Public invited to view responses to the Planning Department’s March comments on the Purple Line Mandatory Referral
SILVER SPRING, MD – Responses to the Montgomery County Planning Board’s Purple Line Mandatory Referral recommendations are now available on the Planning Department’s website. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) all responded to the Planning Board’s input.
At the Mandatory Referral Hearing on March 20th, the Planning Board reviewed and took testimony related to four projects: the Purple Line, the Bethesda Metro Station South Entrance, the Capital Crescent Trail and the Silver Spring Green Trail. Mandatory referral review allows the Board to make recommendations to the appropriate agencies for consideration.
In an effort to assure compatibility with communities and businesses along the right of way, many of the recommendations concern ways to improve station access for pedestrians and bicyclists, enhance urban design along the corridor, reduce environmental impacts, and mitigate impacts to parkland.
In addition, the Planning Board recently sent a letter to Councilmember Roger Berliner, Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment, and Committee, identifying the Board’s priorities for enhancing these projects.
And in an effort to highlight a particularly critical recommendation, the Board sent a letter to the County Council asking them to advocate for a direct connection between the existing Red Line station and the planned Purple Line station in downtown Silver Spring.
A webpage features an interactive map that highlights the recommendations that the Planning Board will be considering, provides a link to the March 20 staff report, includes descriptions of the individual projects, and includes all of the documents submitted to the department for review.
About the Purple Line
The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile Light Rail Transit (LRT) line with 21 stations, connecting Bethesda to New Carrollton. It will provide direct connections to the Metrorail Red Line in Bethesda and Silver Spring, the Green Line at College Park, and the Orange Line at New Carrollton. The Purple Line project will be constructed along with three other projects: the Capital Crescent Trail, the Silver Spring Green Trail, and a new entrance to the Bethesda Metrorail station. Learn more on the Maryland Transit Administration’s Purple Line webpage.
What is a Mandatory Referral?
Government agencies planning construction projects located in Montgomery County must refer their plans to the Planning Board for review, in a manner similar to that followed by private developers. However, because the Planning Board’s decision and recommendations are advisory only, an applicant may decide whether to incorporate them or not. Read more about mandatory referrals. Public projects must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations.
Purple Line Functional Plan
The Purple Line Functional Plan was adopted by the County Council in September of 2010, and includes a series of recommendations for the proposed transit line’s route, mode and stations, and for the Capital Crescent Trail and the Silver Spring Green Trail. Download the approved and adopted Purple Line Functional Plan
M-NCPPC Planning Department Staff Contact:
David Anspacher, Functional Planning and Policy
david.anspacher@montgomeryplanning.org
301-495-2191
Tom Autrey, Functional Planning and Policy
thomas.autrey@montgomeryplanning.org
301-495-4533