Press Releases - County Council

The Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee will meet on Monday, Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. to continue its review of the University Boulevard Corridor Plan. 

The members of the PHP Committee include Chair Andrew Friedson, Council Vice President Will Jawando and Councilmember Natali Fani-González. 

The Economic Development (ECON) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on activities and outlook for 2026 from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and review a resolution to redesignate MCEDC as the County’s economic development corporation. 

The members of the ECON Committee include Chair Natali Fani-González, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, Councilmember Evan Glass and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles. 

The Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive a briefing from the Office of Animal Services on Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge recommendations and the low cost spay and neuter program. 

The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Kristin Mink. 

University Boulevard Corridor Plan 

Review: The PHP Committee will continue its review of the Planning Board draft of the University Boulevard Corridor Plan. The plan makes recommendations within an approximately three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193) from the edge of East Indian Spring Drive, just south of I-495, to Amherst Avenue in Wheaton. The recommendations include a new range of residential housing options for existing detached residential properties and new infill development on larger institutional and commercial properties.  

At meetings held on Sept. 29 and Oct. 20, the committee reviewed the context for the draft’s recommendations, including the plan’s vision, the demographic and geographic setting of the plan area, and the framework under which the plan is organized. The committee also received a briefing about existing and planned transportation facilities and infrastructure from MCDOT representatives. In addition, the Committee reviewed existing and proposed zoning and evaluate land use, zoning and urban design recommendations.  

On Nov. 3, the committee reviewed the plan’s transportation recommendations. This meeting will cover the chapters on housing, parks, trails and open space, environmental sustainability, community facilities, historic resources, Racial Equity and Social Justice, and implementation, as well as any follow-up items. The Council will hold a worksession on Nov. 18. 

The University Boulevard Corridor Plan amends the approved and adopted 1989 Master Plan for the Communities of Kensington-Wheaton, 1996 Four Corners Master Plan, 2001 Kemp Mill Master Plan and 2012 Wheaton Central Business District and Vicinity Sector Plan. 

The Council held public hearings on the University Boulevard Corridor Plan on Sept. 10 at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring and Sept. 16 at the Council Office Building in Rockville. More information about the University Boulevard Corridor Plan is available on the Montgomery Planning website. 

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) Activities and Outlook for 2026 

Briefing: The ECON Committee will receive a briefing on MCEDC’S Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) work plan, as well as progress updates, an update on marketing metrics since FY23 and an update on staffing. The briefing is intended to provide the committee with a comprehensive understanding of MCEDC’s projects and day-to-day work, and to provide an outlook for FY26 and beyond. 

Resolution to redesignate Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) as the County’s Economic Development Corporation 

Review: The ECON Committee will review a resolution to redesignate MCEDC as the County’s economic development corporation. Chapter 15A, Article I of the County Code authorizes the County government to designate a nonprofit corporation as the County’s economic development corporation. In Dec. 2020, the Council adopted and the County Executive approved Resolution 19-662, redesignating MCEDC as the County’s economic development corporation through Jan. 1, 2026. The County Executive has submitted a resolution to redesignate MCEDC as the County’s economic development corporation for another five-year term through Jan. 1, 2031.

Animal Services: Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Recommendations and Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program 

Briefing: The PS Committee will receive a briefing from the Office of Animal Services on its implementation of the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge operational consult and the status of the low and moderate income spay and neuter program. 

Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge sends experts to communities across the country to offer free consultations to shelters and veterinary clinics and provides recommendation about how to keep pets with their families and out of shelters. Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge visited the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Sept. 2023 and reviewed Maryland State Law, County Code, the Office of Animal Services’ internal policies and procedures and Animal Shelter statistics. Their recommendations related to practices in the spay and neuter program, rabies clinic, triage and safety net programs, fostering, community cat program, field services, population management, intake protocols, animal housing, medicine and surgery, return-to-owners, adoptions and volunteers.

Committee Meetings and Agendas

The Committee 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.