Evaluation of the Woodside Locational Atlas District
The Historic Preservation Division will resume its evaluation of the Woodside Locational Atlas District that started in coordination with the Woodside Civic Association in 2019. The Locational Atlas & Index of Historic Sites identifies resources that may be historically significant and provides interim protection from substantial alteration or demolition until they can be evaluated for potential designation in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation. Montgomery Planning paused the comprehensive evaluation to allow for the completion of other planning initiatives, including the Downtown Silver Spring and Adjacent Communities Plan (2021).
The Historic Preservation Division will submit recommendations to the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Board in Spring 2026. As outlined in our preliminary recommendations to the community in 2020, the Historic Preservation Division continues to recommend:
- The removal of the Woodside Locational Atlas District from the Locational Atlas & Index of Historic Sites; and
- The listing of six individual Locational Atlas Sites for further study and potential designation in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation.
Background: Locational Atlas & Index of Historic Sites
In 1976, the Montgomery County Planning Board, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), created the Locational Atlas & Index of Historic Sites, which identifies resources that are potentially historic. Resources listed on the Atlas are protected from demolition or “substantial alteration” until they are evaluated for designation in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation (1979), the County’s preservation planning document that includes the list of all officially designated historic sites and districts.
The Planning Board listed Woodside as a Locational Atlas District in 1976. Since then, all properties within the district have been regulated under Chapter 24A-10, Historic Resources Preservation, of the Montgomery County Code.
Timeline of Events
Kick-off Meeting—May 15, 2019
The Historic Preservation Division held a kick-off meeting with the Woodside Civic Association on May 15, 2019.
Staff presentation, May 15, 2019
Virtual Community Meeting—September 30, 2020
The Historic Preservation Division held a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, September 30th, 2020, to discuss its preliminary recommendations. Videos of that event and a presentation outlining staff’s recommendations are available below.
Next Steps
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, beginning at 7pm, the Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing and worksession on the following:
- A. Evaluation of the Woodside Locational Atlas District (M:36-4).
- B. Evaluation of Grace Church, Cemetery, and Parsonage (M: 36-4-1), 9115-9120 Georgia Avenue and 1607 Grace Church Road; Richard and Laura Wilson House (M: 36-4-8), 8818 First Avenue; Wilbur and Nellie Parsley House (M: 36-4-7), 8800 First Avenue; Charles and Kate Morgan House (M: 36-4-6), 8730 First Avenue; James Benedict Sr. and Elizabeth Benedict House (M: 36-4-5), 1613 Highland Drive; and Ballard and Estelle Morris House (M: 36-4-4), 1515 Noyes Drive, for listing as individual Locational Atlas Historic Sites.
The public is welcome to provide public testimony either virtually or in-person. More information on the public hearing and worksession is available at the HPC website.
Staff Report – Evaluation of Woodside Locational Atlas District & Individual Sites