Wheaton Central Business District and Vicinity Sector Plan
Eighteen years after the Montgomery County Planning Department last examined Wheaton’s commercial center, planners are poised to re-evaluate the community’s central business district. The amended sector plan will guide future land use and development in downtown Wheaton.
The amendment to the 1990 Wheaton Sector Plan covers 484 acres surrounding the Wheaton Metro station. The plan will focus on encouraging great urban design, efficient transportation, pedestrian links to the Wheaton Metro station, environmental sustainability and more. Home to a popular shopping mall, the central business district both draws residents from throughout the county and serves locals with a core of small stores, restaurants and other businesses.
The study will look at Wheaton’s future and how to build on its strengths. Planners, with input from the community and property owners, will propose a development pattern that best meets the needs and goals of Wheaton as a highly livable, unique place in the county. Among the plan's goals:
- Focus new development and revitalization efforts near Metro’s Red Line
- Reinvigorate Wheaton’s downtown by creating a walkable community with a distinct identity
- Create a vibrant mix of jobs and housing
- Preserve Wheaton’s ethnic diversity
- Build quality public spaces inviting to pedestrians
- Foster an environmentally sustainable community
Planners will present the Wheaton Sector Plan Scope of Work, which defines the challenges and identifies the plan of work, to the Planning Board on September 4.
Get involved
We want to hear from you as we plan Wheaton's new downtown! On September 17, join us at a community visioning workshop. Learn more about our community outreach plans.
The Sector Plan process
Planners develop master and sector plans to create a framework for each community designed to last 15 to 20 years. Those visions help planners and policy-makers – such as the Planning Board and County Council – make policy and decide on proposed development. Each sector plan includes an inventory of land uses and an analysis of zoning, transportation, community facilities, environmental assets, and historic structures, among many other elements.
Created nearly 40 years ago, Montgomery County’s General Plan defined the land use concept "Wedges and Corridors,” a regional plan that envisioned growth corridors radiating from Washington, D.C., like the spokes of a wheel. In between each spoke, wedges of open space, farmland, and residential areas prevail. Metro station areas – such as Wheaton – provide opportunities for vibrant, compact, walkable communities.
Community comments
We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think about how Wheaton should grow, what changes are needed and what should be retained as redevelopment occurs. Download our questionnaire to have your say.
Project schedule
- September 4, 2008: Staff to present Scope of Work to Planning Board
- September 17, 2008: Community visioning workshop
Previous actions
- April 30: Community meeting
View the presentation
M-NCPPC Staff Contact
Sandy Tallant, Community Based Planning
301-495-1329
Sandra.Tallant@mncppc-mc.org
Date of last update: August 14, 2008
