Building on Our Planning Legacy
The Planning Department is sponsoring a three-part Winter Speaker Series in 2017 to celebrate 90 years of planning achievements since the M-NCPPC was founded in 1927. Building on Our Planning Legacy will present strategies for the future that build on past accomplishments in preserving farmland, creating open spaces and zoning for affordable housing.
The 2017 Winter Speaker Series is free and open to the public and planning professionals (continuing education credits for certification are pending).
The presentations, which will include question-and-answer discussions, will be held in the auditorium of the Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the following dates:
Session 1: January 24 – From Farmland to Agritourism
The 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve in Montgomery County is one of the most studied and emulated programs of its kind. This session will address current efforts to expand agritourism and support farm-to-table businesses within the land conservation area. Speakers: Caroline Taylor, Montgomery Countryside Alliance; Tanya Spandhla, Passions to Seed Farm; John Fendrick, Rock Hill Orchard.
Session 2: February 21 – From Parks to Energized Open Spaces
Montgomery County has established a rich variety of parks for recreation, relaxation and civic engagement. This session presents new ways of activating and programming public open spaces in urban, mixed-use areas of the county. Speakers: Joe Forkin, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation; Rachel Newhouse, Montgomery County Department of Parks.
View presentations from this session:
Session 3: March 21 – From Innovative Zoning to Housing for All
Montgomery County’s moderately priced dwelling unit (MPDU) program is believed to be the nation’s first inclusionary zoning law that gave a density bonus allowance to builders for providing affordable housing. This session examines innovative approaches and tools that will provide more affordable housing options for all county residents in the future. Speakers: Clarence Snuggs and Stephanie Killian, Department of Housing and Community Affairs; Kyle Talente, Principal, RKG Associates.