Growing Gaithersburg

The City of Gaithersburg stands at a pivotal moment in its development. As a rapidly growing urban center, we have a critical opportunity to shape our future in a way that ensures sustainable growth, creates cohesive communities, and strengthens our voice in regional planning and resource allocation. This campaign proposes a proactive and comprehensive approach to expanding Gaithersburg's corporate limits into designated adjacent neighborhoods within our Maximum Expansion Limits (MEL).

For too long, development and planning in areas immediately bordering our city have been fragmented, leading to a "piece by piece parcel approach" that can result in inconsistent development standards, strained infrastructure, and a lack of cohesive community identity. By thoughtfully and strategically annexing these areas, Gaithersburg can take greater ownership over the planning and management of resources, ensuring that growth benefits both new and existing residents.

Taking the Reins: Comprehensive Planning for a Better Future

Expanding our city limits allows for the implementation of the City's comprehensive Master Plan in these new areas. This means:

• Unified Vision: Instead of disparate development decisions made under different jurisdictions, annexation allows for a single,مدينة-wide planning framework. This ensures that new development, like that planned for the vital Lakeforest Mall site (already within city limits and a prime example of large-scale redevelopment benefiting from city oversight), is integrated seamlessly with surrounding residential and commercial areas.

• Coordinated Infrastructure Investment: Parks, utilities, and, importantly, transportation networks can be planned and funded more effectively under city control. This includes advocating more strongly for necessary improvements on county and state roads that serve annexed areas, ensuring they meet city standards and support planned growth.

• Consistent Service Delivery: Residents in annexed areas will benefit from the City of Gaithersburg's established services, including public safety, public works, and community programs, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and access to resources.

Building Cohesive Communities

Beyond infrastructure and planning, comprehensive annexation is about building stronger, more connected communities. Bringing adjacent neighborhoods into the city family means:

• Shared Identity: Residents will share a common municipal identity, fostering greater civic pride and participation in city government and events.

• Enhanced Community Resources: City resources, from community centers to recreational programs, will be directly available to residents of newly annexed areas, enriching their quality of life.

• Thoughtful Development: The City's planning process prioritizes community input and aims to create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with appropriate transitions between different land uses, avoiding the pitfalls of uncoordinated development.

Strengthening Our Voice

A larger, more unified Gaithersburg holds greater sway in discussions with Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. With expanded corporate limits and a larger population base, the City's leadership will have increased leverage when advocating for:

• Fair Share of Resources: Ensuring Gaithersburg receives adequate county and state funding for infrastructure projects, particularly for maintenance and improvements on county and state roads within or bordering the expanded city.

• Prioritization of Local Needs: Having direct control over planning and development in annexed areas allows the City to prioritize projects and investments that align with local needs and the vision of our residents.

A Logical Step for a Growing City

Gaithersburg's continued growth necessitates a proactive approach to managing our development. Expanding our corporate limits into designated growth areas, as identified in our MEL, is a logical and necessary step to ensure that this growth is well-planned, sustainable, and enhances the quality of life for all who call Gaithersburg home. By embracing comprehensive annexation, we can create a more integrated, vibrant, and resilient city for the future.