The 1998 Master Plan defines the objective for the Ashton Village Center:  “Maintain the existing scale of Ashton Village Center and encourage improvements to its character.”  It goes on to say that “this Plan confirms the 1980 Plan land use recommendations and the existing zoning pattern in the Ashton Village Center.” Those recommendations (p.37 and p.38 of the 1980 Plan) say:

“Commercial development is channeled along New Hampshire Avenue south of Maryland Route 108 where stores and offices are interspersed with small residential lots.  A small amount of commercial expansion should occur in these areas in accord with the present development pattern:  small stores fronting New Hampshire Avenue.  Parking for these uses should be coordinated and placed in the rear of these structures, if this is feasible.”

The Ashton Meeting Place as currently proposed does not consist of small street-facing stores.  There are some proposed stores facing New Hampshire Avenue, behind a slope and a parking lot, but they would be higher and far more massive than any of the stores in the northwest shopping area across the intersection.

3. Master Plan Development Guidelines

The 1998 Master Plan recommends a number of specific development guidelines that the Plan drafters believed, with design review, would “help ensure that new development maintain the small scale envisioned for the village centers.”  As relevant here, these recommendations are as follows:

·        Encourage use of traditional village design such as height limits compatible with the Sandy Spring Historic District and buildings facing the main road.

·        Encourage “active fronts” on buildings such as porches and street entrances.

·        Encourage a land-use mix of stores and homes by maintaining the existing mix of commercial and residential zoning within the village centers.

·        Create pedestrian “traffic” with uses and designs that invite frequent visits by all members of the community.

·        Encourage stores and other uses that provide services to local residents and are at a compatible scale.

·        Create small parking areas that are well-landscaped, preserve trees and are compatible with nearby uses, both day and night.

·        Place most off-street parking out of view of common space and active fronts rather than between buildings and the street.

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