Redevelopment Plan for Long Branch Emphasizes Transit

A bundle of ideas to enhance the Long Branch neighborhood's sense of community and to increase walkability from the planned Purple Line were presented to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday.

The Long Branch Sector Plan offers a framework for land use in the neighborhood over the next 15 to 20 years with a focus on the area on Piney Branch Road between Flower Avenue and University Boulevard. Officials hope that the two planned Metrorail stations—at Arliss Street and at University Boulevard—will "catalyze redevelopment and reinvestment" in the area. 

An enhanced pedestrian and bicycle network; rezoning that requires developers to make their projects friendly to walkers, cyclists and Metro riders, and a historic designation for Flower Theatre are among the proposals suggested to spur redvelopment. 

The Planning Board will set a public hearing this winter to hear testimony from the community before a series of work sessions to amend the plan. The Montgomery County Council will need to sign off on the final draft of the sector plan before it takes effect.