Discussion will focus on height and density recommendations for properties in each district of Westbard
Silver Spring, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Board, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will review the recommendations regarding zoning and land uses in the Westbard Sector Plan at its meeting on Thursday, November 19 at the Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD).
At this second work session for the Sector Plan, staff planners will highlight the priorities in each district of Westbard. They will present requested changes to Plan recommendations made by property owners and their impact on the potential number of residential units, affordable housing, open spaces and student generation rates.
The Planning Board will hold additional work sessions in December 2015. At the conclusion of the work sessions, the Plan will be revised according to the Planning Board’s direction and transmitted to the County Council and County Executive as the Planning Board Draft. The County Council will hold a public hearing on the Planning Board Draft of the Westbard Sector Plan in 2016.
Background on Westbard Sector Plan
The new Sector Plan is the first effort since 1982 to develop a unified vision for Bethesda’s Westbard area, which is located near Friendship Heights and the District of Columbia. The Plan builds on the assets of the community by offering ways to improve neighborhood retail, the existing light industrial areas, housing options and recreational and open spaces over the next 20 years. Recommendations in the Plan focus on:
-Encouraging more housing choices.
-Revitalizing older retail areas.
-Emphasizing low-scale development of five to seven stories.
-Preserving local light industrial uses.
-Restoring the Willett Branch stream as a public amenity.
-Creating better access to the Capital Crescent Trail.
-Establishing new gathering spaces and parks.
-Enhancing walkability with sidewalks shaded by street trees.
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