The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on Aug. 6 recommended the mayor and council approve a zoning map amendment to rezone 16383 and 16411 Shady Grove Road from MXD (mixed‑use development) to C‑2 (general commercial), voting 4–0 on two separate motions required by code.

Planning staff presenter Emily Fishman said the application, Z10120-2025, was the subject of a joint public hearing on July 7 and that the commission kept the record open until July 28; at record closing staff reported there were no comments. Fishman said the application is a standard method rezoning governed by section 24‑12.3 of the city code and also reflects an amended annexation agreement approved May 20, 2025.

Fishman told commissioners that circumstances at the site have changed since the original annexation and that Montgomery County’s updated February sector plan no longer envisions relocating the county transfer station or redevelopment into mixed use. She said the change in neighborhood character is supported by the surrounding predominance of commercial and moderate industrial uses such as Montgomery County Division of Fleet Services and the Maryland Transportation Authority facility.

Fishman said the rezoning would also address a current nonconforming condition: the primary structure at 16411 Shady Grove Road is an automobile sales establishment, a use no longer allowed in the MXD zone under the revised zoning ordinance.

Under Maryland law for rezoning to a nonfloating zone, Fishman cited statutory factors in the Maryland Land Use Article, section 4‑204, and the city code; approval requires a finding of a substantial change in neighborhood character or a mistake in existing zoning. Commissioners agreed the surrounding area retained a commercial/industrial character, and the commission passed two motions: one recommending approval of the rezoning to council and a second finding that events since the 2009 master plan make the prior plan recommendation for the site no longer relevant. Both motions passed 4–0.

The recommendation and record will be forwarded to the mayor and council for public hearing and final action.