Zoning Ordinance launch and leadership changes top 10 achievements of 2014
Silver Spring, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission presents its 2014 Year in Review. This list represents the most significant accomplishments for the year.
Montgomery Planning 2014 Year in Review:
1. New Zoning Ordinance
Montgomery County took a giant step forward in 2014 by enacting a new zoning ordinance in October to encourage more vibrant, mixed-use and walkable communities. The new law is the most comprehensive update to the county’s land use regulations since they were last reviewed in 1977.
2. New Leadership
Recently appointed Chair Casey Anderson and Natali Fani-González, the first Latino board member, are making the most of their new roles on the Montgomery County Planning Board. The five-member Planning Board advises the County Council on land use and community planning issues.
3. Streamlined Development Review
New steps have been put in place to streamline the review process for approving new development and make it more efficient. In order to complete the review of projects in 120 days, the development review committee now meets every other week and every effort is made to resolve complex issues early in the process. An interactive map allows the public to pinpoint and review developments proposed for their neighborhoods.
4. Planning Great Communities
A record number of Master Plans were completed in 2014, including Chevy Chase Lake, Long Branch, Glenmont, Bethesda Purple Line Station, Clarksburg Ten Mile Creek, White Oak Science Gateway and Countywide Transit Corridors. Work continues on finer-grained plans for Bethesda Downtown, Aspen Hill, Sandy Spring, Greater Lyttonsville and Westbard.
5. Broader Public Outreach
County planners are finding success with new ways to reach out to residents who do not typically participate in the planning process. Strategic social media, happy hours, videos, Spanish-language presentations and interactive tools improved the quality and quantity of public engagement throughout 2014. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!
6. Purple Line Advocacy
Staff undertook a detailed analysis of the proposed Purple Line light rail line through the Mandatory Referral process in order to enhance station designs and pedestrian and bicycle connections. Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson co-wrote a letter to Maryland Governor-Elect Larry Hogan in support of the Purple Line, emphasizing the project’s future economic benefits for the state.
7. Design Excellence Initiative
As the amount of available land for development is shrinking and density is increasing, the design quality of buildings, landscapes and streetscapes is becoming increasingly important in the County. In 2014, the Planning Department launched a Design Excellence initiative focused on improving community guidelines and tools to ensure higher design standards.
8. Planning Trends Conference
In May 2014, the Planning Department co-sponsored with the University of Maryland a major conference on planning trends. “MM2: Moving Forward Montgomery” drew more than 300 people to discuss topics ranging from urban agriculture to affordable housing. The event demonstrated that the Department is a leader in planning, not only within the region but nationwide
9. Lessons on Planning Politics
Planning policies and politics are the subjects of the speaker series, A Once & Future County, initiated by the Planning Department in November 2014. Undertaken in partnership with former Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson, the public presentations by planning experts address relevant topics, from suburban retrofits to corridor cities.
10. Honoring the Recent Past
The Planning Department’s Historic Preservation Office launched the Montgomery Modern initiative in 2013 to increase appreciation of midcentury modern architecture in the County through tours, publications and public programs. After a successful bus tour of mid-century landmarks, the outreach program switched to two wheels for a bike tour of neighborhoods in October 2014.
Learn more about the Montgomery County Planning Department.