InfoShare Newsletter - February 24, 2012

[Howard Hartman]

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION PLANNING BOARD | DEPARTMENT OF PARKS | PLANNING DEPARTMENT February 24, 2012
In This Issue Planning Board Schedule Verify and update contact info for your HOA/CA Grab Your Spring GUIDE Streamlining Development Processes Final Black History Month Events Changing Demographics Registration for Spring Programs Mid-Century Architecture Gets Its Due Brides on the Bus! Watch Us on Montgomery Plans Got a Question About Planning? Lake Needwood Will Open for Spring Season Share Your Ideas about the East County 2012 PROS Plan Update How Shady is Your Neighborhood? Deer Population Management New Tool Highlights Current Development Neighborhood Walk-Abouts Get Involved in Planning Find a Conservation Easement Easily Connect with Parks Sign up for infoShare Quick Links    Planning Board Planning Department Department of Parks Parks Events Calendar Planning Events Calendar Park Police homepage Job Opportunities Watch us on County Cable Montgomery Channel 6: Parks Show and Montgomery Plans  Find archives of Info-Share and more at Connected Communities		Greetings! Below is a list of upcoming events, programs and meetings as well as important announcements from The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County.    Valerie Berton Communications Manager, Planning Department   Abbi Irelan Marketing & Public Affairs Manager, Department of Parks Planning Board Meetings Upcoming meetings: Thursday, March 1 Thursday, March 8 Visit the Agendas & Staff Reports web page for updates on Planning Board meetings and/or access to our meeting archives. Typically, meetings start at 9 a.m., Park and Planning Headquarters, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.    Everyone who speaks at a Planning Board meeting must register with the board assistant unless he or she has signed up in advance. Sign up online (typically available 10 days before a meeting) or register at the meeting by submitting our yellow form or a business card.   We now stream the Planning Board meetings online. Watch live on our website or view later from our archives. Interested in plans for your area? The Planning Board appreciates hearing from you. Browse our testifying tips. Stay in the Know on Development  Do you want to stay informed about planning and development in Montgomery County? If so, ensure your local organizations are registered accurately with the Planning Department, which maintains a list of homeowners organizations and civic groups countywide. Visit our new webpage to review and update your organization's information. Grab Your Spring GUIDE The Spring GUIDE to Recreation and Parks Programs has arrived! Check out the eGuide or pick up your copy at your favorite parks facility, recreation center, library or government building. Parks programs begin on page 97.
Streamlining Development 1:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, March 9 Executive Office Building, Lobby Auditorium 101 Monroe Street, Rockville   The county Department of Permitting Services, the Planning Department and other agencies involved in the development review process will host two public forums on streamlining development review. A new cross-agency effort will streamline development application processes by eliminating duplication and multiple reviews. County staff seek input from developers, residents and other stakeholders on how to consolidate plans, permit reviews and inspections and eliminate inconsistencies. Final Black History Month Events at Josiah Henson Special Park M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks will wrap up Black History Month celebrations this Saturday. Take advantage of free guided tours of the historic Josiah Henson Special Park and participate in a live poetry event. Learn more. Changing Demographics Planning Director Rollin Stanley was asked by the County Council to present about the changing face of Montgomery County, kicking off Council President Berliner's new Shaping the Future series. Watch the presentation in The Director's Blog.    Registration for Spring Programs Registration dates for M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks spring classes is as follows: March 3/4 for March/April Indoor Tennis classes April 17/18 for April/May Ice Skating classes April 23/24 for May Indoor Tennis classes Mid-Century Architecture Gets Its Due "Once I start looking for them, I start seeing modernist communities everywhere." Learn more about this quote on The Straight Line blog. Brides on the Bus Are wedding bells in your future? Do you know a bride-to-be? Get on the bus with M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks on Sunday, April 1 and tour each of Montgomery Parks' five Event Centers while leaving the driving to us! You'll meet event center representatives and wedding vendors at each stop, sample food, and get information on venues, music, photography and more. The cost is just $15 per person.  Visit www.ParkEventCenters.com for more info. Registration is now open at ParkPASS.org. Watch Us on Montgomery Plans The latest episode of Montgomery Plans spotlights the county's new Commercial Residential Zone, which is expected to transform strategic areas. Also featured: a tour of Lyttonsville, a new tool that maps the county's tree canopy and the latest big decisions of the Planning Board.   Got a Question About Planning? New Webpage Guides Residents Wondering about that sign advertising pending development in your community? Curious about how forest conservation works? Residents and others with questions about development, community plans, zoning, transportation, or environmental issues may find the answers they seek on a new Department HELP page. The page features links, an online employee directory and an online question/comment form. Lake Needwood Will Open for Spring Season Lake Needwood will open to private boats on March 1. Sales for daily or seasonal permits for private boats go on sale February 27th. The Boat Shop will open on weekends beginning April 28th. Learn more. Share Your Ideas about the East County Planners are working on a new vision for the White Oak/Hillandale/Cherry Hill area. Fill out a questionnaire to help planners identify the community's assets and what can be improved. 2012 PROS Plan Update What is the vision for our park system for the next 10 years? The Staff Draft of the 2012 Park Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan Update will be presented for review to the Planning Board on March 15th.  Find out more about this plan and how you can get involved. How Shady is Your Neighborhood? Planners have analyzed Montgomery County's tree canopy as part of an effort to improve the local climate and energy efficiency of urban areas. The more shade, the less energy required for cooling homes and cars. While much of the county boasts a healthy a tree canopy, some urban areas lack shade - right where it is needed most. Now you can analyze your community with our new tree canopy explorer.   Deer Population Management - Park Closures For public safety, the Department of Parks closes select park locations to public access for the duration of deer population management operations. Learn more about this program and find a full schedule of park closure dates and locations for Managed Deer Hunting and Park Police-based Sharpshooting operations for Fiscal Year 2012. User-Friendly Tool Highlights Current Development  Want to know more about development projects proposed near where you live or work? To stay abreast of Montgomery County development activity, visit our online Development Finder to learn details about building applications to be considered by the Planning Board. Planning Director Rollin Stanley Offers Neighborhood Walkabouts Invite County Planning Director Rollin Stanley and selected staff on a tour of your neighborhood as part of our new walkabouts exploring design, diversity, connections, and the environment in your part of Montgomery County. Here's your opportunity to: Tell us about your community Highlight community strengths and weaknesses Identify issues Learn more about planning initiatives    Request your tour. Learn How to Get Involved in Montgomery County Planning To increase resident involvement in the planning process, the Planning Board, in concert with County Cable Montgomery, has produced a CD that reviews the many ways county residents can have a voice in planning their communities. The episode won a "gold" Ava award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Request a free copy of How to get Involved in Montgomery County Planning. Find a Forest Conservation Easement Do you have a forest conservation easement on or near your property? Easements protect forests on private land by limiting certain activities, part of the Planning Board's emphasis on forest conservation. Now you can locate easement areas using our online tool. Connect with Parks Whether you prefer Facebook, Twitter, e-newsletters, or want to see how to contact us or find out about ongoing park projects, there are several ways to stay connected with M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission | 8787 Georgia Ave | Silver Spring | MD | 20910