{"id":10683,"date":"2025-09-26T10:52:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/?p=10683"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:33:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:33:17","slug":"montgomery-and-prince-georges-planning-directors-celebrate-and-reflect-on-community-planning-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/2025\/09\/montgomery-and-prince-georges-planning-directors-celebrate-and-reflect-on-community-planning-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Montgomery and Prince George\u2019s planning directors celebrate and reflect on Community Planning Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\"><em>By Lakisha Hull and Jason K. Sartori<\/em><\/p>\n<p>October marks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planning.org\/ncpm\/\">National Community Planning Month<\/a>, a time to recognize the visionary work of planners and community leaders in Montgomery County and Prince George\u2019s County who shape the places we call home and who stand out for their thoughtful, methodical, and innovative land use and sustainable development strategies.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not just reshaping landscapes but also enriching lives through transit-oriented development, preservation of green spaces, and inclusive housing initiatives. As planning directors for Montgomery and Prince George\u2019s counties, we are proud to lead departments that not only envision the future but actively engage residents and a variety of other community stakeholders in realizing it. <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/\">Montgomery Planning<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pgplanning.org\/\">Prince George\u2019s Planning<\/a> are both departments within <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mncppc.org\/\">The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)<\/a>, which is a nearly 100-year-old agency charged with land use and zoning authority for the bi-county region. Our work is rooted in community engagement, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to creating and elevating thriving communities.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-10672\" style=\"max-width: 800px;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 ml-slider-pro-2-56-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-10672 ml-slider ms-theme-_theme_1601499156 nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Value of Community Planning - 1\" data-height=\"500\" data-width=\"800\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_10672\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_10672\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10681 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:24:12\" data-filename=\"AV_190629_6290389_web-1_engagement_thrive_gfxrecording_kids.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AV_190629_6290389_web-1_engagement_thrive_gfxrecording_kids.jpg\" class=\"slider-10672 slide-10681 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"Children and an adult draw and write on a large community mural under a blue tent, illustrating ideas for urban planning such as parks, green spaces, and local businesses.\" rel=\"\" title=\"Thrive Montgomery Day 4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AV_190629_6290389_web-1_engagement_thrive_gfxrecording_kids.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AV_190629_6290389_web-1_engagement_thrive_gfxrecording_kids-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AV_190629_6290389_web-1_engagement_thrive_gfxrecording_kids-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AV_190629_6290389_web-1_engagement_thrive_gfxrecording_kids-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Montgomery Planning uses a variety of equitable engagement practices to invite residents into the planning process. <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10680 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:24:11\" data-filename=\"engagement_event.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/engagement_event.jpg\" class=\"slider-10672 slide-10680 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A young girl receives an item from a man at an outdoor community event booth. The table has informational materials, tote bags, and a welcome sign. Other people and tents are visible in the background.\" rel=\"\" title=\"engagement_event\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/engagement_event.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/engagement_event-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/engagement_event-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/engagement_event-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Montgomery Planning uses a variety of equitable engagement practices to invite residents into the planning process.<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10682 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:24:12\" data-filename=\"Trail-shot_PG.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Trail-shot_PG.jpg\" class=\"slider-10672 slide-10682 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"Six people stand on abandoned railroad tracks surrounded by a forest with tall, green trees. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled light on the ground and the group.\" rel=\"\" title=\"Trail shot_PG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Trail-shot_PG.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Trail-shot_PG-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Trail-shot_PG-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Trail-shot_PG-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Staff from Prince George's Planning and the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Rec surveying the Charles Branch Conservation Park, a one square mile of mature forest that is critical for protecting the health of the Patuxent River.  Photo credit: Ryan Craun (Prince George\u2019s County Planning)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Why community planning matters<\/h2>\n<p>Community planning is more than land use maps and zoning codes. It\u2019s about listening deeply, collaborating across sectors, and inviting residents to shape the places they call home. Whether it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/planning\/placemaking\/damascus-placemaking-festival\/\">a placemaking festival in Damascus<\/a> that brought over a thousand residents together to reimagine their Main Street or the <a href=\"https:\/\/academy.pgplanning.com\/\">award-winning Neighborhood Planning Academy in Prince George\u2019s County<\/a> that equips residents with the tools to participate in planning decisions, our departments are committed to inclusive, community-driven processes.