For Immediate Release: Friday, April 16, 2021
Committee will review the Ashton Village Center Sector Plan and a zoning measure for continuing care retirement communities and receive a briefing on development trends in the White Flint Sector Plan area
The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee will meet on Monday, April 19 at 9:30 a.m. to review the Ashton Village Center Sector Plan, Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 20-08 for continuing care retirement communities and receive a briefing on development trends in the White Flint Sector Plan area.
The members of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
Ashton Village Center Sector Plan
Review: The Ashton Village Center Sector Plan is designed to transform Ashton into a viable and vibrant rural village center. The Committee will continue its review of recommendations for the plan area including land use, zoning, community design and transportation issues, focusing on design guidelines.
The plan area includes 127 acres around the intersection of MD 108, known as Olney Sandy Spring Road, and New Hampshire Ave. (MD 650). The plan envisions the Ashton Village Center as a compact, low-rise, walkable and bikeable rural village with a mix of land uses.
The plan provides zoning and design recommendations intended to allow the density and uses expected for a rural village, while ensuring that new development complements Ashton’s existing commercial center and rural character.
Since two state highways (MD 108 and MD 650) form a crossroads at the core of the Ashton Village Center, this plan also provides transportation recommendations related to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the plan area.
Those expected to provide information include: Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson; Gwen Wright, director, Planning Department; Robert Kronenberg, deputy director, Planning Department; Patrick Butler, Upcounty division chief, Montgomery Planning Department; and Montgomery Planning Department staff.
Development trends in the White Flint Sector Plan area
Briefing: The Committee will receive a briefing by staff from the Montgomery County Planning Department on the recently completed study of the White Flint Sector Plan area.
The briefing will provide an overview of the development trends, market performance, infrastructure and park facilities, placemaking case studies and financing tools, as well as provide a framework for future discussions.
Those expected to provide information include: Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson; Gwen Wright, director, Planning Department; Robert Kronenberg, deputy director, Planning Department; Carrie Sanders, chief, Mid-County Planning, Planning Department; and Montgomery Planning Department staff.
ZTA 20-08, Residential Care Facility – Continuing Care Retirement Community
Review: ZTA 20-08 adds a definition for a continuing care retirement community to Montgomery County’s Zoning Ordinance. Presently, independent living units and residential care facilities in a multi-unit building are approved as a conditional use. Current law does not include a definition for a continuing care retirement community, and ZTA 20-08 would allow for greater flexibility in senior-living unit developments.
Council President Hucker is the lead sponsor, at the request of the Planning Board.
Those expected to provide information include Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, Jason Sartori, chief, Countywide Planning and Policy, Planning Department and Montgomery Planning Department staff.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-159