Rustic Roads
Rustic roads are roads in the Agricultural Reserve or rural parts of Montgomery County that exemplify the rural and agricultural character of the area. Exceptional rustic roads are roads that have such unusual and pleasing character that preservation of the road is highly desirable.
Rustic and Exceptional rustic roads are preserved under the Rustic Roads Program, which provides a system for evaluating, protecting, and enhancing these scenic roadways. The program includes nearly 100 roads. These roads are listed and described in the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan and in other area Master Plans as shown below.
The Rustic Roads Program is overseen by the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee (RRAC) and three agencies. The RRAC is comprised of seven citizen members who are appointed by the County Executive; they review and advise the County Executive, County Council, Planning Board, Department of Transportation, Department of Permitting Services and other county agencies on matters concerning rustic roads. Members review and comment upon roadway classifications, policies, regulations, and promote public awareness of the Rustic Roads Program.
News
- July 2011: Construction on a replacement bridge on White Ground Road has started. Traffic will be redirected to Clopper and Darnestown Roads for the duration of the project; MCDOT estimates that the project will take 8 months. Read more.
- May 2011: The RRAC sends congratulations and thanks for many years of excellent work to retiring Rustic Roads staff coordinator, Sarah Navid, and extends a warm welcome to the Committee's new staff coordinator, Laura Bradshaw.
- October 2010: Read the biennial Status of the Rustic Roads Program report.
- May 2010: Congratulations to Game Preserve Road, which was added to the Rustic Roads Program with the adoption of the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan.
Master Plans
- Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan (1996)
This document provides information about the program, its intent, history and regulations, as well as descriptions of the initial 66 roads designated under the program. - Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan (2010)
- Damascus Master Plan (2006)
- Olney Master Plan (2005)
- Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan, Clarksburg Master Plan & Hyattstown Special Study Area, Boyds Master Plan & Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan Amendment (2004)
- Potomac Subregion Master Plan (2002)
- Sandy Spring/Ashton Master Plan (1998)
- Cloverly Master Plan (1997)
- Fairland Master Plan (1997)
- Clarksburg Master Plan & Hyattstown Special Study Area (1994)
RRAC Meetings
The RRAC meets six or more times a year. Meetings are normally held at 7 p.m. in the 15th Floor Conference Room of the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD (after hours, use the cafeteria entry on the south side of the building). Meetings are open to the public. The anticipated meeting schedule is below; confirmation is recommended (call Sarah Navid, 240-777-6304).
Upcoming Meetings
- February 28, 2012 | agenda
- March 27, 2012
- April 24, 2012
- May 22, 2012
- June 26, 2012
- September 25, 2012
- October 23, 2012
- November 27, 2012
- December 2012 - TBD
Past Meetings
2012
- January 24, 2012 | agenda
2011
- November 29, 2011 | agenda
- September 27, 2011 | agenda
- Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | agenda | minutes
- Tuesday, May 24, 2011 | agenda |
- Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | agenda | minutes
- Thursday, March 31, 2011
- Tuesday, February 22, 2011 | agenda | minutes
2010 | November | agenda | minutes | September | agenda | minutes | May | agenda | minutes | April | minutes | March | agenda | minutes | January | agenda | minutes
2009 | December minutes | October | September minutes | June minutes| Mayminutes | April minutes| March minutes| February minutes
2008 | December | Novemberminutes| October minutes| September minutes (Joint meeting with the Ag Advisory Committee and Ag Preservation Advisory Board) | June minutes | May minutes | April 22 minutes | April 1 minutes| February | January
RRAC Members 
Greg Deaver, Engineer
Greg Glenn, Farmer
Robert Goldberg, Civic
Marc T. Miller, Civic
Fred Lechlider, Farmer
Robin Ziek, Rural preservation
Eric Spates, Farmer, AAC representative
Staff coordinator:Sarah Navid (DPS)
Non-voting member:Leslie Saville (M-NCPPC)
Agency Contacts
The three agencies overseeing the program and their responsibilities are:
- The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
- Classifications - Master Plans and Amendments
- Subdivision review and approval
- Contact: Leslie Saville, 301-495-2194, Leslie.Saville@mncppc-mc.org
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Executive regulations and policies
- Roadway Maintenance, Division of Highway Services (240-777-ROAD)
- Department of Permitting Services
- Review and permitting of work in rustic roads right-of-way
- Staff Coordination with Rustic Roads Advisory Committee
- Contact: Laura Bradshaw, 240-777-6296, or Laura.Bradshaw@montgomerycountymd.gov
Background Documents
- Executive Regulation 21-96
- Chapter 49, Article 8
- Biennial Reports from the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee
Date of last update: February 29, 2012
Montgomery County Planning Department