Development and Planning, Mayor and Council, Rockville Reports

Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Map Amendment Move Toward Final Adoption

Rockville’s multiyear zoning ordinance rewrite and comprehensive map amendment project has entered its final phase.

The adoption phase is the final step in updating the city’s zoning ordinance and zoning map. The Planning Commission began its adoption review in January with a series of public hearings and work sessions. After completing its review, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council, who will then hold work sessions and public hearings. Public testimony has and will continue to be accepted throughout the process. The full adoption schedule, available online at engagerockville.com/ zoningrewrite, is subject to change.

At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Planning Commission was expected to hold its first adoption work session and public hearing. Topics included a briefing on historic preservation; the comprehensive map amendment for planning area 12, Tower Oaks and planning area 10, Montrose and North Farm; parking and loading requirements; pedestrian and bicycle facilities; and amenity space.

The commission continued its review at a second adoption work session and public hearing on Jan. 28, after “Rockville Reports” had gone to press. Discussion included fencing, including deer mesh; certain use standards; nonconformities; and the state’s Starter and Silver Homes Act.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold work sessions on Wednesdays, Feb. 4 and 11. Planned discussion topics include development standards, specifically bonus density and setback requirements; development review processes; notification requirements; appeal timelines and public outreach for administrative decisions; Park Zone; signage; and additional items as necessary.

The commission is expected to make its recommendation to the Mayor and Council on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Planning Commission meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Mayor and Council chamber at Rockville City Hall. Meetings are broadcast live on Rockville 11, channel 11 on county cable, and video of the meeting, including staff reports and briefing documents, will be available on rockvillemd.gov/agendacenter.

Comments continue to be accepted on both staff drafts of the zoning ordinance and zoning map. Separate feedback forms are available for each component of the project, including one for the draft zoning ordinance and another for the draft zoning map. Feedback submitted through Engage Rockville will be shared with the Planning Commission and the Mayor and Council during their respective work sessions.

More information about the adoption process, meeting schedule and feedback opportunities is available at engagerockville.com/zoningrewrite.