A flood that has a one-percent statistical probability of being equaled or exceeded in a given year (or that would on the average of once in every 100 years). Unless otherwise stated, this calculation in based on the contributing watershed being completely built-out under existing zoning.
The area along a stream or drainage course, lake, or pond, which, after total development of the watershed, would experience inundation by stormwater runoff equivalent to that which would occur on the average of once every 100 years.
A way of reimagining existing communities to maximize their attractiveness and efficiency by mixing housing, offices, and retail uses so services, infrastructure, facilities, and amenities to serve the daily needs of people who live or work there are within walking distance. While a literal or rigid application of 15-minute living may not be practical outside of Montgomery County’s Corridor-Focused Growth areas and centers, the concept is a useful way to generate concrete recommendations to make communities more complete and help them succeed.
An amendment to a plat of subdivision or right-of-way plat that releases the right-of-way from future public use.
1 People with a disability are afforded the opportunity to acquire information, engage in interactions, and enjoy services in a similar amount of time and effort as people without a disability.
2 The number of places – shops, jobs, recreation, etc. – a person can get to in a given amount of time. Accessibility can be increased by improving mobility and/or land use proximity.
Devices that communicate information about the WALK and DON’T WALK intervals at signalized intersections and mid-block crossings in non-visual formats to pedestrians who are blind or who have low vision.
A residential unit on the same lot as an existing single-family dwelling and used as a complete, independent living facility with provisions for cooking, eating, sanitation, and sleeping. It can be within the main structure of the house, an addition to the main structure, or a separate structure on the same lot.
A use that is incidental and subordinate to the principal use of a lot or site or the principal building, and located on the same lot or site as the principal use or building. Any permitted or limited use in a zone may be an accessory use to any other use in the same zone; any applicable use standards must be satisfied.
Non-motorized forms of transportation, such as walking, biking and rolling via wheelchair, scooter, or other conveyance.
Accessibility standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) that apply to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities in new construction, alterations, and additions.
Chapter 8, Article IV. Timely Adequate Public Facilities Determination, of the County Code, which requires a determination that public facilities are adequate to accommodate growth resulting from approval of a subdivision application.
Any infrastructure improvement required by the Planning Board as a condition of approving a preliminary plan of subdivision under Section 50-35(k) or identified in Montgomery County’s growth policy as necessary for adequate public facilities approval in a development district.
A type of Striped Bikeway appropriate for narrow, unlaned roads in residential areas where a dashed lane marking indicates that motorists are permitted to temporarily enter the bike lane to provide oncoming traffic sufficient space to pass safely.
Housing that is either built under a government regulation or a binding agreement that requires the unit to be affordable to households at or below specified income levels.
The establishment or forest or tree cover in accordance with Chapter 22A of the Montgomery County Code on an area from which it has always or very long been absent, or the planting of open areas which are not in forest cover.
A designated area of Montgomery County planned and zoned primarily for agricultural uses that includes the majority of the county’s remaining working farms and certain other non-farm land uses.
A form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining or educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner.
A right-of-way intended to provide secondary access to the rear or side of lots or buildings and not intended for transporting through traffic. An alley may be used to provide primary vehicular access if the Planning Board and the Director of Transportation concur that the dimensions and specifications proposed in a project, preliminary subdivision, or site plan would provide adequate primary vehicular access. An Alley is a Residential Alley if serving only residential zones, or a Commercial Alley if serving any non-residential zones.
A suite of recommended transportation and land use changes advanced as part of a master plan.
Public or privately provided facilities within a development that enhance public enjoyment. Amenities can include physical enhancements to public and private spaces that make those spaces more inviting to the general public. These enhancements can include specialty paving, lighting, landscaping and artwork, as well as financial contributions toward any of these elements.
A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public.
Federal requirements to ensure that buildings and facilities are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
Architecture is the art and science of designing and building structures, or large groups of structures, in keeping with aesthetic and functional criteria. It is about creating buildings and spaces that inspire us, that help us do our jobs, that bring us together, and that become, at their best, works of art that we can move through and live in.
A two-lane Street in a Suburban Area that typically connects employment and entertainment centers, civic, commercial, and institutional land uses, and may also provide limited regional connectivity and serve primary circulation in residential zones. These roads were previously classified as minor arterials.
A type of Master Plan that covers a specific area of the county. Typical elements of area master plans include: land use, zoning, urban design, transportation, parks, trails, and open space, the economy, the environment, historic resources and schools. The following are types of area master plans: Corridor Plan, Limited Plan Amendment, Minor Master Plan, Neighborhood Plan and Sector Plan.
The median household income for an area as estimated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is the midpoint of a region’s income distribution – half of households in a region earn more than the median and half earn less than the median.
