Rockville adopts Town Center zoning changes, establishes floating zones

The Rockville Mayor and Council adopted a zoning text amendment on March 24 implementing aspects of the Town Center Master Plan, including three new floating zones and updated parking and ground-floor use rules.

Staff said the text amendment follows the Town Center Master Plan adopted by the council in January and implements recommendations intended to speed housing production, support economic development and align with the Climate Action Plan. The amendment establishes three floating zones with specified base and bonus heights, removes many off-street parking minimums within the town center (while continuing required accessible spaces), and allows residential uses at ground floor where appropriate without mandating ground-floor retail.

At the meeting Councilmember Van Grama introduced the zoning text amendment and moved to waive the usual layover period; the waiver motion passed by voice vote. Van Grama then moved to adopt the text amendment; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Why it matters: Floating zones create regulatory flexibility to implement master-plan goals without waiting for a full zoning ordinance rewrite and comprehensive map amendment. Staff and the Planning Commission said the amendment speeds project-level implementation in the Town Center while preserving design and accessibility requirements.

What the council said: Councilmembers praised staff for moving quickly to implement the master plan. Councilmembers also asked clarification questions about language changes (for example, swapping the term “waiver” for “modification” in one section to reduce procedural burdens).

Next steps: The amendment takes effect as provided in the adopting ordinance; staff said the zoning ordinance rewrite will continue and further refinements may follow. Projects that use the new floating-zone provisions will be subject to staff review and any applicable public hearings.