<\/p>\n<p>Community planning helps answer important questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Where will people live, work, play, and recreate?<\/li>\n<li>How do we preserve green space and the environment while accommodating growth?<\/li>\n<li>What does an engaged community look like and how can they take part in the development process?<\/li>\n<li>How do we build trust with our diverse communities and remove barriers to participation?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In counties as diverse and dynamic as Montgomery and Prince George\u2019s, these questions require thoughtful collaboration between planners, residents, elected officials, and more. Community planning ensures shared values, long-term vision, and short-term realities guide growth.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, both of our departments were honored with multiple American Planning Association awards for projects that exemplify the best of community engagement and long-range planning. From Montgomery\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/planning\/transportation\/pedestrian-planning\/pedestrian-master-plan\/\"><em>Pedestrian Master Plan<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/planning\/historic\/research-and-designation\/mapping-segregation-project\/\">Mapping Segregation Project<\/a> to Prince George\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pgplanning.org\/projects\/woodland-conservation-ordinance\/\">Woodland and Wildlife Conservation Ordinance<\/a>\u00a0and Neighborhood Planning Academy, these efforts reflect our shared values: sustainability, equity, and collaboration.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10697\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10697\" class=\"wp-image-10697 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pedestrian-master-plan-crosswalk.jpg\" alt=\"Five people walk across a crosswalk in bright sunlight near a parking lot and a large building, with bare trees and streetlights in the background.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pedestrian-master-plan-crosswalk.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pedestrian-master-plan-crosswalk-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pedestrian-master-plan-crosswalk-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10697\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The approved and adopted Pedestrian Master Plan is Montgomery Planning\u2019s first comprehensive vision to create safer, more comfortable experiences walking or rolling around the county, and to make getting around more convenient and accessible for every pedestrian. Watch the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=S8aIkaaysUw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video recap<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>The role of M-NCPPC planning departments<\/h2>\n<p>Montgomery Planning and Prince George\u2019s Planning departments are responsible for preparing long-range planning and visioning of general plans and master plans, reviewing development proposals, environmental protection, transportation, and conducting research that informs land-use policy. As part of The M-NCPPC, they operate with a regional perspective while remaining deeply connected to local needs.<\/p>\n<p>Key responsibilities include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Developing and updating master and sector plans.<\/li>\n<li>Coordinating with transportation, housing, and environmental agencies.<\/li>\n<li>Engaging residents through town halls, surveys, and advisory groups.<\/li>\n<li>Promoting equity and climate resilience in all planning efforts.<\/li>\n<li>Reviewing proposals for new development so that new residential, commercial, and mixed-use development is built in a way that serves the public interest and complies with county and state laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-10685\" style=\"max-width: 800px;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 ml-slider-pro-2-56-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-10685 ml-slider ms-theme-_theme_1601499156 nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Value of Community Planning - 2\" data-height=\"500\" data-width=\"800\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_10685\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_10685\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10693 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:32:36\" data-filename=\"PG-tabling.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-tabling.jpg\" class=\"slider-10685 slide-10693 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"Four people stand behind a table with a green &quot;Prince George\u2019s County Planning Department&quot; tablecloth under a white tent. Informational boards and brochures about placemaking opportunities are displayed on easels.\" rel=\"\" title=\"PG tabling\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-tabling.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-tabling-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-tabling-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-tabling-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Photo credit: Ryan Craun (Prince George\u2019s County Planning)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10694 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:32:36\" data-filename=\"ESSCP-engagement-photo.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ESSCP-engagement-photo.jpg\" class=\"slider-10685 slide-10694 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A woman stands and speaks to a seated group of people in a classroom, holding up an orange card. Behind her is a presentation board with text and diagrams, and a man stands near the open door in the background.\" rel=\"\" title=\"ESSCP engagement photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ESSCP-engagement-photo.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ESSCP-engagement-photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ESSCP-engagement-photo-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ESSCP-engagement-photo-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A Montgomery Planning master planner presents at a community meeting for the Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan. <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10695 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:32:36\" data-filename=\"NeighborhoodPlanningAcademy-photo.