Attendees invited to brainstorm, collaborate with planners to capture concepts, recommendations for improving areas around the MARC stations in Boyds and Germantown
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is conducting design workshops on Monday, March 7 and Monday, March 14 through Wednesday, March 16 at the Upcounty Regional Services Center (12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874) to gather ideas and develop concepts for the MARC Rail Communities Plan.
The Planning Department is inviting anyone who lives, works or commutes in the Boyds and Germantown areas to attend these workshops and provide feedback about how the areas around the MARC Rail stations can be improved.
The design workshops will offer residents and stakeholders an opportunity to drop-in and work one-on-one with County planners as they capture the ideas, visions and goals of the Boyds and Germantown communities. The purpose of the hands-on sessions is to gain feedback from County and state officials and the community about various aspects of the rail station areas in Boyds and Germantown. Discussions will focus on road access, parking, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation and other topics.
Participants will be able to engage staff immediately and provide ideas about the future of the station areas and their communities. This interactive community planning process enables all stakeholders to participate and become vested in the ultimate vision.
Topics of Discussion for March Workshops
The March 7 workshop will begin with technical discussions with planning and county agency staffs, including the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation, Maryland Transit Administration and State Highway Administration, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. An open house/community visioning exercise follows in the evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the public will have the opportunity to offer ideas and ask questions.
During the second phase of the MARC Rail Communities Plan Design Workshops, being held from March 14 to March 16, planners will consult with community stakeholders to synthesize ideas from the previous week and explore additional ideas in order to determine the priorities for Boyds and Germantown station areas. Discussions will center on road access, parking, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, environmental issues and other topics.
On Monday, March 14, the planners will focus on Boyds, and on Tuesday, March 15, they will focus on Germantown. The public can discuss some of the ideas gathered over these days on Wednesday, March 16; the evening session will culminate with a recap of the workshops and presentation of alternative ideas and recommendations for station areas.
Design Workshop Schedule:
Monday, March 7, 2016: Agency Stakeholder Meetings
Morning Session – Focus on Places
A discussion of how land use policy, historic preservation, parks, schools and environmental issues will impact the two MARC station areas. RSVP for the morning session.
9 to 9:45 a.m. Historic preservation, land use and zoning
10 to 10:45 a.m. Parks, trails, recreation and schools
11 to 11:45 a.m. Environmental issues: water, sewer, stormwater management, others
Afternoon Session – Focus on Connections
A discussion about walking, biking, driving and commuting in around the station areas. RSVP for the afternoon session.
1 to 1:45 p.m. Roads
2 to 2:45 p.m. Rail
3 to 3:45 p.m. Walking, Biking and Local Bus Service
Open House/Community Visioning Exercise (6 – 9 p.m.)
This session allows residents and others who could not attend earlier events to catch up and participate in the events. RSVP for the evening session.
6 to 7 p.m. Open house for new participants
7 to 9 p.m. Community visioning exercise
Monday, March 14, 2016: Boyds Workshop
Learn more about the MARC station area and brainstorm ideas for its future.
1 to 4 p.m. Work with planners to draw, design and give feedback on ideas generated for the Boyds station area. RSVP.
6 to 7:30 p.m. A feedback session for those who could not attend the earlier sessions. Drop in and comment on the proposed planning and design alternatives for the Boyds station area. RSVP
Tuesday, March 15, 2016: Germantown Workshop
Learn more about the MARC station area and brainstorm ideas for its future.
1 to 4 p.m. Work with planners to draw, design and give feedback on ideas generated for the Germantown station area. RSVP.
6 to 7:30 p.m. A feedback session for those who could not attend the earlier sessions. Drop in and comment on the proposed planning and design alternatives for the Germantown station area. RSVP.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Synthesis of Ideas
The final day of the Design Workshops will provide the opportunity to give feedback to planners and learn about the proposed alternatives from the past two days.
10 a.m. to 12 noon Give us your feedback on the vision and design ideas generated over the past two days. RSVP.
6 to 7 p.m. Open house. RSVP.
7 to 9:30 p.m. Planners will summarize the results of the Design Workshops and present proposed planning and design alternatives for comment. RSVP.
Register Comments Online about Boyds and Germantown Station Areas
An online feedback map has been launched so stakeholders can weigh in on recommendations for the Boyds and Germantown areas from the convenience of their phones or computers. View the feedback map to record your online comments about the future of MARC stations in Boyds and Germantown.
The map is open for comments now until after the Design Workshops for the MARC Rail Communities Master Plan have been completed in mid-March 2016. Participants are asked to comment on connections, placemaking and other topics relevant to the Boyds and Germantown MARC stations. The comments will be posted in real time on the map for the public to view and will be considered by planners as work continues on the MARC Rail Communities plan.
About the MARC Rail Communities Master Plan
The MARC Rail Communities Plan will focus on ways of improving transit station areas in Boyds and Germantown that are sensitive to the character and scale of these historic communities. Planners will consider opportunities for physical and operational improvements to the stations and enhancements to commuter rail service in Montgomery County.
Recommended land uses and existing zoning will be evaluated for consistency with the desired scale and character for the area. Access and connections in the vicinity of the stations will be evaluated and enhancements recommended where needed. In coordination with MARC Rail and County and state agencies, the Plan will consider land uses and alternative arrangements for existing surface parking and access.
Master Plan recommendations will be presented to the Planning Board in summer 2016 and a public hearing about the Plan will be held in fall 2016. Learn more about this plan: www.montgomeryplanning.org/marcrailplan
Stay connected:
- Stay informed and join the MARC Rail Communities email list at montgomeryplanning.org/marcrailplan
- Email us at Duke@montgomeryplanning.org
- Meet with us in our offices in Silver Spring or attend a public meeting in Boyds or Germantown.
Our team:
Roberto Duke, Planner Coordinator, 301.495.2168
Leslie Saville, Planner Coordinator, 301.495.2194