Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

1941-1996

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) is a bi-county agency empowered by the State of Maryland to acquire, develop, maintain, and administer a regional system of parks for Prince George's and Montgomery County. The Commission was officially authorized by the Maryland General Assembly in 1927, to acquire land for parks, pathways, and public works; levy taxes within the planning district; adopt a master plan; and control zoning and development within the two counties. The MNCPPC began fulfilling that mandate with the development of a park system for the metropolitan district which, by 1941, constituted 958 acres. The Commission met with opposition from proponents of the Charter movement, who sought to strip the MNCPPC of its powers and return the planning function to elected officials. The Charter adopted in 1948, however, failed to achieve this aim, and by the end of the decade the MNCPPC had created a vital network of parks and recreational facilities. In 1953 recreation programs were transferred to the County although the Commission retained control of planning program facilities.

The Commission's first General Plan, which was adopted by the County in 1957, proposed the acquisition of more parkland and the preservation of open space which would include regional parks and private country clubs in addition to farmland. Between 1956 and 1973 total park land under MNCPPC jurisdiction in Montgomery County increased from approximately 4,300 to 18,000 acres. In 1962 the MNCPPC unveiled a new General Plan known as "wedges and corridors" because of its assumption that metropolitan growth would take place along six corridors, four of which extended through suburban Maryland, designed to create transit lines providing easy access to downtown Washington. The focus on funneling residents to the District of Columbia met with some opposition; nevertheless, the plan was adopted by the MNCPPC in 1964. In the years following the implementation of the "wedges and corridors" plan it became clear that the MNCPPC had drastically underestimated the growth that would take place in Montgomery County. As land available for development close to the District line became exhausted, and development spread northward through the County, the MNCPPC began to focus on a comprehensive growth policy and the preservation of rural and open space.

Today the Commission is composed of five commissioners from each County. The Montgomery County Commissioners form the Montgomery County Planning Board which meets with the Prince George's County Planning Board weekly to administer a general plan for the physical development of most of the bi-county area. The Boards meet monthly to discuss administrative matters and regional and policy issues affecting both counties. Administration of the Commission is supervised by three appointed officers: the Executive Director, the Secretary-Treasurer and the General Counsel. The Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning carries out the work of the Commission in the County and reports directly to the Montgomery County Planning Board.

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

General processing procedures consisted of discarding duplicates, unnecessary binders, and routine transmittals. Oversized documents and photographs were removed from the original location in their assigned series and placed in separate containers. Separation sheets were inserted in the original location within the folder to indicate the new location of any records placed elsewhere.

Preservation copying of newspaper clippings was performed whenever feasible. Records in folders were arranged, unless otherwise indicated, in forward chronological order, with undated records appearing at the end of the folder.

PROVENANCE

The collection was culled from various accessions of printed material.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection of 6 cubic feet comprises printed material generated by the MNCPPC and related agencies from 1941 to 1996. Materials include plans and master plans for County towns and regions and departments within the County government; budget documents; annual reports; facility plans; zoning ordinances; and growth policy studies. The collection also contains several reports produced by the Montgomery County Division of the Maryland National Capital Park Police.

Materials are arranged chronologically and then alphabetically within each year. Undated material is located at the end of the collection.

Box 1

Zoning Ordinance, Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery County, 1941

Bethesda, Central Business District, 1946

Regulations for the Subdivision of Land for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in

Montgomery County, Amended, 1948

Zoning Ordinance for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery County, 1948

Opinions of the County Council for Montgomery County on Applications for Amendment to the

Zoning Ordinance, Maryland-Washington Regional District within Montgomery County,

Volume I, 1949

Opinions of the County Council for Montgomery County on Applications for Amendment to the

Zoning Ordinance, Text and Map, Volume II, 1950

Zoning Ordinance for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery County, 1950

Regulations for the Subdivision of Land for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in

Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, 1951

Subdivision of Land in Montgomery County, 1952

Tax Title Properties and Premature Subdivision of Land in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1928 to 1951, 1952

Budget, 1953-1954, [1953]

Park Programs, Park Development Program June 1-October 1, 1953, ca. 1953

People Are Talking, Upper Montgomery County Planning Commission, [1953]

Land Use, Upper Montgomery County Planning District, 1954

Park Guide, 1954

Your Park and Planning Commission at Work, Annual Report 1953-1954, 1954

Road Directory, Upper Montgomery County Planning District, 1955

Proposed Road Classification, Upper Montgomery County Planning District, 1956

Proposed Zoning Ordinance for the Upper Montgomery County Planning District, 1956

