News
Note: the most current news is always available on the FLOG.
The Best Public Spaces are Public Places
June 2, 2010. MNCPPC Planning Director Rollin Stanley presented best practices in designing public spaces as the latest Speakers' Series event. Stanley noted that the best public spaces are not large, but are well-designed to promote human interactions which stimulate all of the five senses. More information is available on the FLOG.
2010 White Flint Town Hall
May 13, 2010. Friends of White Flint hosted renowned traffic calming expert Ian Lockwood of Glatting Jackson/AEcom at the 2010 White Flint Town Hall. Lockwood held several meetings with individual neighborhood leaders, bicycle groups, and government officials as part of the Town Hall, and presented a selection of international and domestic examples of best practices in traffic calming and neighborhood mobility. More information is available on the FLOG.
Montgomery County Council Unanimously Approves White Flint Sector Plan
March 23, 2010. The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the White Flint Sector Plan. The Plan now returns to the Planning Board for technical completion.
Montgomery County Council to Finish White Flint Plan on March 23
March 2, 2010. Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen announced that a final vote would be taken on adopting the White Flint Sector Plan at the Council's meeting on March 23, 2010. The Council today took a "straw vote" on the Plan, and voted 8-0 (Andrews absent) to adopt.
Montgomery County Council Passes CR Zone
March 2, 2010. The Montgomery County Council unanimously adopted the new Commercial/Residential Zoning proposed for White Flint and other areas. The CR Zone features a low base density with a series of incentive amenities which projects can adopt in exchange for bonus density.
PHED Committee to Complete Sector Plan Review on Feb. 23
February 16, 2010. The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee of the Montgomery County Council will continue its consideration of the White Flint Sector Plan on Tuesday, February 23, in the County Council Office Building. The agenda includes both staging and financing issues. Following consideration of these issues, the PHED Committee is expected to report out its recommendation to the full County Council for its consideration of the Plan. The Council is expected to complete its work on the Plan by mid-March.
Floreen to Head Council
December 1, 2009. The Montgomery County Council broke with tradition and elected Nancy Floreen, a resident of the White Flint area, as its new President for the upcoming year. The Council rejected the elevation of Roger Berliner, who represents the White Flint area and is currently the Vice-President of the Council.
PHED Committee Rejects Commuter Rail Station Site
November 30, 2009. The Montgomery County Council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee continued its consideration of the White Flint Sector Plan by looking at transportation issues. The PHED Committee rejected the Planning Board's recommendation that a new commuter rail station be located on Nicholson Court, in the south of the Sector, and instead recommended a northern site. In addition, the PHED Committee decided on a 162' right-of-way for Rockville Pike, which is needed for the Glatting-Jackson "Transitway Option" for Pike reconstruction, which is supported by Friends of White Flint.
PHED Committee Begins Consideration of Plan
November 16, 2009. The Montgomery County Council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee began its consideration of the White Flint Sector Plan with an "overview" hearing on community amenities. The PHED Committee decided to adopt the recommendation of the Board of Education that a site at White Flint Park be reserved for a future elementary school. Future hearings will be held on Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 10.
White Flint Plan Wins 2009 Best Plan Award
October 22, 2009. The Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association, www.marylandapa.org, announced that the White Flint Sector Plan won the top planning award in the State for 2009.
Friends of White Flint Releases Report on Plan
October 19, 2009. Friends of White Flint released a 49-page Report to the Montgomery County Council on the White Flint Sector Plan. The Report describes White Flint and its current problems, solutions to the problems, the successful efforts in Arlington County, Virginia, to transform a strip-mall and parking lot-dominated suburb into a "smart growth" community, and the proposed White Flint Sector Plan. The Report also offers twelve recommendations for improving the White Flint Sector Plan, including accelerating renovation of Rockville Pike, a new intergenerational community center, and new pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly sidewalks. The Report will be presented to the Council at the public hearings on the Plan on Tuesday, October 20. The Report can be found here.
Friends of White Flint Pans County Executive's Letter
October 6, 2009. Friends of White Flint issued a release criticizing County Executive Ike Leggett's letter on the White Flint Sector Plan. The release noted that the Leggett letter was automobile-oriented, and offered no alternative to the White Flint Plan. The release can be found at http://blog.friendsofwhiteflint.org/__oneclick_uploads/2009/10/release-on-mcdot-exec-ltr.pdf.