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NeighborhoodPlanningAcademy-photo.jpg\" class=\"slider-10685 slide-10695 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A sign for the Neighborhood Planning Academy stands in the foreground of a conference room where people sit at round tables facing a presentation screen.\" rel=\"\" title=\"Neighborhood Planning Academy photo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NeighborhoodPlanningAcademy-photo.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NeighborhoodPlanningAcademy-photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NeighborhoodPlanningAcademy-photo-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NeighborhoodPlanningAcademy-photo-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Photo credit: Ryan Craun (Prince George\u2019s County Planning)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10696 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:32:36\" data-filename=\"PG-at-a-community-meeting_post-its.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-at-a-community-meeting_post-its.jpg\" class=\"slider-10685 slide-10696 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A man stands beside a table, leading a discussion with a group of adults seated around him. The table is covered with white papers and bright sticky notes. Other groups are meeting in the background of a bright, modern room.\" rel=\"\" title=\"PG at a community meeting_post-its\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-at-a-community-meeting_post-its.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-at-a-community-meeting_post-its-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-at-a-community-meeting_post-its-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-at-a-community-meeting_post-its-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Photo credit: Ryan Craun (Prince George\u2019s County Planning)<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Community voice at the center<\/h2>\n<p>Montgomery Planning and Prince George\u2019s Planning prioritize deep, audience-centric community engagement in the course of crafting plans and projects. Initiatives like the <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/montgomery-plannings-community-planning-academy\/\">Community Planning Academy<\/a>, various brown bag lunches and open houses, corridor studies, and neighborhood-specific plans invite residents to learn, contribute, and lead.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s reimagining University Boulevard or celebrating the future of Largo, both departments are ensuring that residents are not just invited to participate\u2014they\u2019re given opportunities to embed themselves in the process.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"perfect-pullquote vcard pullquote-align-full pullquote-border-placement-left\" style=\"border-color:#db6704 !important;font-size:18px !important;\"><blockquote><p style=\"font-size:18px !important;\">I was surprised by how much community input actually shapes the master planning process. I didn\u2019t realize we had that many ways to be involved, from surveys to public hearings. It made me feel like our voices really do have power if we use them. \u2014\u00a0<strong>Montgomery Planning\u2019s Community Planning Academy 2025 Summer Learner<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"perfect-pullquote vcard pullquote-align-full pullquote-border-placement-left\" style=\"border-color:#db6704 !important;font-size:18px !important;\"><blockquote><p style=\"font-size:18px !important;\">I joined the program because through getting involved in my neighborhood and my larger community, I found that there were areas I didn\u2019t understand and things I didn\u2019t know and wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the zoning, planning and development process to be an engaged and informed member of my larger community.\u2014<strong>Prince George\u2019s County Neighborhood Planning Academy, Spring 2024 Cohort member<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-10712\" style=\"max-width: 800px;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 ml-slider-pro-2-56-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-10712 ml-slider ms-theme-_theme_1601499156 nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Value of Community Planning - 3\" data-height=\"500\" data-width=\"800\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_10712\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_10712\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10727 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:49:52\" data-filename=\"DSC08860-2.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC08860-2.jpg\" class=\"slider-10712 slide-10727 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A group of fifteen people stand in a row, smiling at the camera in a modern conference room with large windows and empty chairs; a projection screen behind them shows a virtual meeting grid.\" rel=\"\" title=\"DSC08860 (2)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC08860-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC08860-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC08860-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC08860-2-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">The Montgomery County Planning Department\u2019s Community Planning Academy organizers held an inaugural class kickoff meeting in Wheaton. Summer Learners had the option to participate in-person or virtually. <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10725 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:49:52\" data-filename=\"Planning-Academy_Kickoff-Meeting_1.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Planning-Academy_Kickoff-Meeting_1.jpg\" class=\"slider-10712 slide-10725 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A man holding a microphone speaks during a discussion in a room with several seated people. The background shows windows with trees outside, and attendees appear attentive and engaged.