celebrate the great achievements in urban design and architecture that help promote more residential and community-serving developments that support our wonderful downtown, suburban, and rural neighborhoods.”

Montgomery County Council Approves the Pedestrian Master Plan

By Patrick Herron

Published October 10, 2023 at 12:39PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted today to approve the Pedestrian Master Plan, which is Montgomery Planning’s first comprehensive vision to improve accessibility and create safer, more comfortable experiences for people walking and rolling around the County.

“As chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee, meeting our Vision Zero goals and creating safer, more walkable, bikeable and accessible streets are top priorities for me,” said Council President Evan Glass. “The passage of the Pedestrian Master Plan and the recent enactment of the Safe Streets Act bring us closer to our goals of making our streets safer for everyone. I’m proud of the steps we are taking to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety, and I look forward to the implementation of the various recommendations laid out in this plan. Additionally, I want to thank the Montgomery Planning Board and staff for their work on this holistic pedestrian and bicyclist plan.”

Planning Board Approves Scope of Work for 2024 Update to Growth and Infrastructure Policy

By MCS Staff

Published September 29, 2023 at 2:01PM

Policy addresses adequacy of Montgomery County’s public facilities as part of the development approval process; community invited to October 17 informational meeting

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the Scope of Work for the 2024-2028 update to the county’s Growth and Infrastructure Policy at its meeting on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP) must be updated every four years and is the county’s most important policy for ensuring infrastructure is adequate to support growth. It is also vital to advancing the goals established in Thrive Montgomery 2050, the recently approved and adopted General Plan for Montgomery County.

Development Review Workgroup Provides Recommendations to Improve Development Processes to Montgomery County Government and Planning Department

By Patrick Herron

Published September 28, 2023 at 6:17PM

Per Montgomery County: After nine public meetings throughout the summer and three public listening sessions, Montgomery County’s Development Review Workgroup this week ended its months-long deliberations on ways to streamline the process that determines how development flows in the County. The group voted on a series of recommendations, approved by a supermajority of members, on steps forward. The recommendations include changes to review, permitting and administrative procedures and improved notification and inclusion of the County’s diverse communities.

Chief among the consensus recommendations are:

Former Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson Hired By Rodgers Consulting

By MCS Staff

Published September 26, 2023 at 4:56PM

Former Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson has been hired by Rodgers Consulting– a land development consulting company based in Germantown. Anderson resigned from the Planning Board amid allegations of creating a toxic work environment, but was fully exonerated in the investigation that followed. The full press release from Rodgers Consulting can be seen below, via Montgomery Perspective:

“Casey Anderson, who led the most sweeping overhaul to Montgomery County’s land use and transportation plans in more than half a century as chair of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is joining Rodgers Consulting, a purpose-driven land development consulting and design firm.