For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Bill 36-18 creates new framework to reduce traffic and streamline development review process
Rockville, Md., Dec. 3, 2019—Today the Council unanimously adopted Bill 36-18 to comprehensively amend the County’s Transportation Demand Management law, especially as it applies to new development in the County. Introduced by former County Executive Isiah Leggett at the end of his term, the legislation is the result of a multi-year interagency working group formed under former Department of Transportation Director Al Roshdieh after requests from Councilmember Hans Riemer and former Councilmember Roger Berliner.
Under current law, some new developments are required to negotiate Transportation Mitigation Agreements, which spell out steps developers will take to reduce demand, such as providing transit subsidies to employees, transit shuttles or bike sharing amenities. But the negotiated agreements are haphazard and time-consuming. Under Bill 36-18, the Department of Transportation will create a menu and a points system. Developers across the County will be required to choose from the approved menu to fulfill a targeted number of points based on the size, type and location of the development.
This new approach will ensure that all new development maximizes its ability to reduce demand on our transportation infrastructure and make the development review faster and more predictable.
“This bill is a long time coming, and a big step forward to ensure that we are doing everything we can to get cars off the road, improve mobility for our residents, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure fairness and predictability in the development process,” said Councilmember Riemer, who serves on the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee and chairs the Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee. “I appreciate all the work of my Council colleagues, current and former Department of Transportation leadership, Planning and Department of Permitting Services staff to get this bill done.”
More information on Bill 36-18 can be found in the Council staff report.
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