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How To Participate Effectively in The Development Review Process

The document summarizes the development review process in Montgomery County, Maryland. It explains that applicants must submit plans like site plans, preliminary plans, or project plans for review. Planning staff and other agencies then analyze the application according to regulations. The public can provide input throughout the process by attending meetings and hearings or submitting comments. The Planning Board makes final decisions on whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the development plans.

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69 views2 pages

How To Participate Effectively in The Development Review Process

The document summarizes the development review process in Montgomery County, Maryland. It explains that applicants must submit plans like site plans, preliminary plans, or project plans for review. Planning staff and other agencies then analyze the application according to regulations. The public can provide input throughout the process by attending meetings and hearings or submitting comments. The Planning Board makes final decisions on whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the development plans.

Uploaded by

Planning Docs
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Must conform with environmental and

transportation regulations
Can be approved, approved with conditions, or
denied by the Planning Boardapproval is required
before the lots can be recorded in the land records
or a building permit can be issued

A Site Plan is a detailed review of building location,


landscaping, lighting, and other elements of a proposed
development. A site plan is:

Required in certain zones or when exceptions to


regulations are requested
Approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the
Planning Boardapproval is required before a
building permit can be issued

THE REVIEW
The lead reviewer analyzes the application based on the
requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and other
applicable regulations and guidelines, and receives input
from the Planning Departments master planning,
environmental, transportation, and historic preservation
staffs, other agencies, and the community.
The lead reviewer arranges for the Development Review
Committee (DRC) to review the plan and meet with the
applicant. The DRC is an interagency task force of
representatives from public agencies and utilities such
as WSSC, PEPCO, the State Highway Administration, and
the County departments of Permitting Services,
Environmental Protection, and Transportation.
To address concerns received from the staff, DRC, or the
community, an applicant will often submit a revised plan
that must be analyzed again by staff.
Individuals or community representatives are
encouraged to work with staff and the applicant
throughout the review process to resolve issues. You can
meet with the lead reviewer to discuss relevant issues
and check on the status of reviews and revisions. You
can submit written or emailed comments to the lead
reviewer at any time during the plan review process and
they will become part of the official record.

How to Find Out About Development Proposals


Pre-submission meetingAnyone who wants to develop
land must post signs on the site and hold pre-submission
meetings. Contact information must be posted, and
anyone interested can attend the meetings. The
applicant also must send written notice to abutting and
confronting property owners, and to homeowners
associations and civic associations within a one-mile
radius.
Written noticeWhen an application is filed, the
applicant sends written notice to those who received the
pre-submission notice and others who have emailed or
written to indicate their interest. New signs also are
posted. The written notice references the plan number,
which can be used to search for plan information,
drawings, and documents from the Development Activity
Information Center (DAIC) at
montgomeryplanning.org\development.

How to Participate Effectively in the


Development Review Process

Development Review Committee meetingAfter a plan is


filed, the applicant meets with the DRC, an interagency
group consisting of Planning staff and representatives of
other public agencies. The public can attend, but not
speak, at DRC meetings. The schedule is posted two
weeks in advance at
montgomeryplanning.org\development.
Public Hearing NoticeWhen the Planning Board public
hearing is scheduled, the Planning Department notifies
interested parties.
Online Agenda and Staff ReportsThe Planning Board
agenda is posted online 10 days in advance at
montgomeryplanningboard.org/agenda, along with
relevant staff reports.

THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT


THE MARYLANDNATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

Address Relevant Issues


The area master plans and the Zoning Ordinance
determine whether and how a property can be
developed. For a specific project, your comments should
address issues such as:

How to Participate Effectively in


the Development Review Process

Have your neighbors told you that someone is


developing that property down the street?
Have you seen a sign advertising a meeting about a
proposed development in your neighborhood?
Did you get a notice in the mail saying a plan has
been filed to develop the property across the street
or next door?

