The 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan has a 20-year vision to help downtown Bethesda continue to be a thriving urban center and one of the county’s most desirable communities. The plan included a cap on total development in downtown Bethesda, including existing and approved new development. The County Council authorized Montgomery Planning to develop a Minor Master Plan Amendment (MMPA) to the 2017 plan to focus on implementation.
The MMPA covers the same Plan Area as the 2017 plan. The Planning team worked closely with the Bethesda Downtown Plan Implementation Advisory Committee, a volunteer panel with representatives from the resident and real estate development communities, as well as select County agencies, on this update. The MMPA recommends technical updates to the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan – including removal of the 32.4 million square foot development cap – to improve implementation of recommendations related to new parks, transportation infrastructure, a new recreation center, affordable housing, and more within a Plan Area of roughly 450 acres.
Final Approved and Adopted Plan available now!
The Montgomery County Council approved the plan in April and the full Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission adopted the Plan in May. The final plan is available below and at the Connie Morella Library in downtown Bethesda.