Plan recommends protecting historic neighborhoods and light industrial uses, expanding parks and allowing some mixed-use development in an area slated for two Purple Line stations
Silver Spring, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, received approval for the Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan from the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 with the Council voting 8 to 1 to approve the Sector Plan.
The plan for this area of Silver Spring reflects ideas and recommendations crafted through work sessions held by the Planning Board before its approval of the Draft Plan in July 2016. After the plan was transmitted to the County Council, additional work sessions were held in November and December 2016 by the County’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee to refine the plan.
“This approved plan is a great step forward in preserving the neighborhoods and industrial areas of Lyttonsville, while setting the stage for development associated with the future arrival of the Purple Line stations,” says Planning Director Gwen Wright. “The plan recommends expanding parks and open spaces, and ways of connecting the different districts within the area.”
The Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan is available for review on the Planning Department’s website.
Background on the Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan
Spurred by the future construction of two Purple Line light rail stations in Greater Lyttonsville, the new Sector Plan examines ways to leverage these significant public infrastructure investments, while preserving the integrity of area neighborhoods that have a rich history and a strong sense of community. The Plan recommends ways of connecting residential, industrial and institutional districts, attracting mixed-use development and expanding parks, trails and open spaces. Recent planning efforts build on the goal of the 2000 North and West Silver Spring Master Plan to preserve this diverse community as a desirable place to live, work and play.
Recommendations in the Plan focus on:
-Providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to the two proposed Purple Line light rail stations.
-Preserving, rather than rezoning, a majority of the industrial areas.
-Preserving single-family residential areas.
-Proposing zoning changes primarily in areas around the future Purple Line stations or close to the Silver Spring central business district.