In last month’s All Things Montgomery, I recounted a very eventful 2025. Today I’d like to point you to some important work for us to undertake in 2026.
While 2026 county elections and a busy spring budget season will probably forestall major county-wide initiatives in the first half of the year, the Planning Department is undertaking a broad set of master and sector plans over the next twelve months.
The goals and recommendations of these master and sector plans will be guided by the county’s general plan, Thrive 2050—which we fought for and won together in 2022.
Find the list of plans taking place this year below, and learn how you can get involved to ensure the housing and smart growth wins we secured in Thrive are reflected in our county’s plans for the future!
Carrie Kisicki
Maryland Housing Advocacy Manager, Coalition for Smarter Growth
Coordinator, Montgomery for All
Are you planning for plans? Upcoming master and sector plans in 2026
In 2025, CSG and Montgomery for All helped connect neighbors in the University Boulevard Corridor Plan area to share info on upcoming hearings, coordinate on advocacy, and foster a supportive social + organizing space for local advocates.
We have multiple master plans either ongoing or projected to start in 2026. Check out the list below—is there one happening in your neighborhood?
Montgomery for All members can stay tuned for an email with more details on how you can get involved, or email me at carrie@smartergrowth.net to express interest!
2026 Ongoing and Expected Master and Sector Plans
Germantown Sector Plan Amendment
Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan (nearing completion)
Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan
Friendship Heights Sector Plan
Georgia Ave. (Wheaton) Corridor Plan (forthcoming)
Burtonsville Area Minor Master Plan (forthcoming)
Kensington Sector Plan (forthcoming)
Our first happy hour of the year is in the books! What comes next?
Thank you to all who attended Montgomery for All’s first happy hour of the year! ✨
We got together at The Spot Asian Food Hall in Rockville to catch up, celebrate our 2025 victories, and start planning for 2026.
We were grateful to have Councilmember Andrew Friedson, co-sponsor of 2025’s More Housing N.O.W. package, join us. (We were sad to miss fellow co-sponsor Council President Natali Fani-González this time due to a conflict, but hope to have her join us at a future event!)
Councilmember Friedson spoke about housing as a core issue for affordability and inclusion across ages, incomes, abilities, and about his belief that policymakers have an obligation to take action on housing even when it is politically challenging.
He thanked Montgomery for All and CSG for providing vital support for the More Housing N.O.W. effort, and encouraged us to keep building connections within our communities and empowering others to speak up for more sustainable and inclusive housing options.
Welcome new members, plan Montgomery for All events, and more
Montgomery for All is expanding our impact this year with four brand new working groups, open to all members.
We’re looking for people to help us plan creative and engaging events, write articles for our newsletter, develop a 2026 candidate questionnaire, and engage new members.
Keep an eye out for an email with instructions on signing up if you’re a member of Montgomery for All. If you’re not yet a member, you can sign up for just $5 a year, or email me to request a fee waiver.
Working group chairs will reach out to interested members with additional details in early February.
⭐ Featured event: Friendship Heights Sector Plan Visioning Sessions
As mentioned above, Planning staff are currently preparing preliminary recommendations for the Friendship Heights Sector Plan, last updated in 1998. Staff will present recommendations based on community visioning sessions conducted in the fall at two public presentations on February 3rd (in person) and February 5th (virtual). Staff are set to present the recommendations to the planning board on February 12th.
Attend these sessions to learn more about the plan, and prepare to engage in shaping the plan as more public input is gathered via a Planning Board public hearing and County Council hearing as the plan progresses.
Make a difference! Upcoming meetings and hearings
- ⭐ February 3: In-Person Friendship Heights Sector Plan Visioning Session, Montgomery Planning (learn more)
- ⭐ February 5: Virtual Friendship Heights Sector Plan Visioning Session, Montgomery Planning (learn more)
- February 9: Montgomery County Capital Budget Hearings (1:30pm and 6:30pm)
- February 10: Montgomery County Capital Budget Hearings (1:30pm and 6:30pm)
- February 11: Virtual Public Hearing on the Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal in Bethesda, MCDOT (learn more)
Become a member of Montgomery for All
Join our community of local advocates when you become a member of Montgomery for All!
Membership is just $5 a year and supports our advocacy for affordable, inclusive housing options and great, walkable communities across the county.
In 2025, members’ contributions have helped us expand our outreach by supporting costs like registration fees for tabling at community events and printed advocacy handouts on the Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative.
Photo credit: Brandi Panbach