Discussions over the Montgomery County Planning Board’s zoning code rewrite will continue next month at the County Council’s Planning Committee, but one councilmember wants the process slowed down.
“I am not convinced that this schedule provides enough time for a thorough review of a 400-page document that will fundamentally change the way we plan and zone in Montgomery County,” wrote Councilmember Marc Elrich in his August e-blast. “And I am not convinced that our residents are aware of the recommended changes and potential impacts on existing residential neighborhoods.”
Elrich said the rewrite, which aims to modernize the existing zoning code by reducing the number of zones, too easily “dictates change,” instead of allowing for the conventional master plan process to allow for changes that lead to more development.
Meanwhile, the Planning Department has put together a mapping tool that allows users to see how zoning would change in particular areas under the rewrite.
As you can see from the images above, the rewrite would essentially fold a number of different CBD (or Central Business District) zones in downtown Bethesda into CR zones (commercial-residential).
The residential zoning around downtown Bethesda would remain virtually the same.
The mapping tool also allows user to see how the proposed zoning would affect individual properties.
Take a look at the before and after zoning proposed near the corner of River Road and Ridgefield Road, in the Westbard neighborhood:
You can see the commercial zones, which includes the mid-rise office near River and Ridgefield, would be changed into CR-Town zones and an EOF zone for the office. The map shows the ratio of commercial and residential space allowed in each zone and building heights.
Images via Montgomery County Planning Department
