Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan

The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the county’s long-term priorities, which include a vibrant economy, equity for all residents, and a healthy environment. The final plan will include policies, recommendations, best practices and implementation programs that provide clear direction for the public and county officials on how we will achieve this vision.

This sector plan amendment will take cues from Thrive Montgomery 2050, the county’s ongoing general plan update – particularly its equity framework – which describes how great places with equitable access to opportunity produce strong communities and people.

The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities, and the environment. This project will amend portions of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan which is the current planning document for the community.

The planning team is now in the initial stages of this effort which includes background research and identifying existing conditions before presenting the Scope of Work to the Planning Board in the spring of 2021.

This webpage will be updated regularly throughout this process. You are encouraged to sign-up for our e-letter to stay informed of the latest news, meetings, and opportunities to participate.

Background

The properties within the sector plan amendment boundary are currently governed by the 1997 Fairland Master Plan. The 1997 Fairland Master Plan boundary area extends along US Highway 29 (Columbia Pike) from East Randolph/Cherry Hill Road in the south to Burtonsville in the north, and from Prince George’s County in the east, and the Paint Branch to the west. The 1997 Fairland Master Plan area consists of approximately 8,200 acres or about 13 square miles of land.

The 1997 Fairland Master Plan’s concept has three components: 1) Livable suburban communities, 2) open space and greenways, and 3) neighborhoods are served by commercial activity centers. The plan also addressed the following elements: transportation, community facilities, environmental resources, and historic resources. Policies and recommendations were implemented through zoning changes, a capital improvement program, and a water and sewer staging program.

Since 1997, the majority of the plan area has not been the subject of a master plan update. In 2012, the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan updated land use, zoning, environment and transportation recommendations for approximately 191 acres focused on mostly commercial land near the intersection of Old Columbia Pike and MD 198. The White Oak Science Gateway Plan was approved and adopted in 2014, covering the land south of Fairland including the commercial properties south of Cherry Hill Road, along Tech Road, and areas to the south along New Hampshire Avenue south to Hillandale.

These two planning efforts on either side of Fairland, plus the introduction of the new FLASH bus rapid transit line, and the ongoing awareness of the diversity and inequities within the planning area make now the perfect time to re-imagine Fairland as a vibrant, prosperous and equitable community for the 21^st century.

Community snapshot

Source: 2018 ACS (American Community Survey, US Census)