Board stressed the importance of providing public hearing in community
The Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan Public Hearing is being streamed live online today from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The video can be accessed by clicking on the live stream link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/montgomery-planning-live
The public is invited to submit online comments about the Bethesda Downtown Plan via email to bethesdadowntownplan@montgomeryplanning.org. These comments will become part of the public testimony and public record for the Plan.
View the Bethesda Downtown Plan Public Hearing Draft.
View the May 21 Bethesda Downtown Plan Board presentation.
The new Plan builds on the success of Downtown Bethesda by offering ways to strengthen its centers of activity – Bethesda Row, Wisconsin Avenue corridor, Woodmont Triangle and other established and emerging districts – over the next 20 years. Among its recommendations are a high performance area that incentivizes more energy-efficient buildings, new parks, tree-lined streets and innovative storm water management. The priority of the plan is to make Bethesda into a truly sustainable downtown – economically, socially, and environmentally.
Other goals of the plan focus on:
-A mix of housing options, including preservation of market-rate affordable apartments and new moderately priced dwelling units in exchange for development incentives.
-New and/or expanded civic greens at Veteran’s Park, Bethesda Farm Women’s Cooperative Market and Capital Crescent Trail.
-Economic competitiveness within the region based on new development, public amenities and proximity to transit, including Metrorail and proposed Purple Line light rail.
-Density averaging (a planning tool that allows square footage to be sent from one mixed-use site to another mixed-use site) to create or enlarge parks, protect significant community landmarks and retain affordable housing.
Work on the Working Draft of the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan began in January 2014. Community participation was encouraged through public meetings and workshops, online surveys and happy hour events, which were intended to reach residents who don’t typically participate in the planning process.
The Plan serves as an amendment to the approved and adopted 1994 Bethesda Central Business District Sector Plan and the 2006 Woodmont Triangle Amendment to that Sector Plan.
After the Board’s public hearing on June 24, the plan will be revised through work sessions with the Planning Board during the summer and early fall 2015 before being sent to the Council for additional work sessions and approval. Final Council action is anticipated in spring 2016.
Learn more about the planning process for the Bethesda Downtown Plan.
For questions or comments about the Working Draft, please email bethesdadownplan@montgomeryplanning.org