\" rel=\"\" title=\"Planning Academy_Kickoff Meeting_1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Planning-Academy_Kickoff-Meeting_1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Planning-Academy_Kickoff-Meeting_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Planning-Academy_Kickoff-Meeting_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Planning-Academy_Kickoff-Meeting_1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">A resident speaks at the kickoff meeting of Montgomery Planning\u2019s Community Planning Academy kickoff meeting in June 2025. <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10724 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:49:52\" data-filename=\"Community-Planning-Academy-fieldtrip.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Community-Planning-Academy-fieldtrip.jpg\" class=\"slider-10712 slide-10724 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A group of people stands in a modern, glass-enclosed walkway with wood accents. One woman is speaking while others listen, holding papers and clipboards. Buildings are visible outside the windows.\" rel=\"\" title=\"Community Planning Academy fieldtrip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Community-Planning-Academy-fieldtrip.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Community-Planning-Academy-fieldtrip-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Community-Planning-Academy-fieldtrip-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Community-Planning-Academy-fieldtrip-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Community Planning Academy Summer Learners attend a fieldtrip at Bozzuto\u2019s Atwell on Spring \u2013 a successful mixed use development project in downtown Silver Spring, Md. that showed participants how plans go from concept to reality.  <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10723 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:49:52\" data-filename=\"PG-Brownbag-lunch-series.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Brownbag-lunch-series.jpg\" class=\"slider-10712 slide-10723 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A group of people sit facing a panel of speakers at the front of a well-lit room. A screen behind the speakers displays presentation slides with photos and text. Large windows line one wall.\" rel=\"\" title=\"PG Brownbag lunch series\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Brownbag-lunch-series.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Brownbag-lunch-series-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Brownbag-lunch-series-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Brownbag-lunch-series-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Prince George\u2019s County Brown Bag Series and Open House<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10726 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:49:52\" data-filename=\"Picture1.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Picture1.jpg\" class=\"slider-10712 slide-10726 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"Two people stand and speak at a podium during a Municipal Planners Open House event. A sign behind them displays event details and photos. Several attendees are seated and listening in the foreground.\" rel=\"\" title=\"Picture1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Picture1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Picture1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Picture1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Picture1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Prince George\u2019s County Brown Bag Series and Open House<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Data and dialogue form better decisions<\/h2>\n<p>Montgomery Planning and Prince George\u2019s Planning\u2019s work is grounded in robust data analysis\u2014from housing trends and traffic patterns to environmental impact assessments. But numbers alone don\u2019t tell the full story. That\u2019s why planners pair data and subject matter expertise with deep community engagement, ensuring that decisions reflect best practices, lived experiences, and local priorities.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10717\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10717\" class=\"wp-image-10717 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McGovern_monitor_2.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a suit points at a digital map on a large touchscreen while explaining something to a woman who is holding papers. Another screen nearby displays a bar chart. They appear to be in a professional setting.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McGovern_monitor_2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McGovern_monitor_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/McGovern_monitor_2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10717\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Both planning departments have robust approaches to GIS mapping, research and data.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>As we celebrate Community Planning Month, we invite you to reflect on the role planning plays in your life. Join a community meeting, explore a master plan, or simply walk your neighborhood with fresh eyes. Planning is a shared endeavor, and your voice matters.<\/p>\n<p>Together, let\u2019s continue to build communities that are inclusive, resilient, and full of possibility.<\/p>\n<h2>Looking ahead<\/h2>\n<p>As Montgomery and Prince George\u2019s counties continue to grow, community planning will remain essential to balancing innovation with preservation, density with livability, and growth with justice. With Montgomery Planning and Prince George\u2019s Planning under the structure of The M-NCPPC at the helm, the bi-county region is well-positioned to build a future that reflects the values and aspirations of the resident, business, and developer communities. We also want to continue to support future planning leaders in the planning profession, as we continue to work with local universities and colleges with graduate assistantships and internship programs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-10728\" style=\"max-width: 800px;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 ml-slider-pro-2-56-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-10728 ml-slider ms-theme-_theme_1601499156 nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Value of Community Planning - 4\" data-height=\"500\" data-width=\"800\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_10728\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_10728\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10739 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:54:13\" data-filename=\"just-action-group-shot.