For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Also on July 17: Introduction of measures relating to streamlining the process to construct accessory apartments and zoning changes to promote the use of solar collection systems
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 16, 2018—The Montgomery County Council will meet at 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17 in the third floor Council hearing room. The Council will review and vote on two stormwater management items: a special appropriation to the County Government’s fiscal year (FY) 2019 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY19-24 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), Conservation of Natural Resources: Stormwater Management Design/Build/Maintain Contract and Amendments to the FY19-24 CIP, Conservation of Natural Resources: Miscellaneous Stream Valley Improvements, Stormwater Management Retrofit: Roads and Stormwater Management Retrofit: Countywide to Stormwater Management Design/Build/Maintain Contract (DBM).
On June 14, the County Executive transmitted an FY19-24 CIP amendment proposal for consideration by the Council. This proposal followed an Executive veto of several Stormwater Management CIP projects that was overturned by the Council on June 19. The Council introduced two resolutions that would implement a compromise proposal. This compromise assumes that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will move forward with a single new design, build and maintain contract for approximately 500 acres of work to be completed over the FY19-24 contract period for the next Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Several elements are revised on the project description. These include:
In addition to these changes, Council staff have discussed with Executive staff a number of modifications regarding the structure and content of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the DBM contract. Some of the more substantive items include:
The staff report can be viewed here.
The Council also is scheduled to review Charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Commission. A Council vote on proposed Charter amendments is scheduled for July 24. The County Charter is the constitutional framework for Montgomery County Government. The Council appoints an eleven-member, bi-partisan, Charter Review Commission to study the County Charter. The Commission must report to the Council in May of every even-numbered year with recommendations for possible County Charter revisions. These recommendations may lead to proposed County Charter amendments that are voted on by the electorate. The 2018 Charter Review Commission Report can be viewed here.
The staff report can be viewed here.
The Council also will introduce two measures to streamline the process for constructing accessory dwelling units, which are also commonly known as in-law units, granny flats, accessory apartments and by many other names. These units include living spaces constructed over garages, basement apartments and even tiny backyard homes. These types of units provide environmental, lifestyle and financial benefits. Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 18-07, Accessory Residential Uses – Accessory Apartments, and Bill 26-18, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Accessory Apartment Licensing, would remove the conditional approval process that is currently required to construct an accessory dwelling unit. This process generally takes about four to six months. All conditional uses allow 120 days for planning staff and Planning Board review before a public hearing is conducted by a hearing examiner. The review by the Planning Board and planning staff would not be required, if the Council approves ZTA 18-07. All accessory dwelling unit construction would still be subject to licensing requirements and the appeals process. The goal of these measures is to reduce barriers to creating additional low-cost housing in the county. Both measures are sponsored by the Planning Housing and Economic Development Committee, which includes Councilmembers Nancy Floreen (chair) and George Leventhal and Council President Hans Riemer. The public hearing is scheduled for September 11 at 1:30 p.m.
The Council staff report for ZTA 18-07 can be found here. The Council staff reports for Bill 26-18 can be found here.
The Council also will introduce Zoning Text Amendment 18-08, Site Plan Amendment- Solar Collection Systems. Councilmember Tom Hucker is the lead sponsor. Under ZTA 18-08, a solar collection system on any pre-existing impervious surface would be allowed without amending a previously-approved site plan. As an accessory use, solar collection systems also could be allowed on sites with non-residential uses without a site plan amendment. In such circumstances, any minimum open space requirements must be retained, excluding the area used for the solar collection system. A public hearing is scheduled for September 11 at 1:30 p.m.
The staff report can be viewed here.
The Council also will introduce the following measures:
Expedited Bill 27-18, Taxation – Development Impact Tax Credits and Local
Area Transportation Review Mitigation Payments. Council President Hans Riemer is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive.
The staff report can be viewed here.
Bill 28-18, Boards, Committees and Commissions – Amendments. Council President Hans Riemer is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive.
The staff report can be viewed here.
Zoning Text Amendment 18-09, Landscape Contractors- Rural Cluster Zone. Councilmember Tom Hucker is the lead sponsor.
The staff report can be viewed here.
The Council also will vote on the following measures:
Zoning Text Amendment 18-04, Exemptions - Agricultural Zone. Council President Hans Riemer is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive.
The staff report can be viewed here.
Expedited Bill 25-18, Health and Sanitation - Special Needs Housing - Renaming. Council President Hans Riemer is the lead sponsor, at the request of the County Executive.
The staff report can be viewed here.
Expedited Bill 16-18 – Transportation Mitigation Payment – Credit. Councilmember Nancy Floreen is the lead sponsor. Councilmember Sidney Katz, Councilmember Craig Rice and Council Vice President Nancy Navarro are cosponsors.
The staff report can be viewed here.
Bill 34-17, Housing - Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU). Councilmember Nancy Floreen is the lead sponsor. Councilmember Craig Rice is a cosponsor.
The staff report can be viewed here.
Bill 38-17, MPDU - Requirement to Build. Council President Hans Riemer is the lead sponsor. Councilmember Sidney Katz is a cosponsor.
The staff report can be viewed here.
The Council meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM). The channel can be viewed on Cable Channels 996 (high definition) and 6 (standard definition) on Comcast; Channels 1056 (HD) and 6 (SD) on RCN; and Channel 30 on Verizon.
The Council meeting also will be available live via streaming through the Council web site at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
# # # Release ID: 18-198