Bethesda Downtown Design Advisory Panel
Purpose
The Design Advisory Panel (DAP) is an integral part of the Bethesda Overlay Zone. The primary goal of the Design Advisory Panel is to provide advice and recommendations that will heighten design excellence and improve the quality of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture in Bethesda. The Advisory Panel will be guided by the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan and the related Design Guidelines.
View the Design Advisory Panel Rules of Procedure (updated September 2020).
Panel Members
- George Dove, Registered Architect from the Greater Montgomery County Community
- Rod Henderer, Bethesda Community Member
- Brian Kelly, Representing Academia
- Damon Orobona, Member of the Development Community
- Qiaojue Yu, Registered Landscape Architect
- Paul Mortensen, Ex-officio Member, Senior Urban Designer in the Director’s Office
Submission Requirements
- Schedule a Design Advisory Panel review date with the Design Advisory Panel Liaison.
- A minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled Design Advisory Panel meeting, provide the completed Submission Form and drawings for review in PDF format to the Design Advisory Panel Liaison via email. Please note: The Design Advisory Panel Submission Form has been updated. Beginning March 1, 2020, all submissions are required to submit the updated Submission Form.
- Please see Submission Form for submittal requirements.
The following is an example submission that was well-received for its clarity and completeness:
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings typically take place on the fourth Wednesday of every month, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. These meeting dates and times are subject to change. At this time, all meetings are planned to be held online. To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
2022 Schedule
- Wednesday, January 26, 2022 – Meeting Canceled
- Wednesday, February 23, 2022
- Wednesday, March 23, 2022 – Meeting Canceled
- Wednesday, April 27, 2022 – Hybrid Meeting- To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
- Wednesday, May 25, 2022- Hybrid Meeting- To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
- Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Hybrid Meeting- To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
- Wednesday, July 27, 2022
- No August Meeting
- Wednesday, September 28, 2022
- Wednesday, October 26, 2022
- Wednesday, November 16, 2022 (Third Wednesday due to the holiday)
- No December Meeting
Public Participation
While the DAP meetings are primarily for panel members to consider and comment on proposed developments, meetings should be collaborative, and input from developers, their consultants, and members of the public is encouraged. Because panel members are volunteers, however, the DAP is not expected to meet for more than one hour on any single project.
Members of the public who wish to participate in a DAP meeting should notify the DAP’s staff liaison before the meeting. Those who have not notified the staff liaison in advance may sign up to participate the day of the meeting. Citizens will be invited to participate in the order in which they sign up. In certain cases, there may not be sufficient time for all interested citizens to participate. Members of the public who wish to ensure their comments are considered by the DAP should submit them in writing to the DAP’s staff liaison no later than twenty-four hours before the DAP meeting. Any written comments submitted to the DAP will also be sent to the Planning Board before the Board meets to consider the proposed development.
Although DAP meetings are intended to be informal, it may be necessary in certain cases, such as meetings with many interested citizens, for the DAP to impose equitable time limits on public comments or other reasonable rules of order. When possible, the staff liaison will announce time limits at the start of the DAP meeting.
Meeting Materials
DAP Meeting materials, including agenda and development application submission forms, will be posted one week prior to the meeting. Meetings notes and recordings will be posted generally within one week of the DAP meeting.
Wednesday, June 22, 2022- Hybrid Meeting- To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Battery District – Site C Submission Form
- Battery District – Site C Narrative
- Battery District – Site C Submission
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 – Hybrid Meeting (in person and virtual). To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- 4405 East-West Highway Submission | Video
- 7340 Wisconsin Avenue Submission | Video
Wednesday, April 27,2022– Hybrid Meeting (in person and virtual). To attend, please email Emily Balmer.