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/just-action-group-shot.jpg\" class=\"slider-10728 slide-10739 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A large, diverse group of adults stands and smiles at the camera in a bright, modern room with white walls and large windows. Some people are dressed in business attire, and the atmosphere appears friendly and welcoming.\" rel=\"\" title=\"just action group shot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/just-action-group-shot.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/just-action-group-shot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/just-action-group-shot-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/just-action-group-shot-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Both planning departments came together in February 2025 to hear from guest speaker, Leah Rothstein, co-author of Just Action. Trainings and special events are woven into the staff experience for both departments. <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10738 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 09:54:13\" data-filename=\"PG-Planning-group-shot.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Planning-group-shot.jpg\" class=\"slider-10728 slide-10738 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A large group of professionally dressed people stand and smile at the camera in a conference room with rows of chairs and large windows. Eight people pose at the front, while the rest gather closely behind them.\" rel=\"\" title=\"PG Planning group shot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Planning-group-shot.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Planning-group-shot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Planning-group-shot-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PG-Planning-group-shot-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Prince George\u2019s Planning staff at their headquarters in Largo, MD <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10744 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-09-26 10:04:21\" data-filename=\"group-pic-1.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/group-pic-1.jpg\" class=\"slider-10728 slide-10744 msDefaultImage\" alt=\"A large group of people wearing matching blue shirts pose together outdoors on a grassy area, surrounded by green trees under bright daylight.\" rel=\"\" title=\"group pic-1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/group-pic-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/group-pic-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/group-pic-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/group-pic-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">Montgomery Planning all-staff photo at Black Hill Regional Park, Boyds, MD. <\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Connect with us<\/h2>\n<p>Explore current projects, attend public meetings and get involved with the process at <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\">Montgomery Planning\u2019s website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pgplanning.org\/\">Prince George\u2019s Planning\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div style=\"clear: right; width: 100%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" style=\"clear: left; padding: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Hull.jpg\" alt=\"Lakisha Hull\" width=\"220\" \/><strong>About the authors<\/strong><br \/>\nLakisha Hull serves as the Planning Director of the Prince George\u2019s County Planning Department. She leads a team of 240 staff who support planning efforts for 26 cities and unincorporated areas in Prince George\u2019s County, MD. Lakisha\u2019s accomplishments include policy updates, smart growth initiatives, and implementing large-scale development projects. Throughout her 22-year career, she has leveraged partnerships to advance projects with cumulative budgets of over $5 billion across the U.S. She holds a dual master\u2019s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor&#8217;s degree from University of Michigan. She is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and is accepted in Leadership Greater Washington, Class of 2026.<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: left; width: 100%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" style=\"clear: left; padding: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/jason-sartori.jpg\" alt=\"Jason Sartori\" width=\"220\" height=\"500\" \/><br \/>\nJason Sartori has been the director of Montgomery Planning since November 2023. He joined Montgomery Planning in 2016 and led the Countywide Planning and Policy Division starting in 2019 before being appointed director by the Montgomery Planning Board. Jason previously served as the Associate Director of the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\"><em>By Lakisha Hull and Jason K. Sartori<\/em><\/p>\n<p>October marks National Community Planning Month, a time to recognize the visionary work of planners and community leaders in Montgomery County and Prince George\u2019s County who shape the places we call home and who stand out for their thoughtful, methodical, and innovative land use and sustainable development strategies.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not just reshaping landscapes but also enriching lives through transit-oriented development, preservation of green spaces, and inclusive housing initiatives. As planning directors for Montgomery and Prince George\u2019s counties, we are proud to lead departments that not only envision the future but actively engage residents and a variety of other community stakeholders in realizing it. Montgomery Planning and Prince George\u2019s Planning are both departments &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/2025\/09\/montgomery-and-prince-georges-planning-directors-celebrate-and-reflect-on-community-planning-month\/\" class=\"read-more\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[720,739,741,740],"class_list":["post-10683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-planning","tag-community-planning-academy","tag-montgomery-planning","tag-neighborhood-academy","tag-prince-georges-planning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10683"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10980,"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10683\/revisions\/10980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}