Minor Master Plan: What are Planning Board Work Sessions and how do they intersect with the Plan?
Source: Montgomery Planning
- What is the purpose of the Planning Board work sessions? How is a given topic selected and by whom?
Maryland law requires the Planning Department to conduct a “comprehensive review” of the numerous aspects related to land development (e.g., land use, environment, transportation, schools, and more) before zoning can be changed for a defined Plan Area. As also required by the law, the Planning Board holds a Public Hearing on the Public Hearing Draft Plan to receive public comment. Oral testimony provided at the Public Hearing and written testimony provided to the Planning Board within the designated timeframe collectively constitute the Public Record for the plan. To restate: the purpose of the Public Hearing and the Public Record is to receive testimony. The Public Hearing does not include discussion of the testimony provided.
The purpose of work sessions is for the Planning Board to discuss the comments received on the Public Record and determine if zoning, text, or other changes are needed to the Public Hearing Draft Plan. After reviewing the Public Record, Montgomery Planning staff will schedule work sessions during the Planning Board’s regular meetings, with recommended topics to discuss at each. The Planning Board ultimately determines the topics to be addressed at a work session.
- How does a Planning Board work session function? Who leads it and who participates?
Planning Board work sessions are held during the Board’s regular public meetings online and in the 2nd Floor Auditorium, M-NCPPC Wheaton Headquarters, 2425 Reedie Drive. A staff report is posted one week before the work session that will outline the topics recommended for discussion. The Planning Board Chair leads the work sessions and facilitates the conversation between staff and the Planning Board on the issues being discussed at that session. At the Chair’s discretion, other individuals may be permitted to answer specific questions raised by the Planning Board. During each work session, the Planning Board will direct staff to make any changes to the recommendations or may ask for additional information to be presented at a subsequent work session.
- What is the product of these work sessions and what time is allowed to reach a conclusion or recommendation?
During each work session, the Planning Board will direct staff to make any changes to the recommendations or may ask for additional information to be presented at a subsequent work session. The Planning Board will decide how many work sessions are required. After the Planning Board has reviewed and addressed at work sessions the issues raised on the Public Record, at a final work session Planning staff will present an updated version of the Public Hearing draft that reflects the Planning Board’s changes. At this work session, Planning staff will request that the Planning Board approve designation of the updated Public Hearing Draft Plan as the Planning Board Draft Plan, which will be transmitted to the County Council for their review.
- What happens with findings or recommendations developed in the sessions?
During each work session, the Planning Board will direct staff to make any changes to the recommendations. After the Planning Board has reviewed and addressed at work sessions the issues raised on the Public Record, at a final work session Planning staff will present an updated version of the Public Hearing draft that reflects the Planning Board’s changes. At this work session, Montgomery Planning staff will request that the Planning Board designate the updated Public Hearing Draft Plan as the Planning Board Draft Plan, which will be transmitted to the County Council for their review.
- How much of a work session is shared with the public?
All of the work sessions are public. Planning Board work sessions are held during the Board’s regular public meetings online and in the 2nd Floor Auditorium, M-NCPPC Wheaton Headquarters, 2425 Reedie Drive. A staff report is posted one week before the work session that will outline the topics recommended for discussion. As part of the regular agenda, each work session is recorded and streamed live as part of the Planning Board meeting. You can access live an on-demand videos on the Planning Board’s website.
