Innovative online course helps community members learn about Montgomery County’s planning and development review processes and how to advocate for their neighborhoods
Wheaton, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), has won an Award of Merit from the American Planning Association (APA) and the National Association of County Planners (NACP) for the Community Planning Academy, a free online educational course available for Montgomery County residents to make the master planning and development review process more accessible, inclusive, and transparent. Launched in December 2025, the academy invites residents to be an active voice on the future of their communities.
The academy received the Award of Merit in the Grassroots Initiative category for the annual Project Awards Program. The award recognizes the success of planning in new or different contexts and helping the public better understand the planning process.
“It is a tremendous honor for Montgomery Planning and the Community Planning Academy to receive this award from these two esteemed organizations in the planning field,” said Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori. “This program is all about access to our process. By offering a flexible, multilingual, and engaging curriculum, the academy is building a more informed and engaged community where residents have a deeper understanding of how planning decisions shape their neighborhoods and how they can actively participate in that process. We are proud of this achievement and even more proud of the residents who are embracing this opportunity to learn, connect, and make their voices heard.”
In June 2025, the academy piloted the inaugural class of participants selected from over 640 Montgomery County residents who expressed interest. Forty eight residents graduated in October and provided pivotal feedback that helped shape the curriculum. The class included participants from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on welcoming those who had limited prior experience with the planning process. Learn more about their experience in the academy in The Third Place Blog. As of the first week of January 2026, 353 users have begun participating in the academy since its launch on December 1, 2025.
About the Community Planning Academy
Montgomery County residents can register for the Community Planning Academy and participate in 10 mobile-friendly modules, each lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, that focus on key topic areas in development review and master planning. Throughout the course, participants learn when and where to get involved in the planning process and effectively advocate for their neighborhood.
Each interactive learning module features a blend of video, graphics, voiceovers, and engaging material. There are also in-person opportunities to connect with subject matter experts. The academy is open to individuals 18 and older and available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. The academy provides a comprehensive resource library and downloadable summaries of each module’s key content to help participants continue learning and engaging with topics of interest. Participants who complete the course receive a certificate and are invited to a graduation ceremony.
The Community Planning Academy modules include:
- Module 1: Introduction to Planning
- Module 2: Master Plans
- Module 3: Zoning
- Module 4: Development Review Process
- Module 5: Permitting and Construction
- Module 6: Environment and Climate Change
- Module 7: Participating in the Process
- Module 8: Transportation Planning
- Module 9: Planning For Schools
- Module 10: Putting It All Together – A Recap of the Planning and Development Process
The academy’s creation stemmed from a recommendation by the Development Review Process Workgroup led by Maryland State Delegate Lesley Lopez (D-39) and was a collaborative, countywide effort made possible through strong partnerships with the Montgomery County Council, the Department of Permitting Services, Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Public Schools, the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, and all five regional services centers.
About the Project Awards Program
Each year, the APA’s County Planning Division, together with its sister organization, the National Association of County Planners, present their Project Awards recognizing innovative, forward-looking planning projects from counties across the country. These honors are given at two levels—Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit—across seven categories: Planning Project, Comprehensive Plan (Large Jurisdiction), Comprehensive Plan (Small Jurisdiction), Best Practices, Grassroots Initiative, Small Area/Special Area Planning, and Special Focus Planning Initiative (County Holistic Innovation Project). Only one Award of Excellence and one Award of Merit may be presented in each category annually. Read more about the awards program.