November 21, 2014
 
Planning Board Agenda

There is no Planning Board meeting on Thursday, November 27, 2014 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Planning Board will meet next on December 4. View the Planning Board Agenda page to review past agendas and full videos of past meetings. 

30 Days of Thanks! Share your gratitude on Montgomery Parks Facebook Page
 

Montgomery Parks staff has a lot to be thankful for this year. We want to hear what you are thankful for. Please share your stories at www.Facebook.com/MontgomeryParks.

Montgomery Parks Pilots Snow Removal Program on the Capital Crescent Trail

 

This winter Montgomery Parks staff will clear snow from the Capital Crescent Trail. Learn more.
Help us provide updates on trail conditions via Twitter #CCTSnow.

Winter Speakers Series Next Event - December 10

 

Attend the second Winter Speakers Series on Wednesday, December 10 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the Planning Department Headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD). The topic is "Retrofitting the Suburbs: From Friendship Heights to White Flint" featuring Royce Hanson with guest panelists: Julie Davis, John Robinson and Evan Goldman.
 

Learn more about the series and view the recap from the first session from November 12. 

Weeklong Charrette Captures Community Concepts for Westbard

 

Citizen collaboration with planners from November 10-18 spurred ideas for housing, retail, pedestrian and bike connections to move plan forward.

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department concluded its weeklong PlanWestbard Community Charrette - a series of intensive workshops - with a final presentation at Westland Middle School on November 18. The purpose of the charrette was to gather ideas and craft a concept framework plan for the Westbard Sector Plan. The Planning Department staff thanks the numerous residents, property and business owners, and interested citizens who offered valuable ideas about the area, from affordable housing to new streets and parks.  View the Concept Plan presentation from November 18.

Montgomery Parks Public Meeting: December 3, 2014 at 7 p.m. Maplewood-Alta Vista Park Activity Building Lease

 

Historic Preservation Supervisor Scott Whipple will join staff from the Maryland Historical Trust at a presentation on recent enhancements to County and state historic preservation tax credit programs. This is an opportunity to learn about changes to the state program make the credits more accessible for small commercial historic rehabilitation projects, such as those in historic districts like Takoma Park or Kensington. The credits are also available to the owners of historic residential properties who rehabilitate their properties. Montgomery County's historic preservation tax credit has been increased to 25%, from 10%, greatly enhancing the benefit of the credits to owners who make investments in their historic property. The event will be held from 7-9 on November 18 in Historic Takoma Inc.'s headquarters at 7328 Carroll Avenue.

Montgomery Planning Board Pays Respects to John P. "Jack" Hewitt

 

John P. "Jack" Hewitt, former Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioner, M-NCPPC Executive Director and first director of the Montgomery County Parks Department, died on October 25. A Silver Spring native and World War II veteran, Jack first worked for M-NCPPC in 1938 as a summer job, was hired permanently after serving in the war, and eventually became Parks Director from 1957 to 1971. During his tenure, he was responsible for increasing the park system from fewer than 2,000 acres to more than 20,000 acres.  Jack served as M-NCPPC Executive Director from 1971-74 and as a Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioner from 1987 to 1991.  He was past president of the American Park & Recreation Association, past president of the Maryland Recreation & Park Society, and recipient of the Pugsley Medal, a prestigious parks award. A leader even in retirement, Jack was a founding member of M-NCPPC Retirees Association and served on the Board of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.

Garden of Lights Show is Cancelled for 2014
 

Montgomery Parks has made a difficult decision to cancel the annual Garden of Lights show this year due to ongoing construction at Brookside Gardens. Find information on many other holiday happenings in Montgomery Parks here.

Montgomery Parks Deer Management Program in Progress 
 

Montgomery Parks 2014 - 2015 deer management program is in progress. The annual program helps to reduce and maintain deer populations in accordance with the goals of the County's deer management plan. For more details please visit www.Parksdeermanagement.org.

Planning for Healthy Communities
 

Watch the videocast of Planning Director Gwen Wright's presentation at NIH from November 5 where she presented on key strategies for achieving healthy communities as part of the seminar "The National Prevention Strategy: Prioritizing Prevention to Improve the Nation's Health." Learn more about the event

View the video presentation.

Watch the new Zoning Finder Video

 

Short video features highlights of the digital map associated with the new Zoning Ordinance. Check it out.

Free Trees for Qualifying Property Owners in County's Priority Urban Districts

Planning Department Expands Shades of Green program that provides free trees to eligible property owners in Montgomery County.

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department is offering free trees to qualifying property owners in certain urban districts of Montgomery County. The Shades of Green program, which was launched in 2012 as a pilot program, is now expanding to some additional areas of the county that have a high level of impervious surface in an effort to enhance the tree canopy cover. 

 

Learn more about the Shades of Green program.

What is Your Most Valuable Place?

Submit your best photos of Montgomery Village to the Photo Contest

 

Attendees and residents are urged to enter a photo contest, aimed at documenting the most valuable places in Montgomery Village. These images will help planners understand the priorities of residents and business owners as they develop concepts for various areas of the Village. Interested shutter bugs can send their pics to [email protected]. Check out all of the details on the MVP Photo Contest. Learn more about the next steps for the Montgomery Village Plan

Interactive Map Reveals Current Development Projects Throughout Montgomery County

New Planning Department online map application allows the public to pinpoint locations and details of plans for neighborhoods.

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department, now offers an easy way for the public to find detailed information about development projects throughout the county. The Development Finder website, launched on October 7, offers an interactive map of the county and surrounding areas. Users can search by the address or location of the development or enter a simple term like "Wheaton" and be presented with the current projects in that area. Clicking on a specific community on the map also reveals numbered locations of developments that have been approved for construction or are pending approval. A sidebar summarizes the count and list of projects in that area. 

 

Learn more about the Development Finder map tool.

Volunteer Opportunities
Montgomery Parks loves to have our community's help through volunteering!  As the outdoor season is winding down, we still have some events and plenty of long term volunteer opportunities. To see all of our current needs and how you can help, go to www.ParksVolunteers.org.

Some examples of what we are looking for:
Work on a Trail? - Click here!
Want to help spread the word about our Gardens and Nature Centers? - Click here!
Watch over our Model Train and Winter exhibit at Brookside Gardens? Click here!
Help kids learn about the Winter Solstice? Click here!
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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