Speakers addressed schools, transportation, parks and new developments within White Flint 2 Sector Plan boundaries at evening meeting
SILVER SPRING, MD –The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, held a public forum on Monday, February 1, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Luxmanor Elementary School (6201 Tilden Lane, Rockville, MD) for the White Flint 2 Sector Plan.
This event allowed civic and homeowner associations, including representatives from the Luxmanor, Garrett Park, Cherington and Randolph Hills neighborhoods, to share ideas with planners and the approximately 40 meeting participants. The discussion focused on public schools within the Walter Johnson cluster, transportation and new parks and open spaces.
In addition, developers from Federal Realty Investment Trust explained their initial concepts for redeveloping the Montrose Crossing Shopping Center and the owner of Randolph Hills Shopping Center also presented his suggested renovation plans.
Local representatives of the Sierra Club presented the benefits of such development, including the provision of more affordable housing in proximity to transit, as well as ways to improve the energy efficiencies of buildings and sites.
View the video recap of the meeting.
Background on the White Flint 2 Sector Plan
The White Flint 2 Plan aims to close the gap between the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan, Twinbrook Sector Plan and the pending City of Rockville plan for Rockville Pike (MD 355). Its land use, zoning and transportation recommendations will apply to properties in a bow-tie-shaped area between the boundaries of these already established Plans. White Flint 2 will link common elements between the Plan areas, including Rockville Pike and the proposed network of bike lanes and public open spaces.
Planners will be looking at parcels along Executive Boulevard, west of Old Georgetown Road; east of the CSX rail tracks, between Randolph Road and Nicholson Lane; and north of Montrose Parkway along Rockville Pike to the city limits of Rockville. Nicholson Court, which was a part of the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan, will also be included in the proposed plan area.
Issues confronting the White Flint 2 planners
- How should the City of Rockville and County officials coordinate their efforts in redesigning Rockville Pike?
- What transportation policies should be introduced or amended?
- Should the White Flint Special Taxing District extend to White Flint 2?
- How can uses on both sides of the MARC station and CSX tracks be integrated?
- What is the role of the proposed MARC station?
- How should properties outside of the 2010 White Flint Plan be developed?
- Should light-industrial-zoned properties be retained?
- What would the school capacity impacts be if significant numbers of new residential developments are approved?
- What are the impacts associated with bus rapid transit (BRT)?
- What is the potential for infill to create a mix of uses and promote walkability?
For more information about the White Flint 2 Plan and February 1 public forum, contact:
Lead Planner Nkosi Yearwood, tel. 301-495-1332, email Nkosi.Yearwood@montgomeryplanning.org
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