THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

PLANNING BOARD | DEPARTMENT OF PARKS | PLANNING DEPARTMENT

February 28, 2014

Planning Board Agenda March 6, 2014

Attend or watch and listen to the next Planning Board meeting on Thursday, Mar. 6. Check out the full agenda here.

Attend the Bethesda Downtown Public Workshop -Saturday, March 1

The Montgomery County Planning Department will be hosting a planning and design workshop to capture ideas for the future of Downtown Bethesda. All residents, business owners and property owners - groups and individuals - are invited to attend the workshop on Saturday, March 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School cafeteria (4301 East-West Highway Bethesda, MD). Learn more.

Sandy Spring Rural Village Plan - latest news

Learn about the preliminary recommendations from the four-day public design workshop

Attend the Sandy Spring Community Meeting Wednesday, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. to stay involved in the planning process.

What: Sandy Spring Community Meeting for the Sandy Spring Rural Village Plan
When: Wednesday, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Sandy Spring Meeting House (17715 Meeting House Road, Sandy Spring, MD)
Who: Hosted by the Montgomery County Planning Department

Get the details on this plan and how to get involved:
http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/sandyspring

Purple Line Mandatory Referral

The Planning Board's review of the Purple Line, Bethesda Metro Station South Entrance, Capital Crescent Trail, and Silver Spring Green Trail is scheduled for March 20, 2014. Use the Planning Department interactive map tool to locate the projects. Learn more.

Zoning Rewrite Milestone Reached

The Montgomery County Council expressed significant support for a proposed zoning ordinance by voting 7-1 in favor of the proposed text in a straw vote taken at the conclusion of their worksessions on the document. The rewrite, if adopted, would be the most comprehensive update to the law that governs land use in the County in more than 30 years. More details are available here.

Connect With Us on Facebook

Get up to speed on everything you need to know about Montgomery Planning by liking us on Facebook. From news updates, interesting photos and helpful information, the Montgomery Planning FB page is your one-stop shop for all things Planning: https://www.facebook.com/montgomeryplanning

Work With Us

Interested in a career with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission? Check out our list of rewarding job opportunities here.

Community Meeting on the Renovation of Caroline Freeland Park

COMMUNITY MEETING #2

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Bethesda Chevy-Chase Regional Services Center
East-West Room (Room A/B)
4805 Edgemoor Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814

M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks invites you to attend a community meeting for the renovation of Caroline Freeland Park on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

During Community Meeting #2, Parks Staff will present three (3) new Plan Alternative Concepts that were developed based on input received during the first Community Meeting on November 6, 2013. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide input on the Plan Alternatives during the meeting. A summary of comments and presentation materials will be posted to the project's website following the meeting, at which time additional comments may be communicated through email.

For more information or to provide input, contact:
Lucas Bonney, Project Manager
M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks
9500 Brunett Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20901
E-mail: Lucas.Bonney@MontgomeryParks.org
phone: (301) 495-2572 www.ParkProjects.org

Celebrate 15 Years of Weed Warriors

Ongoing Throughout the Year

The weather outside might be a bit chilly, but the Weed Warriors stay warm with double the activity!

Join us in honor of our 15th birthday with "On the 15s." We're claiming the 15th of every month for invasive eradication efforts. Or join us for one of our regular workdays on the first Saturday of the month. Please visit www.WeedWarrior.org for more information.

User-Friendly Tool Highlights Current Development

Want to know more about development projects proposed near where you live or work? To stay abreast of Montgomery County development activity, visit our online Development Finder to learn details about building applications to be considered by the Planning Board.

Shades of Green

Many urban areas in Montgomery County lack significant tree cover. To improve this, the Planning Department has launched Shades of Green, a pilot program that provides free trees and two years of tree care to property owners in qualifying locations. Visit our Shades of Green webpage for qualifying locations and information about how to bring positive change to your neighborhood!

Volunteer Opportunities

Montgomery Parks is looking for both special event and long-term volunteers. Go to www.ParksVolunteers.org, click on Search and Apply for Volunteer Opportunities, then click on the category that interests you. Here are some examples of the opportunities we have open:

NNI Removal Events, Various locations and dates, help us rid the park trees of vines and other Non-Native Invasives that are taking over!
Tree Stewards, Various parks - commit to at least one year of quarterly park visits. Help us keep an eye on our most valuable resource in parks, our trees!
Earth Month! Various parks. April is Earth Month, and we are beginning to schedule several large park cleanups.
Nature and Summer Camp Counselor Opportunities, Feeling cabin fever? Thinking about summer? Here are some volunteer opportunities to help with that!

Have Questions About the Zoning Rewrite Project? Drop in During Daily Office Hours

Office hours

Mon/Wed/Fri: 2-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 10:30 a.m-noon

Thursday: by appointment (Call 301.495.1325)

Office hours are held at the 2nd floor Information Counter at Park and Planning Headquarters.

The Montgomery County Planning Board continues to work on the Zoning Revision Project, which is modernizing and updating the county's zoning code. On Thursday, the Board will begin an implementation review, where they will evaluate and make recommendations on potential zone changes, primarily in non-residential areas. Zone implementation review will occur weekly at the Board, with a goal of transmitting both the draft revision and the implementation recommendations to the County Council in May. Follow the Board schedule.

Chronicling Montgomery County Trends

The Center for Research & Information Systems identifies and tracks demographic, household and economic trends to help inform planning throughout Montgomery County. These detailed statistics help us identify and analyze changes in population, housing and economy. View our latest trendsheets on employment, housing, demographics and retail/office space from the first quarter of 2013.

New Online Application Submittal System

Planners have launched ePlans, an online application submittal and review system. Developers now will file all application materials for preliminary and site plan applications electronically through ePlans and applications will remain in electronic form for agency reviewers, negating the need for multiple copies and streamlining labor and cost.

Community Organization Lists

Our online tool will make HOA organization email addresses available to web users seeking to notify residents about pending development or other issues. We rely on homeowners and civic organizations to help spread the word about development applications and planning initiatives. Homeowner's association leaders may want to update your organizational contact information to a generic 'mygroup@gmail.com' and update your contact information.

Have a Question About Planning?

Wondering about that sign advertising pending development in your community? Curious about how forest conservation works? Residents and others with questions about development, community plans, zoning, transportation, or environmental issues may find the answers they seek on a Department HELP page. The page features links, an online employee directory and an online question/comment form.

Have a Question About M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks?

Have a question about Montgomery Parks? Need to report a problem or maintenance issue in a park? Check out the Department's, easy to use Customer Service Center and find out how to contact us by phone and email. You'll also find an easy to use online form to submit questions or information about problems in parks.

How Shady is Your Neighborhood?

Planners have analyzed Montgomery County's tree canopy as part of an effort to improve the local climate and energy efficiency of urban areas. The more shade, the less energy required for cooling homes and cars. While much of the county boasts a healthy tree canopy, some urban areas lack shade - right where it is needed most. Now you can analyze your community with our tree canopy explorer.

Find a Forest Conservation Easement

Do you have a forest conservation easement on or near your property? Easements protect forests on private land by limiting certain activities, part of the Planning Board's emphasis on forest conservation. Now you can locate easement areas using our online tool.

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