Every year, Montgomery County Planning updates several local master plans (sometimes going by other names, like a sector or corridor plan). These plans assess current community needs, as well as how a community and its surroundings have grown and changed since the previous master plan effort. They lay out a comprehensive vision for housing, businesses, parks, street design, and more for the timespan until the plan is revised again—usually about 15-20 years.
Each plan’s policy recommendations and priorities are guided by the county’s general plan, Thrive 2050. The University Boulevard Corridor Plan, approved by the Council in December 2025, was the first master plan to be completed from start to finish under the guidance of Thrive!
Plans are also informed by extensive public feedback collected from the very first stage of plan development to the very last vote of approval by the County Council. (Click here to read more about each stage of the master planning process.)
Master plans are how we implement the vision we won in Thrive 2050. How well do you know the master plan process? And do you know what master plans are currently underway in the county?
Learn more about ongoing Montgomery County master plans here—and help keep the vision of Thrive alive by connecting with fellow local advocates to engage in master planning efforts.
Friendship Heights Sector Plan ● Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan ● Germantown Sector Plan Amendment ● The Wheaton Plan: A Georgia Avenue Community Plan
Friendship Heights Sector Plan
What’s happening: Last week, planners shared updates on the working draft for the Friendship Heights Sector Plan. Click here for a recording of the June 11 virtual Working Draft update, and view the June 11 presentation slides here. A link to the Working Draft will be added here when available in mid-July.
The working draft builds on the plan’s preliminary recommendations, which were first shared in February 2026.
This planning area also includes the former GEICO headquarters site. The first phase of redevelopment with new housing and retail is set to begin soon, but facing opposition and a lawsuit from neighbors. The zoning guidance in this sector plan will fundamentally shape the housing and retail built in the second phase of development.
What’s next: Next, the Planning Board will review the working draft and provide feedback to inform the Public Hearing Draft. A date for the Planning Board public hearing has not yet been announced.
How to get involved:
- Get email updates from Planning: Subscribe to Planning’s Friendship Heights Sector Plan newsletter for updates on hearings and feedback opportunities.
- Share your thoughts with planners: Email lead planner Atara Margolies (Atara.Margolies@montgomeryplanning.org) to share your comments with the planning team as they develop the Working Draft.
- Share your thoughts with the Planning Board: Email comments on the plan to the Planning Board Chair (mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org) — make sure to include your mailing address. These comments will become part of the public testimony record, and will be transmitted to the Planning Board in advance of the Planning Board hearing.
- Connect with local advocates via CSG’s Google Group: Email carrie@smartergrowth.net if you’re interested in joining a Friendship Heights area email list to connect with local advocates!
Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan
What’s happening: The Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan is currently in the Preliminary Recommendations phase. Planners are collecting feedback throughout the summer on preliminary recommendations initially presented in February.
The latest, via Montgomery County Planning:
These are the plan’s preliminary recommendations, which reflect over two years of community input, research, and guidance from county policies and planning best practices. This step in the process is a chance for residents, community members, and the Planning Board to review the ideas and tell us what needs to be changed or improved before we write the full Working Draft of the plan, which is expected in Fall 2026. You can share your feedback by attending upcoming events or reaching out to the planning team at easternsilverspring@montgomeryplanning.org.
What’s next: Planners will develop and present a Working Draft of the plan to the Planning Board. A date for presentation of the working draft has not yet been announced.
How to get involved:
- Get email updates from Planning: Subscribe to Planning’s Silver Spring newsletter for updates on hearings and feedback opportunities.
- Share your thoughts with planners: Email easternsilverspring@montgomeryplanning.org to share your comments with the planning team as they develop the Working Draft.
- Share your thoughts with the Planning Board: Email comments on the plan to the Planning Board Chair (mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org) — make sure to include your mailing address. These comments will become part of the public testimony record, and will be transmitted to the Planning Board in advance of the Planning Board hearing.
- Connect with local advocates via CSG’s Google Group: Email carrie@smartergrowth.net if you’re interested in joining an Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan email list to connect with local advocates!
Germantown Sector Plan Amendment
What’s happening: The Germantown Sector Plan Amendment is currently in the Preliminary Recommendations phase. Planners will present the preliminary recommendations to the Planning Board on June 18. You can review the preliminary recommendations report here, and a detailed breakdown of recommended zoning changes here.
Via Montgomery County Planning:
Since the approval of the 2009 Germantown Employment Area Sector Plan, the Germantown area has not grown into the vision that was set by the plan. Germantown needs a new vision for an updated development landscape that accounts for new and different planned capital improvements, evolved community and business priorities, and the need for an urban service or parking district that supports clean and safe economic development and placemaking activities. Building on the efforts of the Germantown Employment Area Study, this plan amendment will collect and advance recommendations to help realize our shared vision for the future in the context of our present.
What’s next: Planners are seeking feedback from community members on the preliminary recommendations, and will incorporate this feedback into a Working Draft. Stay tuned for upcoming engagement opportunities and sign up for Planning’s newsletter on the plan to make sure you don’t miss any updates!
How to get involved:
- Get email updates from Planning: Subscribe to Planning’s Germantown newsletter for updates on hearings and feedback opportunities.
- Share your thoughts with planners: Visit the plan’s page to submit a feedback form on the preliminary recommendations. You can also email lead planner Jamey Pratt (jamey.pratt@montgomeryplanning.org).
- Share your thoughts with the Planning Board: Email comments on the plan to the Planning Board Chair (mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org) — make sure to include your mailing address. These comments will become part of the public testimony record, and will be transmitted to the Planning Board in advance of the Planning Board hearing.
- Connect with local advocates via CSG’s Google Group: Email carrie@smartergrowth.net if you’re interested in joining a Germantown Sector Plan Amendment email list to connect with local advocates!
The Wheaton Plan
What’s happening: The Wheaton Plan is in its early stages, with the scope of work—defining the physical boundaries of the plan, and some of the core issues it will study—having been approved by the Planning Board in May 2026.
Corridor-based planning is a major focus of the Thrive 2050 general plan. The Wheaton Plan will be part of a series of master plans focused along the Georgia Ave. corridor.
What’s next: Planning is collecting open-ended feedback from area residents, workers, and visitors via #WeAreWheaton form submissions and video testimonials. Planners want to understand people’s favorite things about Wheaton, and how an updated plan can provide additional benefits like bike and pedestrian infrastructure, public spaces, housing and retail, and more.
You will also have the opportunity to speak to planners about the Wheaton Plan at upcoming community events, including Parks Playhouse Junior at Wheaton Local Park on July 16. Check the plan website or sign up for Wheaton Plan alerts from Planning to learn about new engagement opportunities as they arise.
How to get involved:
- Get email updates from Planning: Subscribe to Planning’s Wheaton newsletter for updates on hearings and feedback opportunities.
- Share your thoughts with planners: Submit your thoughts on priorities for the Wheaton Plan via this #WeAreWheaton feedback form. You can also email lead planner Maren Hill (Maren.Hill@montgomeryplanning.org).
- Connect with local advocates via CSG’s Google Group: Email carrie@smartergrowth.net if you’re interested in joining a Wheaton Plan email list to connect with local advocates!
Photo credit: Montgomery County Planning