County Executive Pans White Flint Sector Plan
October 5, 2009. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett issued a letter commenting on the White Flint Sector Plan. Leggett initially praised the Plan's vision, but was concerned about possible effects on automobile traffic through White Flint and about various proposals for financing infrastructure and operational improvements. The Leggett letter included technical comments from several County departments, including voluminous comments from the County's Department of Transportation, which noted that the Plan would interfere with its intention to keep Rockville Pike a through highway designed principally to move traffic from Bethesda to areas northward. A copy of the Leggett letter and attachments can be found at:http://blog.friendsofwhiteflint.org/__oneclick_uploads/2009/10/exec-comments.pdf.
White Flint Residents Hear About Plan at Town Hall
September 23, 2009. More than 130 White Flint residents met at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission auditorium on Rockville Pike to hear Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson and former Vice-Chair John Robinson discuss the White Flint Sector Plan. Hanson and Robinson spoke and answered questions for two hours.
Revised One-Page Summary of White Flint Sector Plan
September 17, 2009. Friends of White Flint released a revised and updated one-page (front and back) summary of the White Flint Sector Plan, drawn largely from the text of the document. The summary can be found on-line:http://blog.friendsofwhiteflint.org/__oneclick_uploads/2009/09/the-white-flint-sector-plan.pdf.
FoWF to Hold Open Meeting, Oct. 1, on Recommendations for White Flint Sector Plan
September 17, 2009. The Friends of White Flint Board of Directors called an open meeting on Oct. 1, 2009, at 6:30 PM, to discuss recommendations to the County Council for changes or improvements in the White Flint Sector Plan. The meeting will be held at the offices of Shulman, R12505 Park Potomac Ave., 6th Floor, Potomac. More information: dfreishtat@shulmanrogers.com.
Speakers Series, Sept. 25, on Smart Growth
September 15, 2009. The Friends of White Flint will present a Speakers' Series presentaiton on Smart Growth and its application to White Flint. Moderator: Councilmember Roger Berliner. Speakers: Gov. Parris Glendening, now with Smart Growth America, and John Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, Development, Community and Environment Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The event will be held on Sept. 25 at 8AM at Dave & Busters in White Flint Mall. Breakfast will be served. RSVP required to gcalhoun@lerner.com or 301-692-2377.
White Flint Hearing Rescheduled to October 20
September 15, 2009. The Montgomery County Council moved its public hearings on the White Flint Sector Plan up to Tuesday, October 20. If necessary to accomodate speakers, the Council will hold an "overflow" session on October 22.
Montgomery County Council to Hold Hearing on White Flint Sector Plan on Nov. 3
August 27, 2009. The Montgomery County Council will hold its first public hearing on the White Flint Sector Plan on November 3. This scheduling may change. The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a draft Plan on July 16, and the County Executive is preparing comments on the Plan.
Montgomery County Council to Hold Hearing on CR Zone on Sept. 17.
August 27, 2009. The Montgomery County Council will hold a public worksession on the new CR Zone on September 17. The Commercial/Residential Zone is a new zoning policy which combines many of the elements of the County's existing hundreds of zoning areas; it encourages mixed-use development and offers incentives for numerous "amenities" in a development, including proximity to transit and provision of public facilities.
Montgomery County Council to Hold Hearing on AGP on Sept. 22.
August 27, 2009. The Montgomery County Council will hold public hearings on the Annual Growth Policy on September 22. The Annual Growth Policy controls development in the County through an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance that mandates what level of development can be supported by existing and planned public schools, water and sewer facilities, and transportation facilities. The Friends of White Flint supports the expansion of the AGP from considering only traffic and schools to considering other factors which make up quality of life in a community, including sustainability.
Friends of White Flint sponsors White Flint Town Hall, Sept. 23, 2009
August 18, 2009. Friends of White Flint is sponsoring an open, public Town Hall meeting to present the White Flint Sector Plan to the community. The Plan will be presented by Dr. Royce Hanson, Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and the presentation and audience discussion will be moderated by John Robinson, former Vice-Chair of the Planning Board. Friends of White Flint has prepared a separate web site with information on the Town Hall. See here.
Planning Board adopts White Flint Sector Plan
July 16, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board has unanimously adopted the White Flint Sector Plan. The final draft, published by the planning staff on July 13, was adopted with a few last-minute recommendations from Friends of White Flint. The approved plan can be found here. The Plan now moves to the County Executive, who has sixty days to issue a financial impact report and any other comments. After that, the County Council will refer the Plan to committee for hearings and further work. Public hearings are expected in November. For more on the process see the Plans page.
Planning Board to finish work on Plan by July 16, 2009
July 7, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board has scheduled a final session on the White Flint Sector Plan for 9:00AM, Thursday, July 16, 2009, at the Silver Spring Auditorium. It is unclear how much further discussion will be held on the Plan; the Board could simply approve the Plan with prior changes. The draft of the revised Plan should be available approximately July 13.