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 7126 Wisconsin Avenue Submission | Video
- The Claiborne Staff Discussion Video
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 4901 Battery Lane Submission Update | Video
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 8001 Wisconsin Avenue Submission | Video
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 4725 Cheltenham Drive Submission | Video
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 4725 Cheltenham Drive Submission | Video
- 4901 Battery Lane Submission | Video
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 7126 Wisconsin Avenue Submission | Video
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- Hampden East Submission | Video
- The Avondale Submission | Video
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 7070 Arlington Road: Submission | Video
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- Staff Memo
- Welcome Newest Panel Member: Video
- The Avondale: Submission | Video
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 4702 Chevy Chase Drive: Submission | Video
- Updates to DAP Procedures for Reconsideration: Video
- Remembrance of Karl F.G. Du Puy: Video
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
- Agenda
- Staff Memo
- Meeting Notes
- 4702 Chevy Chase Drive Submission: Submission | Video
- The Avondale: Submission | Updated Submission | Video
- Discussion Item: DAP Procedures for Requests for Reconsideration: Video
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- Hampden East: Submission | Video
- The Avondale: Submission | Video
- 4824 Edgemoor Lane: Submission | Video
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- 4725 Cheltenham Drive Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7340 Wisconsin Avenue Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4824 Edgemoor Lane Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4824 Edgemoor Lane Submission Narrative
- Updated Submission Form Draft
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- Design Advisory Panel Breakfast Reception
- 8015 Old Georgetown Road Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7000 Wisconsin Avenue Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4824 Edgemoor Lane Design Advisory Panel Submission
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- 4702 West Virginia Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7000 Wisconsin Avenue Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4824 Edgemoor Lane Design Advisory Panel Submission
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- 7800 Wisconsin Avenue_Design_Advisory_Panel_Submission
- 7340 Wisconsin Avenue_Design Advisory_Panel_Submission
- Bethesda Market_Design_Advisory_Panel_Submission
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 9:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- 8015 Old Georgetown Road_Design Advisory Panel Submission_Sketch Plan
- Battery Lane District_Design Advisory Panel Submission_Sketch Plan2
- 7000 Wisconsin Avenue DAP Submission_Sketch Plan2
Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 9:30a-1:00p
- Agenda
- Meeting Notes
- 7000 Wisconsin Avenue DAP Submission_Sketch Plan
- 4915 Auburn Avenue DAP Submission_Site Plan
- 4702 West Virginia Avenue DAP Submission – Sketch Plan
- Metro Tower_Design Advisory Panel Submission_Site Plan
Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 9:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- Battery Lane District_1_Overview
- Battery Lane District_2_Public Realm
- Battery Lane District_3_4857 Battery Lane
- Battery Lane District_4_4858 Battery Lane
- Battery Lane District_5_4900 Battery Lane
- Battery Lane District_6_4949 Battery Lane
- Battery Lane District_7_4998 Battery Lane
- Battery Lane District_8_Additional Submission Files
- Meeting Notes
Battery Lane Meeting Part 1
Battery Lane Meeting Part 2
Battery Lane Meeting Part 3
Monday, January 7, 2019, 11:30a-1:30p, Design Advisory Panel Lunch
Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 9:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Metro Tower_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7800 Wisconsin Avenue_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- 8000 Wisconsin Ave Review Recording
- Metro Tower Review Recording
- 7800 Wisconsin Ave Review Recording
Wedneday, October 24, 2018, 9:30a-12:00p
- Agenda
- Claiborne_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Bethesda Market_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- Claiborne Review Audio Recording
- Bethesda Market Review Audio Recording
Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 9:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- 8280 Wisconsin_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7607 Old Georgetown_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- St. Elmo_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Approved Meeting Minutes
- 8280 Wisconsin Avenue Review Audio Recording (incomplete recording)
- St. Elmo Apartments Review Audio Recording
- Note: The audio recordings for 8280 Wisconsin Avenue and 7607 Old Georgetown Road are incomplete due to technical difficulties. Please refer to the approved meeting minutes.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 10:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- Claiborne_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4915 Auburn Avenue_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- Claiborne Review Audio Recording:
- 4915 Auburn Avenue Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, June 27, 2018, 9:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- Edgemont Bethesda II_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4 Bethesda Metro Center_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- Edgemont Bethesda II Review Audio Recording:
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue Review Audio Recording:
- 4 Bethesda Metro Center Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 9:15a-12:30p
- Agenda
- 8280 Wisconsin_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7121 Wisconsin_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7121 Wisconsin_Elevations
- 7126 Wisconsin_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7126 Wisconsin_Elevations_rvsd
- Meeting Notes
- Rules of Procedure Minutes
- 8280 Wisconsin Avenue Review Audio Recording:
- 7121 and 7126 Wisconsin Avenue Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 9:30a-12:30p
- Agenda
- ZOM_ Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4 Bethesda Metro Center_ Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- Panel Lunch Discussion Minutes
- ZOM Bethesda Review Audio Recording:
- 4 Bethesda Metro Center Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, April 4, 2018, 9:30a-12:30p (note: this meeting was rescheduled from March 21 due to weather)
- Agenda
- St. Elmo_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7607 Old Georgetown Road_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7607 Old Georgetown Road_rvsd pages
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue _Design Advisory Panel Submission rvsd
- Meeting Notes
- St. Elmo Apartments Review Audio Recording:
- 7607 Old Georgetown Road Review Audio Recording:
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, February 28, 2018, 10:30a-11:30a
- Agenda
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- 8000 Wisconsin Avenue Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, December 13, 2017, 9:00a-12:00p
- Agenda
- Avocet Tower_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 7820 Wisconsin_7815 Woodmont_Design Advisory Panel submission
- Bethesda Gateway_Pre-Concept Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- Agenda Item 1 and Avocet Tower Review Audio Recording:
- 7820 Wisconsin/7815 Woodmont Review Audio Recording:
- Bethesda Gateway Review Audio Recording:
Wednesday, November 29, 2017, 9:00a-12:00p
- Agenda
- Edgemont Bethesda II_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- 4540 Montgomery Ave_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Approved Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 8, 2017, 2:00-5:00p
- Agenda
- ZOM_ Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Marriott_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Artery Plaza_Design Advisory Panel Submission
- Meeting Notes
- ZOM Review Audio Recording:
- Marriott Review Audio Recording:
- Artery Plaza Review Audio Recording: