February 27, 2015
 
Planning Board Agenda

Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, March 5. View the full agenda for that meeting here.

Montgomery County Planning Department Announces Calendar of March Events                 

The Montgomery County Planning Department is pleased to announce its events calendar for March 2015. From a public forum on County infrastructure to community meetings focused on master planning, these sessions offer ways to engage with planners and Planning Board members, and help shape the future of Montgomery County. Review the full list of events and go online to www.montgomeryplanning.org for more details on projects and plans.

John Carter Retiring from Montgomery County Planning Department 

Planner and architect oversaw master plans, development review and design projects for the County's largest area
 

Montgomery County Planning Department is announcing the retirement of John Carter, AIA, who served as the Chief of several divisions.  As the Chief of the Community-Based Planning Division for more than 10 years, Carter was responsible for overseeing master plans, zoning cases and urban design projects.  As the Chief of Area 3, he was responsible for master planning and development review in the largest geographic area of the county. He also served as Chief of the Urban Design and Historic Preservation Division for two years. Learn more here.

Planning Board Chair Anderson and Commissioner Fani-Gonz�lez Featured on County Radio Program

 

Chair Casey Anderson and Commissioner Natali Fani-Gonz�lez were guests on En Sinton�a con el Concejo de Montgomery (Tuned In with the Montgomery County Council) on Friday. The weekly show airs on Radio America (WACA 1540 AM) hosted by Julie Rios Little. They explained the role of the Planning Department in developing urban projects, the importance of community participation in the planning process and policies that work for affordable housing. View the segments below:

 

Parte 1: The Role of the Planning Department

Parte 2: Aspen Hill

Parte 3: Participate in the Planning Process

Parte 4: Affordable Housing/Strategies
 

Watch the Latest Edition of Plan-It Montgomery
 

Check out the latest edition of Plan-It Montgomery (formerly known as Montgomery Plans). This show, produced with County Cable Montgomery is packed with great information about our current master planning efforts, downtown Silver Spring Placemaking and a profile story with Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson. Watch it now!

Black History Month Free Spoken Word Poetry Event: Saturday, February 28 at 3 p.m.
 

Join Montgomery Parks staff for its annual Black History Month Spoken Word Poetry event at Josiah Henson Park. Participants of all ages and races are welcome to create and share their own original poetry, song or other artistic expressions at the free event titled "Lyrical Rhythms: The Sounds of Freedom."  A reception with light refreshments immediately follows. Visit www.HistoryInTheParks.org for more details.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Parking for Josiah Henson Park events is available ONLY at the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center, 5900 Executive Blvd., North Bethesda, MD 20852.
 

Parks Tell us what you think! Solar Farms at the Planning Board!
 

Montgomery Parks is proposing to construct two solar farms on park property in South Germantown Recreational Park and Rock Creek Regional Park by the end of 2015. The public can provide input on this proposal in person at the Montgomery County Planning Board meeting on March 5. Visit ParkPlanning.org for more information and to Tell us what you think!

March 11 Speakers Event Examines Influence of Montgomery County's Growth Policies on Development Patterns

Panelists to discuss evolution of land use policies and their effects on County growth
 

The Montgomery County Planning Department is hosting the final event in its Winter Speakers Series on Wednesday, March 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 Future County: Lessons on How Planning Politics Shaped Montgomery County" and is hosted by Royce Hanson, former chairman of the County's Planning Board.

 

The concluding session, titled "Hunting the Snark: Growth Policy and the Public Interest," evaluates the effects of the 40-year evolution of county growth policy on development patterns. Hanson and a panel of experts will discuss the institutional structure of planning in Montgomery County for effective and democratically accountable land use policy. Learn more here.
 

Montgomery Parks Delays Lake Openings for Boating & Fishing

 

Lake Needwood at Rock Creek Regional Park and Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park will open on March 15 instead of the planned March opening date, due to inclement weather conditions. For more information on boating and fishing at both lakes please visit here.  
 

Applications Due on April 1 for Montgomery County Historic Preservation Tax Credits

Owners of county properties may be eligible to receive a 25 percent tax credit for various rehabilitation or maintenance projects, such as fixing a window, replacing a roof or repainting

 

The Montgomery County Planning Department is accepting applications from county property owners seeking a financial reward for faithfully restoring the exteriors of their historic structures. To be eligible for the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Tax Credit, the property must be listed in the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation. Watch the short video here.
 

Are You Ready for the Summer?

 

The 2015 Montgomery County Recreation and Parks Camps and Programs Guide is here! Registration is open and we have early bird specials to save $25 on select camps. www.MontgomeryParks.org/camps

Weather Updates on Park Closures, Delays and Program Cancellations

 

During inclement weather conditions you can find the latest information about the status of park and program operations at www.MontgomeryParks.org/weather. Learn more on our pilot snow removal program on the Capital Crescent Trail at www.MontgomeryParks.org/CCT. #CCTSnow

  • Volunteer on a Day Off of School and earn Student Service Learning Hours - Click here!
  • Improve your gardening skills and grow native plants in a greenhouse for Black Hill Nature Programs - Click here!
  • Family Weekend Opportunity - Nature Exploration Area Caretaker - Click Here!