Community invited to brainstorm, collaborate with planners November 10-18 in open sessions with the public to capture concepts, goals for sector plan area
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is conducting a weeklong charrette – a series of intensive workshops – to gather ideas and craft a concept framework plan for the Westbard Sector Plan.
The PlanWestbard Community Charrette will take place during the week of November 10; a full schedule of meetings is posted online at www.montgomeryplanning.org/planwestbard. Staff will e on hand to answer questions and provide insight into the Sector Plan process from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Westwood II (5110 Ridgefield Rd, Bethesda, MD). Evening presentations will be held during the week at the Walt Whitman High School cafeteria (7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD) from 6 – 9 p.m. The final presentation of the completed Concept Plan will be held at Westland Middle School (5511 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD) from 7 – 9 p.m.
What is a charrette?
char·rette (SHe’ret/)Noun. a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions together. Linking back to the École des Beaux Arts in Paris where students would put their final drawings on a cart (charrette) to turn in for grading by a professor. Oftentimes students would hop on the cart to finish their drawings.
The charrette will offer residents and stakeholders an opportunity to drop in and work one-on-one with staff who will capture the ideas, visions and goals of the Westbard community. The community is invited to bring a friend or neighbor to the Charrette Open House hours.
Residents, business owners and property owners are invited to drop-in and meet with planners and representatives from other agencies during the daytime hours. RSVP’s are encouraged but not required: www.montgomeryplanning.org/planwestbard.
Charrette Schedule At A Glance:
Monday, November 10 – Walking Tours will be conducted in the community at 10 a.m. and noon starting at Westwood II. Charrette Open House hours will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Westwood II. Attend the PlanWestbard Visioning Session at Walt Whitman High School starting at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11 – Observance of Veterans Day (no charrette activities)
Wednesday, November 12 – A “Sunrise Series” meeting will be held for business owners at 7 a.m. at Westwood II. Charrette Open House hours will follow until 5 p.m. at Westwood II. The Framework Concept will be presented at Walt Whitman High School from 6 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, November 13 – A “Sunrise Series” meeting will be held for all stakeholders at 7 a.m. at Westwood II followed by Charrette Open House hours until 5 p.m. The community will be asked to give feedback on the preferred options for the Framework Concept at Walt Whitman High School from 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, November 14 –The community is invited to drop in at Westwood II during the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to talk with Montgomery Planning Department staff as they refine the Concept Plan.
Monday, November 17 – Planners will be working on the results of the charrette in preparation for Tuesday’s evening presentation of the Completed Concept Plan at Westland Middle School.
Tuesday, November 18 – Planners will summarize the results of the charrette and its influence on the plan at Westland Middle School from 7 to 9 p.m.
About the Westbard Sector Plan: The existing Westbard Sector Plan is one of the oldest plans still in use in Montgomery County, having last been revised in 1982. It is now being updated at the direction of the Montgomery County Council to keep pace with the times and changes in the area.
Before attending the charrette, the community is invited to review the Westbard Sector Plan Briefing Book summarizing the existing conditions of the Sector Plan area. This book is intended to be used as a reference for the community throughout the planning process.
Stay Connected:
Sign up: for the PlanWestbard-E-Newsletter
Call: the PlanWestbard Hotline for updates on upcoming planning events: 301-495-4567
Follow: updates on Twitter: @planwestbard
Learn More: www.montgomeryplanning.org/planwestbard
Use: #PlanWestbard
Learn more about the Westbard Sector Plan and how to get involved: www.montgomeryplanning.org/planwestbard
Westbard Background:
Westbard lies in the southwestern part of Montgomery County, approximately one mile from the DC boundary line. It is less than two miles from the commercial areas of Friendship Heights and Bethesda. The Westbard area is served by two major northwest to southeast highways: River Road and Massachusetts Avenue and is surrounded by well-established single-family neighborhoods. Over a period of years, the residential uses were built around the commercial/industrial areas, which extend along River Road and Westbard Avenue. The popular regional Capital Crescent Trail runs the length of Westbard.