Gaithersburg council approves rezoning for two Shady Grove Road parcels near CarMax

The mayor and city council of Gaithersburg voted Sept. 15 to approve zoning map amendment Z101202025, rezoning 1633 and 16411 Shady Grove Road from MXD (mixed‑use development) to C‑2 (general commercial). Staff said the change reflects current and anticipated uses in the area and would vest existing approvals under the C‑2 zone; the planning commission recommended approval on Aug. 6. The council’s vote was 5-0. The rezoning was presented by planning staff as a standard method amendment under section 24‑12.3 of the city code and, the presentation said, must meet findings in section 4‑204 of the Maryland Land Use Article. Staff told the council the amended annexation agreement approved May 20, 2025, and updates in the 2021 Shady Grove sector plan informed the recommendation. Staff said the rezoning would convert the sketch plan for the site to a C‑2 concept plan and leave any previously approved site plans vested under the C‑2 designation. The presentation also noted that the county’s transfer‑station restrictions prohibit residential development on the property, and that surrounding uses — county fleet services, a Maryland Transportation Authority facility and the post office — support a continued commercial/industrial character. The applicant, Aaron Gerard, was present during the meeting. A council member moved the ordinance and the motion passed without recorded opposition (tally reported as 5-0). No amendments or conditions were recorded. Because this was a rezoning to a nonfloating zone, staff referenced the statutory findings required by Maryland law (section 4‑204) and local code (section 24‑12.3) as the basis for recommending approval. The council’s action was final at the meeting. The council did not identify additional follow-up tasks tied to the approval during the record of the meeting.