The public is invited to actively participate in Montgomery County’s Planning Board meetings through various formats, including in-person attendance, virtual testimonies, phone participation, or written submissions sent via email. All written comments on specific agenda items must be received by noon, two business days prior to the meeting to be included in the official record. Additionally, contact details for accessibility accommodations are available. Community members can attend Planning Board meetings in person, watch them live, or listen via phone. Individual agendas for meetings are typically accessible up to ten days before the scheduled date.
Notably, the Montgomery County Planning Department and Planning Board offices will be closed on February 16 to observe Presidents Day.
The February calendar includes a series of important events and meetings. On February 3, Montgomery Planning staff will present the preliminary recommendations for the Friendship Heights Sector Plan in-person from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Place Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase, MD. A question and answer session will follow, and while registration is encouraged, it’s not mandatory.
On February 5, a Planning Board meeting will occur in-person at the Wheaton Headquarters, coupled with a joint meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission. Additionally, the Planning staff will present the same Friendship Heights Sector Plan recommendations virtually that evening. Registration is required for the virtual webinar.
The Development Review Committee (DRC) is scheduled to meet on February 10. Attendees can choose between in-person participation at Wheaton Headquarters or live video streaming. The DRC includes representatives from various agencies and will discuss development applications.
Further, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will meet on February 11, with an in-person option at Wheaton Headquarters and virtual attendance available upon request. To testify on any agenda item, participants must sign up by 9 a.m. the day before the meeting.
Subsequent meetings for the Planning Board are set for February 12, February 19, February 24, and February 26, all held at Wheaton Headquarters with online participation options.
This engaging approach to community involvement in planning decisions exemplifies Montgomery County’s commitment to transparency and public engagement, ensuring that residents have varied avenues to contribute to discussions that shape their communities.