Plans for a slew of housing, space for offices and retail shops and a small park open to the public were generally well-received at a meeting Thursday for the Studio Plaza development in downtown Silver Spring, the Gazette newspaper reported. 

A representative from development company Robert Hillerson and Michael, LLC rolled out a plan that they said took prior community input into account. 

Studio Plaza will occupy part of the block that is bounded by Thayer Avenue and Silver Spring Avenue to the north and south and Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street to the east and west. 

Chair of the Urban District Advisory Committee Ernest Bland told the newspaper that he wrote to county officials about his concern for safety of walkways and that the proposed development's design "appeared to turn its back on the community."

The newspaper reported that other reviews of the revamped plans were favorable. 

Studio Plaza will likely include about one-fourth of an acre of green space between Silver Spring Avenue and Thayer Avenue, an area that is now a parking lot. The Gazette reported that the parking will move underground. 

The Montgomery County Planning Board will review the plans on Jan. 24.

Head to the Gazette's website for more on the story.