Friends of White Flint offers recommendations on draft Final Plan.
July 1, 2009. In a letter to the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Friends of White Flint reiterated its strong support for the Draft White Flint Sector Plan. FoWF also released a 31-page report, containing 20 recommendations for improving the Draft Plan. The report and recommendations are available on the FLOG or at http://blog.friendsofwhiteflint.org/__oneclick_uploads/2009/07/fowf-rpt-on-6-18-09-draft-plan-final.pdf .
The Wisconsin Condo Association supports draft final Plan.
June 25, 2009. In a statement released on the FLOG, the Condominium Association of The Wisconsin, a high-rise residential development on Nicholson Lane and Executive Blvd, expressed support for the draft White Flint Sector Plan.
Randolph Hills Civic Association supports draft final Plan
June 18, 2009. The Randolph Hills Civic Association, the largest community organization in the White Flint area, voted to support the draft final White Flint Plan, but offered specific recommendations for changes in the plan. The RHCA recommendations included changes to reflect the Planning Board's decision to re-open the closed Rocking Horse Elementary School, and changes in the maps to include the Randolph Hills area.
Friends of White Flint Support draft final Plan
June 16, 2009. The Board of Directors of Friends of White Flint unanimously voted to strongly support the staff draft of the final White Flint Plan. The Board's letter to the Planning Board also noted that the draft Plan could still be improved, and offered to submit comments and recommendations by July 2, 2009.
Planning Staff releases draft final White Flint Plan
June 15, 2009. The staff of the Montgomery County Planning Board released its rewritten draft of the final White Flint Sector Plan. The draft Plan will be considered by the Planning Board at its meeting on Thursday, June 18. Links to the draft and its cover memo can be found in a June 15 post on the FLOG.
Michael Springer Joins Friends of White Flint Board
June 10, 2009. Michael L. Springer has been elected to the FoWF Board of Directors as a Business Class Director. Springer is the representative of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a FoWF member. Springer was formerly Director of the Office of Administration at NRC, which has just been recognized as the best federal workplace of 2009.
Board adopts new, muddled schedule for White Flint improvements
June 4, 2009. In one of its less-clear decisions, the Montgomery County Planning Board revised the proposed schedule for implementing improvements in White Flint infrastructure and public services. The extent of the revisions was unclear, as Commissioners struggled to craft language which would garner a majority vote. The expressed intent was to insure that needed transportation improvements would not be delayed because less-vital projects were not completed, but the actual language will likely be changed as the Plan reaches the final Draft, due by June 18.
Board Rejects Parking District
June 4, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board agreed with the County Executive that new "regional services centers" could provide the public management necessary to sustain parking in the new White Flint, rejecting the option of a separate Parking District similar to those used in other areas of the county. This approach was different from the Executive and staff recommendation to allow all parking to be provided by private interests.
Board Proposes Tax Increment Financing
June 4, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board rejected suggestions that it adopt a "toolbox" of financing options for White Flint Sector improvements, instead opting for "Tax Increment Financing." TIF reserves a portion of the increased tax revenues generated by redevelopment to pay for the infrastructure necessary for the development. The County Executive had proposed a less-specific statement, but the Board unanimously recommended a TIF instead. Concerns had been raised that the new tax revenues raised by White Flint improvements would be entirely diverted to other parts of the County, starving White Flint of the funds needed for the development which generates the additional revenue.
Board Adopts Rockville Pike Improvement Plan
June 4, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board voted to adopt two proposals made by the White Flint Partnership as part of the Glatting Jackson design proposal for improving Rockville Pike. The Board voted to maintain the existing "centerline" of the Pike cross-section, meaning the street would not shift westward from its present location, and to reserve 162' feet for the road right-of-way. The additional right of way is necessary to place a new transitway in the median of Rockville Pike, but the actual decision of whether to place the transit improvements in the median or at the curb lanes was delayed, pending a county-wide study on transit improvements which is scheduled for completion next year.
Board Puts Fire/Rescue on Northern Side of Montrose Parkway
June 4, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board voted to use the small triangle of land north of the Montrose Parkway (now the vacant land at Montrose Blvd and Rockville Pike) as the site for a new Fire and Rescue station for the White Flint Sector. The Board rejected placing the fire station in the Mid-Pike Plaza residential section, as recommended by Planning Staff.
Board Limits Building Heights to 300'
May 21, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board voted to limit the height of buildings throughout the White Flint Sector to 300 feet.