A road meant primarily for through movement of vehicles at a moderate speed, although some access to abutting property is expected.
Housing that enables households of various incomes to obtain homes suitable for their needs in terms of size, location, and price point. It’s market-rate housing that makes living in Montgomery County’s residential neighborhoods attainable to more households. In Montgomery County, expanding attainable housing options means enabling the construction or renovation of diverse housing types beyond the typical detached single-family home to create more units that are smaller and more affordable due to their size.
Infrastructure involving video cameras and other sensors used to police speed and other traffic safety infractions in an impartial way.
An automobile that employs driver assistance technologies to remove the need for a human operator. There are multiple stages of automation from Stage 0 or fully unassisted manual driving to fully automated self-driving cars at Stage 5.
A commonly used measure of traffic flow that reflects the total volume of vehicular traffic passing a given point during a typical 24-hour period.
The maximum number of dwelling units or square footage of nonresidential space per unit of gross land area (usually expressed in acres) that is allowed by zoning, exclusive of any additional density that may be permitted based on the use of the optional method of development, the application of transferable development rights (TDRs), floating zones, cluster provisions, planned development zones, or the MPDU ordinance.
A congressionally authorized process the Department of Defense has used to reorganize its base structure to more efficiently and effectively support the country’s armed forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business.
A continuous linear earthen mound of varying height designed and placed to screen the view of and reduce the noise from adjacent, incompatible uses, such as highways.
A type of Bikeway in which portions of the roadway that accommodate stopped or parked vehicles, emergency use, bicycles and motor scooters, and pedestrians where sidewalks do not exist.
Any facility designated for use by bicycles. In the Bicycle Master Plan, bikeways are organized in five categories: Trails, Separated Bikeways, Striped Bikeways, Bikeable Shoulders, and Shared Roads.
A five-member board appointed by the County Council to hold hearings and rule on variances, and amendments to special exceptions approved before October 30, 2014. The Board’s powers and responsibilities are defined in the County Zoning Ordinance.
A Street Function with high capacity, median-divided roads that carry medium distance trips between activity centers. Includes Downtown Boulevards, Town Center Boulevards and (suburban) Boulevards.
A street type in a Suburban Area that typically connects employment and entertainment centers, civic, commercial, and institutional land uses, and may also provide cross-county and regional connections. Pedestrian, bicycle, and transit users are to be accommodated. Some access to abutting properties is expected.
Land containing an abandoned, idled or underused industrial or commercial site or facility where expansion or redevelopment may be affected by environmental contamination.
An area of land designed or managed for the purpose of separating or providing a transition between two or more land areas whose uses may conflict or be seen as incompatible.
A type of Striped Bikeway in which a Conventional Bike Lane is paired with a designated buffer space separating the bicycle lane from the adjacent vehicle travel lane and/or parking lane to increase the comfort of bicyclists.
A structure having one or more stories and a roof, designed primarily for the shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, animals, or property of any kind.
A scale drawing of the front, rear, or side of a building or structure showing dimensions and architectural details.
A line, parallel to a lot line, creating an area into which a structure must not project. A building line may be established that is more restrictive than the minimum setback required for structures in a particular zone.
A transferable development right created from land that consists of at least 25 acres, is capable of being served by an individual sewage treatment unit that satisfies Chapter 27A and applicable regulations under that chapter, is located in the AR zone, and could be encumbered by a Building Lot Terminus easement under Chapter 59.
A form of agricultural easement that generally terminates remaining development rights by extinguishing a right to build a dwelling unit on an eligible buildable lot.
A permit issued by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services after several levels of project review that allows construction buildings or structures to proceed.
The end point of development for a site or area, reached when all development capacity conveyed by zoning, subdivision, or site plan has been used.
Any human-made building, structure, or other intervention that alters the natural landscape for the purpose of serving or accommodating human activity or need. It includes cities, buildings, urban spaces, infrastructure, roads, parks, and any ancillary features that serve these structures.
A high-quality and high-capacity bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, reliable, and cost-effective transit service.
The Capital Improvements Program is a six-year comprehensive statement of the objectives with cost estimates and proposed construction schedules for capital projects and programs for all agencies for which the county sets tax rates or approves budgets or programs. Examples include the construction of public schools, street maintenance, and parks improvements.
Usually used as a synonym for Carbon Removal and Carbon Sequestration. Sometimes refers to the use of carbon removal to reduce the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, as opposed to simply slowing its increase.
Anthropogenic activities removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and durably storing it in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs, or in products. It is usually synonymous with Carbon Drawdown and Carbon Sequestration.
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is used usually synonymous with Carbon Drawdown and Carbon Removal.
