Planning Board Briefing
July 14, 2016
Presentation Overview
Introduction
Outreach
Design Workshop
Community Meetings
Consultant Services
ULI mTap Presentation
For Further Evaluation
Next Steps
Introduction
Vicinity Map
Introduction: Plan Purpose
Protect and enhance
valued activities and
places.
Evaluate land uses and
zoning near each station
area.
Ensure compatibility with
each historic district.
Improve pedestrian,
bicyclist, public
transportation access to
each station.
Introduction: Plan Purpose
Protect and enhance
valued activities and
places.
Evaluate land uses and
zoning near each station
area.
Ensure compatibility with
each historic district.
Improve pedestrian,
bicyclist, public
transportation access to
each station.
Introduction: Plan Purpose
Protect and enhance
valued activities and
places.
Evaluate land uses and
zoning near each station
area.
Ensure compatibility with
each historic district.
Improve pedestrian,
bicyclist, public
transportation access to
each station.
Introduction: Plan Purpose
Protect and enhance
valued activities and
places.
Evaluate land uses and
zoning near each station
area.
Ensure compatibility with
each historic district.
Improve pedestrian,
bicyclist, public
transportation access to
each station.
Outreach
Interactive Map
GIS Team developed map.
Launched prior to the Design
Workshop.
Still active to receive comments.
Design Workshop
Daytime Day 1: Ask the
Specialist Sessions
15 presentations by
agency representatives.
Provided insight into the
activities around each
station.
Enabled the community
the opportunity to ask
questions.
Evening Day 1: Visioning
Exercise
Design Workshop
Day 2: Boyds
Developed a set of goals
for the future of the
community.
Developed an initial
diagram showing ideas
regarding:
Better connectivity
Additional parking
Station location
Discussed ideas with the
Boyds community
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Design Workshop
Day 3: Germantown
Developed a set of goals
for the future of the
community.
Developed an initial
diagram showing ideas
regarding:
Better connectivity
Places for gathering
Additional parking
Discussed ideas with the
Germantown
community
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Design Workshop
Day 4: Synthesis of Diagrams for Boyds and Germantown
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Community Meetings and Outreach
Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board
April 18, 2016
Discussed the Design
Workshop and the products
created
Boyds Civic Association
April 21, 2016
Discussed the Design
Workshop
Received feed back on some
potential parking locations, the
idea of moving the station and
the idea of a proposed.
Informational Poster at the
Upcounty Regional Services
Center
Handout provided at
community meetings
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Consultant Services: Boyds
Evaluate the feasibility of a proposal by the Boyds Civic Association to realign
roadways near the intersections of Clopper, Clarksburg and Barnesville
Roads.
Developing alternatives for the alignment.
Providing general cost for each alternative.
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Consultant Services: Germantown
Evaluate a road diet for the roads within proximity of Seneca Valley High
School.
Middlebrook Road west of MD 118 (4 lanes/ median)
Middlebrook Road and MD 118 with left turn lanes
Middlebrook Road adjacent to Seneca Valley High School (6 lanes/ narrow sidewalks and median)
8 lanes of Middlebrook Road at intersection with MD 118
Bicyclist riding on narrow sidewalk adjacent to Middlebrook Road
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ULI mTap
Team Members
Benjamin Cohen, Davis Construction
Mike Lozier, US Bank Commercial Rael Estate
Bob Mill, PN Hoffman
Molly McKay, Willdan Financial and Economic Consulting Services
Arlova Jackson Vonhm, Department of Community Planning, Housing & Development
Robin McElhenny-Smith, Real Estate and Station Planning - Metro
Challenge
How can the parking situation be improved at the Germantown MARC
station?
What public/private development is possible/appropriate?
Are there any creative options for financing?
How can the Germantown MARC station help the County and the region?
What lessons can be learned to apply elsewhere?
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ULI mTap
Pedestrian
Walk score = 32 (of 100)
Challenges
Based on destinations
reached within 10 min. walk.
Auto-dominated area with
major roadways.
Sidewalk gaps.
