Selected candidates will review new projects in downtown Silver Spring and offer advisory comments on architecture, public spaces and design excellence
WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is seeking members of the community to serve on the new Design Advisory Panel (DAP) for downtown Silver Spring. Selected candidates will serve on the panel with the primary goal of reviewing new projects in downtown Silver Spring and offering advisory comments to improve the quality of architecture, landscape architecture, and public spaces and raise the level of design excellence in the downtown.
The DAP will be guided by the forthcoming Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan Design Guidelines. The DAP will include five members of the Montgomery County community, one ex-officio member from the Planning Director’s office, and a staff facilitator. The DAP must include at least one Silver Spring resident. DAP candidates must have professional experience and/or expertise in the fields of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and/or urban planning. The DAP will typically meet once a month and members of the DAP may initially serve two terms of three years each.
“The Bethesda DAP has been successful at elevating the quality of design for recent new projects,” said Downcounty Chief Elza Hisel-McCoy. “We are excited to see what the Silver Spring DAP will achieve for downtown Silver Spring.”
The Planning Department is currently accepting nominations for DAP membership. Candidates may self-nominate. Please send a letter of interest or recommendation and a resume to atara.margolies@montgomeryplanning.org by December 2, 2022. The Planning Board will select the DAP members in January 2023. View additional information about the Silver Spring Downtown Design Advisory Panel.
About the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan
The Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan updates the 2000 Silver Spring Central Business District Plan with a vision of a diverse, distinctive, and successful downtown. The Plan increases zoning flexibility and heights to encourage market-driven development, creates opportunities for diverse housing types, supports the thriving independent business community, identifies new open spaces for a healthier community and introduces a network of green, climate-resilient, walkable streets that are safe for everyone.