SILVER SPRING, MD – Over the past year, planners, residents and property owners working together have conceived of the future Germantown as the upcounty cultural center and a revitalized employment area served by public transit in addition to I-270. Now they want to know what the public thinks.
The Montgomery County Planning Board will host a public hearing on the draft Germantown Master Plan on Monday, July 28 to consider ideas and reactions from residents, property owners and anyone who wants to comment on the future of the area of Germantown known as the employment corridor.
Located in northern Montgomery County and straddling both sides of I-270, Germantown has seen a mini-housing boom since the late 1970s. To balance that residential growth, planners recommend ways to attract employers by capitalizing on relatively recent amenities such as a new public library and cultural arts center, and mixing housing, retail and public space in a thriving town center.
The critical feature, planners say, is the planned Corridor Cities Transitway, a light rail or rapid bus route proposed to connect Shady Grove Metro Station with several stops in Germantown and other northern Montgomery County towns.
Planners have put the finishing touches on the Germantown draft plan, which updates the 1989 Master Plan for the community. The Planning Board will consider testimony at the public hearing, then hold work sessions to refine planner recommendations in early fall. The board will then finalize the plan and send it to the County Council for review and eventual approval.
Master plans look ahead 15 to 20 years in a comprehensive guide to an area’s land use, zoning and environmental features, such as tree cover, stormwater management and green space. They also examine transportation issues such as roads, mass transit, bicycle trails and pedestrian mobility.
WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board
WHAT:
Germantown Master Plan Public Hearing
WHEN:
Monday, July 28 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Montgomery College – Germantown campus
Globe Hall, High Technology and Science Center
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of all individuals in its programs and facilities. For assistance with special needs, such as large print materials, sign language interpretation, listening devices, etc., please contact 301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331 or the Maryland Relay Service, 1-800-735-2258.