Survey and Reviews of the Organization and Planning Activities of the Maryland National- Capital Park and Planning Commission, 1956

Transcript of Proceedings on Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions in the Zoning Plan for the

Central Business District in Bethesda, Maryland and Master Plan of Streets and Highways

of Bethesda, Maryland (Parts 1 and 2), 1956

Annual Report Number 30, 1957

Report and Recommendations on the Proposed Revision to the Street and Zoning Plans for Silver Spring and Vicinity, 1957

Annual Report Number 31, 1958

Proposed Regulations for Industrial Park Zone, Second Draft, 1958

Proposed Zoning Ordinance for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery

County, 1958

Staff Report on Feasibility Studies for the Extension and Location of U. S. 240 to Connect

with the District of Columbia, 1958

Annual Report Number 32, 1959

Kensington-Wheaton Planning Area VII, Master Plan, 1959

Master Plan of Libraries, 1959

Staff Feasibility Studies for Location of a Proposed Wisconsin Avenue Expressway, 1959

Upper Rock Creek Watershed, Preliminary Master Plan, 1959

Annual Report Number 33, 1960

A Farmer Views the Land Use Plans, Unabridged Statement of E. Brooke Lee on Behalf of the

Upper Montgomery County Farmers Club, 1960

Annual Report 1960- 1961, 1961

Annual Report 1961-1962, 1962

Annual Report 1962-1963, 1963

Feasibility Study for Location of Proposed Palisades Interstate Route to Connect with D.C., 1963

Annual Report 1963-1964, 1964

West Chevy Chase and Vicinity, Master Plan, 1964

Annual Report 1964-1965, 1965

Olney and Vicinity, Master Plan, 1965

Report of the Commission on Zoning and Planning Law and Procedures, 1965

Kensington-Wheaton Planning Area, Information Reports:

Number I: 1960 Census Data, 1966

Number II: Schools, 1966

Number III: Kensington Economic Study, 1966

Number IV: Trends Since 1960, 1966

Number V: Existing Land Use and Zoning Inventory, 1966

Annual Report 1966-1967, [1967]

Kemp Mill-Four Corners and Vicinity, Master Plan, 1967

Montgomery County Street Index, 1967

Proposed Montgomery County Medical Complex, 1967

Report of the Committee to Evaluate the General Plan, 1967

Box 2

Ad Hoc Committee to Study and Evaluate Methods of Avoiding Premature Subdivision, Final

Report, 1968

Fairland-Beltsville and Vicinity, Adopted Plan, 1968

Public Forum on Concepts, Guidelines and Goals for the Aspen Hill, Kensington-Wheaton and

North Bethesda-Garrett Park Planning Areas, 1968

Transportation Projections, Lower Montgomery County (1975 and 1976), 1968

Adopted Budget FY 1969-70, 1969

Analysis, Testing, and Evaluation of Alternative Land Use and Transportation Systems for

Montgomery County, 1969

Corridor Feasibility Study for the Outer Circumferential Freeway in Montgomery County, 1969

Factors Influencing Development, Montgomery County, 1969

Impact of other Water Uses On Montgomery County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan, 1969

On Wedges and Corridors, A General Plan for the Maryland-Washington District in Montgomery

and Prince George's Counties, 1969

Adopted Budget FY 1970-71, 1970

Aspen Hill and Vicinity Planning Area, Approved and Adopted Master Plan, 1970

North Bethesda-Garrett Park Planning Area, Adopted and Approved Master Plan, 1970

Population Growth Forecast, 1970

Proposed Budget FY 1970-71, 1970

Silver Spring Planning Area, Master Plan, Final Draft, 1970

Six Year CIP 1970-1976, [1970]

Adopted Budget, FY 1971-72, [1971]

Gaithersburg Vicinity, Approved and Adopted Master Plan, 1971

Population and Housing Forecast, 1971

Population Growth Forecast, 1971

Population and Household Growth Forecast, 1972

Silver Spring Planning Area, Western Portion, Approved and Adopted Master Plan, 1972

Adopted Budget 1973-1974, [1973]

Little Bennett Regional Park, An Economic Feasibility Study, 1973 (see Box 7: Oversize)

Report on Sanitary Landfill Site, Investigations and Preliminary Design Criteria Development,

1973

Adopted Budget FY 1974-1975, 1974

Approved Capital Improvements Program for FYs 1975-1980, 1974

Characteristics of Resident Workers and Outcommuters: 1970, Montgomery County and the

