A majority of the Montgomery County Council voted in a straw poll to move the proposed University Boulevard Corridor Plan to improve safety, increase economic development and create more housing opportunities to a full council vote on Dec. 9.
The plan refers to a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard from Colesville Road in Silver Spring to Amherst Avenue in Wheaton. It is a sweeping plan involving changes to the road itself, safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists, and increased property heights.
Seven councilmembers voted to move the plan along. Councilmembers Will Jawando, Sidney Katz and Kristin Mink voted against. Gabe Albornoz resigned his seat as of Monday, so there were only 10 members present for the vote.
Originally, the Kemp Mill Shopping Center in Wheaton was included in the plan, but it has since been removed from the boundary area following numerous resident and business owners’ complaints.
Property heights were lowered from the original plan in some commercial areas, including Four Corners and the Woodmoor Shopping Center. Height requirements for some housing also were reduced from what was included in the original plan.
The plan calls for a varied housing stock along University Boulevard. Zoning that has been limited to single family homes now may also include duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, condominiums and small apartments. However, nothing may be changed unless the property owner agrees.
It’s centered around bike and pedestrian safety, explained Council President Natali Fani-González, with plans for wider sidewalks, traffic-calming measures and more crosswalks.
If approved, the plan will amend the 1989 Master Plan for the Communities of Kensington-Wheaton, the 1996 Four Corners Master Plan, and the 2012 Wheaton Central Business District and Vicinity Sector Plan.
