Upcounty Planning
Upcounty Planning encompasses over 75% of Montgomery County and includes the communities of Potomac, Darnestown, Damascus, Germantown, Clarksburg, Olney and Burtonsville. The county’s Agricultural Reserve spans over 93,000 acres, holds our most vital agricultural resources and includes the smaller crossroads communities of Dickerson, Sunshine, Browningsville, Beallsville, and Ethchison.
Given the wide range of land uses found in Upcounty Planning, staff must not only focus on building great communities, but must also be stewards of agriculture and the environment. Upcounty Planning contains over one dozen Master Plan, Sector Plan and Functional Planning areas. Staff is charged with making the best land use recommendations to help public officials plan for Montgomery County’s future.
The Montgomery County Planning Board meets weekly and considers staff’s recommendations on development proposals, land use matters and stewardship of the varied resources within Upcounty Planning. Learn what planning initiatives are taking place in Upcounty Planning by attending a Planning Board hearing or contacting staff at the numbers provided below.
Advisory Committees
- Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board (APAB) oversees the County’s Public Policy and programs that protect farmland for future generations and makes recommendations to State and County officials regarding farmland preservation issues. This Board normally meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Upcounty Regional Service Center, Germantown, Maryland. Meetings start at 7:00 pm and are open to the public. Please contact Jonathan Casey for more details.
- Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) provides a liaison between the County Government and the agricultural sector, coordinates local government services in rural areas, and provides input and recommendation on issues impacting the rural and agricultural areas. This committee normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Upcounty Regional Service Center, Germantown, Maryland. Meetings start at 7:00 pm and are open to the public. Please contact Josh Penn for more details.
- Rustic Roads Advisory Committee (RRAC): Rustic and Exceptional rustic roads are preserved under the Rustic Roads Program, which provides a system for evaluating, protecting, and enhancing these scenic roadways. The program includes nearly 100 roads. Check out the Rustic Roads webpage for more information about the program.