Heres how you can get involved


You have the opportunity to voice your concerns and
opinions. Dont miss your chance to have your say about
whats going on in your community!
Find out whats proposedcall the phone number on
the sign or the Planning Department
Find out about the development review process
determine the type of plan submitted, what issues
will be addressed in the plans review, and the most
effective way to present your concerns
Coordinate with otherstalk to your neighbors, your
homeowners association, and your civic association
to coordinate your responses
Voice your opinioncomment in a letter, by email, or
in person at the Planning Board hearing

The developments effect on adjacent properties and


the neighborhood
The adequacy of existing and planned public
infrastructure to serve the proposed development
(school capacity decisions are made by the County
Council, not by the Planning Board)
The developments effect on traffic, circulation, and
access
The developments environmental impacts and
adherence to development regulations

Contact the Planning Department


For more information about the development review
process, regulations, and specific applications including
schedule, lead reviewer, case number, and public
hearing date:
Development Activity Information Center (DAIC)
www.montgomeryplanning.org/development
Get involved with Planning Department projects
www.montgomeryplanningboard.org/outreach_center
Development Applications and Regulatory Coordination Division (DARC)

301.495.4550
Information Counter

301.495.4610
Development Applications and Regulatory
Coordination
8787 Georgia Avenue, 2nd floor
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3760

THE PROCESS

THE PLANS

The Montgomery County Planning Board administers the


development review process in accordance with the
Zoning Ordinance, the recommendations in the master
plan, and other applicable regulations and guidelines.

The process begins when an applicant files a Project


Plan, a Pre-Preliminary Plan, a Preliminary Plan of
Subdivision, or a Site Plan. A planner is assigned to serve
as lead reviewer for each proposal and coordinates the
review according to the Manual of Development Review
Procedures. The lead reviewer is the main point of
contact. Call the Information Counter at 301-495-4610
to ask about submitted plans.

The applicant submits a proposal for development. The


type of plan submittedProject Plan, Sketch Plan
Preliminary Plan of Subdivision, or Site Plandepends on
what is being proposed, how the property is zoned, and
the zones requirements. Even before a proposal is
submitted to the Planning Department, an applicant is
required to post signs on the property and hold meetings
with the community to discuss the proposal.

A Project Plan or Sketch Plan is required in certain zones


where an applicant is requesting additional density in
exchange for additional public open space or amenities.
Plans are:

Planners review the proposal and issue a staff report.


Based on an analysis of the proposals compliance with
applicable regulations and guidelines, staff may
recommend approvalusually with a list of required
conditionsor denial.

Staff schedules the proposal for a Planning Board public


hearing. Staff reports are posted online with the Board
meeting agendas 10 days in advance of the hearing at
montgomeryplanningboard.org/agenda

The Planning Board holds a public hearing to receive


testimony from staff, the applicant, and interested
parties, and takes action on the proposal. The Planning
Boards decisions on Project Plans, Sketch Plans,
Preliminary Plans of Subdivision, and Site Plans are
binding.
Throughout this process, the public is encouraged to
evaluate the effects of a proposed development on their
neighborhood and to participate in the Planning Boards
review.

Required in Central Business Districts (Project Plans)


and CR Zones (Sketch Plans) where increased
density warrants the provision of additional public
facilities and amenities
Expected to show conformance with applicable
master plans
Approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the
Planning Board

A Pre-Preliminary Plan is an optional application to


determine whether a site is suitable for a certain type
and/or scale of development or whether specific
elements, such as the location of a driveway, are
acceptable. A pre-preliminary plan:

Contains a generalized layout of streets and lots


May be reviewed by the Planning Board at a public
hearing at the applicants requestdepending on the
type of submission, the Boards decision may or may
not be binding
Makes a property eligible for septic testing

A Preliminary Plan of Subdivision divides a tract of land


into building lots, streets, and open space and is
required in all zones. It shows a proposed developments
relationship to its neighbors. A preliminary plan:

Contains specific lot and street layout and includes


details such as utilities and the adequacy of public
infrastructure

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