For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Plan focuses on land use and zoning recommendations surrounding Shady Grove Metro Station as well as mobility options, urban design and public facilities
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 7, 2021—Yesterday, the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved amendments to the Shady Grove Sector Plan. The plan makes recommendations for land use and zoning within the Shady Grove area, as well as recommendations intended to improve overall circulation, pedestrian connections, and the network of bikeways for approximately 2,000 acres.
"The Shady Grove Minor Master Plan amendment builds on the 2006 Sector Plan's vision for Shady Grove to be a transit-oriented, mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly area," Council President Tom Hucker said. "To achieve this, there is a greater emphasis within this amendment on public transit, which will help us reach our County's Vision Zero goals."
“Thank you to all the residents, staff and stakeholders who have come together to develop an exciting vision for the Shady Grove area,” said Councilmember Hans Riemer, who serves as chair of the Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee. “I look forward to continuing to see Shady Grove blossom into a vibrant, transit-oriented community.”
The plan area is adjacent to the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and the Town of Washington Grove. Since the plan’s approval twelve years ago, there have been several changes to the County’s land use planning policies and practices, including the adoption of a new Zoning Ordinance in 2014, an update to the County’s Subdivision Staging Policy in 2016 and 2020, and new data-driven approaches to transportation planning.
"Our approval today puts forth a plan for increasing housing and amenities at the Shady Grove Metro Station while promoting the safe design of streets in an area where there have been numerous severe crashes," said Councilmember Andrew Friedson, who is a member of the Council's PHED Committee. "Thank you to all the residents, community stakeholders, Planning staff, and Planning Board for their work in crafting this forward-looking plan."
“The new Shady Grove Sector Plan will help us create a more affordable, more walkable, and more environmentally sustainable community for all of our residents,” said Councilmember Will Jawando, who is a member of the Council's PHED Committee. I am proud of the work I did on the plan, especially in requiring more affordable housing on public properties. In order to maintain an inclusive community, we need to leverage our public goods to extract the most public benefits possible, and I am pleased to say that this plan achieves that goal.”
"This newly adopted Shady Grove Sector Plan is a real opportunity for this area to grow into the vibrant, transit-oriented community it was meant to be," said Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz.
The vision of this Sector Plan Amendment is to create a future Shady Grove Metro Station area that is home to a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented environment with attractive streetscapes, distinctive architecture and a sense of place that is complemented with public art, facilities and amenities and new mobility options.
“I am pleased that the Council passed the Shady Grove Sector Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment,” said Councilmember Sidney Katz, whose district includes the Shady Grove area. “This plan, which was not really so minor, builds on the original plan from over a decade ago and responds to the many changes which have occurred in and around the Shady Grove Metro Station and the surrounding municipalities that include the Cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg, and the Town of Washington Grove. I look forward to this plan coming to fruition creating the kind of community that realizes a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented environment, complemented with great amenities and new options for getting around.”
"Shady Grove is a vital link to Upcounty and will heavily influence the development of the County’s Life Sciences and Bio-Tech Corridor, so I am pleased with the changes the Council has approved in this plan amendment," said Councilmember Nancy Navarro. "As we review these master plan revisions through the lens of the Economic Development Platform that I authored during my Council presidency, we will continue to move the County forward through deliberate and guided actions to stimulate our economic development."
"Shady Grove is the transit gateway for Upcounty residents,” said Councilmember Evan Glass. “This policy improves the area by emphasizing pedestrian safety and a more enjoyable walking environment so that Shady Grove can fully become an environmentally sustainable, transit-oriented community.”
"The Shady Grove Sector Plan is a timely expansion of the vision to create mixed-use, walkable properties in and around the Shady Grove Metro Station," said Councilmember Craig Rice. "I am pleased that our residents will benefit from this thoughtful but measured approach to leveraging transit to enhance affordability and quality of life in the adjacent neighborhoods.
The Council staff report for this plan can be found here. Additional information about the plan can be found at Montgomery Planning.
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Release ID: 21-140