Strategy in Action

In February 2013, the Montgomery County Planning Department implemented the Neighborhood Retail (NR) Zone for commercial areas located within primarily residential areas that “have a neighborhood orientation and which… supply necessities usually requiring frequent purchasing and convenient automobile access.” The NR Zone addresses development in areas that have few mobility options and lack the density typically needed for pedestrian-oriented activity. Each NR Zone has its own allowable maximum total floor-to-area ratio (FARs) and height limits for commercial properties.