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Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan

Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan staff draft cover image

Plan Highlights

In December 2012, the County Council unanimously approved the the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan(4.9 MB), and ZTA 12-13, Rural Cluster (RC) Zone Impervious Surface Limits.

On July 26, 2012, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved its draft of the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan(4.9 MB). The Planning Board draft was unanimously approved (5-0) for transmittal to the County Executive and County Council. The plan, which amends the 1997 Fairland Master Plan, establishes a vision to transform the existing crossroads into a complete community and provides recommendations for land use, transportation, environment and design that will enable the US29/MD198 commercial crossroads area to thrive. The plan focuses on:

  • improving the street network
  • adding an open space system and recreational opportunities
  • identifying new residential opportunities
  • protecting the sensitive tributary headwaters of the Patuxent River.

The recommendations, taken together, form a cohesive way forward and create a civic vision.

Background

Burtonsville locator mapView a detailed map of the planning area.

The commercial crossroads properties at MD 198 and US 29 have seen redevelopment and circulation changes that have many area local merchants, property owners and residents questioning the area's economic future.

Changes that will impact the crossroads area include: a master planned loop/service road, State Highway's MD198 corridor planning effort, and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) at Ft. Meade on MD198 in Laurel.

This plan, which began in November 2010, will update the Burtonsville commercial area in the 1997 Fairland Master Plan to provide land use, zoning and other recommendations that will enable the US29/MD198 crossroads area to thrive. The scope proposes to focus on the commercial core along MD 198 but will also examine the Burtonsville Crossing site for improved connections, expanded public spaces, and a greater diversity of uses. The study also will evaluate the need for a planned loop road and recommend design improvements for the future state highway, MD 198 project. On July 19, County Council voted on a resolution to add the properties north of the PEPCO line to the plan's study boundary. The broad goal is to evaluate the connectivity, design, and environment of the area so that it can become a place that is more balanced and livable. To achieve this goal, the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan will focus on the following:

  • What can be done to improve connectivity within the commercial area and integrate the MD 198 realignment and loop road improvements and other proposed transportation infrastructure improvements?
  • What design alternatives would best advance the goals of sustainability and quality of place?
  • How can sustainable redevelopment in the commercial area protect the local environment and what is the vision for the sensitive areas north and west of the commercial area?

On September 19, 2011, about 55 residents and property owners were given an update by planners on the status of the plan. The second half of the meeting was designed as a workshop to gather ideas on what the community envisioned for the expanded boundary areas. We heard questions and comments on the following:

  • the decline of tenants in the Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center,
  • how the RC zoned parcels north of the commerical area became part of the Plan,
  • the Patuxent watershed and stormwater and sewer capacity concerns with future redevelopment
  • presevation of the fire tower through park acquisition
  • the suggestion that the proposed church could relocate in the vacant Giant site

Planners hope to get more comments on the staff recommendations for the crossroads area in the days and weeks to come. This effort is the Department's first neighborhood plan with the intent of helping make small areas in Montgomery County more balanced and livable places. The Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan will address community issues that are confined to a specific neighborhood and is limited in scope.

News coverage

Learn about our recommendations for the staff draft of the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan.

Project schedule

ECCAB Members at 2/17/11 CharretteAttendees of the community workshop (03/31/2011)

Upcoming

  • Spring 2013: Design Guidelines to Planning Board

Past meetings

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M-NCPPC staff contact

Kristin O'Connor, Lead Planner, Community Planning, Area 3
301-495-2172
Kristin.Oconnor@montgomeryplanning.org

 

Date of last update: May 10, 2013