SILVER SPRING – Property owners and community groups in Montgomery County interested in addressing issues of land use, zoning or other community priorities in their neighborhoods may now submit applications for minor master plan amendments to be considered by the Planning Board and County Council.
Master plans create a community framework designed to last 15 to 20 years. The vision of each master plan helps county decision-makers make policy and decide on proposed development. Each plan sets zoning land uses and includes analysis of transportation, community facilities, environmental assets and issues, and historic structures, among other elements.
With master plans updated just once every two decades or so, residents, community groups or property owners until now have been forced to wait many years to bring about small changes to land use or zoning in their areas. To address community needs more quickly, Planning Director Rollin Stanley devised a process for residents and others to achieve minor amendments to master plans. The small master plan amendment process was embraced by the Planning Board and, last week, by the County Council, which sets the Planning Department work program.
The amendment process is free and open to anyone who would like the Planning Board and County Council to revisit certain aspects of a master plan. Planners will review applications and make recommendations to the Board, which will hold a public hearing and then provide recommendations to the Council.
The Council will determine which amendments to add to the Department work program, which will occur twice yearly at the semi-annual report session. Minor master plan amendments would go through the same public review process as any master plan.
Navigate to our minor master plan amendment page to apply for amendments using a form and learn more about the selection criteria and evaluation process.
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