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Press Releases - County Council

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 10, 2021

The Committee will review legislation which would establish a new residential lot exemption for properties containing a historic resource that is protected from development by a density transfer and allow a greater residential density in certain housing development projects if 100 percent of the units are income-restricted for at least 30 years

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet virtually on Monday, Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. to review ZTA 21-06, Exemptions - Density Transfer and Historic Resources and ZTA 21-07, Density and Height Allocation - Development with Moderately Priced Dwelling Units.

The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

ZTA 21-06, Exemptions - Density Transfer and Historic Resources

Review: The PHED Committee will review ZTA 21-06, Exemptions – Density Transfer and Historic Resources, which would establish a new residential lot exemption for properties containing a historic resource that is protected from development by a density transfer.

The proposed exemption would permit a limited list of commercial uses on the site containing the historic resource. It would require a recommendation of approval from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and site plan approval by the Planning Board. During the approval process, the HPC and the Planning Board would have three new findings to make, intended to ensure that the proposed commercial uses protect, rather than detract from, the historic resource.

The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the Planning Board.

Those expected to attend and provide information include Casey Anderson, chair, Planning Board; Benjamin Berbert, planner coordinator, Countywide Planning and Policy, Planning Department; and Jason Sartori, chief, Countywide Planning and Policy, Planning Department.

ZTA 21-07, Density and Height Allocation - Development with Moderately Priced Dwelling Units

Review: The Committee will review Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 21-07, Density and Height Allocation - Development with Moderately Priced Dwelling Units. ZTA 21-07 would allow a greater residential density in certain housing development projects by permitting a floor area ratio (FAR) of up to 2.5 if 100 percent of the units are income-restricted for at least 30 years.

Councilmembers Hucker and Riemer are lead sponsors of the ZTA. Councilmember Rice is a cosponsor.

Those expected to attend and provide information include Casey Anderson, chair, Planning Board; Lisa Govoni, planner coordinator, Countywide Planning and Policy, Planning Department; Jason Sartori, chief, Countywide Planning and Policy, Planning Department; Somer Cross, program manager, Affordable Housing, Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA); Frank Demarais, deputy director, Affordable Housing, DHCA; Jeremy Criss, director, Office of Agriculture; Linda McMillan, senior legislative analyst, Montgomery County Government.

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

The Council and committees are meeting via Zoom because of ongoing construction and technology upgrades in the Council's Hearing Room and the inability to conduct meetings in a socially distant way in other areas of the Council Office Building with television broadcast capacity. Councilmembers continue to hold meetings in their offices by appointment.

The virtual Council and committee meetings will be 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: 21-505
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Benjamin Sky Brandt 240-777-7884