University Boulevard Corridor Plan Approved By Council

By Evan McFarland

On Dec. 9, the Montgomery County Council voted 7-3 in favor of the deeply controversial University Boulevard Corridor Plan (UBC).

The UBC Plan refers to an urban planning initiative for a 3.5-mile stretch of University Boulevard from Four Corners to Wheaton. The UBC Plan features all-encompassing recommendations for the development of the aforementioned stretch of University Boulevard. The plan calls for wider sidewalks, more crosswalks, and the creation of bike lanes. The plan also suggests variations in the typology of housing along the road. Previously, properties alongside University Boulevard were exclusively single-family homes. The UBC Plan recommends a shift to a variety of housing types: single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, condominiums, etc.

The plan has proved to be controversial. Proponents of the plan cite a poor safety history and a lack of maneuverability on University Boulevard. In addition, they also state that the plan has the potential to increase affordability and diversity in the area. Detractors state that carrying out the plan will financially strain residents, displacing renters, in particular, members of marginalized communities.

Montgomery County Planning has mentioned that University Boulevard’s poor walk and bikeability, mixed with its close proximity to schools, have contributed to frequent accidents where cars have struck and killed pedestrians and bicyclists. Wider sidewalks, more biking lanes, and traffic controls proposed by the UBC plan could alleviate this. Furthermore, they have also stated that variations in housing types would lead to an increase in diversity and create affordable housing. Converting some single-family homes into duplexes and townhouses means more housing and creates opportunities for shared rent, increasing affordability for some housing while also maintaining expensive single-family homes. This would lead to socioeconomic diversity. 

Will Jawando, one of the voters on the council, took the opposing stance. He mentioned that further down the line, the plan would likely lead to the construction of more expensive housing, such as apartments, which would lead to the removal of the homes of the least wealthy on University Boulevard, which Jawando mentioned were predominantly racial/ethnic minorities. University Boulevard is already very diverse, and the UBC Plan threatens this diversity. Jawando also stated that most residents of University Boulevard are opposed to the plan, claiming to have received 2,000 letters from residents arguing against the plan. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has questioned why the plan focuses on creating more housing in an area that already has housing, as opposed to building new housing in areas without it.

Urban planning in accordance with the UBC Plan is to begin effective immediately. The implementation of the plan’s vision, however, remains up to landowners.