New Planning Department online map application allows the public to pinpoint locations and details of plans for neighborhoods.
The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, now offers an easy way for the public to find detailed information about development projects throughout the county. The Development Finder website, launched on October 7, offers an interactive map of the county and surrounding areas. Users can search by the address or location of the development or enter a simple term like “Wheaton” and be presented with the current projects in that area. Clicking on a specific community on the map also reveals numbered locations of developments that have been approved for construction or are pending approval. A sidebar summarizes the count and list of projects in that area.
A link from the map reveals the basics of each plan, including location, project name, use and square footage. From this window, users can access the Development Activity Information Center (DAIC), a display of more detailed, up-to-date information on the project. Included in the DAIC display are the names of the owner, architect, engineer and development contact, along with the current status of the project in connection with county Planning Board actions. A link provided for each plan leads to more detailed information about a project, including actual plan documents and resolution letters.
All the information is automatically updated by the Planning Department’s new eplans system to display developments that are pending approval and plans that have been approved over the past year. The service is free and its features are clearly demonstrated in a short video.