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Montgomery County Council Meets on March 3 to Review Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan and Vote on a Bill to Amend the Contents of Climate Assessments for Legislation and Zoning Measures

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 2, 2026

Also on March 3: New bills will be introduced covering privately-owned immigration detention facilities and documentation for towing companies to determine lawful vehicle possession and Council vote on Resolution in Support of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, March 3 at 9:45 a.m. and the meeting will begin with a proclamation, presented by the full Council, celebrating Women’s History Month. At 1 p.m., Council President Natali Fani-González will present two proclamations with County Executive Marc Elrich. The first will recognize Middle Eastern American Heritage Month. The second will recognize National Consumer Protection Week.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Resolution in support of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Introduction and vote expected: The Council will introduce and is expected to vote on a resolution in support of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which is a treaty adopted in 1979 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. CEDAW is often described as an international Bill of Rights for women, as it aims to establish a comprehensive international framework to eliminate discrimination against women and advance gender equity.

The resolution would express the Council’s strong support for the principles and goals of CEDAW and affirm the County’s intention to continue work to advance gender equity, including expanding access to high-quality early care and education, while seeking guidance and working closely with the Montgomery County Commission for Women and other trusted community partners.

District Council Session

Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan

Review: The Council will review the Planning Board draft of the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan, which covers approximately 969 acres in northern Montgomery County, near Interstate 270 (I-270) and Clarksburg Road. The recommended plan establishes a new vision for a more complete, connected and sustainable Clarksburg community. The recommendations in the plan are focused on shaping future development and improvements to the transportation network, providing additional recreational opportunities for residents, advancing the County’s housing and economic goals, and preserving and protecting the natural environment.

This sector plan is an amendment to a portion of the 1994 Clarksburg Master Plan and Hyattstown Special Study Area and a portion of the 2014 Ten Mile Creek Area Limited.

The Council received a briefing on the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan at a meeting held on Jan. 20. The Council held a public hearing on the plan at Rocky Hill Middle School in Clarksburg on Jan. 21.

The Council’s Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee reviewed the plan at meetings held on Feb. 2,  Feb. 11 and Feb. 23. The committee recommends approval with amendments. Details about the committee’s recommendations and amendments can be found in the Council staff report.

Legislative Session

Expedited Bill 13-26, Building Permits - Immigration Detention Facility (ICE Out Act)

Introduction: Lead sponsors Councilmember Evan Glass, Council President Fani-González, Councilmembers Kate Stewart, Andrew Friedson, Sidney Katz, Shebra Evans, Will Jawando, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Vice President Marilyn Balcombe will introduce Expedited Bill 13-26, Building Permits - Immigration Detention Facility, also known as the ICE Out Act. Expedited Bill 13-26 would prohibit the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) from issuing a building permit or a use-and-occupancy permit for a privately-owned immigration detention facility.

The intent of this bill is to prevent the use of both new buildings and existing buildings as privately-owned immigration detention facilities. The legislation defines an immigration detention facility as any building, facility, or structure used, in whole or in part, to house or detain individuals for civil immigration violations, a definition modeled after the definition in state law.

Expedited Bill 14-26, Motor Vehicle Towing - Redemption of Vehicle - Proof of Ownership or Control

Introduction: Lead sponsor Councilmember Stewart will introduce Expedited Bill 14-26, Motor Vehicle Towing - Redemption of Vehicle - Proof of Ownership or Control, also known as The Vehicle Recovery Act, which would specify procedures governing vehicle redemption and require towing companies to accept alternative documentation that establishes ownership or lawful possession The legislation would provide a mechanism for authorized individuals, such as a family member or household member, to recover a vehicle if the vehicle owner is unavailable. In addition, the legislation would establish indemnification requirements associated with vehicle release and provide enforcement mechanisms for misconduct related to the release of impounded vehicles.

Council President Fani-González, Councilmembers Friedson, Evans, Glass, Vice President Balcombe, and Councilmembers Mink, Jawando, Katz, and Dawn Luedtke are cosponsors of Bill 14-26.

Bill 34-25, Legislative Process - Climate Assessments – Amendments

Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Bill 34-25, Legislative Process - Climate Assessments – Amendments, which would amend the contents of climate assessments required for legislation and zoning text amendments (ZTA) to bring additional definition, clarity and consistency to the required evaluation of “community resilience.” Under the Montgomery County Code, the Office of Legislative Oversight is required to provide a climate assessment for each bill under consideration by the Council. Similarly, the Planning Board must provide a climate assessment for each ZTA, master plan and master plan amendment pending before the District Council.

The lead sponsors of Bill 34-25 are Council Vice President Balcombe and Councilmember Luedtke. The Transportation and Environment (TE) Committee recommends enactment with amendments, which would define the terms greenhouse gas emissions, sequestration and carbon drawdown. In addition, the committee recommends permitting the Planning Board to delegate to its staff the responsibility to transmit climate assessments to the Council.

Consent Calendar

Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, March 3, which is available on the Council website.

Public Hearings

Unless otherwise noted, the Council will hold the following hybrid public hearings at 1:30 p.m.  Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony.

The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Release ID: 26-075
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Benjamin Sky Brandt 240-777-7884