Members of the public can listen live or sign up to testify remotely in upcoming Planning Board meetings while practicing social distancing; updates on Montgomery Parks and Planning operations
Silver Spring – The Montgomery Planning Board part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will conduct their March 26 Planning Board meeting solely online beginning at 9 a.m. While Planning Department Headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD) is closed to the public due to the COVID-19 virus situation, community members may sign up to testify and provide comment to the Board on specific agenda items through written testimony or via phone during the meeting.
View the March 26 Planning Board agenda.
Sign up to testify for the March 26 Planning Board agenda items.
“The first priority for M-NCPPC is the health and well-being of our community members and staff,” said Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson. “Thanks to technology, we can continue the work of the Planning Board and Montgomery Parks and Planning departments.”
There are many ways to participate during the March 26 Planning Board meeting. Residents can:
- Watch the Planning Board meeting live online and on-demand.
- Listen live via phone to the Planning Board meeting by calling: 301-495-4708 Password: 87871111
- Sign up to testify to provide comment via phone during the Planning Board meeting by filling out the Sign Up to Testify form by 12 noon on March 25. You will receive an email with a phone number to call in during a designated time to provide testimony for a specific agenda item. Submitting this form online by the deadline is the only way to testify on meeting items.
- Send written testimony to provide comment on Planning Board agenda items by emailing MCP-Chair@mncppc-mc.org, by 12 noon on March 25.
- If you have questions, leave a message at 301.495.4605 and a staff member in the Planning Board Chair’s office will return your call.
Montgomery Planning Updates
The Montgomery County Planning Department building will be closed to the public until the end of April due to the COVID-19 virus. During this time, staff are teleworking and will continue to accept development applications, work on master planning efforts and be available for any inquiries from the public. Inquiries to Montgomery Planning’s information counter may be made during regular information counter hours (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) via email or telephone (301.495.4610).
There are many ways to continue to work with Montgomery Planning staff through online services or via phone:
- All development applications can be submitted online through ePlans on the main development page: montgomeryplanning.org/development page.
- If you need information on a development plan currently in progress, check out the Dev Finder interactive map which includes a map and features of projects.
- Questions on property matters can be directed to Development Application and Regulatory Coordination staff at 301-495-4610 or at InfoCounter@montgomeryplanning.org
- Any other development review questions can be directed to staff responsible for the development review of applications that are geographic specific. Visit our Communities page to find the staff responsible for projects in specific parts of the county organized by Area 1, Area 2 or Area 3.
- Go to the Contact Us webpage to find important contact information for staff.
- Learn about the development review process by consulting the Development Review brochure in English and en Espanol.
- Sign up for the Parks + Plans weekly eletter and other project-specific eletters to get the latest information on all things Montgomery Planning.
Montgomery Parks Updates
Montgomery Parks has extended the closure of all indoor facilities for public use and cancellations for all events and programs through April 30, 2020. In light of the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Hogan’s recent announcements, Montgomery Parks has concluded that they will limit gatherings in Montgomery County parks to 10 people.
While we are not closing the parks, and lack the physical means to do so, the department urges anyone who visits a park to observe recommendations from public health officials and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people. In addition, park visitors should refrain from using playground equipment and avoid contact with surfaces that are frequently touched by other people and participation in activities involving physical contact or sharing of equipment. This means, for example, that park patrons should not touch playground equipment, play team sports such as soccer, baseball, or basketball, or touch restroom doors without using hand sanitizer. On the other hand, going for a hike or bike ride, shooting baskets on an otherwise empty court, and other activities that do not involve coming into close proximity to other people or touching surfaces that could be infected are appropriate.
For the most up to date information please visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/COVID-19