Wheaton, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), has secured the Montgomery County Council’s approval to proceed with its ambitious work program for fiscal year 2027 (FY27), which begins on July 1, 2026. The County Council approved Montgomery Planning’s $28.9 million budget for FY27 at its meeting on May 21, 2026. These funds support the work program for the department and represent a 3.5% increase compared to the FY26 Operating Budget.
“Despite a constrained budget environment, this work program reflects our commitment to planning for the future of our communities and to meet the challenges ahead and continue to enjoy a high-quality of life,” said Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori. “We’re focused on identifying strategies to tackle the real problems that the county is facing today while advancing sustainable and equitable growth principles. We look forward to engaging with the community to create a shared vision for the future of Montgomery County.”
Staff will begin working on the new FY27 work program items starting this summer. Highlights of Montgomery Planning’s major new plans and projects in FY27 include the following.
Plans underway
Planners will continue to work on the Friendship Heights Sector Plan, the Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan, the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment, and The Wheaton Plan: A Georgia Avenue Community Plan.
New plans
Burtonsville Employment Area Minor Master Plan Amendment
The Burtonsville Employment Area Minor Master Plan Amendment evaluates the 1997 Master Plan with a focus on housing, jobs, transportation, urban design, and public benefits. Aims to support growth along the US 29 corridor with improved multimodal mobility. Work is expected to begin in winter 2027/2028.
Climate Resilience and Adaption Functional Plan
The Climate Resilience and Adaption Functional Plan will identify vulnerabilities in Montgomery County’s infrastructure and develop strategies to address climate risks such as extreme heat and flooding, with a strong focus on equity. Given the rising urgency, evidenced by recent heat-related deaths in Maryland, this effort is timely and critical. Montgomery Planning is uniquely positioned to integrate resilience solutions into development, complementing work by other agencies and balancing broader priorities like housing.
Damascus Main Street Sector Plan Amendment
Damascus is a historic community with a strong identity, but its 2006 Master Plan no longer reflects today’s growth, housing needs, or infrastructure priorities. An updated plan is essential to guide context-sensitive development, improve connectivity, and revitalize Main Street, building on renewed community interest and aligning with Thrive Montgomery 2050, climate, and safety goals.
Historic Preservation Plans
Montgomery Planning is starting two countywide amendments to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation to advance long-overdue updates and fill key gaps. The first will evaluate all properties currently on the Locational Atlas, some for nearly 50 years, to determine whether they should be formally designated, providing clarity for property owners and access to preservation incentives where appropriate. The second will focus on burial sites, building on recent survey work to update the plan with new historical context, preservation guidance, and policy direction. Together, these efforts aim to modernize the preservation framework, support property owners, and strengthen stewardship of the county’s historic resources.
Kensington Sector Plan Amendment
The Kensington Sector Plan Amendment will build on the 2012 Plan to expand housing, strengthen environmental resilience, and improve multimodal safety in the Town Center. Will assess stormwater, parking, and open space while balancing growth with historic resources. A scope of work is expected for Planning Board review in winter 2026/2027.
Policies and Studies
Diversifying the Economy: Assessing Future Needs for Industrial Land
In Montgomery County, the industrial sector represents about 10% of Montgomery County’s private employment but plays a key role in economic diversity, offering competitive wages, especially in advanced manufacturing fields. Demand is growing for flexible “flex” spaces that support both manufacturing and research and development, but aging facilities and limited development sites may constrain this growth. With the county’s last industrial land study completed in 2013, this effort will assess current inventory, market trends, and future demand to determine whether zoning or land use changes are needed to better support emerging industries and economic opportunities.
Greater North Bethesda Implementation Study
This study will evaluate whether the implementation tools from the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan and 2018 White Flint 2 Sector Plan still support their vision. Building on recent monitoring and the Advancing the Pike District initiative, the effort will explore updated approaches to better reflect current conditions, with collaboration across divisions and engagement with key agencies and stakeholders.
Growth and Infrastructure Policy
Planners will begin to work on the update to the Growth and Infrastructure Policy which must be updated every four years. This policy is the guide for administering the county’s adequate public facilities requirements and helps the county ensure that infrastructure supports growth.