Montgomery Planning Archives - Page 19 of 23

Gwen Wright Removed as Planning Director and Deputy Director Tanya Stern Made Acting Planning Director

Published October 8, 2022 at 8:33AM

Per Montgomery Planning: The Montgomery County Planning Board voted to name Deputy Planning Director Tanya Stern as Acting Montgomery Planning Director on October 7, 2022. The Planning Board voted to remove Gwen Wright as Planning Director. The Planning Director position is an at-will position that is appointed by the Planning Board. Tanya Stern has been a Montgomery Planning Deputy Director since August 2018.

Gwen Wright served as Planning Director since July 2013. She began her tenure with M-NCPPC in 1987 and was due to retire at the end of December 2022. “We thank and appreciate Gwen Wright’s many years of service to M-NCPPC and Montgomery Planning and the legacy of excellence in planning and urban design by Montgomery Planning during that time,” said Acting Planning Director Tanya Stern. “During this time of transition, I will be working very closely with senior leadership to help ensure Montgomery Planning can continue to focus on its excellent work that is highly respected in this region and across the country.”

Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan Working Draft to be presented to the Planning Board on October 6

By MCS Staff

Published September 30, 2022 at 5:11PM

Draft of the plan considers new roads to be included in the program and updates to existing roads that are currently in the program

The Montgomery County Planning Department will present the Working Draft of the update to the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan to the Montgomery County Planning Board at their meeting on October 6, 2022. The Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan Update is the first comprehensive update to the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plansince the original plan was approved in 1996.

Montgomery County Planning Board and Planning Department Announce October Calendar of Events

By MCS Staff

Published September 29, 2022 at 7:21AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board and the Montgomery County Planning Department have announced their October 2022 calendar of events and meetings. All persons attending Planning Board meetings in person at M-NCPPC’s Wheaton Headquarters (2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902) must be vaccinated, must sign up in advance, and may be required to show proof of vaccination. Those who participate are expected to observe general rules of decorum and address only the issues relevant to the decision before the Planning Board.

Residents can continue to participate in Planning Board meetings by testifying virtually and watching the meetings on the Planning Board’s live stream. Community members may sign up to testify and provide comments in person, through Microsoft Teams, or over the phone to the Planning Board during the meeting on specific agenda items. Written testimony must be submitted in advance of the meeting. Contact us for accessibility accommodations.

Montgomery Planning Board Briefed on Pedestrian Master Plan’s Draft Design, Policy, and Programming Recommendations

By MCS Staff

Published September 27, 2022 at 6:53AM

Planning Board shows support for draft recommendations and equitable engagement efforts to date; provides suggestions for next steps on countywide plan that will offer strategies for enhanced pedestrian connectivity, safety, and accessibility across Montgomery County

Per Montgomery Planning: – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, presented the Pedestrian Master Plan’s draft design, policy and programming recommendations to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, September 22. The Planning Board expressed support for the draft recommendations in the Pedestrian Master Plan and shared recommendation feedback with Planning Staff.

Brookeville Road Closure Extended Into November

By Cordell Pugh

Published September 20, 2022 at 5:17PM

On September 19, the Maryland State Highway Administration announced that the current closure of Brookeville Road, between Georgia Avenue (MD-97) ,and Grayheaven Manor Road, has been extended through late November. According to the State Highway Administration, the newly–extended duration of the Brookeville Road closure will allow contractors to efficiently complete Brookeville Bypass construction tasks.

MD 97 has a 90-degree curve at Market Street, which is accompanied by a steep hill.

Community invited to Presentation of Recommendations on the Great Seneca Plan Area by Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel on September 21

By MCS Staff

Published September 19, 2022 at 7:13AM

The Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel (ULI TAP) will present recommendations on opportunities to retain, attract, and grow the life sciences industry in Montgomery County’s Life Sciences Center

Montgomery County Planning Department pursued a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) through ULI Washington to inform the Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science. The TAP will present its recommendations in person to Montgomery Planning and the public at 4:30 p.m. on September 21 at the Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Building at the Universities at Shady Grove (9631 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850). Registration is not required.