Board and MoCo Schools Differ on Rocking Horse School Site
May 21, 2009. Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson and Commissioner Jean Cryor met with the Montgomery County School System Board and discussed, among other things, the Board's recent 3-2 decision to reject a new elementary school site within the White Flint Sector in favor of the abandoned school site at the Rocking Horse Center in the Randolph Hills community just east of the Sector. Commissioner Cryor, who led the fight for the Rocking Horse school site, pointed out that the MCPS officials complained about the Planning Board decision, but that there "was no groundswell for going back on the decision."
New Urbanism video
May 12, 2009. The Congress for New Urbanism has announced the winner of its video contest. The winning video explains the solution to one of the greatest threats to our civilization: the cul-de-sac.
Planning Board to finish Plan in July
May 7, 2009. The Planning Board will finish work on the White Flint Sector Plan and send the Plan on to the County Council by July. Because of printing deadlines, the actual plan will be completed before July, and staff announced today that they will produce a rewritten version of the January Public Hearing Draft by June 18.
Planning Board Approves New Park
May 7, 2009. When the Planning Board chose a new school site at Rocking Horse Elementary, the recommended use for the alternative site at White Flint Mall was left up in the air. Today the Planning Board agreed to reserve the 3.8 acre site just north of the existing White Flint Local Park for a new park, with the design to be decided later. The space is large enough for a small playing field; the county does not have enough playing fields to meet demand.
Planning Board Chooses New School Site: Rocking Horse
May 4, 2009. Breaking a deadlocked vote, Planning Board Member Joseph Alfandre cast the deciding vote in favor of placing a new school site for White Flint at the former Rocking Horse Elementary campus in Randolph Hills, just to the east of the Sector boundary. "Because of the scale, we have a chance to connect one neighborhood in a grand way that will be successful. I don’t see that happening in any of the other neighborhoods. This is outside of the Sector, and the site may be subject to a boundary change, but boundaries are not set in stone." Alfandre said.
Planning Board Reconsiders Glatting-Jackson Design for Rockville Pike
May 4, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board reverses its April 30 rejection of a new redesign for Rockville Pike offered by transportation consulting firm Glatting-Jackson. The Planning Board met in a rare Monday night session to hear extensive discussion on the differences between the Pike design offered by its own staff and the Glatting-Jackson version. More details available, including copies of letters sent to the Board, in the FLOG.
White Flint Speakers Series Begins with New Urbanism Panel:
May 1, 2009. The Friends of White Flint Speakers' Series begins with a panel discussion on New Urbanism and "smart growth." Speakers are Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County and Metro Board member, discussing Arlington's successful use of smart growth techniques to revitalize the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and other areas, and Ian Lockwood, transportation and walkability expert, discussing new transportation techniques which could be used in White Flint.
Pictures from the session:
Planning Board Rejects Glatting-Jackson Pike Design:
April 30, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board today appeared to reject a proposed redesign for Rockville Pike prepared by consulting firm Glatting-Jackson and promoted by the private White Flint Partnership. Reasons for the rejection included rejection of rapid transit lanes in the median and of exclusive bike lanes. More information is available in postings on the FLOG.
Thousands Peek at New White Flint:
April 26, 2009. Thousands of runners and volunteers in today's Pike's Peek 10-K road race came by an information booth co-sponsored by Friends of White Flint and the White Flint Partnership. FoWF handed out information on the new White Flint Plan, improving Rockville Pike, New Urbanism and walkable communities, and joining FoWF.
New Website for White Flint Partnership:
April 26, 2009. The White Flint Partnership (formerly known as the Collaborative) has launched a new web site with information on mobility, sustainability, community, and economics. www.whiteflintpartnership.com.
Planning Board Chooses Southern MARC Station Site:
April 23, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board voted unanimously to reject the Planning staff's recommendation to site a new MARC commuter rail station on the Montouri property (across Nebel Street from the Harris-Teeter supermarket). Instead the Board voted to place the MARC station on the southern location, on Nicholson Court, as supported by the Randolph Hills Civic Association.
Planning Board Splits 2-2 on School Site:
April 23, 2009. The Montgomery County Planning Board voted 2-2 to place a new school on the location proposed by the Planning staff at the northeastern edge of the White Flint Mall. The alternative, supported by Commissioners Cryor and Presley, was to put the school at the former Rocking Horse School facility just to the east of the White Flint Sector Boundary in the Randolph Hills community. The vote followed an extensive discussion with Montgomery County Public School officials, including Joe Lavonga, about prospective enrollments and the effect of the White Flint plan on schools. Commissioner Joseph Alfandre was absent, and may cast the deciding vote.
Upcoming County Council Meetings and Worksessions:
Montgomery County Council Approved White Flint Plan on March 23.
The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the White Flint Sector Plan on Tuesday, March 23, in the County Council Office Building. The financing portion of the Plan is not complete.