Rockville's Planning Commission invites the public to provide input on a revised draft plan for the future of a 2-mile portion of the Rockville Pike corridor that is in the City. Public hearings will be held on March 20, April 24, and May 22 during the 7 p.m. Planning Commission meetings at Rockville City Hall. The public is invited to testify at the hearings or to submit written testimony.
Planning Commissioners decided at their meeting on February 13 that, with minor edits, the draft plan was ready for release. Rockville's Pike Plan, Draft for Planning Commission Second Public Hearing, will be available on the City's Web site after March 1 at www.rockvillemd.gov/rockvillespike.
Substantial public input informed the creation of the original draft plan, which was released in December 2010 as an update to the 1989 plan covering the same area. This latest version of the plan includes revisions made in response to public testimony on the December 2010 draft, during a series of Planning Commission work sessions over the last two years.
The plan area is the 2-mile stretch of Rockville Pike between Richard Montgomery Drive (just south of Rockville Town Center) and the southern city limits (just north of Bou Avenue). The plan governs land use and transportation along this core section of the Pike.
The goals for the area include creating a place of pride for the city; improving the experience for drivers, walkers, bicyclists and transit riders; enhancing economic vitality; ensuring that development is supported by sufficient public services and facilities; and adding parks and open space. The latest iteration of Rockville's Pike Plan includes a new cross section for the Pike that allows for the possibility of high capacity transit service.
After the public hearings and following public comment period, the Planning Commission may make further revisions to their draft before sending it on to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council are expected to hold a public hearing and work sessions on the document ahead of adoption later this year.
For more information on the plan visit www.rockvillemd.gov/rockvillespike or contact Cindy Kebba, Planner III, in the Community Planning and Development Services department at ckebba@rockvillemd.gov or 240-314-8233. Chief of Long Range Planning and Redevelopment David Levy is also available to answer questions at dlevy@rockvillemd.gov or 240-314-8272.
