Rustic Roads
Rustic roads are roads in the Agricultural Reserve or rural parts of Montgomery County that exemplify the rural and agricultural character of the area. Exceptional rustic roads are roads that have such unusual and pleasing character that preservation of the road is highly desirable.
Rustic and Exceptional rustic roads are preserved under the Rustic Roads Program, which provides a system for evaluating, protecting, and enhancing these scenic roadways. The program includes nearly 100 roads. These roads are listed and described in the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan and in other area Master Plans as shown below.
The Rustic Roads Program is overseen by the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee (RRAC) and three agencies. The RRAC is comprised of seven citizen members who are appointed by the County Executive; they review and advise the County Executive, County Council, Planning Board, Department of Transportation, Department of Permitting Services and other county agencies on matters concerning rustic roads. Members review and comment upon roadway classifications, policies, regulations, and promote public awareness of the Rustic Roads Program.
News
- July 2011: Construction on a replacement bridge on White Ground Road has started. Traffic will be redirected to Clopper and Darnestown Roads for the duration of the project; MCDOT estimates that the project will take 8 months. Read more.
- May 2011: The RRAC sends congratulations and thanks for many years of excellent work to retiring Rustic Roads staff coordinator, Sarah Navid, and extends a warm welcome to the Committee's new staff coordinator, Laura Bradshaw.
- October 2010: Read the biennial Status of the Rustic Roads Program report.
- May 2010: Congratulations to Game Preserve Road, which was added to the Rustic Roads Program with the adoption of the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan.
Master Plans
- Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan (1996)
This document provides information about the program, its intent, history and regulations, as well as descriptions of the initial 66 roads designated under the program. - Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan (2010)
- Damascus Master Plan (2006)
- Olney Master Plan (2005)
- Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan, Clarksburg Master Plan & Hyattstown Special Study Area, Boyds Master Plan & Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan Amendment (2004)
- Potomac Subregion Master Plan (2002)
- Sandy Spring/Ashton Master Plan (1998)
- Cloverly Master Plan (1997)
- Fairland Master Plan (1997)
- Clarksburg Master Plan & Hyattstown Special Study Area (1994)
RRAC Meetings
The RRAC meets six or more times a year. Meetings are normally held at 7 p.m. in the 15th Floor Conference Room of the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD (after hours, use the cafeteria entry on the south side of the building). Meetings are open to the public. The anticipated meeting schedule is below; confirmation is recommended (call Sarah Navid, 240-777-6304).
Upcoming Meetings
- November 29, 2011 | agenda
- December - no meeting
- January 31, 2012 - date to be confirmed
Past Meetings
- September 27, 2011 | agenda
- Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | agenda
- Tuesday, May 24, 2011 | agenda |
- Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | agenda | minutes | items before the committee:
- Mt. Ephraim Rd drawings | proposal | balloon tests/simulations | Tower Committee | Staff report | Attachments
- Wasche Rd drawings | Staff report | Attachments: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | Staff supplement
- Thursday, March 31, 2011
- Tuesday, February 22, 2011 | agenda | minutes
- Tuesday, November 23, 2010 | agenda | minutes
- Tuesday, September 28, 2010 | agenda | minutes
- Tuesday, May 25, 2010 | agenda | minutes
- Tuesday, April 27, 2010 | minutes
- Tuesday, March 23, 2010 | agenda | minutes
- Tuesday, January 26, 2010 | agenda | minutes
- December 9, 2009 minutes
- November 24, 2009 (cancelled)
- October 27, 2009
- September 22, 2009 minutes
- June 30, 2009 minutes
- May 26, 2009 minutes
- April 28, 2009 minutes
- Thursday, March 19, 2009 (11th floor conference room) minutes
- February 3, 2009 minutes (rescheduling of January 27, 2009 due to weather)
- December 16, 2008, 11 am - noon (Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 S. Summit Avenue, Lower Level Conference Room)
- Tuesday, November 25, 2008 minutes
- Tuesday, October 28, 2008
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Joint meeting with the Ag Advisory Committee and Ag Preservation Advisory Board
Location: Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Germantown Road, Germantown - Tuesday, June 24, 2008
- Tuesday, May 27, 2008
- Tuesday, April 22, 2008
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008
- Tuesday, February 19, 2008
- Tuesday, January 15, 2008
RRAC Members
Greg Deaver, Engineer
Greg Glenn, Farmer
Robert Goldberg, Civic
Marc T. Miller, Civic
Fred Lechlider, Farmer
Robin Ziek, Rural preservation
Eric Spates, Farmer, AAC representative
Staff coordinator:Sarah Navid (DPS)
Non-voting member:Leslie Saville (M-NCPPC)
Agency Contacts
The three agencies overseeing the program and their responsibilities are:
- The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
- Classifications - Master Plans and Amendments
- Subdivision review and approval
- Contact: Leslie Saville, 301-495-2194, Leslie.Saville@mncppc-mc.org
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Executive regulations and policies
- Roadway Maintenance, Division of Highway Services (240-777-ROAD)
- Department of Permitting Services
- Review and permitting of work in rustic roads right-of-way
- Staff Coordination with Rustic Roads Advisory Committee
- Contact: Laura Bradshaw, 240-777-6296, or Laura.Bradshaw@montgomerycountymd.gov
Background Documents
- Executive Regulation 21-96
- Chapter 49, Article 8
- Biennial Reports from the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee
Date of last update: June 10, 2011
Montgomery County Planning Department