Washington Metropolitan Area, 1974

Critique of the Proposed Friendship Heights Sector Plan, 1974

First Annual Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board, 1974

Friendship Heights, Sector Plan for Central Business District, 1974

Germantown, Comprehensive Amendment to the Master Plan, 1974

Interim Report of the Advisory Committee on County Growth Policy for Montgomery County,

Maryland, 1974

Leisure World, Amendment to Rossmoor Development Plan, 1974

Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Approved CIP for FYs 1975-80, 1974

Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Sic Year Public Services and Fixed Policy Program, [1974]

Provisional Inventory of the Flora and Fauna of Watts Branch, Muddy Branch, and Seneca Creek, Environmental Planning Document, 1974

Silver Spring, Central Business District and Vicinity, Sector Plan, Final Draft, 1974

Silver Spring, Central Business District and Vicinity, Sector Plan, Preliminary Draft, 1974

Socio-Economic Profile of the TESS Planning Area, 1974

Takoma Park, Transit Impact Area, Sector Plan, 1974

Box 3

Bicycling and Bicycle Facilities, 1975

Fire Station Master Plan, 1975

Preliminary Sector Plan for the Shady Grove Transit Sation Area, 1975

Proposed Budget FY 1975-1976, [1975]

Second Annual Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board, 1975

Second Annual Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board: Appendix,

1975

Second Annual Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board, Sequel No. 1:

Environment and Transportation, 1975

Silver Spring, Central Business District and Vicinity, Sector Plan, 1975

Storm Water Management: A Comprehensive Study of the Muddy Branch and Seneca Creek

Watersheds, 1975

Takoma Park-East Silver Spring (TESS) Master Plan, Preliminary Draft, 1975

Bethesda Central Business District, Sector Plan, 1976

Maryland National Capitla Park and Planning Commission Proposed Budget FY 1976-77, 1976

Proposed Budget FYs 1976-1977, [1976]

Third Annual Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board, 1976

Analysis of Growth in Montgomery County, Real Tax Base FY 1967-68 to FY 1976-77, 1977

Critical Areas in Montgomery County, 1977

Fourth Annual Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board, 1977

Kensington, Town and Vicinity, Sector Plan, Final Draft, 1977

Olney Master Plan Area, 1977

Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, Preliminary Draft and Plan Summary, 1977

Poolesville Community Facilities, 1977

Proposed Budget FYs 1977-1978, [1977]

Rock Creek Watershed Habitat Survey and Inventory of Fauna and Flora, 1977

Seneca Creek and Muddy Branch Basins, Functional Master Plan for Conservation and

Management, 1977

Shady Grove, Adopted and Approved Sector Plan, Transit Station Area, 1977

Silver Spring East, 1977

Urban Development Information Reporting System, Semi-Annual Residential Development

Report, January to June, 1977

Woodhaven Community Objections to the Proposed Woodhaven Hills Subdivision, 1977

Cabin John Creek, Rock Run and Little Falls Branch Watersheds, Habitat Survey and Inventory

of Fauna and Flora, 1978

Eastern Montgomery County Planning Areas, Background Information Packet, 1978

Forest Glen, Approved and Adopted Sector Plan for Transit Impact Area and Vicinity, 1978

Glenmont, Approved and Adopted Sector Plan for Transit Impact Area and Vicinity, 1978

Kensington, Town and Vicinity, Approved and Adopted Sector Plan, 1978

North Bethesda Sector Plans, Approved and Adopted, 1978

North Silver Spring Sector Plan, 1978

Box 4

Park-Recreation-Open Space, Approved and Adopted Master Plan, 1978

Project Listing Summary - Annual Operating Budget Impact, Recommended CIP FYs 79-84, 1978

Proposed Budget FYs 1978-1979, [1978]

Sandy Spring/Ashton Issues and Alternatives, 1978

Wheaton, Central Business District and Vicinity, Approved and Adopted Sector Plan, 1978

Bethesda Monitoring Report, Staff Report, 1979

Eastern Montgomery County Master Plans: Fairland, White Oaks, Cloverly, Issues and

Alternatives Paper, 1979

Fifth Growth Policy Report of the Montgomery County Planning Board and Amendments, 1979

Long Range Forecast: People, Jobs and Housing, 1979

Master Plan and Ordinance for Historic Preservation, 1979

Opinion of the General Counsel, 1979

Potomac Subregion, Master Plan, Draft, 1979

Project Listing Summary - Annual Operating Budget Impact, Recommended CIP FYs 80-885, 1979

Proposed Budget FYs 1979-1980, [1979]

Rock Creek Basin, Draft Functional Master Plan for Conservation and Management, 1979

Urban Development Information Reporting System, Annual Residential Development Report

