2035 Montgomery County General Plan

2035 Montgomery County General Plan
Title	2035 Montgomery County General Plan
Jurisdiction	Montgomery County, Maryland
Adopted	2016
Planner	Montgomery County Planning Department
Website	Montgomery Planning

2035 Montgomery County General Plan The 2035 Montgomery County General Plan is a comprehensive policy document guiding Montgomery County, Maryland's land use, transportation, housing, and environmental decisions through 2035. It builds on prior regional frameworks including the Washington metropolitan area planning initiatives, aligns with the Maryland Department of Planning objectives, and responds to federal and state statutes such as the Montgomery County Charter and Maryland General Assembly legislation. The Plan synthesizes input from local institutions like the Montgomery County Council, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and advocacy groups including the Montgomery County Civic Federation and Action Committee for Transit.

Background and Purpose

The Plan traces its roots to earlier documents such as the 1964 Regional District Study, the 1969 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority planning era, and the Master Plan of Highways precedent, addressing growth pressures from adjacent jurisdictions like Washington, D.C., Prince George's County, Maryland, Frederick County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia. It responds to demographic trajectories identified by the U.S. Census Bureau, regional employment shifts tied to institutions like the National Institutes of Health, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and federal contractors in the I-270 Technology Corridor. The purpose statement references statutory mandates from the Maryland Land Use Code and objectives articulated by regional bodies such as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Vision and Guiding Principles

The Plan's vision synthesizes goals espoused by leaders from entities including the Montgomery County Executive's office, the Montgomery County Council President, and civic organizations like the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Guiding principles reference compact growth favored by proponents such as the Regional Plan Association, multimodal access promoted by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and environmental stewardship aligned with standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Bay Program. Principles incorporate equity priorities advocated by ACLU of Maryland, affordable housing goals championed by Habitat for Humanity, and resilience measures promoted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Land Use and Growth Management

Land use policies prioritize mixed-use centers inspired by models like the New Urbanism movement and transit-oriented development around nodes such as Bethesda (Montgomery County, Maryland), Rockville, Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland, and the Shady Grove (Washington Metro station). Growth management tools reference urban containment similar to Portland, Oregon's urban growth boundary and nodal strategies comparable to plans in Alexandria, Virginia and Arlington County, Virginia. The Plan addresses commercial corridors along MD 355 (Rockville Pike), I-270, and US Route 29 while protecting green corridors linked to Great Seneca Creek and parkland administered by Montgomery Parks andMaryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Transportation and Mobility

Transportation strategies emphasize integration with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority network, proposed projects such as the Purple Line (Maryland) and the MARC Train connections, and regional road priorities tied to Interstate 270. Modal emphasis includes bicycle and pedestrian networks consistent with standards from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and bus rapid transit concepts championed by Metrobus and Ride On (Montgomery County) planners. Freight and intermodal connections reference the CSX Transportation corridor and the Union Station (Washington, D.C.) gateway, while parking and demand management cite practices used by San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Housing and Affordable Housing Strategies

The Plan sets targets influenced by housing studies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, regional analyses by the Urban Institute, and local advocates like Housing Initiative Partnership. Strategies include inclusionary zoning inspired by programs in Montgomery County, Maryland and other jurisdictions such as Boston, Massachusetts and San Diego, California, preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing similar to efforts in New York City, and partnerships with nonprofit developers like Enterprise Community Partners and Wesley Housing. It addresses displacement risks near redeveloping stations and corridors, referencing case studies from Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.

Environment and Sustainability Policies

Environmental policies align with regional commitments to the Chesapeake Bay Program and state mandates under the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Climate resilience measures reference guidance from the National Climate Assessment and collaboration opportunities with agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Maryland Department of the Environment. The Plan advances green infrastructure, tree canopy preservation akin to programs in Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stormwater management consistent with EPA standards, and renewable energy integration reflecting models from Boulder, Colorado and Lancaster, California.

Implementation, Funding, and Monitoring

Implementation relies on coordination among the Montgomery County Planning Department, Montgomery County Council, Maryland Department of Transportation, and federal funding sources including grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation and HUD. Funding mechanisms include public-private partnerships similar to projects with Kaiser Permanente and developers such as PNC Bank-backed consortiums, impact fees referencing practices in Austin, Texas, and capital improvement programs modeled on Prince George's County, Maryland. Monitoring frameworks propose performance metrics comparable to those used by the Brookings Institution and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Public Engagement and Adoption Process

The Plan's adoption process incorporated hearings before the Montgomery County Planning Board, testimony to the Montgomery County Council, and outreach through community organizations including Montgomery County Civic Federation, Interfaith Works, and neighborhood associations in Potomac, Maryland and Germantown, Maryland. Public engagement methods drew on best practices from National Civic League, digital platforms used by Google and Facebook for civic outreach, and translation services reflecting Montgomery County's diverse communities connected to immigrant advocacy groups such as CASA de Maryland.

Category:Montgomery County, Maryland plans