As Montgomery County
continues to attract an increasingly diverse, technologically savvy,
well-educated population, the Planning Department focuses its skills and
talents to bring high-quality design in both form and function to all areas,
from central business districts to rural villages and improve quality of life
by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for current and
future generations.
Community Planning Great communities are created by developing master plans, reviewing applications for development and analyzing information to help public officials
plan for the future. A 140 member team brings regulatory
cases, master
plans, functional
plans and other initiatives to
the Montgomery
County Planning Board.
Multi-disciplinary geographic
teams with regulatory as well as community planning functions lead to better
integration and more balanced decision-making. Staff also provide
recommendations, information, analysis and services to the Planning Board, the
County Council, the County Executive, other government agencies and the general
public.
The Environment Montgomery County strives to achieve sustainability, reduce
carbon footprints and contribute to healthier communities. These objectives are
achieved:
o
assisting
property owners to improve or develop their properties
o
analyzing
natural resources for community planning
o
reviewing
development applications, and
o
participating in
efforts to promote environmental sustainability for residents and visitors.
Sustainable communities are
created by addressing resource protection, climate change, air quality, water
quality and availability, human health and well-being.
heritage and water trails, walking, biking, cultural
and professional enrichment tours in
Montgomery County and metro Washington DC
Historic Preservation is supported by providing identification,
designation, and regulation of historic sites in Montgomery County. Staff
maintains an archive and library of documentation on historic resources and
provides preservation outreach and guidance on best-practices to the public.
Find out how a structure becomes a designated historic site
Transportation Planning entails detailed analyses of transportation issues
and improvements needed to support expected growth during master plan
preparation as well as planned improvements. A biennial Mobility Assessment
report plays an integral role in developing recommendations for growth policies
matching transport services with new development.
Urban Designers establish guidelines, blend architecture, landscape architecture, and
environmental stewardship, resulting:
o Street Character Improving
the character of the street system, promoting walking, providing easy access to
transit, creating inviting connections to services
o Open Spaces Establishing
open space systems designed to serve people of all ages and needs, providing a
variety of urban spaces - plazas, urban parks and town commons - connected by a
system of greenways and sidewalks
o Building Form and Character Fostering the design of buildings that shape public streets and open
spaces, density, building heights, setbacks from the curb, and parking
locations
o Landmarks and Gateways Preserving
and highlighting the elements that make a community unique, and increasing
access to historic resources.
tell us about your community
and projects
Local Knowledge – Global Reach