Opportunities
Increase access to MARC
station using existing street
network as well as proposed
expansion.
Private development to help
fund infrastructure
improvements.
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ULI mTap
MARC Parking
694 spaces, 99% utilization
rate.
55% of riders driving to
station from < 2 miles away.
Two parking garage options.
Both options provide 900 1,100 total spaces that
would serve mid-term (15year) growth in ridership.
Bus Circulation, Bike Rooms
& Bus/Rider Shelter
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ULI mTap
mTap Recommendations
Promote Mode Shift from auto passengers to public transit and alternative
modes.
Target state and federal grants/partnerships to fund regional planning
studies and capital requirements for the garage and associated public transit
improvements (HUD Sustainable Communities, TIGER, etc.).
Add public parking at Boyds MARC station in advance to help manage
overflow during construction of Germantown garage.
Improve access for pedestrians and bicycles, not just cars.
Transition to paid parking.
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For Further Evaluation
Look at similar regional
commuter station areas.
Address commuter parking via
garages or additional surface
parking and better transit access.
Develop solutions that improve
the pedestrian and bicyclist
experience based on the
consultants findings.
Swarthmore SEPTA Station area
Investigate additional
connections to the street network
in Germantown.
Determine long-term alternatives
for the traffic in Boyds based on
consultants findings.
Improve water quality thru
additional tree canopy and
stormwater quality retrofits.
Riverdale Park MARC Station area
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For Further Evaluation
Look at similar regional
commuter station areas.
Address commuter parking via
garages or additional surface
parking and better transit access.
Illegal Parking
Spaces
Develop solutions that improve
the pedestrian and bicyclist
experience based on the
consultants findings.
Investigate additional
connections to the street network
in Germantown.
Poor Bus
Access
Determine long-term alternatives
for the traffic in Boyds based on
consultants findings.
Improve water quality thru
additional tree canopy and
stormwater quality retrofits.
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For Further Evaluation
Look at similar regional
commuter station areas.
Address commuter parking via
garages or additional surface
parking and better transit access.
Develop solutions that improve
the pedestrian and bicyclist
experience based on the
consultants findings.
Investigate additional
connections to the street network
in Germantown.
Determine long-term alternatives
for the traffic in Boyds based on
consultants findings.
Biker using sidewalk along Middlebrook Road
Improve water quality thru
additional tree canopy and
stormwater quality retrofits.
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For Further Evaluation
Look at similar regional
commuter station areas.
Address commuter parking via
garages or additional surface
parking and better transit access.
Develop solutions that improve
the pedestrian and bicyclist
experience based on the
consultants findings.
Investigate additional
connections to the street network
in Germantown.
Determine long-term alternatives
for the traffic in Boyds based on
consultants findings.
Improve water quality thru
additional tree canopy and
stormwater quality retrofits.
Existing Germantown Street Network
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For Further Evaluation
Look at similar regional
commuter station areas.
Address commuter parking via
garages or additional surface
parking and better transit access.
Develop solutions that improve
the pedestrian and bicyclist
experience based on the
consultants findings.
Investigate additional
connections to the street network
in Germantown.
Determine long-term alternatives
for the traffic in Boyds based on
consultants findings.
Improve water quality thru
additional tree canopy and
stormwater quality retrofits.
Boyds Alternatives Developed by Consultant for Design Workshop
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For Further Evaluation
Look at similar regional
commuter station areas.
Address commuter parking via
garages or additional surface
parking and better transit access.
Develop solutions that improve
the pedestrian and bicyclist
experience based on the
consultants findings.
Investigate additional
connections to the street network
in Germantown.
Minimal tree panels in the Germantown MARC parking lot area
Determine long-term alternatives
for the traffic in Boyds based on
consultants findings.
Improve water quality thru
additional tree canopy and
stormwater quality retrofits.
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Next Steps
Develop Preliminary Recommendations
July - September 2016
Present Recommendations to Community
September 2016
Working Draft to Planning Board
October 2016
Planning Board Public Hearings
November - December 2016
Transmit to Council
January 2017
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