August 15, 2014
 
Planning Board Agenda
Planning Board Agenda - Summer Recess
 
The Montgomery County Planning Board will be on recess for the month of August. The Board will return on September 4. View past Planning Board agendas.

Casey Anderson Sworn In As New Planning Board Chair

 

Casey Anderson was officially sworn in to become the newest Montgomery County Planning Board Chair. Mr. Anderson will lead the five-member Montgomery County Planning Board which oversees the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery Department of Parks. The Planning Board advises the Council on land use planning and community planning in Montgomery County. View the short video of Casey Anderson's Swearing In Ceremony.

Planning Director Gwen Wright's Appearance on the Kojo Nnamdi Show

 

Montgomery County Planning Director Gwen Wright was recently a guest on The Kojo Nnamdi show (88.5 WAMU). She discussed the reimagining of Bethesda and the progress of the Bethesda Downtown Plan. She also took questions from callers about the latest planning news in Montgomery County along with guest Roger Lewis. Check out the link to catch the segment from Kojo's show.

Sandy Spring Rural Village Public Hearing Scheduled - Sept. 4 

Public invited to testify on Public Hearing Draft plan at Planning Board meeting 

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department will hold a public hearing on the Sandy Spring Rural Village Plan on Thursday, Sept. 4, at their regularly scheduled Board Meeting which will be held at 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910. The public is invited to give their views on land use, transportation and zoning changes in the Public Hearing Draft which details the concept of a new village center from the 1998 Sandy Spring/Ashton Master Plan.

 

View the Public Hearing Draft for the Sandy Spring Rural Village Plan. 

Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan Amendment Public Hearing - Sept. 11

Public invited to testify on Public Hearing Draft plan at Planning Board meeting

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department, will hold a public hearing on the Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan Amendment on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6:00 p.m., at their regularly scheduled Board Meeting which will be held at 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910. The public is invited to give their views on the Public Hearing Draft which is an amendment to the 1994 Aspen Hill Master Plan and the General Plan (On Wedges and Corridors). Learn more about the Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan Amendment

Fall Parks Guide Available for Pick-up

Pick up your FALL GUIDE today!
 

What can you do in the Parks this fall? Pick up a copy of the new 2014 FALL GUIDE and find out! Learn to skate...play hockey...take a guided nature hike...make a floral centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table...play Round Robin Doubles...improve your golf swing...celebrate pawpaws...learn to kayak...and so much more!

 

Guides will be available at Montgomery Parks facilities as well as Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Community Centers, libraries and county government buildings. You can also subscribe for a full year (5 issues) for just $5! Check out the GUIDE and browse fall programs at MontgomeryParks.org/Fall

Paw-Paw Festival

Sunday, September 7
 

It's time to get your paws on some pawpaws! Meadowside will be celebrating this delightful native fruit with music, storytelling, crafts, games, raptor talks, expert advice on pawpaw cultivation, and most importantly a pawpaw tasting station. Learn more.

 

Meadowside Nature Center
5100 Meadowside Ln,

Rockville, MD 20853 

White Oak Science Gateway Plan Approved


The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan was recently approved by the Montgomery County Council and approved and adopted by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. View the approved plan and learn more about the process.

Approved and Adopted Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan Available

Amendment to the Master Plan of Highways available

The Montgomery County Planning Department has made the approved and adopted Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan available on its website. The plan recommends a bus rapid transit (BRT) network throughout Montgomery County that will improve accessibility and mobility on county roads. The plan was adopted on December 18, 2013 by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, as modified by the County Council on November 25, 2013.

View the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan along with the timeline of the planning process.

Learn About Existing and Proposed Bikeways in Montgomery County

Planning Department's webpage provides map and resource of information

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department has created a new webpage dedicated to bikeways in Montgomery County. The page allows visitors to view all of the existing and proposed bikeways in the County complete with an interactive map. The bikeways page also features the Silver Spring Bicycle Parking Station Study, which evaluates future demand and potential locations for a bicycle parking station near the Silver Spring Transit Center and the planned connection of the Capital Crescent Trail and Metropolitan Branch Trail. Online visitors can also review "An Assessment of Purple Line Corridor Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues" for the proposed Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring and pedestrian issues around the Purple Line. 

Montgomery Parks Reports Elevated Levels of Microcystin at Lake Needwood  


Testing has shown there are elevated levels of microcystin, a toxic substance produced by some species of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), in Lake Needwood that may be harmful to pets swimming in or drinking from the lake. Please take note of the following precautions.

Aberdeen Local Park Trail Improvements


Improvements to the asphalt trail and areas adjacent to the trail  inside Aberdeen Local Park will begin within the next week and last about two or three weeks. During this time there may be intermittent or complete closures of the trail during periods of active construction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Learn More About Great Art in Our Parks


This month's episode of Parks, Rec 'N Roll focuses on art in parks, including a look inside Brookside Gardens' School of Botanical Art and Illustration and the public art trust which supports the creation of and placement of art in our parks. Don't miss this episode available online here.

 

PBS Program on Josiah Henson Park to Air August 19!

 

Time Team America, an archaeology exploration program will profile Josiah Henson Park in its August 19 episode. Learn more.

 

 

Share Your #ParksPics for a Chance to Win!

 

It's Parks & Recreation month and to celebrate we are hosting a photo contest. It's easy to enter and we have some fun prizes. More info.

 

The Census Bureau is Conducting a Census Test and Hiring 


The U.S. Census Bureau is researching modern and new methods for the population to exercise its civic obligation to be counted in the next census. Whether through the Internet, telephone or traditional paper questionnaires, the Census Bureau is committed to making the once-a-decade headcount quick, easy and safe for all to participate. Through the smart use of technology and existing government data sources, the 2020 Census hopes to provide substantial taxpayer savings while maintaining the highest quality and accuracy standards mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The 2014 Census Test will allow the Census Bureau, on a small scale, to test a variety of new methods and advance technologies that are under consideration for the 2020 Census. The 2014 Test will take place from June 23 through September 25, with Census Day on July 1, 2014.


In addition to conducting the test, the Census Bureau is still hiring temporary office and field staff from Montgomery County and DC to work in the Silver Spring office, located at 8401 Colesville Road (seventh floor). At least 1,000 people in Montgomery County and DC are needed for temporary positions to get this important job done. Pay ranges from $14 to $21.50 an hour. Learn more.

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!
  • Hot Opportunities - these are the opportunities that we really need volunteers to fill soon! Check them out!
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 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 '[email protected]' and update your contact information. 
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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.
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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.
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