Update to 2009 Sector Plan seeks a more complete and connected Germantown community
Wheaton, Md. – At its February 20 meeting, the Montgomery County Planning Board , part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) , reviewed and approved the Scope of Work for the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment . The Scope of Work includes a boundary for the sector plan encompassing the Germantown Town Center and mix of employment centers, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods on both sides of I-270. The Montgomery College Germantown campus and the U.S. Department of Energy campus are the largest sites within the plan area.
Read the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment Scope of Work .
View the approved boundary .
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The Planning Board added its comments and approved the plan boundary following a presentation from staff at the Montgomery County Planning Department , also part of The M-NCPPC. Planning Board members were also briefed on the sector plan area’s Existing Conditions Report and Community Feedback Report , both of which reflect Planning staff’s analysis and community engagement conducted for the Germantown Employment Area Study in 2024.
The study assessed the state of employment in the plan area and evaluated the 2009 Germantown Employment Area Sector Plan’ s land use and zoning recommendations. Planners also reviewed transportation recommendations safety issues. It was determined that the Germantown area needed an amendment to the master plan and a new vision for an updated development landscape that accounts for new and different planned capital improvements, evolved community and business priorities, an improved pedestrian and bicycling experience, and the need for an urban service or parking district that supports clean and safe economic development and placemaking activities.
On November 12, 2024, the Montgomery County Council approved an update to Montgomery Planning’s work program to transition the Germantown Employment Area Study into an amendment of the 2009 Sector Plan.
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“Germantown has great potential to transition from its suburban-style commercial areas—with low-rise buildings and surface parking lots—into compact, walkable places for a more active, mixed-use, and vibrant public realm,” said project co-lead Jamey Pratt. “Montgomery Planning looks forward to collaborating with Germantown residents and community leaders to achieve an updated vision that leads to strengthened employment and transit-oriented growth, and a better-connected community with safer streets, compact neighborhoods and more recreation opportunities.”
Goals of the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment
The plan amendment envisions a more complete and better-connected future for the Germantown community, with safer streets, compact neighborhoods, and more opportunities for residents to recreate and interact.
Once finalized, the amendment will make recommendations for zoning, land use, housing, transportation, the environment, public facilities, economic development, and more elements to realize that future.
What’s next?
With the approval of the Scope of Work, the planning team will work with the community and subject matter experts to explore ideas and develop a vision for the area. The team will come back to the Planning Board this summer to present the preliminary recommendations and begin developing the sector plan’s first draft.
Those interested in receiving updates on news and events about Germantown planning are encouraged to sign up for Montgomery Planning’s e-letter.
For updates and link to press release, see here: https://montgomeryplanning.org/?p=61495