Final sector plan approved by the County Council, outlines plan for growth along Georgia Avenue
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), has released the Approved and Adopted version of the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan. The sector plan’s recommendations focus on transportation and road improvements, pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity, environmental sustainability, affordable housing and land use considerations. The planning area stretches along the Georgia Avenue corridor from Spring Street to Dennis Avenue to encompass the Montgomery Hills commercial area, the Forest Glen neighborhood and a small portion of the Wheaton community. With the Montgomery County Council’s approval on March 31, 2020 and adoption by M-NCPPC on May 20, 2020, the document will be used to guide future development in the plan area.
View the final document.
The plan’s recommendations and goals were developed based on input gathered throughout the planning process. The Planning Board and County Council see this plan as a significant step toward achieving the county’s Vision Zero goals in the area and towards reimagining an improved Georgia Avenue Corridor.
About the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan
The Montgomery County Planning Department launched the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan in 2017 with a study of traffic conditions along the Georgia Avenue corridor from 16th Street in Silver Spring to the Forest Glen Metro Station.
Previous plans for the area, including the 1996 Forest Glen Sector Plan, 2000 Silver Spring North and West Master Plan and the 1989 Master Plan for the Communities of Kensington/Wheaton, needed to be updated due to recent changes planned for the corridor. The Maryland State Highway Administration initiated planning for road improvements along Georgia Avenue between 16th Street and the Capital Beltway, and these upgrades will affect properties on both sides of the road.
The planning team explored ways of improving pedestrian and bicycle access, connectivity and safety within the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills plan area. Included in the plan are strategies to help implement the county’s Vision Zero policy and to encourage reinvestment within the Plan area.
Planners examined opportunities for redevelopment at strategic locations to provide walkable, neighborhood-serving development which allowed for additional community amenities and increased options for affordable housing. They also looked at previous plans and studies of streetscape designs to improve sidewalks, street trees and lighting.
All previous meetings, presentations, videos and outreach materials related to the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan are available online.
For more information, contact lead planner Melissa Williams at 301-495-4642 or melissa.williams@montgomeryplanning.org.