After months of listening to county planners discuss a neighborhood study of Burtonsville’s central business district, residents and property owners Thursday night laid out their own vision, which included more community areas and safe paths for bikes and pedestrians.

Kristin O’Connor, senior planner at Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, hosted a community “charrette” at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center. O’Connor is about a third of the way through an 11-month study of the area, which is tightly focused on finding two or three recommendations for the commercial strip along Route 198.

Four months after the newest edition to the area, Burtonsville Town Square, beckoned shoppers and businesses away from Burtonsville Crossing, an older shopping center, there is concern for the life of the strip.

O’Connor told the crowd of about 50 that the county council recommended studying the area. The last planning effort there was the Community Legacy Plan in 2008.

“We’re very concerned about what’s happening out in Burtonsville Crossing,” said Burtonsville resident Yvonne Hudson.

“We just want to know what the plan is to revitalize that area,” she said. “We’re very concerned about the lopsidedness of what’s happening on one side of [Route] 29 as opposed to the other side of [Route] 29.”

Many of Hudson’s neighbors agreed. Breaking into four groups, participants came up with ways of articulating how they perceive Burtonsville, as well as ideas for how it can be improved.

Residents agreed that Burtonsville lacks both attractions and distinguishable features, especially after the Amish Market moved to Laurel. The phrase “mixed-use” was also used liberally, and many residents envisioned the current Burtonsville Crossing as a re-zoned retail-residential development.

Residents also wanted to keep the neighborhood’s quaint feel, even while envisioning more traffic with new businesses like movie theaters and restaurants with outdoor seating. 

The groups also agreed that improved safety for drivers, pedestrians and bike riders should be part of the plan. Residents expressed a desire for a central district open for walking and ways to slow down motorists on Route 198.

Although both Chris Jones, developer of Burtonsville Town Square, and a representative from Burtonsville Crossing’s owner, Edens & Avant, participated in the meeting, most of the ideas focused on how to turn the struggling older center into an opportunity for the community.

Long-time resident Steve Amman said he wants more out of the newer development as well.

“The idea with the new shopping center, the hope was that there would be a community gathering space,” he said, “a place where people would be able to come together and talk and share a laugh, but it seems like it’s more of parking lots that already exist in Burtonsville.

“We used to see people at the Farmers’ Market,” Amman continued. “Now you might see someone at Rita’s on the side of the road, but it would just be nice to encourage community. “

O’Connor will take staff recommendations for the study area to the County Council in May.