SILVER SPRING – As Montgomery County planners start to develop recommendations for a countywide growth strategy, they are seeking to learn what residents value most about their communities.
Armed with that input, planners will craft the 2009-2011 Growth Policy, which guides development for two years. The biennial process is required by the County Council to synchronize future development with essential public facilities.
Planners invite residents to four community meetings throughout November and early December to participate in focused discussions on what should be part of the next Growth Policy. A Growth Policy survey posted online at www.GrowingSmarterMontgomery.org provides another opportunity for residents to voice an opinion.
In the 2009-2011 Growth Policy, planners are looking to broaden their traditional scope beyond traffic relief and adequate school capacity to include other public values, such as air and water quality. The next Growth Policy will build upon the 2007-2009 version that, for the first time, highlighted environmental sustainability and design of public spaces as important contributors to our quality of life. Understanding that the county will see an increase in population and jobs, planners are looking to devise measures that will help ensure our communities feature what is most valued by residents.
At the meetings, participating will rotate among stations to discuss what they would like to see within four topic areas: connections, environment, design and diversity.
Who:
Montgomery County Planning Department
What:
Growth Policy Community meetings
When/Where:
7 – 9 p.m. Monday, November 3: Marilyn J. Praisner Library, Burtonsville
2 – 4 p.m. Saturday, November 8: Germantown Library, Germantown
7 – 9 p.m. Monday, November 10: Quince Orchard Library, Gaithersburg
10 a.m.-noon Saturday, December 6: Park and Planning Headquarters, Silver Spring