City of Rockville Comprehensive Master Plan Approved and Adopted November 12, 2002 City of Rockville, Maryland City of Rockville Comprehensive Master Plan Approved and Adopted November 12, 2002 Mayor and Council of Rockville Larry Giammo, Mayor Robert E. Dorsey John F. Hall, Jr. Susan R. Hoffmann Anne M. Robbins City of Rockville Planning Commission William Meyer, Chair Richard Chace Jacques Gelin Frank Hilton Peggy Metzger Brigitta Mullican Cicero Salles City of Rockville Staff W. Mark Pentz, City Manager Catherine Tuck Parrish, Assistant City Manager Paul T. Glasgow, City Attorney Claire F. Funkhouser, City Clerk Community Planning and Development Services Department Arthur D. Chambers, AICP, Director James Wasilak, AICP, Chief of Long-Range Planning Robert Spalding, Chief of Planning Edward Duffy, Community Development Program Manager Marian Staye, Planner III (former) Pamela Rowe, Environmental Specialist Judy Christensen, Planner III Cynthia Kebba, Planner II Mayra Bayonet, Planner II Randy Clay, Planning Technician Carol Reitz, Administrative Assistant II Public Works Department Hal Cranor, Director Susan Straus, Chief Engineer/Environment Larry Marcus, Chief of Transportation Sandra Marks, Civil Engineer I – Transportation Rod Cruz, Intern Recreation and Parks Department Burt Hall, Director Christine Heckhaus, Administrative Services Manager Jill Hall, Senior Center Supervisor Susan Nolde, City Forester 198 Ordinance No. 24-02 ORDINANCE: To adopt the Plan, as amended, pursuant to Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland WHEREAS, the City of Rockville Planning Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission"), under the provisions of Section 3.07 of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland may approve and recommend adoption of a plan for the municipality; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission previously approved Master Plans for the municipality on September 22, 1960, July 29, 1970, and June 16, 1993; and WHEREAS, the Commission deems it necessary to approve and recommend adoption by the Mayor and Council of a Plan which has been prepared consisting of a narrative text and accompanying map; and WHEREAS, in preparation of the Plan the Commission has made careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of present conditions and future growth of the municipality with due regard to its relation to neighboring territories; and WHEREAS, said Plan has been prepared with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the City and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development; including, among other things, adequate provisions for transportation, the promotion of public safety, adequate provision for light and air, conservation of natural resources, the prevention of environmental pollution, the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and with adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements; and 199 Ordinance No. 24-02 -2- WHEREAS, after the preparation of said Plan the Commission gave notice of the time and place of a public hearing to be held on said Plan by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality and referred copies of said Plan to all adjoining planning jurisdictions, and to all State and local jurisdictions that have responsibility for financing or constructing public improvements necessary to implement the Plan at least sixty (60) days prior to the hearing; and WHEREAS, the Commission held a public hearing on said Plan in the Council Chambers at City Hall in Rockville, Maryland, on November 14, 2001; and WHEREAS, on December 19, 2001, the Commission approved the Plan and certified the Plan to the Mayor and Council; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of Rockville gave notice that a public hearing would be held on the Plan by the Mayor and Council on January 22, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as it could be heard, in the Council Chambers, Rockville City Hall, said notice having been published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Rockville; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council held a public heating at the time and place provided for in said advertisement; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council held worksessions on said Plan on March 5, March 19, April 22, June 3, July 9, and October 1, 2002; and WHEREAS, under the provisions of Section 3.08 of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Mayor and Council are required to adopt the Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, that the publication entitled "Comprehensive Master Plan" dated 200 Ordinance No. 24-02 -3- October 28, 2002, including the Proposed Land Use Map dated October, 2002, be and the same are hereby adopted as the Plan for the City of Rockville. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an ordinance adopted by the Mayor and Council at its meeting of November 12, 2002. Cla~e F. Funkhouser, CMC, City Clerk MASTER PLAN Table of Contents Chapter One - Introduction Statement of Purpose ................................................................................. ......... 1-1 Background ................................................................................................. ......... 1-1 History Graph .............................................................................................. ......... 1-4 Chapter Two - Land Use Policies ........................................................................................................ ......... 2-1 Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 2-1 Existing Zoning Summary ........................................................................... ......... 2-4 Specific Land Use Patterns ......................................................................... ......... 2-5 Critical Issues .............................................................................................. ......... 2-12 Potential Changes to Zoning Ordinance ..................................................... ......... 2-21 Chapter Three - Urban Growth Policies ........................................................................................................ ......... 3-1 Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 3-1 Chapter Four - Transportation Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 4-1 Current Conditions ...................................................................................... ......... 4-1 Projected 2020 Conditions .......................................................................... ......... 4-15 Critical Issues .............................................................................................. ......... 4-18 System Evaluation ...................................................................................... ......... 4-18 Proposed Transportation Improvements ..................................................... ......... 4-37 Chapter Five - The Environment - Sensitive Areas and Critical Issues Policies ........................................................................................................ ......... 5-1 Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 5-1 Chapter Six - Recreation, Parks and Open Spaces Policies ........................................................................................................ ......... 6-1 Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 6-1 Current Conditions ...................................................................................... ......... 6-3 Critical Issues .............................................................................................. ......... 6-6 Urban Forestry Program ............................................................................. ......... 6-8 Recreation Facilities .................................................................................... ......... 6-10 Recreation Programs and Services ............................................................ ......... 6-15 Chapter Seven - Community Facilities Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 7-1 1 Chapter Eight - Historic Preservation Policies ........................................................................................................ ......... 8-1 Introduction ................................................................................................. ......... 8-1 Current Status: Inventory of Historic Districts and Sites .............................. ......... 8-4 Historic Preservation Programs .................................................................. ......... 8-5 Critical Issues .............................................................................................. ......... 8-7 Chapter Nine - Community Appearance and Design Policies .......................................................................................................