{"id":6973,"date":"2021-01-06T17:06:55","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T22:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/?p=6973"},"modified":"2026-04-09T14:57:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:57:31","slug":"montgomery-plannings-year-in-review-our-work-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montgomeryplanning.org\/blog-design\/2021\/01\/montgomery-plannings-year-in-review-our-work-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"Montgomery Planning\u2019s year in review: Our work continues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery Planning Board, we all share a very strong commitment to continuing our important work of enhancing and building great communities in Montgomery County. Even in the middle of all the struggle of COVID-19, I was touched and inspired to see so many of our staff, both those who serve as essential employees and come into the office as well as the large group we have working from home, rise to the challenge and demonstrate heroic commitment to continuing their important work. Looking back at this very tough year as director of the Montgomery County Planning Department, I have witnessed so much dedication amongst our staff and I want to share with you some highlights of how we worked together to help fulfill our mission:<\/p>\n

Adapting public meetings and seeking economic recovery solutions<\/h3>\n

Although we closed our building to the public in March, thanks to technology our planning work did not skip a beat. We were still able to serve the community by switching to hosting public Planning Board, Historic Preservation Commission and community meetings online and continuing to virtually address development review applications. We held virtual townhalls, community chats, office hours and happy hours.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to recognize everyone, not just our staff, but also county residents and business owners who let us know that they believe in the importance of this work by showing up in record numbers for virtual planning board meetings and community meetings to help us shape the future with your much-needed feedback.<\/p>\n

Our staff also joined a brain trust of people seeking post-COVID economic recovery solutions for our county and region. We looked at the sectors of the country that the pandemic hit hardest<\/a> the pandemic hit hardest<\/a>, the future of the county\u2019s already struggling office sector<\/a>, how the virus could reshape our daily lives<\/a> long after we say goodbye to COVID-19, ways the country could harness its built-in resilience<\/a> going forward, offered five ways government could support the badly-battered retail and restaurant sector<\/a> and talked about how the pandemic could impact Thrive Montgomery 2050, our updated <\/a>General Plan.
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