May 25, 2018
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Planning Board Agenda

Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, May 31, 2018. View the full agenda.
Five Ways to Spend Memorial Day Weekend
kayakers

Kick off the unofficial start to summer with Montgomery Parks during Memorial Day weekend! Fill the holiday weekend with activities the whole family will enjoy, from boat rides and water mazes to golf excursions and train adventures. Here are five ways to have fun and stay cool all weekend long. 

Montgomery Parks Operating Schedule for Memorial Day Weekend
Annual Monitoring Report for Bethesda Downtown Plan Will Be Presented to the Planning Board on May 31

Bethesda Downtown Plan Annual Monitoring Report
The Montgomery County Planning Department will brief the Montgomery County Planning Board on May 31, 2018 about the Annual Monitoring Report for the Bethesda Downtown Plan.

This 50-page document explains the progress of the plan over the past year, from May 2017 to May 2018, in terms of school capacity, new parks and open spaces, and transportation adequacy. In addition, the report presents information on recent development activity in downtown Bethesda and the status of remaining density in the Bethesda Overlay Zone.

View the staff report for the May 31 Planning Board meeting.


Montgomery County Exploring Options to Meet Rising Demand for Senior Housing as Study Finds Needs and Number of Older Population Will Spike

Meeting the Housing Needs of Older Adults in Montgomery County report cover
The Montgomery County Planning Department has completed a study of senior housing needs in the county and presented the findings to the Montgomery County Planning Board on May 24, 2018. 



The study was undertaken by the department's Research and Special Projects Division in response to the county's growing number of residents aged 55 and older - estimated to be nearly 288,000 people - and the housing challenges this population faces. Consultant Lisa Sturtevant and Associates worked with the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis and Neighborhood Fundamentals to assess the housing needs of seniors in Montgomery County.

Among the goals of the research are to quantify the supply of housing serving older adults in the county; document the characteristics of the senior population; assess current and future demand for senior housing - both the amount and preferred housing types; and recommend ways of preparing to meet growing senior housing needs.

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
Eastern Box Turtles Highly Active This Season
Box turtle

Eastern box turtles are making their way around Montgomery Parks as they enter their breeding and nesting season. This, combined with recent heavy rains, is causing an increase in movement by the turtles. Montgomery Parks is offering a few tips for people who may encounter the turtles. 


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 Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills 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.
  • 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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