Planning effort focuses on improving parking and access for station areas in Boyds and Germantown. Public is invited to provide feedback at community workshop
Silver Spring, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is advancing the MARC Rail Communities Plan by presenting the proposed Scope of Work to the Planning Board on Thursday, January 28, 2016. Once approved by the Board, the Scope of Work will provide the basis for the planning effort.
The Master Plan will evaluate land use, zoning, design and access conditions at the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) stations in Boyds and Germantown. This effort will make use of ongoing studies being undertaken by the Maryland Transit Administration and Montgomery County Department of Transportation looking at parking and access issues at MARC stations throughout the County.
The Master Plan will integrate findings from these studies and offer recommendations for parking, roads and land use within the station areas. Learn about the MARC Rail Communities Plan.
Public Workshop Tentatively Scheduled for March
A multi-day, public design workshop for the MARC Rail Communities Plan is tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 7 and Monday, March 14 through Wednesday, March 16. All of the meetings will be held at the Upcounty Regional Services Center (12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874).
The purpose of this hands-on workshop 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.
About the MARC Rail Communities Master Plan
The MARC Rail Communities Planners 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.montgomerplanning.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