Residents invited to get involved with special events and community meetings to discuss plans and regulations for the County's future

The Montgomery County Planning Department is pleased to announce a very exciting events calendar for January 2015. From a special speakers series to community meetings, there are many ways to engage with the planners and Board members, and get involved with the future of Montgomery County. Review the full list of events below and go online to www.montgomeryplanning.org for more details on projects and plans. Learn more about the Montgomery Planning Calendar of events for January 2015.  

Creative strategies discussed for improving Transit Center civic space, Ripley District and Metro Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring

At its latest meeting, the Montgomery County Planning Board, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, learned about the ideas generated at three Silver Spring Placemaking Workshops held in October and November 2014. County Councilmember Hans Riemer, who led the public placemaking effort, opened the presentation to the Board along with Parks and Planning staff and representatives of the Silver Spring Urban District on Thursday, January 15. The purpose of the workshops was to enhance the identity of the Downtown Silver Spring area and improve opportunities in key locations, while building on the 2000 Silver Spring Sector Plan. Learn more here.

One of nation's most successful farm protection efforts showcased in movie produced by the Montgomery Countryside Alliance

The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the public to a free screening of "Growing Legacy" on Wednesday, February 4 at noon. The 30-minute film will be shown in the auditorium at the Department's headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD), followed by a question-and-answer session with the film's producers. Learn more. 

Community feedback and next steps for the Westbard Sector Plan discussed at December 18 meeting

Staff from the Montgomery County Planning Department presented the results from its weeklong PlanWestbard Community Charrette to the County Planning Board on Thursday, December 18. During this series of intensive workshops held in mid-November, planners met extensively with state and local agencies, citizen associations, property and business owners and individual residents from the Westbard area. They held visioning and feedback sessions on plan concepts and ideas produced through interaction among the planning team, community and other stakeholders. On Tuesday evening, November 18, at the Westland Middle School, the Westbard planning team presented the planning concepts that resulted from the Community Charrette. View PlanWestbard December 18 Planning Board briefing documents.

You can also watch a recap of the Westbard Sector Plan Charrette here.

Community invited to give feedback on first draft of comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 50 of the Montgomery County code

The Montgomery County Planning Department is inviting community members and developers to review the newly released draft of Chapter 50 of the Montgomery County Code that governs the subdivision of land in the county. View the draft of the Subdivision Regulations Amendment.

This draft represents the most comprehensive rewrite of the Subdivision Regulations in 50 years and was undertaken at the direction of the Montgomery County Council. It responds to the county's newly released Zoning Ordinance and seeks to clarify and streamline the review and approvals process for new subdivisions. 

View the new Subdivision Regulations Video.

Park and stream cleanups are scheduled January 17- 20, 2015 at locations around the county; Student Service Learning Hours (SSL) available at all volunteer projects.

Montgomery Parks is joining thousands of organizations nationwide for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. Volunteer park and stream cleanups and non-native invasive plant removal projects will be taking place throughout the weekend of January 17 - 20, 2015 at park sites around the county. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service brings out hundreds of thousands of people to volunteer in their communities. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Montgomery Parks for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.

Planners seek suggestions from local residents and business owners on proposed building densities and potential economic development for Lyttonsville.

The Montgomery County Planning Department is inviting interested residents and business owners of the Greater Lyttonsville community to a meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the Gwendolyn Coffield Community Center (2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, MD) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss the Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan. Planners will present their concepts for the Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan and the results of a recent economic development study completed by the Washington, DC-based consultant Bolan Smart. This meeting is a chance for the public to weigh in on the concept framework recommendations before they are presented for approval to the Montgomery County Planning Board in March 2015. We are looking for your feedback on different planning scenarios for the community, including low, medium and high-density development options.

Community invited to give feedback on first draft of comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 50 of the Montgomery County code

Attend the community meeting at the Planning Department Headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md.) on January 21 from 7-9 p.m. to discuss the draft of the new Subdivision Regulations. The first comprehensive rewrite in 50 years, these regulations clarify and streamline the review and approvals process for subdividing property, as well as requirements for adequate public facilities and improvements to lots based on the impact of the subdivision.

View the English and Spanish versions of the Montgomery Village Plan short promo videos and learn how you can get involved with the master planning process. Check out all of the details on the Montgomery Village Plan.

English Promo

Spanish Promo

The Montgomery County Planning Department invites stakeholders and residents to learn more about the ongoing Bethesda Downtown Plan at a happy hour on January 22 and a public meeting on January 29. Results from the online questionnaire posted in December 2014, called "Feedback Loop," will be presented at both events. Learn more.

The Montgomery County Planning Department is consulting with nationally recognized urban design and planning expert Noré Winter to upgrade its design guidelines for master plans. This initiative is part of a broader effort to implement design excellence throughout our County. Winter's work will culminate January 27 to 29 with a series of presentations about the guidelines to the Montgomery Planning Board, Planning staff and the public. Learn more.

The Montgomery County Planning Department is hosting the fourth session in its Winter Speakers Series on Wednesday, February 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Planning Department Headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md.). The series is called "A Once and Futurew County: Lessons on How Planning Politics Shaped Montgomery County" and is hosted by Royce Hanson, former chairman of the County's Planning Board. Find out more about the event here.

The Tree Farm Trail connecting the Agricultural History Farm Park to Laytonia Recreational Park is closed as improvements are being made. The trail will reopen in Spring of 2017.

The Annual #GreenMatters Symposium is scheduled for February 27 at the Silver Spring Civic Center and will focus on "Protecting our Pollinators." Early registration ends January 16. Visit www.BrooksideGreen.org

Celebrate Capital Transit Day and learn about the end of street car service in the nation's capital with a visit to the National Capital Trolley Museum. Visitors can enjoy a two mile ride aboard an original Washington Street Car and tour Street Car Hall.  www.dctrolley.org.

Find out about hundreds of programs, classes and events taking place in parks this winter. Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/Guide.