Any one of the principal business areas of the County that has been designated as a central business district in Chapter 1 of the County Code and shown on this map.
A final document that incorporates all elements of the site plan approved by the Planning Board, including: a project data table; all necessary engineering drawings; specific references to all agency approvals required by the Planning Board approval resolution; and a complete copy of the approved resolution.
The largest tree of its species within the United States, the State, county or municipality, as appropriate.
Right turn lanes at intersections that provide for free-flow or nearly free-flow right-turn movements, often separated from the main intersection by a concrete island. Sometimes referred to as a “free right”, “hot right”, or “separated right.”
A community engagement event where stakeholders and decision makers work alongside experts to co-develop solutions to built environment problems using design. Although traditionally applied to community design and planning work, it is also being used in policy and organizational planning efforts.
The capacity of individuals in a democracy to become active citizens to work together to solve collective problems of communities and to encourage such a participation in their members.
Montgomery County’s strategic plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035.
Assessments as required by Montgomery County Bill 3-22 to evaluate the anticipated impacts of master plans and zoning text amendments (ZTAs) on the County’s contribution to addressing climate change.
A change in global or regional climate patterns, particularly the change apparent from the late 20th century onwards attributable largely to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.
An optional development technique under zoning and subdivision regulations that allows residential dwellings to be placed on smaller than usual lots that have been grouped or clustered in order to leave some land undivided and available as common area or open space.
Semi-communal housing consisting of a cluster of private homes and a shared community space (such as for cooking or laundry facilities).
Locating more than one public facility in one place, but also could include a private facility such as affordable housing. For example, locating a library and a park on the same property or next to each other.
A broad grouping of areas of high commercial activity with a concentration of jobs, retail, housing, transit and other ancillary uses and support services. It includes Central Business Districts, downtowns, and town centers.
A federal program that provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
A composite measure of equity-related indicators that helps users understand socio-economic conditions that drive advantage and disadvantage across the county. It measures the extent to which individual neighborhoods are representative of the socio-economic diversity of the county.
A homeownership mechanism used to ensure long term housing affordability. The trust acquires land and maintains ownership of it permanently. The trust enters a long-term, renewable lease with prospective homeowners instead of a traditional sale. When the property is sold, the homeowner earns only a portion of the increased property value. The remainder is kept by the trust, preserving the affordability for future low- to moderate-income families.
The ability of a community to prepare for anticipated natural hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions.
The practice of consolidating development of the built environment in ways that place buildings and infrastructure close together to reduce walking, biking, or driving distances and to make efficient use of land. According to Growing Cooler, The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, “The term “compact development” does not imply high-rise or even uniformly high density, but rather higher average “blended” densities. Compact development also features a mix of land uses, development of strong population and employment centers, interconnection of streets, and the design of structures and spaces at a human scale.”
Places that include the range of land uses, infrastructure, services and amenities that meet a wide range of needs for a variety of people. They include housing suitable for different household types, income levels, and preferences, helping to support racial and socioeconomic integration. The specific mix of uses, amenities, parks, public facilities, and building types in Complete Communities vary depending on factors such as the size and location of the neighborhood or community; proximity to transit, variation in physical features such as topography and environmental resources; and other factors unique to the history and context of each place.
A street designed, operated and maintained to provide safe accommodations for all users, including people who walk, bicycle, use transit and drive motor vehicles.
An approach to classifying streets based on both their land use context (Downtown Area, Town Center Area, Suburban Area, Industrial Area, Country Area) and street function (Highway, Boulevard, Connector, Street).
The Complete Streets Design Guide is a guide developed by Montgomery Planning and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation for designing, operating, and maintaining streets to provide safe accommodations for all users, including people who walk, bicycle, use transit, and drive motor vehicles.
Also referred to as a Concept Plan, a plan that identifies land use, structures, access and environmental features. The Concept Plan is intended to provide basic information for an applicant or developer to submit a regulatory plan such as a Sketch, Preliminary or Site Plan, and provides an avenue for stakeholder agencies to identify any major concerns relative to a master plan, functional plan or the zoning ordinance. The Concept Plan is reviewed by county and state agencies at the Development Review stage but does not proceed to the Planning Board since final decisions are not made with this type of application.
A conditional use, previously known as a “special exception,” is a use that is not permitted as a matter of right in the zone where it is located but may be allowed subject to a review process administered by a hearing examiner.
A dynamic strategy used to regulate roadway demand by adjusting prices without altering supply. It aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality and reduce noise levels by charging more for driving into highly congested areas during peak hours.
A Street Function that provides connections between Streets and Boulevards. Includes Area Connectors, Neighborhood Connectors, and Country Connectors.
