Property owners invited to share with the public their ideas for changes to their own sites to make Bethesda even better
SILVER SPRING, MD – Property owners are invited to participate in an online forum hosted by the Montgomery County Planning Department regarding the Bethesda Downtown Plan. An interactive map has been launched that includes information about specific parcels within the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan area. This is an opportunity for property owners to inform the community about their ideas and plans for the area, and for residents to give feedback.
This online-only Property Owners’ Forum is a new initiative launched by Montgomery Planning to enable greater access and interactivity for the community and property owners, and increase participation in the planning process. Through the use of an online interactive map, property owners and residents will be able to pinpoint properties that have been discussed so far. They will be able to see properties and information on ideas for future development as it relates to the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan.
Details:
Live Online Broadcast Property Owners Forum
Wednesday October 29
9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Planning Department Headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD)
www.bethesdadowntownplan.org
Property owners have been asked to provide information about the changes they are considering as part of the new sector plan. This information will be available on the Bethesda Downtown Plan website and will include addresses and contact information. In addition, there will be an opportunity for the remote audience to send in written questions bethesdadowntownplan@montgomeryplanning.org. The broadcast will also be recorded and be available for viewing afterwards at www.bethesdadowntownplan.org
The Bethesda Downtown Plan team will be hosting property owners in its “broadcast studio” located at the Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD) to make short presentations with images on Wednesday, October 29th.
This Property Owners’ Forum will help the planning process by ensuring that the community and property owners have the opportunity and encouragement to collaborate and be well informed about what the ideas could be for potential development projects. These concepts, as they evolve, will ultimately help in crafting the recommendations for the sector plan.
The planning staff has had conversations with property owners – often in meetings that are conducted at the request of the property owner. This event will be different from a typical property owner meeting because it is a convenient opportunity for all property owners to share ideas publicly and openly about their future plans at one time.
The following property owners will be making presentations on the morning of the 29th:
-Robert Sponseller who is with Shalom Baranes Associates for Bernstein Management –7121 Wisconsin Ave. which is located next to the Farm Women’s Cooperative.
-David Goldberg – for Union Hardware which is located next to the proposed civic open space near Veterans Park
-Barry Lemley and Don Cuming for Christ Lutheran Church
-Bob Stoddard for Bethesda Fire Department Station #6
-David Kitchens of Cooper Cary for Clarke Enterprises with their ideas for the adjacent Metro Plaza
-John Penny of John Penny Design for Euro Motorcars
-Architects from Skidmore Owings and Merrill LLP for Metro Plaza owner Brookfield
-Ron Kaplan of Streescape for Bethesda Vision Care at 4300 East West Highway
Learn more about the Bethesda Downtown Plan and how to get involved: www.bethesdadowntownplan.org