On Tuesday, the County Council reviewed an amendment to the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan. The Master Plan re-envisions the Washington Adventist Hospital and university campuses, the Erie Center and the area along Maple Avenue.
The plan is a partnership between Montgomery Planning and the City of Takoma Park. It looks to update the 2000 Takoma Park Master Plan which aims to be a comprehensive guide for development in the area while preserving the character of the local community.
The amendment calls for more multi-family properties and parks to improve quality of life, guide future development and encourage improvements to the environment within the area.
The plan addresses racial and social equity by expanding affordable housing access and recommending mixed-use zoning to create economic and employment opportunities. During the planning process, staff provided translation services at community engagement sessions and intentionally sought-out residents who would be impacted by the amendment.
“It gives me joy to see this moving forward,” Councilmember Natali Fani-González said. “This entire plan speaks about racial justice and equity. The entire document, more than any other sector plan that I have worked on, and that’s something for Montgomery County to feel proud of.”
The planning board approved the plan boundary in September 2021 and the council held a public hearing on the guidelines at Takoma Park Middle School on Jan. 25. The Takoma Park Mayor and council will review the plan before the Montgomery Planning Board gives final approval.
The Council and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission approved and adopted two sector plans for communities in Takoma Park and nearby areas, including the 2012 Takoma-Langley Crossroads Sector Plan and the 2013 Long Beach Sector Plan.
The recommendations called for increased affordable housing, pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, strengthened opportunities for small businesses and connections to Metro’s in-progress Purple Line.
Related:
City Council Discusses Takeaways From Takoma Park Master Plan Survey