Montgomery Planning Wins Two Awards From the American Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter

By MCS Staff

Published September 19, 2022 at 7:11AM

Per Montgomery Planning: Montgomery Planning is honored to receive two awards from the American Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (APA-NCAC). The APA-NCAC’s jury of experts selected Montgomery Planning’s work on equitable engagement for Thrive Montgomery 2050, the update to the county’s General Plan, for the Leadership in Planning Award for Community Outreach and Engagement in Honor of Harold Foster and selected Montgomery Planning Director Gwen Wright for the Leadership in Planning Award for a Professional Planner in Honor of Frederick Gutheim.

“We are so honored to be recognized by experts in planning and engagement in the region for our excellent work on equitably engaging Montgomery County’s diverse community throughout the Thrive Montgomery 2050 process,” said Planning Director Gwen Wright. “I am also humbled to be recognized for my over 30 years in planning as I set my sights on retirement at the end of the year.” Learn more about Gwen Wright’s Montgomery Planning career and accomplishments.

County Executive Marc Elrich Urges County Council to Disapprove Thrive 2050

By MCS Staff

Published September 14, 2022 at 7:31AM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich sent a meo to the Montgomery County Council on Monday, September 12th, urging the council to disapprove Thrive 2050– the update to the county’s master […]

Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning Accomplishments Highlighted in Montgomery County Climate Action Annual Report

By MCS Staff

Published September 13, 2022 at 2:42PM

Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning, both part of The Montgomery County Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, are combatting climate change in the county by using clean energy, enabling energy efficient transportation in the county, implementing new programs and initiatives, supporting carbon sequestration efforts, and collaborating with the Montgomery County Department of the Environment in meeting the County’s Climate Action Plan. All of these efforts among others are detailed in the Montgomery County Climate Action Annual Report, which showcases 2022 accomplishments and outlines plans to combat climate change in 2023.

The Montgomery County Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a strategic plan to cut community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions by 80% by 2027 and by 100% by 2035, as compared to 2005 levels. The plan also seeks to reduce climate-related risks to county residents, businesses, and the built and natural environment.

Design Concepts Released for Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival

By MCS Staff

Published September 6, 2022 at 7:15PM

The Montgomery County Planning Department has unveiled the design concepts for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival. The concepts can be viewed below with additional information on the project’s website and were created after hearing feedback and ideas from the community through an online questionnaire and at the project’s kickoff meeting in June. The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival is a free community event and will be held October 21 and 22 (rain or shine) at the Briggs Chaney Park and Ride near the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center (3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904).

Planners are now asking the community to help bring these concepts to life. The community-led build of the festival will be held October 19 through October 22 with various ways to get involved. Volunteers may be asked to apply paint to create a ground mural, construct tables, chairs, art sculptures, a children’s fort with a bounce path, and provide assistance with festival operations, such as set up, clean up, and parking management. Interested parties can sign up for volunteer slots using the online form. Student Service Learning (SSL) hours will be available for students. To volunteer, you must complete the form and release form provided in the link. Planners are also seeking performers and vendors for the placemaking festival. Applications are due on September 25.

Community Invited to Participate in the Visioning Phase of the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment

By MCS Staff

Published September 1, 2022 at 7:02AM

The Montgomery County Planning Department and the City of Takoma Park invite the community to participate in multiple events this fall as the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment enters the “Visioning Phase” of the process. In addition to community farmers markets events, the planning team will host a Visioning Open House on Tuesday, October 18, at Piney Branch Elementary School (7510 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912) from 7 to 9 p.m. The event will consist of an open-house style format on what the future of Takoma Park could look like at the Washington Adventist Hospital and University campuses, the Erie Center, as well as the area along Maple Avenue. RSVPs are encouraged. For ADA accommodations or to request materials in alternate formats, consult the Montgomery Planning Accessibility webpage or contact the Montgomery Planning ADA Coordinator at 301-495-1324. For language translation needs, please contact the planning team by Tuesday, October 4, to make accommodations.

RSVP for the October 18 Visioning Open House