A design process that not only considers physical aspects or standard specifications of a transportation facility, but also the economic, social, and environmental resources in the community being served by that facility.
A type of Striped Bikeway in which a Conventional Bike Lanes is designed to allow bicyclists to ride in the opposite direction of motor vehicle traffic. Contra-flow bike lanes convert a one-way traffic street into a two-way street: one direction for motor vehicles and bikes, the other for bikes only.
Locations where sidewalks or designated walkways intersect a roadway at a location where traffic control (traffic signal or STOP sign) is present.
A type of Highway meant exclusively for through movement of vehicles at a lower speed than a Freeway. Access must be limited to grade-separated interchanges or at-grade intersections with public roads.
A type of Striped Bikeway in which a portion of the street that have been designated by striping, signage and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicyclists. Also known as Bike Lanes.
An alternative to the traditional method of homeownership. In cooperative housing, the residents own a part of a corporation that owns and manages the building.
An on-street or off-street space designated for parking dockless vehicles such as bicycles and scooters.
A change in zoning to one or more properties, requested by the Planning Board, to correct an administrative or technical error in a Sectional or District Map Amendment.
A type of Area Master Plan that typically covers a linear area along one of the major corridors in the county. For example: Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan.
A planning approach to accommodating most of the new growth in Montgomery County surrounding major corridors. See Thrive Montgomery 2050, page 71, Figure 34.
Devices that communicate information about the number of seconds remaining in the pedestrian DON’T WALK interval.
Areas that comprise the least dense portions of the county, with agriculture and low intensity residential development.
A type of Connector street in a Country Area that was previously classified as major highways, arterials, or country arterials.
A multi-disciplinary approach of crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments. CPTED strategies aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among inhabitants so they can gain territorial control of areas, reduce crime, and minimize fear of crime. CPTED is pronounced ‘sep-ted’ and it is also known around the world as Designing Out Crime, defensible space, and other similar terms.
The sum of traffic volumes that cross at a single point in an intersection. The resulting product is used to determine the level of service of an intersection in a Local Area Transportation Review (LATR) Motor Vehicle Adequacy Test.
A street that functions like a Conventional Street but lacks a vertical curb and gutter. The surface is raised to a single level that is generally flush between sidewalks and space is delineated specifically for motor vehicle travel. Curbless Streets are designed to encourage slow motor vehicle speeds and pedestrians can cross at any location, but the overall design and use will lead people walking and traveling in a wheelchair to use the exclusive pedestrian zone for travel along the street. Curbless streets are also referred to as “festival streets” for their ability to serve as a civic space and accommodate community events and programming (when temporarily closed to traffic). This feature is well-suited for high-density areas and cultural hubs.
The use of space along the street curb, including, but not limited to loading and unloading passengers and freight, motor vehicle and bicycle parking, parklets, and outdoor dining.
A portion of the street that is designated by signs and markings for the preferential or exclusive use of transit vehicles.
The conveyance of private land, either in fee simple or as an easement, for public use, such as parkland, school sites, road and transit rights-of-way, etc., in connection with the development of a subdivision or lot.
A measure of the amount of development on a property. Density is often expressed as the number of residential units per acre of land (or another unit of measure), or the total amount of residential or commercial square footage on a property. When expressed as the ratio of residential or commercial square footage to square footage of lot area, it is called Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
An incentive tool offering developers the ability to exceed the maximum allowable residential housing density if they agree to construct more affordable housing units than required by law. In Montgomery County, the Zoning Ordinance allows for a density bonus of up to 22 percent above a zone’s base density in exchange for providing additional moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs) above the 12½ percent required.
A design approach for buildings, streets and open spaces that follows the following principles: 1) Elevates any project, no matter how small, with a thoughtful process that delivers both beauty and function in balance, 2) positively impacts the future by helping communities thrive—socially, economically, and environmentally, 3) Mutually benefits human and nonhuman inhabitants, 4) Adds economic value for owners, occupants, the community, and the planet—regardless of the project size and budget, 5) Reduces energy use and eliminates dependence on fossil fuels while improving building performance, function, comfort, and enjoyment, 6) Supports health and well-being for all people—considering physical, mental, and emotional effects on building occupants and the surrounding community, and 7) Is adaptable, resilient, and flexible to change over time—reducing the building’s risk and vulnerability and enhancing its usability, functionality, and value.
A set of guidelines intended to influence the design of buildings, landscapes and other parts of the built environment to achieve a desired level of quality for the physical environment. They typically include statements of intent and objectives supported by graphic illustrations.
The selected speed used to determine the various geometric features of a roadway during its design. See also Speed.
A district in which government may levy special assessments or taxes on real property to help pay for infrastructure improvements in that district.
