May 11, 2018
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Planning Board Agenda

Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, May 17, 2018. View the full agenda.
Planning Board Sends Bicycle Master Plan to County Council for Consideration

Bicycle Master Plan logo
At its meeting Thursday, May 3, the Montgomery County Planning Board voted to transmit the Planning Board Draft of the Bicycle Master Plan to the County Council and the County Executive for consideration. The public will get a chance to provide comments about the master plan during a soon-to-be scheduled public hearing at the County Council.


"At the start of the Bicycle Master Planning process in 2015, I challenged staff to write a world-class bike plan and they have not only delivered, but have redefined what it means to plan for a low-stress bicycle network in North America," said Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson. "I'm proud of this plan and look forward to the Council and County Executive's feedback as we work to implement this exciting plan for our county."


Representatives of the Montgomery County Planning Department and Montgomery County Planning Board will participate in the annual summit hosted by the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County on Friday, May 11.

This event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center (5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD). Sessions will address issues related to housing, healthcare, transportation and the economy. Register online to attend.

The session titled "Retooling MPDUs for Tomorrow" will feature a panel discussion about potential revisions to the law governing moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs). These revisions are currently being considered by the Montgomery County Council and include recommendations from the Planning Department's recently completed Rental Housing Study.


The Move More Montgomery Festival is the culminating event of the Move More Montgomery 100 Mile Challenge and is open to the public. The event will be on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. This field day type festival features a community walk, sport and fitness demos, active performances and mini-classes, interactive health and wellness booths and the Fido Fitness Arena (for our four-legged family members).

The Montgomery County Planning Department is highlighting its focus on historic preservation during Preservation Month in May. Information about technical support for property owners, tax credits and programs is available on the Department's Historic Preservation Office webpage.

Sign up for the Preservationist e-letter to receive regular updates about new projects, digital maps, videos and more.

"We want to hear from residents about the preservation challenges and successes in their neighborhoods," said Rebeccah Ballo, the supervisor of the Historic Preservation Office, who has been leading the office since February 2018. "I look forward to learning more about our past and about ways of saving and interpreting the rich inventory of historic structures in our communities."

Learn more about Preservation Month events
Planning Department Participates in Bike to Work Day on May 18
Bicycles on road_ low angle

The Montgomery County Planning Department is celebrating Bike Month in May and will participate in Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 18. Planning staff will be stationed at bicycling pit stops in Silver Spring, Bethesda, White Flint and Takoma Park to highlight the recommendations in the Planning Board Draft of the Bicycle Master Plan.

The regional Bike to Work Day events are organized by Commuter Connections, a division of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA). Bicyclists are invited to join convoys led by experienced cyclists and commute to their work places. Pit stops throughout the county will offer information on the Bicycle Master Plan and the county's Vision Zero Initiative, refreshments and prizes. 


The Montgomery County Planning Department has won five Hermes Creative Awards from the Dallas-based Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals for the concepts, writing and designs of marketing, planning and communication materials. The international competition drew about 6,000 entries from government agencies, corporate marketing departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, graphic design studios, digital production firms and creative businesses.

Montgomery Parks Powers Up Its First Solar Fields
Solar panel field

Montgomery Parks has completed the construction and installation of two solar fields. The solar arrays, located at South Germantown Recreational Park and Rock Creek Regional Park, consist of more than 7,000 ground mounted solar panels that will offset more than 2,500 tons of greenhouse gases annually, the equivalent of the amount of electricity used to power nearly 400 average American homes in a typical year. Parks will be hosting a "flip the ceremonial switch" on May 23, 2018.


Days and Times Vary 
Montgomery County Planning Department Auditorium

Connect with community leaders, activists, planners and other individuals as part of the Montgomery Parks Speaker Series. The Speaker Series is held at the Montgomery County Planning Department Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910. Every month, topics like gardening, urban planning, naturalism, and activism will be explored and discussed with speakers from around the nation. RSVP for lunch - space is limited. 

Park News and Community Meetings
 
Residents are encouraged to participate in the development of the parks. Plan on attending a community meeting, visit our park projects web page or leave a comment on our Open Town Hall web page.
  • Montgomery Parks Issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) For Adaptive Use and Tenancy for Nolte Local Park and Colesville Local Park Activity Buildings on March 15, 2018. The buildings will be available for five-year leases to interested groups. Additional information on the RFP's is available for review at the M-NPCC website and on the e-Maryland Marketplace. Interested bidders should monitor the e-Maryland marketplace website for the issuance of this RFP. 
  • Montgomery Parks hosted a Public Meeting to review the Outdoor Tennis Court Use Permit Park Directive. Parks staff will be reviewing results of a one-year pilot program and asking for public input to share with the Planning Board. View a copy of the Outdoor Tennis Court Policy (PDF). 
  • Parks staff held a Community Meeting to discuss Columbia Local Park in Burtonsville. Parks staff sought input from the community to help determine future uses of the existing courts located on the northern section of the park. For additional information, please visit the Park Projects Page.
  • Montgomery Parks will hold a community meeting on June 12, to present plans to improve Silver Spring Intermediate Neighborhood Park. Parks staff will present updated concept plans to improve the park. Visit the  park project web page for additional information.  
  • A community meeting to present the updated plan for Carroll Knolls Local Park will be held on June 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Capital View-Homewood Local Park Activity Building, 2929 Edgewood Road in Kensington. The community is invited to come and hear the updated presentation and receive feedback on proposed park renovation concept plans. Visit the park project webpage for additional information
  • Join Montgomery Parks staff for a community meeting to discuss the project overview of the trail crossing of the Capital Crescent Trail at Little Falls Parkway. The meeting will be held on June 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Somerset Elementary School, All -purpose cafeteria. Staff will be presenting the project and concept alternatives for the Capital Crescent Trail crossing at Little Falls Parkway. More information.
Accessibility Improvements Continue
 
Work is underway at the Sligo-Dennis Avenue Local Park to improve accessibilityOther access improvement projects include Cabin John Regional Park, Ball Field AreaRay's Meadow Local ParkWheaton Regional Park-Rubini Athletic Field Complex, the Archery Range at Rock Creek Regional Park and the Archery Range at South Germantown Recreational Park. For more information on these and other accessibility projects, please visit: Accessibility Information for Montgomery Parks webpage.
Playground Updates
 
Playgrounds at South Gunner's Branch Local ParkDale Drive Neighborhood Park and Hunters Woods Local Park are closed as part of the Playground Renovation Program. Work is scheduled to continue through the spring. 
Trail Work in Parks

Bikers and Runners should use caution around work areas as improvements are taking place on several trails in Montgomery Parks:
For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails, please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org.
Summer Guide cover
The Summer GUIDE is Here!
 
Montgomery Parks is offering a wide variety of programs, classes and events great for families, adults and children, this spring.  Details are available in the eGuide from your computer or cell. Visit Active Montgomery to register.
Sumer Camps guide cover
There is still time to register for Montgomery Parks summer camps, including Outdoor Adventure Camp, Golf & So Much More, Week in the Park, Wee Little Naturalists, Into the Woods, and many more on our Camps and Classes website.

You may also find the perfect camp for your kids at Montgomery Parks' Summer Camp Expos! Montgomery Parks offers more than 100 camps geared towards a wide variety of interests to summer campers of all ages.  Many camps even offer before/after care, and camps run throughout the entire summer!  
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 8787 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
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