Long Branch Sector Plan

Download a map depicting the sector plan boundary.

Planners, working on a sector plan for Long Branch in East Silver Spring, presented a staff draft to the Planning Board on December 13, 2012.

• View the public hearing draft (6.3 MB) and the Sector Plan appendix.
• Long Branch Sector Plan - Approved and Adopted (pdf, 10MB)
• Long Branch Design Guidelines (pdf, 3MB)

Recommendations for the community of older, neighborhood-oriented commercial areas and a mix of single-family and multifamily housing, will become one in a series of land use plans that set design and development patterns in Purple Line station areas.

Reflecting input from members of the community collected over three years, the draft recommends new mixed-use zoning, varied housing options to serve residents at different life stages, and a safe, connected pedestrian and bicycle network. Overall, planners expect the transit stations – at Arliss Street and University Boulevard – to catalyze redevelopment and reinvestment. The plan includes a recommendation to designate the Flower Theater and Shopping Center as a historic site, placing it on the county Master Plan for Historic Preservation.

Long Branch Planning Board Draft moves to Council

The County Council has received the Planning Board draft and will be setting up a public hearing for July. Document

Planning Board to review Long Branch Design Guidelines on July 22, 2013

The Design Guidelines will assist in implementing the recommendations in the approved and adopted Long Branch Sector Plan. The Design Guidelines, comprised of text, maps, illustrations and photos, are not regulations. They illustrate the plan vision and suggest ways the plan recommendations may be met, encouraging creative designs that create an attractive public realm. They also provide guidance in creating graceful transitions between existing single-family zoned residential properties and proposed CRT zoned properties.

After the draft guidelines are approved by the Planning Board, they will be transmitted to the County Council. When the Sector Plan is approved and adopted, the Planning Board will resume work on the Design Guidelines to reflect the approved and adopted Sector Plan. At that time, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing and take into consideration testimony before approving the design guidelines for use. See guidelines

Background

Long Branch was covered in part of the East Silver Spring and City of Takoma Park Master Plans, which were approved and adopted in 2000. Both plans cited reinvestment in commercial centers and quality of life issues as important to this multicultural community.

Two groups appointed by the County Executive examined commercial reinvestment, pedestrian and public safety, and recreational opportunities. The Long Branch Sector Plan will build upon the recommendations of those groups. View the Long Branch Scope of Work (600KB).

The Challenge

Planners will focus on land use and regulatory recommendations to create a mixed-use, transit- oriented community that enhances the attributes that make Long Branch unique and dynamic. The plan will:

• Ensure that Long Branch benefits from future reinvestment opportunities created by Purple Line stations
• Examine quality of life issues such as environment, design, open space, and the public realm to create a sustainable community
• Retain existing affordable housing and encourage new housing
• Provide incentives to retain diverse local businesses.

Project Schedule

Upcoming

Past meetings

• May 16, 2013: Planning Board worksession 7
• May 9, 2013: Planning Board worksession 6
• April 11, 2013: Planning Board worksession
  • View the worksession
• April 4, 2013: Planning Board worksession
  • View the staff report
• March 21, 2013 Planning Board worksession
  • View the staff report
• March 7, 2013: Planning Board worksession
  • View the staff report
• February 21, 2013: Planning Board worksession
  • View the staff report
• February 7, 2013: Planning Board Tour of Long Branch
  Download the tour booklet(10 MB)
• January 31, 2013, 6 p.m.: Planning Board public hearing
  Read the transcript (360 KB)
• January 16 2012: Community meeting
• December 13, 2012: Planners presented the Long Branch Sector Plan staff draft(6.2 MB) to the planning board. Read the press release.
• June 25, 2012: Staff presented preliminary recommendations for the sector plan.
  • Download the meeting handout(5.4 MB).
  • Read the press release.
  • Check out the comments from meeting participants(160 KB).
• December 9, 2010: Staff presented preliminary recommendations(700 kb) to the Planning Board and community
  Long Branch Library
  View the staff presentation (6 mb)
• May 11, 2010: Sector Plan office hours
  Long Branch Library
• April 28, 2010: Community workshop, part 2
  Long Branch Library
  View the workshop presentation. (8 MB) | View presentation in Spanish (5 MB)
  Send any comments on the presentation to MCP-Long Branch@mncppc-mc.org.
• April 21, 2010: Community workshop, part 1
  Long Branch Library
• Sector Plan office hours
  • Monday, March 29, 2010
  • Tuesday, April 13, 2010
• February 24, 2010: Community Meeting
  Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue
• January 7, 2010: Planning Board reviewed the Long Branch Scope of Work (600 KB)
  View the staff presentation(3.8 MB)

M-NCPPC Staff Contact

Melissa Williams
301-495-4642
Melissa.Williams@montgomeryplanning.org

Date of last update: October 16, 2013