Opportunities to attend the new CommUNITY Conversations in Fairland series and to “Chat with a Planner” about the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan
WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Board and the Montgomery County Planning Department, both part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), have announced their May 2021 calendar of online meetings. For more details, review the list of events below and visit www.montgomeryplanning.org.
During this time of social distancing in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Planning Board will continue to hold public meetings online while Montgomery Planning’s new headquarters (2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD) is closed to the public. Community members may sign up to testify and provide comments to the Board, during the meeting, on specific agenda items through Microsoft Teams or phone. Written testimony may be submitted in advance of the meeting. The April schedule of events is subject to change based on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 virus.
There are many ways to participate in Planning Board meetings:
- Watch the Planning Board meeting live online and on demand.
- Listen live over the phone to the Planning Board meeting by calling: 866-774-0898 Password: 24252020
- Sign up to testify via phone during the Planning Board meeting. To testify, fill out the Sign Up to Testify form by 12 noon on the day before the Planning Board meeting. On the afternoon before the meeting, you will receive an email with a phone number to call during a designated time to provide your testimony for a specific agenda item. Submitting this form online by the deadline is the only way to testify on meeting items.
- Email your written testimony with comments on specific Planning Board agenda items to mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org by 12 noon on the day before the Planning Board meeting.
- If you have questions, send an email to mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org or leave a message at 301-495-4605 and a staff member in the Planning Board Chair’s office will contact you.
May 5 – The Historic Preservation Commission will hold its meeting online. Consult the HPC meeting webpage for agenda information. Watch the meetings online via live stream or review previous meetings on demand.
May 6 – The Planning Board will hold its meeting online. Consult the Planning Board’s agenda, posted 10 days before the meeting for more information. Watch the meetings online via live stream or review previous meetings on demand.
May 11 – Montgomery Planning will host the virtual event, “Chat with a Planner: Parks and Public Spaces,” (7 – 8:15 p.m.) in support of the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan. Join Parks Department planner Cristina Sassaki and colleagues for a conversation about parks and public spaces in Silver Spring. Learn how the Energized Public Spaces Plan uses a data-based approach to analyze the existing need for more parks and how we plan for the future. RSVP for the online meeting (RSVPs required).
May 13 – The Planning Board will hold its meeting online. Consult the Planning Board’s agenda, posted 10 days before the meeting for more information. Watch the meetings online via live stream or review previous meetings on demand.
May 18 – Montgomery Planning will host the first session in the virtual CommUNITY Conversations in Fairland series called, “New Discoveries on Sacred Ground: Paying Homage to Local Pioneers” (6 – 8 p.m.). After launching the African American Historic Sites project five years ago, the Historic Preservation Division is committed to an honest and equitable representation of the county’s complete history and heritage. In our efforts to broaden awareness of African American heritage sites (such as burial sites, churches, homesteads, and farmlands) and encourage dialogue between community members, attendees will view a documentary film about the legacy of Sarah Lee and Malinda Jackson. The documentary will tell their story from multiple perspectives. Panelists will hold a question-and-answer session following the documentary. Registration is required and this program has been approved for AICP and ASLA continuing education credits.
Montgomery Planning will host the virtual event, “Chat with a Planner: Creating a Sustainable Downtown,” (7 – 8:15 p.m.) in support of the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan. Join Environmental Planner Tina Schneider to learn sustainable principles for making a downtown climate resilient while improving ecological biodiversity. The conversation will include a brief presentation followed by a group discussion. RSVP for the online meeting (RSVPs required).
May 20 – The previously scheduled Planning Board meeting has been cancelled.
May 21 – Montgomery Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson will give a presentation and moderate a Missing Middle Housing panel at the 30th Annual Affordable Housing Summit (1:15 p.m.). This virtual event is hosted by the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County, Maryland (AHCMC) and is open to the public. More information on how to attend is on the AHCMC website.
May 25 – Montgomery Planning will host the second session in the virtual CommUNITY Conversations in Fairland series called, “The Importance of People-First Transportation Planning” (6 – 8 p.m.). As we plan to strengthen connections and communities along our corridors in Montgomery County, we must consider the impact that transportation planning has on racial equity and social justice. This session will focus on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Plan area’s challenges of connectedness and pedestrian safety. The session will dive into the origins of Vision Zero, the Pedestrian Master Plan and present the latest data produced from these plans. Attendees will also hear personal stories from neighborhood champions that highlight the walking culture and pedestrian experience in the Fairland and Briggs Chaney community. Registration is required and this program has been approved for AICP and ASLA continuing education credits.
Montgomery Planning will host the virtual event, “Chat with a Planner: Affordable Housing,” (7 – 8:15 p.m.) in support of the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan. Join Housing Planner Lisa Govoni for a conversation about affordable housing in Silver Spring. Learn about existing programs and what can be done in the future to expand the affordable housing stock in downtown Silver Spring. RSVP for the online meeting (RSVPs required).
May 26 – The Historic Preservation Commission will hold its meeting online. Consult the HPC meeting webpage for agenda information. Watch the meetings online via live stream or review previous meetings on demand.
May 27 – The Planning Board will hold its meeting online. Consult the Planning Board’s agenda, posted 10 days before the meeting for more information. Watch the meetings online via live stream or review previous meetings on demand.
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