Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, December 8. View the full agenda for that meeting here. |
Rental Housing Market Data Presented to County Council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee on November 28
The Montgomery County Planning Department briefed the County Council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee on the first stage of the countywide Rental Housing Market Study at its meeting on Monday, November 28. RKG Associates, a consulting firm based in Alexandria, Virginia, conducted the research on behalf of the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Learn more here. |
County Council Approves Subdivision Staging Policy on November 15
The Montgomery County Planning Department secured approval of the 2016 Subdivision Staging Policy (formerly called the Growth Policy) from the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. The intent of the Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP) is to ensure public facilities, particularly schools and transportation facilities, are adequate to accommodate new development.
Before the County Council's review, the Montgomery County Planning Board held public hearings and work sessions to revise the quadrennial policy, and voted in July to approve and transmit the draft of the Subdivision Staging Policy to the County Council. The Council held its own work sessions and public hearing in the fall, before voting to adopt the revised policy in November. Developed by the Planning Department in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, the updated policy will help guide growth in the county for the next four years. Learn more here.
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 Planning Department Announces December 2016 Events |
 Planning Department Invites the Public to Vote Online for the Best Photos from the Bicycle Master Plan Photo Contest
The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the public to vote online for the best photos from the Bicycle Master Plan Photo Contest. Votes can be cast any time between November 18 and December 9, 2016. To participate, choose your favorite image from each of the five categories. The winner in each category will have the chance to have this chosen image be included in the master plan document and other publications produced by the Planning Department.
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 Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail-Inwood Tributary Work Scheduled
Montgomery Parks will begin work in late 2016/early 2017 along the Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail, just south of University Boulevard. This project includes culvert repairs and stream stabilization. Construction vehicles will access the site from Wheaton Lane. The trail will remain open with minimal interruption. Work is expected to take 3-4 weeks. Please use caution around construction areas. Click here to see aerial view of area.
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 Buy Your Copy of the Montgomery Modern Book and Places from the Past
Montgomery Modern book - hardback, paperback and ebook
Great gift for anyone interested in mid-century modern design, architecture, or learning more about the county's postwar growth and development.
Places from the Past - hardback and paperback
Have a friend or family member living in one of Montgomery County's historic communities-- or know someone interested in historic architecture? Places from the Past inventories historic sites and districts in the county and chronicles its settlement patterns from the 1700s to the early 20th century.  |
 Garden of Lights, Brookside Gardens' holiday outdoor light exhibit! Celebrates its 19th season as a Baltimore/Washington, DC area family holiday tradition! November 25, 2016 - January 1, 2017 (Open every night except December 24 & 25)
Step into a magical winter wonderland illuminated with more than one million dazzling colorful lights shaped into hand-crafted, original art forms of flowers, animals and other natural elements. Afterward, warm up inside the Visitors Center while you sip hot cocoa and listen to one of the nightly musical performances. The night wouldn't be complete without a visit inside the Conservatory to enjoy watching G-Scale model trains wind through a seasonal landscape. Isn't it time you made the Garden of Lights your family's holiday tradition?
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Public Hearing for Rock Spring Master Plan Will Be Held on December 1 |
Planning Department Will Host Public Art and Placemaking Discussion on December 2 |
Work on the Capital Crescent Trail
Several projects are scheduled to begin on the Capital Crescent Trail this fall. Trail users should be cautious around work areas and watch for partial trail closures as park staff begin work to improve trail use: - PEPCO crews will be on the Capital Crescent Trail as they begin a 3-month electric
 infrastructure replacement project. Mobile work zone from River Road to MacArthur Boulevard will start in November that will keep the trail open during construction with signage and flagmen posted during working hours. Bikers and walkers should use caution when traveling through the designated work zone areas. - Bike Share Station Installation - MCDOT will be installing a Bike Share Station at the trail intersection on Hillandale Road. Traffic and trail access may be interrupted as equipment is installed for the Bike Share Station
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Upcoming Community Meetings
Community meetings to present projects and plans for upcoming park renovations and upgrades are scheduled for this fall season. The community is encouraged to attend these meetings and provide input on the upcoming projects: |
 UPDATE: Carroll Ave Bridge Over Sligo Creek Parkway Remains Closed
Major rehabilitation of the MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway is still in process. The bridge will be closed and traffic detoured during the duration of the one-year project. Work may intermittently close Sligo Creek Parkway. Traffic will be detoured and encouraged to seek alternate routes. Use caution around work areas and continue to share roadways. For more updates... |
Public Input Sought For North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail Realignment
Montgomery Park Staff is seeking public comment on a proposed shift in the alignment to the new North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail. This recommended alignment shift would reduce the potential damage to both the stream and the trail during major storms. Visit the New Parks & Projects tab at MontgomeryParks.org to "Tell Us What You Think!". |
  Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks
Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks A non-native invasive beetle in Montgomery County is wreaking havoc on ash trees, many which are located in stream valleys on parkland. Learn more on the department's plan to address the issue here. |
Accessibility Improvements Continue |
 Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan Update
Attention Wheaton Regional Park fans! Montgomery Parks is in the process of updating the Master Plan for this park. Be sure to tell us what you think! Public input is encouraged throughout the planning process.
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 Park Projects: -
NEW: Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail - Park staff will begin culvert repair work this fall on the Sligo Creek Parkway Trail just south of University Boulevard. Work will include stream stabilization when finished. The trail will remain open with minimal interruption during work, but construction vehicles will be designated to access through Wheaton Lane. Please use caution around work areas. -
NOTICE: Wheaton- Claridge Local Park will be closing as the entire park undergoes renovations. The project is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2017. The Park Activity Building will also get a makeover for improved access. Park users are encouraged to visit other parks in the area as park amenities will not be accessible to the public. Click here for more information on the project. -
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is in progress. Additional work will include the removal of the tennis court and hard surface path to allow reforestation. Click here for more information. -
Kemp Mill Urban Park: The park is closed for renovations to improve overall access, update the pond and expand the playground. Renovations are expected to be completed by spring 2017. Click here for a list of alternative parks in the area. -
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Trail Work in Parks - Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail - The trail section on Beach Drive between Franklin Street and the Saul Road Connector is currently closed and inaccessible to the public. The work will require the area to be closed for an extended period of time for trail renovations and realignment. A 0.5mile detour has been measured using Franklin Street to Parkwood Drive connecting back to trail at Saul Road. Click here for more information.
- Parklawn Local Park - Trail improvements will continue through the winter for the Rock Creek Biker-Biker Trail at Parklawn Local Park. The project will include a new connector to the trail, stream sediment control and storm water management.
- Wheaton Regional Park - Trail work continues around Pine Lake trails to improve access and storm water management. Watch for detours posted around designated work areas as work is scheduled to continue through the winter.
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The Winter Program GUIDE Is Here and Online! |
- Trail Workdays through December - Click Here!
- Garden of Lights Assistant, Brookside Gardens - Click Here!
- Winter Solstice Campfire, Meadowside Nature Center, Dec. 17th - Click Here!
- Winter Solstice Festival, Brookside Nature Center, Dec. 18th - Click Here!
- Winter Solstice Celebration, Locust Grove Nature Center, Dec. 18th - Click Here!
- Otus Rockin' New Year Celebration, Meadowside Nature Center, Dec. 30th - Click Here!
- Program Access Volunteer - Inclusion Support - Click Here!
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