SILVER SPRING, MD – How
might Montgomery County planners accommodate future growth while providing
ways to encourage great public spaces, dynamic streetscapes and a pleasing
overall layout of homes, retail, offices and other uses?
Learn more about a new
type of zoning tool that stresses great design and ways to improve the form and
function of maturing communities through well-guided growth at a day-long
workshop scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 at the
Planning Department’s Silver Spring headquarters.
The zoning approach – formally known as “form-based codes” because they can
affect the literal shape of communities – applies mainly to urbanizing areas,
making it especially useful for Montgomery County and its many maturing
neighborhoods. Planners expect that most development will occur in older
communities ringing the Beltway and along I-270 and want the zoning technique
to be a key approach among many growth management strategies.
Form-based codes differ from existing zoning by emphasizing physical
characteristics over strict boundaries between different land uses.
“As Montgomery County grows, we believe that future planning
will need to focus on smaller geographic areas with heightened attention on
community character, design and public spaces,” said Acting Planning Director
Gwen Wright, adding that she wants the department to be able to respond more nimbly
to market and population changes.
The workshop, featuring presentations by four expert planners who specialize in
the new zoning techniques, will address how to apply them within existing land
use plans and the potential legislation that may be necessary to create new
zones. Guest speakers also will illustrate dynamic urban areas developed using
the new zoning method.
Workshop space is limited. Please RSVP by Monday, November 26
to crystal.myers@mncppc-mc.org
or 301/495-2192.
WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Department
WHAT:
Workshop
on design-oriented zoning (form-based codes)
WHEN:
Saturday,
December 1, 2007 – 8:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Park
and Planning Headquarters
8787
Georgia Avenue
Silver
Spring, MD