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What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan paints a comprehensive “big picture” of a community, defining visions and goals and presenting a sort of road map to achieve them. Master Plans are required by the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, and they must include a variety of elements such as Community Facilities, Housing and Sensitive Areas. Within a Master Plan you won’t see specific building designs or identified retailers, but you will find a broad look at defined areas, serving as a guide to public and private actions and decisions to ensure that property is developed in ways consistent with an overarching vision.  Build Gaithersburg 2040 is focusing on two specific Master Plan elements:

 Building Icon The Land Use Element establishes the mix and types of land uses allowed and the appropriate zoning classification to accommodate those uses. These include things like residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed use. Land Use recommendations might include the entire City, or they may only apply to certain areas defined by a boundary, such as a neighborhood or a group of specific properties.
 
 Bus Icon The Transportation Element identifies the most appropriate and desirable strategies to ensure that our future transportation system provides a safe and equitable network that can efficiently serve the needs of car, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and other users.

Where are we now?

Step 1 - Public Engagement and Research