1978, 1979

Comprehensive Staging Plan, Revised Preliminary Draft, 1980

Olney Master Plan, Approved and Adopted, 1980

Poolesville Vicinity Master Plan, 1980

Potomac Subregion, Approved and Adopted Master Plan, 1980

Preservation of Agriculture and Rural Open Space in Montgomery County, Preliminary

Functional Master Plan, Final Draft, 1980

Preservation of Agriculture and Rural Space, Approved and Adopted Functional Master Plan,

1980

Project Listing Summary - Annual Operating Budget Impact, Recommended CIP FYs 81-86, 1980

Rock Creek Basin, Approved and Adopted Functional Master Plan for Conservation and

Management, 1980

Sandy Spring/Ashton Special Study Plan, 1980

Sandy Spring/Ashton Special Study Plan, Final Draft, 1980

Damascus Master Plan, Final Draft, 1981

Eastern Montgomery County Planning Area: Cloverly, Fairland, White Oak, Approved and

Adopted Master Plan, 1981

Eastern Montgomery County Planning Area: Cloverly, Fairland, White Oak, Final Draft Master

Plan, 1981

Montgomery Village, 1981

Plowing New Ground: Questions and Answers, Montgomery County, Maryland Agricultural and

Rural Open Space Preservation Program, 1981

Takoma Park, Master Plan, Final Draft Plan/Adopted Plan, 1981

Zoning Ordinance, Replacement Pages, 1981

Bethesda Central Business District, Approved and Adopted Amendment, 1982

Bethesda Central Business District Sector Plan, Final Draft Amendment, 1982

Bethesda Central Business District Sector Plan, Preliminary Draft Amendment, 1982

Boyds Master Plan, Amendment, Preliminary Draft, 1982

Capitol View and Vicinity, Final Draft Sector Plan, 1982

Potomac Subregion Master Plan, Final Draft Amendment, 1982

Takoma Park Master Plan, Approved and Adopted, 1982

Westbard Sector Plan, Approved and Adopted, 1982

Westbard Sector Plan, Final Draft, 1982

Wheaton Central Business District and Vicinity, Proposed Amendment to the Approved and

Adopted Sector Plan, Final Draft, 1982

Box 5

Bethesda Optional Methods Applications, Staff Report, 1983

Boyds Master Plan, Final Draft, 1983

Evaluation of the Water Quality Impacts of Future Development in the Clarksburg Area, An

Application of the Seneca Watershed Model, 1983

Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan, Final Draft, 1983

Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan, Preliminary Draft, 1983

Proposed Budget, Fiscal Year 1983-1984, 1983

Silver Spring Past, Present and Future, 1983

Comprehensive Staff Draft, Planning Policies Report, Public Hearing, 1984

Interagency Computer Committee Peer Review Budget, 1984

Newsletter of the Montgomery County Planning Board, Volume III, Series V, 1984

Potomac Subregion Master Plan, Approved and Adopted Amendment, 1984

Proposed Budget, Montgomery County Programs, Fiscal Year 1984-1985, 1984

Boyds Master Plan, 1985

Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan, Approved and Adopted, 1985

Montgomery County Census Update Survey Summary Report - 1984, 1985

Proposed Budget, Fiscal Year 1985-1986, Montgomery County Programs, 1985

Alternative Transportation Scenarios and Staging Ceilings, 1986

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Planning, Zoning, Subdivision in Montgomery

County, Maryland But Were Afraid to Ask, 1986

Montgomery County Short Term Traffic Alleviation policy, 1986

Planning Area Profiles: 1984 Census Update Survey - Demographic Information by Area and

Housing Type, 1986

Trends and Forecasts: Jobs, Housing, Population and Births, 1986

Annual Growth Policy, FY 89, Final Draft, 1987

Child Care Centers in Commercial Settings, 1987

Child Care Centers in Park Settings, 1987

Damascus Vicinity, 1987

Small Child Care Facilities in Residential Areas, 1987

Trends and Forecasts: Jobs, Housing, Population and Births, 1987

Annual Growth Policy, FY 90, Final Draft, 1988

General Plan Assessment Study, 1988

Rockville Right-of-Way Study, Final Report, 1988

Comprehensive Growth Policy Study Volume I - A Policy Vision, Centers and Trails, 1989

Comprehensive Growth Policy Study Volume II - Alternative Scenarios: Analysis and Evaluation, 1989

Comprehensive Growth Policy Study Volume III - Global Factors: Assessments and Implications, 1989

Comprehensive Growth Policy Study Volume IV - Appendices: Background Information, 1989

Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan, Approved and Adopted Amendment, Stage III Ceiling

Recommendations, 1989

Georgetown Branch Master Plan Amendment, Final Draft with County Executive Modifications,

1989

Georgetown Branch Master Plan Amendment, Preliminary Draft, 1989

Trip Generation Rate Study, 1989

Bethesda CBD Sector Plan Issues Report, 1990

Development Trends 1989: Non-Residential Development, Job Growth and Housing

Development, 1990

Eastern Montgomery County Planning Area: Cloverly, Fairland, White Oak, Approved and

Adopted Amendment, 1990

Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan Amendment, Stage III Shady Grove Study Area, 1990

Georgetown Branch Master Plan Amendment, 1990

Adopted Annual Budget, Fiscal Year 1991-1992, 1991

Councilmanic District: Population and Housing Profile, 1991

Geographic Comparisons by Population Groups : Planning Department Research Bulletin No.3, 1991

1990 Census First Release Map Book: Planning Department Research Division Bulletin No. 1,

1991

1990 Race, Hispanic Origin, and Population Under 18 by Census Tracts: Planning Department

Research Division Bulletin No. 2, 1991

1990 Total Population by Age and Census Tract: Research Division Bulletin No. 4, 1991

Box 6

Development Trends 1990: Non-Residential Development, Job Growth and Housing

Development, 1991

Montgomery County, 1960-1990: Comparisons of Selected Census Data on Population and

Households, Research Division Bulletin No. 6, 1991

Selected Population and Housing Characteristics by Place: Planning Department Research

Bulletin No. 5, 1991

Game Law Enforcement Program, 1992

General Plan Refinement Goals and Objectives, Supplement, 1992

Information Systems and Telecommunications Plan: Research and Information Systems Divisions, 1992

Key Demographic Facts for the 1990's, Montgomery County, Md., 1992

Language Minority Student Programs, 1992

Longbranch Neighborhood Patrol Program, 1992

North Bethesda-Garrett Park, Approved and Adopted Master Plan, 1992

Police Awareness Day, 1992

Problem Oriented Policing: Our Philosophy and Actions, 1992

Recreation Guidelines, Guidelines for Recreation Amenities in Residential Developments, 1992

State of Montgomery County's Development Economy, 1992

Transportation Network Studies, Final Report, 1992

1990 U.S. Census Tabular Summaries, Montgomery County, Maryland: Planning Department

Research Bulletin No. 7, 1992

FY Annual Growth Policy, 1993

General Plan Refinement of the Goals and Objectives for Montgomery County, Approved and

Adopted, 1993

Minority Population Brochures, 1993

Patuxent River Watershed, Functional Master Plan, 1993

Population Diversity - Demographic and Immigration Trends in Montgomery County: A Symposium, 1993

Symposium Highlights: Population Diversity - Demographic and Immigration Trends in Montgomery County, Md., 1993

Transitway and High-Occupancy Vehicle Network Master Plan Appendix, 1993

Transitway and High-Occupancy Vehicle Network Master Plan Issues Report, 1993

Bethesda Central Business District Sector Plan, Approved and Adopted, 1994

FY 95 Annual Growth Policy - Ceiling Element, 1994

Eastern Montgomery County Planning Area: Cloverly, Fairland, White Oak, 1981, as Amended

1995

Forest Glen Sector Plan, Planning Board Final Draft, 1995

Forest Glen Sector Plan, Public Hearing, Preliminary Draft, 1995

Transitway and High-Occupancy Vehicle Network Master Plan, Technical Appendix, 1995

White Oak Master Plan, Public Hearing, Preliminary Draft, 1995

Cloverly Master Plan, Public Hearing, Preliminary Draft, 1996

Fairland Master Plan, Comprehensive Amendment to the 1981 Eastern Montgomery County

Master Plan, Preliminary board Draft, 1996

Four Corners Master Plan, Comprehensive Amendment to the 1986 Four Corners Sector Plan,

1996

Sandy Spring/Ashton Master Plan, Public Hearing, Preliminary Draft, 1996

Citizen's Guide to the Montgomery County Division, Maryland National Park Police, n.d.

Government Processes in Zoning Subdivision Special Exception and Citizen Participation, n.d.

Subdivision Regulations for the Maryland-Washington Regional District with Montgomery

County, n.d.

Montgomery County Service Park, Master Plan, n.d. (see Box 7: Oversize)

Box 7 (Oversize)

Little Bennett Regional Park, An Economic Feasibility Study, 1973

Montgomery County Service Park, Master Plan, n.d.