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Comprehensive Master Plan Initiative

Rockville's Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) describes the vision for the City's future. The CMP guides development, conservation and capital improvement projects to improve the quality of life in the community. The plan must comply with the State of Maryland's regulatory requirements, one of which is a review of the CMP every six years.

In 2009 the Mayor and Council and Planning Commission agreed to a complete review of the 2002 CMP. The review and any related revisions will occur in two phases. Phase one is almost complete.

CMP Revision
Phase 1: 2009–2011

• Complete review and transmit the decision to the Maryland Department of Planning.
• Complete the Development Capacity Analysis and adopt the State-mandated new elements:
   · Municipal Growth Element
   · Water Resources Element
• Complete the Strategic Scan
• Adopt a plan amendment to enable the City to become part of the Montgomery Heritage Area.
• Complete the Parks Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan, and make appropriate amendment to the CMP.
• Complete and adopt the Rockville's Pike plan.
• Identify Critical Sites and determine whether an amendment to update the Critical Sites is warranted.
• Update the Housing Goals and Objectives.
• Convene a discussion series on CMP issues.

Phase 2: 2011–2013
Phase 2a: 2011-2012
For the remaining elements of the plan, revise the goals and objectives through an extensive public/community participation process; and rewrite the remaining elements of the document, possibly using a different structure than in the past.

Phase 2b: 2012-2013
Planning Commission and Mayor and Council approval.

Initiative Background and History
The City approved and adopted the CMP on November 12, 2002. Article 66B of the Maryland State Code requires that each jurisdiction review its CMP every six years and, if necessary, make revisions. The Planning Commission is given the authority to direct the review to decide how much of the plan should be revised, if any, and to make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council reviews that recommendation, together with public input, and makes the final decision regarding whether revision is necessary.  The Mayor and Council then communicate that decision to the Maryland Department of Planning.

The Planning Commission discussed the CMP at the June 24, 2009 meeting, after City staff conducted and audit/technical review. On August 12 the commission voted to recommend that the Mayor and Council revise the CMP using a two-phase process. The Mayor and Council agreed to the recommended approach at their meeting on October 12.

Get Involved
Review the 2002 Comprehensive Master Plan chapters and related plans.

Send comments or questions on the CMP and/or its associated neighborhood plans by e-mail to masterplan@rockvillemd.gov, giving your full name and address; or by mail to Long Range Planning Division, CPDS, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20850.

You can also join an e-mail list to receive information on the Comprehensive Master Plan or call the Community Planning and Development Services Department at 240-314-8200.

To learn which section of the CMP and planning area your neighborhood is in, go to the City's Geographic Information System (GIS). Click the "Locate Address" button. Enter your address on the form provided. Click "Locate" and scroll down the list to find your planning area. If you are unable to locate your planning area, call 240-314-8200.