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White Oak Science Gateway Public Meetings and Outreach

Plan Milestones

  • Master Plan’s zoning recommendations became effective on October 31, 2014.
  • Planning Board and M-NCPPC adopts the Master Plan on July 31, 2014.
  • County Council holds worksession on July 22 and approves the Plan on July 29, 2014.
  • County Council holds three worksessions in the PHED Committee on July 1, 7, and 16, 2014
  • County Council holds its Public Hearing on the Planning Board Draft Master Plan and the proposed amendments to the Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP) on February 4, 2014.
  • Planning Board holds additional worksessions on the Master Plan on December 5, 12, and 19, 2013 to consider the options for addressing the land use-transportation balance (per the County Council’s direction) as well as the staging element of the Master Plan.
  • Council President Nancy Navarro sends letter to Planning Board Chair Carrier on October 2, 2013 requesting additional work on the land use-transportation balance.
  • Planning Board approves Planning Board Draft Master Plan on September 19, 2013 and transmits it to the County Executive and County Council on September 20, 2013.
  • Planning Board holds worksessions on the Public Hearing Draft of the Master Plan: June 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; September 4, 2013.

Past Events

  • October 31, 2014: New zoning classifications recommended by the Master Plan became effective, concluding the SMA process
  • September 23, 2014: County Council Public Hearing on the Sectional Map Amendment
  • February 4, 2014: County Council Public Hearing on the REVISED Planning Board Draft Master Plan and the proposed amendments to the Subdivision Staging Policy. (Please click here to view the Revised Master Plan pages. Click here to view the amendments to the Subdivision Staging Policy.)
  • December 5, 12, & 19, 2013: Planning Board worksessions to review and discuss options to balance land use and transportation. Planning Board approved revisions to the Master Plan and recommended amendments to the Subdivision Staging Policy. (Click here to view the documents.) Click here to view the December 5 worksession and staff report (item #8). Click here to view the December 12 worksession and staff report (item #4). Click here to view the December 19 worksession and staff report (item #7).
  • September 19, 2013: Planning Board approved the Planning Board Draft for transmittal to the County Executive and County Council – Watch presentation and view staff packet (item #3).
  • September 4, 2013: Planning Board worksession #6 – staging and outstanding issues – Watch presentation and view staff packet (item #2).
  • July 25, 2013: Planning Board worksession #5 –design guidelines – Watch presentation recording (click Item #4 on video menu) – Read Design Guidelines
  • July 18, 2013: Planning Board worksession #4 –parks issues – Watch presentation recording (click on Item #8 on video menu)
  • July 11, 2013: Planning Board worksession #3 –land use and zoning, historic, and staging – Watch presentation recording (click on Item #4 on video menu)
  • June 27, 2013: Planning Board worksession #2 –land use and zoning – Watch presentation recording (click on Item #2 on video menu)
  • June 20, 2013: Planning Board worksession #1 –transportation issues – Watch presentation recording (click on Item #8 on video menu)
  • May 23, 2013: Planning Board public hearing – Watch presentation recording (click on Item #8 on video menu)
  • May 21, 2013: Presentation to the Greater Colesville Citizens Association
  • May 1, 2013: Presentation to the East County Citizens Advisory Board
  • April 4, 2013: Presentation of the staff draft to the Planning Board – Watch presentation recording (click on Item #12 on video menu)
  • September 20, 27 and October 4, 2012: Presentation of preliminary recommendations to the Planning Board
  • May 31, 2012: Presentation on the results of traffic modeling and analyses to the Planning Board. View the staff report.
  • February 3, 2011: The Planning Board approved a Scope of Work (2.1MB) for the plan (then called East County Science Center Master Plan).

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) 

The Planning Board appointed members of a Citizens Advisory Committee to provide input and guidance to planners in developing the plan. The group assisted in developing recommendations for the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan. The CAC included representatives of groups within the Plan’s boundaries, including community and civic associations, business and property owners, and area organizations and institutions.

In addition to the CAC, community engagement efforts included:

  • Periodic open house meetings for the larger community
  • Staff attendance at local community association meetings, as requested.
  • Inter-agency coordination with public sector stakeholders.

CAC Meetings

  • July 17, 2012: Staff solicited input on preliminary recommendations for the staff draft of the master plan, focusing on the transportation and staging (of potential development) elements of the Plan.
  • June 19, 2012: Staff presented and solicited input on the preliminary recommendations for the staff draft of the master plan. View the staff presentation (8.5 MB)
  • May 22, 2012: Staff prepared a future development scenario to test the potential impact to the road network and presented the results of the traffic modeling and analysis.
  • April 24, 2012 : The committee viewed illustrative concepts of potential development at the centers (White Oak, Hillandale, North White Oak/Cherry Hill) and a presentation of the staging elements of the White Flint Sector Plan and the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan.
  • November 15, 2011: Break-out groups discussed the major centers (White Oak, Hillandale, North White Oak/Cherry Hill), and the committee viewed a presentation on the Commercial Residential Zones.
  • October 18, 2011: The committee focused on environmental issues and parks resources. View presentations:
  • September 20, 2011: The committee focused on transportation issues. View the bus rapid transit project webpage.
    View presentations:
  • July 19, 2011:
    View presentations:
  • July 12, 2011:
    View presentation:

Meetings with Citizens Associations / Other

  • January 22, 2014: East County Citizens Advisory Board
  • December 4, 2013: Woodmoor-Pinecrest Citizens’ Association
  • July 23, 2013: Columbia Towers, Stoneheadge, and Paint Branch Park Condominium Associations with Council member Valerie Ervin.
  • May 21, 2013: Greater Colesville Citizens Association
  • May 1, 2013: East County Citizens Advisory Board
  • November 28, 2012: Hillandale Gardens/Knollwood/Adelphi Citizens
  • October 17, 2012: Four Corners civic groups
  • September 19, 2012: Hillandale Citizens Association
  • August 22, 2012: North White Oak Civic Association
  • June 26, 2012: Community meeting on the preliminary recommendations for the staff draft of the master plan. View the staff presentation (8.5 MB)
  • June 7, 2012: Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce
  • February 9, 2012: Silver Spring TMD Advisory Committee
  • November 9, 2011: Burnt Mills Citizens Association
  • October 25, 2011: Open House, Francis Scott Key Middle School cafeteria
  • September 15, 2011: Informational meeting on Burnt Mills Hills and Historic Preservation, Hillandale Center/CHI
  • September 6, 2011: Presentation to Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
  • September 7, 2011: Presentation to the East County Citizens Advisory Board
  • June 28, 2011: Community Forum, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center
  • June 25, 2011: Community Meeting with Council President Valerie Ervin, February Circle and April Lane, Silver Spring
  • June 2, 2011: Calverton Citizens Association
  • May 25, 2011: Woodmoor-Pinecrest Citizens Association
  • May 18, 2011: Oak Springs Homeowners Association
  • April 7, 2011: Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce
  • March 31, 2011: Tamarack Triangle Civic Association
  • March 28, 2011: Hillandale Citizens Association
  • June 30, 2010: Open House, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center. About 75 community members attended to inform planners of issues and opportunities that should be addressed in this plan.Maps and summary of the comments from the Open House.