May 18, 2018
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Planning Board Agenda

Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, May 24, 2018. View the full agenda.
Makeover Montgomery 4 Conference Presented Innovative Ideas for Creating Smart, Healthy, Inclusive and Competitive Communities in the Suburbs

The Montgomery County Planning Department drew about 280 people to its Makeover Montgomery 4 Conference sessions at the Silver Spring Civic Building on May 10 and May 11. The conference kicked off on May 9 at the University of Maryland with keynote speaker Peter Leyden, a technology expert who discussed influential trends shaping our society. The conference kicked off on May 9 at the University of Maryland with keynote speaker Peter Leyden, a technology expert who discussed influential trends shaping our society.

"This year's conference addressed a broader range of topics related to transforming the suburbs into more welcoming, healthier places," says Planning Director Gwen Wright. "Expanding the focus of the sessions makes sense, given the increasingly diverse population of the county and the many challenges we face in planning livable communities for the future."

Montgomery Parks Powers Up Its First Solar Fields
Aerial photo of solar 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.


The Montgomery County Planning Department is collaborating with the Better Block Foundation, a Dallas-based non-profit, to host a community-led placemaking meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at the Randolph Hills Shopping Center (4840 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD). This kick-off meeting will launch the community-led project scheduled to be completed in fall 2018.

The White Flint Better Block project aims to bring together residents, local business owners, parents, teachers and students of nearby schools, and representatives of civic associations to collectively envision and build  temporary public spaces and placemaking activities catering to the surrounding community. RSVPs for the May 30 kick-off event are encouraged but not required.

Learn more about White Flint Placemaking Community Kick-off Meeting
Planning Board Approves Master Plan of Highways and Transitways on May 3 and Sends Plan to County Council for Consideration

Master Plan of Highways and Transit graphic
The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the Planning Board Draft of the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways (MPOHT) on May 3, 2018 and sent it to the County Council and the County Executive for consideration. The public will get a chance to provide comments to the County Council about the master plan during a soon-to-be scheduled public hearing.


The plan updates the county's road and transitway network with recommendations that range from road classification changes to Urban Road Code boundary changes to bring the MPOHT into conformance with the Montgomery County Code. It is the first major revision to the MPOHT since 1955 and pro­vides a comprehensive summary of all significant existing and proposed highway and transitway facilities within the county.


The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the public to a community meeting on Monday, June 4, 2018 to share important updates on the progress of the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Planning Department auditorium (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring). Those planning to attend the meeting are encouraged to RSVP online.

The proposed scope of the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hill Sector Plan is to reevaluate land uses, transportation strategies and redevelopment along the Georgia Avenue corridor as well as offering recommendations to improve the area's pedestrian and bicycle accessibility, connectivity and safety. The plan also looks to protect and enhance existing residential neighborhoods while balancing the region's evolving traffic demands. 

Read more about the June 4 community meeting

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.
  • The Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park Renovation Project will be conducting a community meeting on Tuesday evening, June 12, from 7p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the First Baptist Church Kengar, 3922 Hampden Street. Staff will present the final concept design and discuss project timeline. Visit the park project webpage for 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.
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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