The Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science aims to transform the Life Sciences Center (LSC) along I-270 into a bustling hub, attractive beyond its institutional offerings.
The Montgomery County Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the plan Thursday.
Board members received community feedback in March and will soon submit the final proposal to County Council.
Great news for the Great Seneca Science Corridor along I-270! The Planning Board approved our Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science that's focused on growing the county's life sciences industry hub into more of a live/work community. Learn more: https://t.co/ceWLlvuKCV pic.twitter.com/WhuIWg6ImK
— Montgomery Planning (@montgomeryplans) April 25, 2024
“The Life Sciences Center should be more of a destination rather than an area of the county where people pass through on wide, fast roads,” said Montgomery Planning Director Jason Sartori. “This plan lays the foundation for life sciences careers to continue to thrive in Montgomery County while making it a place that’s more comfortable for employees and their families to live and enjoy a variety of retail, restaurants, parks, and other activated public spaces.”
The Planning Department wanted to turn the LSC into what it calls a “Complete Community.” According to the department’s website, complete communities host “a range of land uses, housing types, infrastructure, services, and amenities to meet a wide range of needs for a variety of people—and to support racial and socioeconomic integration.”
Specifically, the plan supports mixed-use life sciences development and incentivizes production of affordable, market-rate housing. It also creates a safer transit layout, complete with dedicated lanes and walkways as well as re-sized roads.
Featured image via Montgomery Planning on X.
