The Mayor and Council voted unanimously last month to move ahead with a comprehensive study of over 150 acres bordering the Stonestreet corridor, near the Rockville Metro station.
The study will identify key sites for action and short- and long-term implementation steps, and will seek to strengthen relationships through consensus and balance with business owners, tenants and neighborhoods in the corridor area. The study area, in general, covers the east and west sides of North and South Stonestreet avenues, from Ashley Avenue to the north to where South Stonestreet Avenue ends at Veirs Mill Road.
The study will also build on several previous plans that have addressed the Stonestreet corridor. Detailed recommendations for the area are included in the Lincoln Park (2007) and East Rockville (2004) Neighborhood Plans, as well as the 2001 Town Center Master Plan. They broadly envision a pedestrian- and bicycle-oriented main street-style development, with a mix of uses along a converted boulevard.
Although portions of the corridor were rezoned in 2009 from industrial to mixed use, community members who took part in the plans’ development were concerned about the little progress made toward achieving the goals. The study intends to lay out defining actions that should implement those plans’ goals.
“Definitely zoning is something that we will look at as we move forward in this process, and definitely with the input of property owners and tenants, and residents and businesses alike,” said Andrea Gilles, a principle planner with Community Planning and Development Services.
The study will kick off in late April. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/stonestreetstudy to receive email updates about the project. For more information, contact Andrea Gilles at 240-314-8273 or [email protected].