On September 30, 2003, the first joint focus group orientation meeting was held to bring all four focus groups together to kick-off the master plan’s official public involvement program. The joint orientation meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Bowie City Hall, 2614 Kenhill Drive. The last focus group meeting was held on May 6, 2004.

• Tuesday, October 14, 2003 – Development Pattern Elements (all focus groups)
  
• Wednesday, November 5, 2003 (follow-up to Development Pattern Elements presented at the October meeting for Bowie Regional Center and Developing Tier focus groups if needed)
  
• Thursday November 13 (follow-up to Development Pattern Elements presented at the October meeting for Old Town Bowie and Rural Tier focus groups if needed)
  
• Tuesday, December 2, 2003 – Environmental and Parks Elements (all focus groups)
  
• Tuesday December 9, 2003 (cancelled)
  
• Tuesday, January 13, 2004 – Transportation and Trails Elements (all focus groups)
  
• Tuesday, February 10, 2004 – Urban Design Elements (all focus groups)
  
• Tuesday, March 9, 2004 – Public Facilities and Historic Preservation Elements (all focus groups)
  
• Wednesday, April 21– Review of Transportation Element and Charrette Process (all focus groups)
  
• Thursday, May 6– Review of Transportation Element and Charrette Process (all focus groups)
  

Joint Focus Group Agendas and Summaries

1. Agendas

   2004		2003
   - January 13 - February 10 - March 9 - April 21		- September 30, - October 14 - November 5 - November 13 - December 2

   
   
2. Meeting Summary Notes
   

   A. Old Town Bowie Focus Group
   2004		2003
   - January 13 - February 10 - March 9 - April 21		- September 30 - October 14 - November 13 - December 2
   B. Rural Tier Focus Group
   2004		2003
   - January 13 - February 10 - March 9 - April 21		- September 30 - October 14 - November 13 - December 2
   C. Developing Tier Focus Group
   2004		2003
   - January 13 - February 10 - March 9 - April 21		- September 30 - October 14 - November 5 - December 2
   D. Bowie Regional Center Focus Group
   2004		2003
   - January 13 - February 10 - March 9 - April 21		- September 30 - October 14 - November 5 - December 2

Overview

Initially drawn from the citizens participating in the Central Patuxent River - Special Area Planning Study, the members in the Rural Tier Focus Group are property owners or people representing property owners and other interests within the planning area's Rural Tier. The focus group facilitator can be reached at 301-952-3211 or by e-mail: diane.jones@ppd.mncppc.org

Meeting Summaries

Overview

The Developing Tier Focus Group members examined the largest geographic area, comprised of 42 square miles corresponding to the Developing Tier policy area in the 2002 General Plan. The area is generally south of Duckettown Road, but includes Old Town Bowie and the Bowie State University area. It includes all of the incorporated City of Bowie and is generally west of MD 3 and US 301. It extends north from Leeland and Oak Grove Roads, with Enterprise Road and Hillmeade Road forming the western boundary. This is the portion of the planning area that has and is experiencing rapid development and in which growth pressures are being experienced by residents using area roadways and other public facilities and services. The focus group facilitator can be reached at 301-952-4797 or by e mail: joseph.chang@ppd.mncppc.org.

Meeting Summaries

Overview

The Bowie Regional Center was identified as one of 26 Centers in the 2002 General Plan. This 1.8-square-mile area encompasses the Bowie New Town Center, Heather Hills residential subdivision, Gateway Center, the southeast quadrant area of the US 50/301 interchange, and the Maryland Science and Technology Center in the northeast quadrant of that interchange. Largely developed with major retail and office uses, the area still has development potential. The General Plan classifies Regional Centers as locations suitable for regionally marketed commercial, office and employment areas, with possible sports and recreation complexes and high-density residential development as an option. Such Centers should be served by rail or bus mass transit. The focus group facilitator can be reached at 301-952-4797 or by e-mail: joseph.chang@ppd.mncppc.org. Members of this focus group explored issues related to the area's buildout and transportation system.

Meeting Summaries