May 4, 2018
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Planning Board Agenda

There is no Planning Board meeting on Thursday, May 10, 2018, but the Full Commission will be meeting briefly. View the agenda.
Makeover Montgomery 4 Conference Will Present Fresh Perspectives on the Future of the Suburbs
Makeover Montgomery 4 logo

The Montgomery County Planning Department is holding the Makeover Montgomery 4 Conference (MM4) from May 9 through May 11, 2018 in College Park and Silver Spring to focus on the changes needed to make our suburban communities smarter, healthier and more competitive and inclusive. The cost of the conference is $55 and goes up to $65 at the event (if space allows). The keynote address is free to the public and attendees are not required to register for the conference. 


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.


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. 


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.


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

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).
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. 

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.


It's as easy as ever to grab a bike and go! Bike rental kiosks are located at Black Hill Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park. To participate in the Montgomery Parks bike share program, each rider must download the Zagster app and enroll for free.
 
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.
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.
Spring GUIDE cover
The Spring 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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