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White Oak Science Gateway

formerly the East County Science Center

ECSC plan area locator mapPlanners are setting the stage for a new master plan in the White Oak area of eastern Montgomery County. The consolidation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the White Oak Federal Research Center (FRC) provides an opportunity for the county to re-examine its long-term goals and objectives for this area.

The White Oak Science Gateway planning effort will explore options for a new research and technology node that capitalizes on the growing presence of the FDA and is complemented by mixed-use development. The plan will address land uses, urban design, transportation, and environmental issues.

Share your ideas about the future of the White Oak/Hillandale/Cherry Hill area by completing our brief questionnaire.

The Planning Board appointed members of a Community Advisory Committee to provide input and guidance to planners in developing the plan. Monthly CAC meetings are open to the public.

ECSC scope of work cover The Planning Board approved a Scope of Work (2.1MB) for the Master Plan on February 3, 2011.

View the plan schedule.

View lead planner Nancy Sturgeon’s narrated presentation that provides background and progress on the plan.

Background

The Master Plan will create a new vision and guide future growth by amending the 1997 White Oak and Fairland Master Plans. The plan area includes several major properties and developments, the largest of which is the 610-acre Federal Research Center. The FDA occupies 130 acres of the FRC and now has 5,500 employees on-site. Adventist HealthCare plans to build a new Washington Adventist Hospital and medical campus on nearly 50 acres along Plum Orchard Drive (pending approval of a Certificate of Need from the State). In addition, approximately 300 acres on two sites (Site 2 and Percontee) near the FRC and Washington Adventist Hospital may provide the potential for economic synergies, as well as the possibility of new housing and retail near jobs. The area’s largest employers are the FDA, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Kaiser Permanente, Holy Cross and Comcast.

The plan also will examine the future of several sites, including the National Labor College (located on 47 acres at New Hampshire Avenue and I-495), the White Oak and Hillandale shopping centers, and several vacant properties on US 29. The need for more community facilities, recreational opportunities, and pedestrian and bicycle links will be explored as well.

View the plan boundaries on our locator map.

Video icon Watch lead planner Nancy Sturgeon's presentation to the Planning Board describing the scope of the plan.

The Challenge

Transportation problems, and attempts to solve or relieve traffic congestion, have characterized the eastern county for 30 years. Transportation issues will be a major focus of the planning effort, which will explore a full range of mobility alternatives – both transit and road infrastructure – that could increase travel options and traffic capacity to allow additional development.

The plan will focus on the future growth of sites within the North White Oak/Cherry Hill Road area – particularly Site 2 and Percontee. The adjacent FRC site presents a physical planning challenge, since it is a large, secured facility, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to truly integrate the campus with adjacent sites to create a walkable, mixed-use center. The planning process will examine:

  • Development demand and potential for spin-off companies and businesses generated by FDA
  • How to preserve existing established communities while planning for possible growth
  • Options for creating a mixed-use center served by transit
  • Capacity of roads, schools, and other public facilities
  • Options for improved connectivity
  • Housing needs and demands, including workforce and affordable housing
  • Creating additional public open spaces and/or improving access to existing facilities
  • Protecting environmental resources in the watersheds
Planner points at posterCommunity planner Khalid Afzal welcomes people to the meeting.

Related studies

A Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Transportation-Land Use Connection (TLC) Grant provided a consultant to work with staff to explore various transit options. View report (3.2 MB).

A Countywide Bus Rapid Transit Study managed by the County Department of Transportation analyzed the potential demand for BRT service, including routes on Colesville Road and New Hampshire Avenue that would serve the master plan area. The study confirmed the feasibility – from a demand and ridership standpoint – of a network of BRT corridors within the county. In response, the County Council initiated an amendment to the Master Plan of Highways to reflect a network of BRT corridors. This BRT Amendment has been added to the Planning Department’s FY 12 work program.

Schedule

Plan milestones

  • November 2010-August 2012: Community outreach and plan development
  • September 2012: Staff presents staff draft to the Planning Board, requests public hearing
  • October 2012: Planning Board public hearing
  • November 2012-February 2013: Planning Board worksessions
  • March 2013: Planning Board approves draft
  • April-May 2013: Planning Board transmits its draft to County Executive and County Council; Executive agencies review and prepare fiscal impact analysis
  • June 2013: County Council public hearing notice period
  • July 2013: County Council public hearing
  • July-November 2013: County Council review, PHED committee worksessions, Council worksessions
  • December 2013-April 2014: Commission adoption, Sectional map amendment

Upcoming events:

  • Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting
    7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22
    National Labor College, Lane Kirkland Center, Room 9201-B
    10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring
    Topic: As part of the development of a new Master Plan for the White Oak area, Planning Department staff sought input from stakeholders on possible plans for future development. With this information, staff prepared a future development scenario to test the potential impact to the road network. The results of the traffic modeling and analysis will be presented at this meeting.
  • Planning Board Meeting
    7 p.m. Thursday, May 31
    Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium
    8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
    Topic:Briefing on Results of Traffic Modeling and Analysis. Access the Planning Board agendas and meetings website.
  • Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting
    7 p.m. Tuesday, June 19
    Montgomery County Planning Department, Auditorium (first floor)
    8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
    Topic: Planning Department staff will present and solicit input on the preliminary recommendations for the White Oak Science Gateway Staff Draft Master Plan. The preliminary recommendations will summarize the major elements of the Master Plan.

Past events:

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
Meetings with Citizens Associations / Other
  • October 25, 2011: Open House, Francis Scott Key Middle School cafeteria
  • September 15, 2011: Informational meeting on Burnt Mills Hills and Historic Preservation, Hillandale Center/CHI
  • September 6, 2011: Presentation to Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
  • September 7, 2011: Presentation to the East County Citizens Advisory Board
  • June 28, 2011: Community Forum, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center
  • June 25, 2011: Community Meeting with Council President Valerie Ervin, February Circle and April Lane, Silver Spring
  • June 2, 2011: Calverton Citizens Association
  • May 25, 2011: Woodmoor-Pinecrest Citizens Association
  • May 18, 2011: Oak Springs Homeowners Association
  • April 7, 2011: Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce
  • March 31, 2011: Tamarack Triangle Civic Association
  • March 28, 2011: Hillandale Citizens Association
  • June 30, 2010: Open House, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center. About 75 community members attended to inform planners of issues and opportunities that should be addressed in this plan. Maps and summary of the comments from the Open House.

Community Outreach

Planners are working with a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to assist in developing the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan. The CAC includes representatives of groups within the plan’s boundaries, including community and civic associations, business and property owners, and area organizations and institutions. All CAC meetings will be open to the public and meeting notices will be posted here.

In addition to the CAC, community engagement efforts will include:

  • Outreach to the multi-family/rental communities as well as the ethnically diverse population
  • Periodic open house meetings for the larger community
  • Staff attendance at local community association meetings, as requested. Please contact Nancy Sturgeon to attend your citizen’s association meeting and make a presentation about the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan
  • Inter-agency coordination with public sector stakeholders, including Prince George’s County Planning Department

M-NCPPC Staff Contacts

Planner points at posterEnvironmental planner Steve Findley talks about watersheds with residents.

Nancy Sturgeon, Area 2 planner
301-495-1308
Nancy.Sturgeon@montgomeryplanning.org

Khalid Afzal, Area 2 planner
301-495-4650
Khalid.Afzal@montgomeryplanning.org

Date of last update: May 18, 2012