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Mission of the Montgomery County Planning Board
The
Mission of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission is to: manage physical growth and plan
communities; protect and steward natural, cultural and
historical resources; provide leisure and recreational
experiences.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and its Montgomery County Planning Board welcome residents' participation in planning for the orderly physical development of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland. M-NCPPC enjoys a nearly 80 year history of award-winning programs and excellent service to both Counties.
In 1927, the Maryland legislature created the M-NCPPC to acquire land and implement plans for a system of parks and conservation areas, to determine the location of highways, to exercise control of the subdivision of land, and to implement zoning regulations. Maryland State Law (Article 28) provides the basic planning and zoning authority for the M-NCPPC.
M-NCPPC has 10 Commissioners, five appointed by the Montgomery County Council and five by the Prince George's County Executive. The five members of the Montgomery County Planning Board are appointed for staggered four-year terms. Planning Board members may serve a maximum of two full terms, and no more than three members may belong to the same political party. The Montgomery County Council appoints and the County Executive confirms all members of the Montgomery County Planning Board.
Each year, the County Councils approve the Commission's operating budget and set priorities for the Planning Boards' park and planning work programs and in Prince George's County the Commission includes recreation programs. The Councils also approve the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. Meeting each month on the third Wednesday, the five Commissioners from each County together serve as the Commission. The Commission handles regional planning and park matters and decides on administrative policies of interest to both Counties. The Chairs of each Planning Board serve full time and act as Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission on an annual rotating basis.
The Planning Boards meet separately to facilitate, review, and administer the land use matters affecting only their respective Counties. To carry out their functions, the Montgomery County and Prince George's County Planning Boards meet separately on Thursdays at 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring and 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, respectively.
The Planning Board has many responsibilities including: preparing master plans that provide a vision for change and growth over a 20-year period for the County Executive's consideration and approval; advising the Council on text changes to the Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Board also reviews and makes recommendations to the County Hearing Examiner on applications for zoning map amendments, which are changes to the zoning for specific properties outside the master plan context; to the Board of Appeals on applications for special exception uses and variances to the standards; and to local, state and federal agencies on their construction projects in Montgomery County; these items are called "mandatory referrals."
The Planning Board meets every Thursday, and at other times as needed, to act on park plans, preliminary plans for subdivision, site plans, zoning applications, master plans and other matters. You should consult the Planning Board's weekly agenda if you want to find out when the Board will review specific items. The Board encourages residents to participate by writing letters and testifying in person.
When the Planning Board makes decisions on subdivision plans, site plans and project plans, it is subject to ex-parte provisions and its members cannot speak to anyone on these issues outside the public record. This means that residents' wishing to express their views on these issues should not attempt to communicate directly with members of the Planning Board, but should submit oral or written testimony for the public record at the appropriate Planning Board hearing. Letters may be submitted in advance of the public hearing and will be included in the public record.
The
Planning Board's weekly agenda is available on-line and copies
are mailed to all County citizens/civic and homeowners associations
listed with the Board, and to any other group or individual
who asks to be placed on the mailing list. The Planning Board's
Community Relations Office maintains and updates the agenda
mailing list. Adjoining and confronting property owners who
will be affected by a subdivision or other development activity
also receive official notice from the staff. You're encouraged
to find out about items coming before the Board by reviewing
the weekly agenda or by calling (301) 495-4600.
Planning Board Responsibilities
Some of the Board's planning responsibilities include:
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Preparation and amendment of the County General Plan
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Preparation and amendment of the master plans and functional plans
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Formulation of subdivision regulations
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Preparation of, or recommendations on, text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
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Implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development
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Advice on the planning implications of capital facilities and programs of the County Government, Montgomery College, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools
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Approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Montgomery County Department of Parks and Planning Department and Central Administrative Services.