Group will discuss progress of developments, road improvements, bikeway projects and related White Flint 2 Sector Plan issues
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is convening the monthly meeting of the White Flint Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee on Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Wall Local Park/Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center (5900 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, MD 20852). The meeting is open to the public.
The session’s agenda includes a progress report on development activity, updates on road and bikeway projects, and the County’s current Capital Improvements Program budgetary process as it relates to the White Flint Sector Plan area of North Bethesda.
Participants will learn more about the White Flint 2 Sector Plan, launched in 2015 to close the gap between the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan, Twinbrook Sector Plan and the pending City of Rockville plan for Rockville Pike (MD 355). The plan’s land use, zoning and transportation recommendations will apply to properties in a bow-tie-shaped area between the boundaries of these already established Plans. White Flint 2 will link common elements between the Plan areas, including Rockville Pike and a proposed network of bike lanes and public open spaces.
Update on Urban Land Institute Review Panels
Another topic of discussion at the meeting will be the Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) review held by the Planning Department and Washington, DC chapter of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in December 2015 to focus on revitalization strategies for the Executive Boulevard and Rock Spring areas of North Bethesda. This two-day event included site visits, roundtable discussions and a presentation of findings from a multi-disciplinary team of real estate and land use experts.
The panelists suggested ways of making the two office parks in North Bethesda more economically competitive and their findings are documented in a recent report entitled “What’s Next for Office Parks in Montgomery County.” The report recommendations for the Executive Boulevard area are being considered by planners for the White Flint 2 Sector Plan.
Meeting participants will also learn about a more recent ULI TAP review, held by the White Flint Downtown Advisory Committee on March 29, 2016 at the Strathmore Music Center. The purpose of this study is to look at ways of re-branding the White Flint area as the Pike District. Panelists offered ideas for signage and streetscape designs to clearly define a new identity for the neighborhood.
About the White Flint Sector Plan Advisory Committee
In 2010, the Planning Department appointed a group of property owners, residents, County officials and interest groups to oversee the implementation and staging of redevelopment in the Sector Plan areas. The 24-member committee monitors the progress of Plan recommendations, including improvements to traffic congestion, transit use and parking; the County’s Capital Improvements Program and Subdivision Staging Policy. Members recommend action by the Planning Board and County Council to address issues that may arise.