August 21, 2015
 
Planning Board Agenda

There is no Planning Board Meeting this Thursday, as the Planning Board is in Recess until September.

Montgomery County Planning Department Announces Calendar of September Events

 

The Montgomery County Planning Board is pleased to announce its calendar for September 2015. These events offer ways to engage with planners and Planning Board members, and help shape the future of communities within Montgomery County. Review the full list of events below and go online to www.montgomeryplanning.org for more details on projects and plans. View the full list here.

Rock Spring Master Plan to Launch on September 1 at Open House Event
The Montgomery County Planning Department is launching the Rock Spring Master Plan on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. at an open house to be held at Walter Johnson High School (6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD).

Community residents and business owners are invited to discuss the goals of the Master Plan and learn about existing conditions and challenges. County planners will explain the planning process and opportunities for public participation.  Community feedback on the initial ideas for the Plan will be recorded on a "feedback wall" at the event. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Learn more here.

RSVP for the September 1 Rock Spring Master Plan Open House.
Annual Pawpaw Festival
 
It's time to get your paws on some pawpaws! Meadowside Nature Center will celebrate the Annual Pawpaw Festival, Sunday, September 13, 2015 from 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM. Music, storytelling, crafts, games, face painters, raptor talks and most importantly, a pawpaw tasting station. Come get your pawpaw on!
Elevated Levels of Microcystin in Lake Needwood Reported
 
Park visitors are encouraged to use caution when recreating on or near Lake Needwood and Lake Frank in Rock Creek Regional Park as high levels of Microcystin have been recently reported. Microcystin is a toxic substance produced by seasonal blue-green algae (also known as Cyanobacteria) bloom and may be harmful if digested. Recreational users should take precautionary measures around shorelines and lakes.  Pets should not be allowed to enter or drink water. For more information please click here.
Historic Preservation Commission Approves Tax Credits for 95 Projects
 
The Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission, a nine-member group supported by The Montgomery County Planning Department has completed its review of 2014 applications from County property owners seeking a financial reward for faithfully restoring the exteriors of their historic structures.

On August 12, 2015, the Preservation Commission recommended approval of tax credits for 95 projects, an increase of eight over the previous year. Its recommendations will be transmitted to the County finance department for final action. Learn more here.
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center Scheduled To Be Closed
 
The Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center will be closed beginning August 24th through September 30th for major facility renovations, including the installation of central air conditioning. Click here for more info.
Wheaton Indoor Tennis Center To Be Closed For Maintenance
 
The Wheaton Indoor Tennis Center will be closed August 24-31 for annual maintenance including power washing; installation of new flooring in the common area. The facility is scheduled to be reopened Tuesday, September 1st.  Click here for more info.

Underground Railroad Experience Trail

 

Free guided hikes on our Underground Railroad Trail are offered each Saturday, beginning at 9:00 am, through August 31, 2015. The Underground Railroad Experience Trail hike commemorates the involvement of county residents in the Underground Railroad and celebrates the Quaker heritage and traditions of Sandy Spring, MD.  More information can be found at UndergroundRRExperience.org.

Bicycle Master Plan Will Launch with Fall Community Meetings
 
The Montgomery County Planning Department is inviting the community to participate in kick-off meetings during September and October 2015 to learn about the Bicycle Master Plan and how to get involved in planning a bicycle network for Montgomery County. The meetings will be held in five locations so that County residents can pick the one that is most convenient for them to attend.
 
The Bicycle Master Plan will consider the newest types of bikeways, such as separated and buffered bike lanes and bicycle boulevards, as well as secure bicycle storage facilities at transit stations. The network will be developed using an evaluation of the varying levels of stress imposed by traffic on cyclists along each roadway in the County. Learn more here.

New Water Trail at Black Hill Regional Park

 

Check out this video about the new water trail with great scenic views of the park and wildlife.

Park Projects:
 

Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Recreation Launch ActiveMONTGOMERY

 

Montgomery Parks, in collaboration with Montgomery County Recreation is launching a new registration system, ActiveMONTGOMERY. The new system replaces ParkPASS and RecWeb, to provide one location, users can access with one username and password to register for classes from either organization. Visit www.ActiveMontgomery.org for more information.

Trail Work in Parks
 
Renovations and construction are taking place on several trails in Montgomery Parks, including:
  • Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail between Connecticut Avenue and Franklin Street.
  • Capital Crescent Trail tree work will be coordinated from Dorset Avenue to the DC Line with trail access intermittently being interrupted. Please watch for flaggers and use caution around work areas.
  • Western Piedmont Trail is closed below Hyattstown Mill where the trail crosses Little Bennett Creek for installation of a new bridge. Work is expected to continue for a year.
  • Paint Branch Trail will have restricted use between Randolph Road and Fairland Road due to WSSC work.  
For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org.
Planning Department Releases Public Hearing Draft of Westbard Sector Plan
 
The Montgomery County Planning Department has posted the Public Hearing Draft of the Westbard Sector Plan on the Department's web site. This posting follows the Montgomery County Planning Board's approval of the Working Draft as the Public Hearing Draft on Thursday, July 23.

The Board's public hearing on the Westbard Sector Plan is scheduled for Thursday, September 24 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD) when the community is invited to comment on the Plan's recommendations. Learn more here.

Brookside Gardens Parking Update
 
Parking at Brookside Gardens for the Wings of Fancy Exhibit and general garden access may be limited, due to ongoing construction. Visit parking alternatives and the Garden Gateway project for more information.

Trail Sign Installation Project on Rock Creek Trail

 

Look for trail work on the 14 mile Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail as a Signage Installation Project begins. Work is scheduled from Rock Creek Regional Park- Lake Needwood to the DC Line to improve better wayfinding on trail and adjacent neighborhood trail connectors leading to main trail. For more information, click here.

Community Meetings
 
Montgomery Parks will be hosting a Supplemental Community Meeting to present the Capital Crescent Trail Connector Project at the Bethesda Pool and Crossing Hillandale Road Tuesday, September 8, 2015. Meeting will be held at the B-CC Regional Service Center, Room A/B beginning at 7pm. For more information on the connector alignment options or to comment on project, click here.
A Public Meeting seeking comments and feedback on a new plan framework to amend the existing Countywide Park Trails Plan (CWPTP) will be held Wednesday, September 16, 2015 from 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM at the Shady Grove Maintenance Yard- Training Room, 16641 Crabbs Branch Way Rockville, MD 20855. More information about the CWPTP amendment is available on the project web page.
Rock Spring Master Plan Kicks Off (Video)
 
The Rock Spring Outreach Team made its way down to the Rock Spring Park Farmers Market to share information and gather feedback about the Master Plan. Watch here.
  • Butterfly Show Volunteers, Brookside Gardens - Click here!
  • Weed Warrior Training Classes (Only 2 more classes left - September & October)- Click here!
  • Nature Ambassadors, Students help at Park Events - Click here!

  • Hot Opportunities - these events are a lot of fun and we need your help! - Click here!