Montgomery County Planning (M-NCPPC)

M-NCPPC HISTORY

Created in 1927, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission embodies the vision of forward-looking community leaders who saw the need to plan for orderly development and protection of the natural resources in the two suburban counties bordering the District of Columbia. During the Commission's proud 80 plus years of existence, the population of the area it serves has increased to more than 1.6 million residents who inhabit a bi-county area of great economic, racial, ethnic and geographic diversity.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

The Planning Board sets policy on parks and planning issues, prepares master plans for County Council action, and acts as the final decision-maker in subdivision reviews and for site, sketch and project plans. The Board makes recommendations to the County Council, the Board of Appeals, the school system, and other local, county, state, and federal agencies on projects affecting land use. The Planning Board reviews and makes recommendations on the County’s Capital Improvements Program, reviews and approves land acquisitions and major park development contracts, and approves plans to develop park facilities.

The five Planning Board members, appointed by the Montgomery County Council, consists of one full-time Chair and four Commissioners who meet weekly (or more often if needed) as the Montgomery County Planning Board.  They also serve as members of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.  In that role, Board members meet jointly with their Prince George’s County counterparts each month to act on full Commission business (pursuant to the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland).  The Planning Board also meets periodically with the Board of Education, Housing Opportunities Commission Board, Board of Appeals, and Historic Preservation Commission to discuss matters that are pertinent to their respective areas.  

CICHY BIO

Cichy worked at the Maryland Transit Administration/ Maryland Department of Transportation on projects such as the Corridor Cities Transitway, Purple Line light rail system and regional transit-oriented developments. From 1979 to 1984, he was director of transportation for Montgomery County and collaborated with federal, state and county agencies as well as developer and citizen groups to solve mutual problems. During his tenure, Cichy worked with Planning Department staff to coordinate implementation of master plan transportation projects.

Among Cichy’s achievements is a patent for a bus rapid transit vehicle with doors directly opening to transit platforms. He is a recipient of the Federal Transit Administration’s “Innovative Idea Award” for a 200-mile bus rapid transit system supplementing the Metrorail system in the Washington, DC region. In 2016, he graduated from the Senior Leadership Montgomery program. Cichy holds master degrees in both city and regional planning, and civil engineering from Catholic University. The Rockville resident has lived in Montgomery County for nearly 50 years.