Montgomery Planning’s team working on the Bethesda Downtown Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment (MMPA) is hosting another series of community meetings to discuss the plan’s preliminary recommendations and answer questions (see schedule below). The MMPA is an update to the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan.
The preliminary recommendations presentation for the community meetings reflects input from community meetings and stakeholder conversations, particularly with the Bethesda Downtown Plan Implementation Advisory Committee. The presentation recaps the work the team has done to date, work still ongoing, and begins to address the major issues of the MMPA:
-- The development cap and projected impact on the transportation network from potential additional future development.
-- Reassessing the elements of the Park Impact Payment, including the rate.
-- Incentivizing a new recreation center and more affordable housing.
-- Changes to the Bethesda Overlay Zone to provide greater flexibility for developers to meet changing market conditions in service of building the plan’s vision.
September Community Meetings Schedule
-- Wednesday, September 11, at 7 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Connie Morella Library (7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD)
-- Tuesday, September 17, at 7 p.m. (Virtual). RVSPs are required to receive a meeting link.
-- Saturday, September 21, at 11 a.m. at Chevy Chase Town Hall (4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD)
The planning team is tentatively scheduled to present the preliminary recommendations to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, September 19 (exact time to be determined). This will be an opportunity for stakeholders to provide written comments to the Planning Board on the preliminary recommendations and for Planning Board members to share their comments with staff to inform the development of a Working Draft of the plan, expected in October. You may send written comments to the Chair of the Planning Board at mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org.
Questions, comments?
Contact: Elza Hisel-McCoy, Chief, Downcounty Planning
Email: elza.hisel-mccoy@montgomeryplanning.org
Telephone: 301-495-2115
On June 27, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved the scope of work for the Bethesda Downtown Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment, which will take a fresh look at the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan’s implementation recommendations related to economic development, park development, transportation improvements, schools, affordable housing, and community recreation. The plan amendment is limited in nature. It retains the same boundary and will not re-open the entire 2017 Plan. Read the scope of work. Watch Montgomery Planning’s presentation of the scope of work to the Planning Board on-demand.
Development Cap
A major part of the Bethesda Downtown Minor Master Plan Amendment will be reexamining the 2017 Plan’s cap on development in downtown Bethesda at 32.4 million total square feet, based on a 2016 analysis of transportation infrastructure.
Once total development came within 2 million square feet of the cap, which it did in 2023, the plan recommended that the Planning Board revisit the recommendations to determine if more are needed to help implementation of public amenity and infrastructure recommendations like new parks and transportation-related improvements.
Upcoming Community Workshops
You’re invited to attend upcoming informational workshops where planners will present information on the tools available to implement master plan recommendations and make subject matter experts available to speak with you to answer questions and gather your input. The format and content for each meeting will be the same.
- Tuesday, July 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Connie Morella Library (7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD).
- Wednesday, August 14, at 7 p.m. (Virtual). RVSPs are required to receive a meeting link.
- Saturday, August 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chevy Chase Town Hall (4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD).
Questions, comments?
Contact: Elza Hisel-McCoy, Chief, Downcounty Planning
Email: elza.hisel-mccoy@montgomeryplanning.org
Telephone: 301-495-2115