What is a charrette?
It’s the question often overheard from residents attending Planning Department events, where the concept has become a staple of the department’s outreach efforts.
Starting Monday, Nov. 10, planners will offer a series of charrettes aimed at figuring out what the Westbard area of Bethesda should look like over the next 25-30 years.
Residents, business owners and property owners are invited to drop in to a morning walking tour, stop by an open house or attend an evening session at Walt Whitman High School.
The definition of charrette is “a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions together.”
With residents already wary of new residential development that might come from new property owner Equity One, that probably won’t happen over the course of one week. But planners are hoping to get as much input as possible before proceeding with their sector plan rewrite:
The PlanWestbard Community Charrette will take place during the week of November 10; a full schedule of meetings is posted online at www.montgomeryplanning.org/planwestbard. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight into the Sector Plan process from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Westwood II (5110 Ridgefield Rd, Bethesda, MD). Evening presentations will be held during the week at the Walt Whitman High School cafeteria (7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD) from 6 – 9 p.m. The final presentation of the completed Concept Plan will be held at Westland Middle School (5511 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD) from 7 – 9 p.m.
Charrette Schedule At A Glance:
Monday, November 10 – Walking Tours will be conducted in the community at 10 a.m. and noon starting at Westwood II. Charrette Open House hours will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Westwood II. Attend the PlanWestbard Visioning Session at Walt Whitman High School starting at 6 p.m.Tuesday, November 11 – Observance of Veterans Day (no charrette activities)
Wednesday, November 12 – A “Sunrise Series” meeting will be held for business owners at 7 a.m. at Westwood II. Charrette Open House hours will follow until 5 p.m. at Westwood II. The Framework Concept will be presented at Walt Whitman High School from 6 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, November 13 – A “Sunrise Series” meeting will be held for all stakeholders at 7 a.m. at Westwood II followed by Charrette Open House hours until 5 p.m. The community will be asked to give feedback on the preferred options for the Framework Concept at Walt Whitman High School from 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, November 14 -The community is invited to drop in at Westwood II during the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to talk with Montgomery Planning Department staff as they refine the Concept Plan.
Monday, November 17 – Planners will be working on the results of the charrette in preparation for Tuesday’s evening presentation of the Completed Concept Plan at Westland Middle School.
Tuesday, November 18 – Planners will summarize the results of the charrette and its influence on the plan at Westland Middle School from 7 to 9 p.m.
About the Westbard Sector Plan:
The existing WestbardSector Plan is one of the oldest plans still in use in Montgomery County, having last been revised in 1982. It is now being updated at the direction of the Montgomery County Council to keep pace with the times and changes in the area.
