Neighbors,
The Council has just wrapped up its summer legislative work period, and, oh my, there is a lot of good news to report. Let’s get into it!
Rent stabilization is now in place
In July 2023, the Council approved compromise legislation that I spearheaded to prevent excessive rent increases for regulated rental units. Under the law, the maximum allowable rent increase is the lesser of the local annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) plus three percent or six percent of the base rent. We took a balanced approach by stabilizing rents in Montgomery County while also ensuring landlords can earn a fair return on their investment. Keeping in mind the County’s need to build 31,000 housing units by 2030, the legislation exempts newly built units for 23 years.
Last week, the Council approved the executive regulations that make the law effective.
No longer will renters have to fear exorbitant rent increases as they seek to build a better life for their families. I want to thank my colleagues on the Council, County Executive Elrich, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs and stakeholders on all sides for the thoughtful debate that got us here.
Supporting our rural economy with overnight farm stays
This Tuesday, the Council approved a zoning text amendment (ZTA 24-02) that I helped author that allows overnight farm stays in the County’s agricultural zones. In the near future residents and visitors alike will be able to directly experience the bounty and beauty of the county’s agricultural areas in overnight accommodations like you see below.
As you may know, this story began last fall when I worked closely with an exciting, young and diverse group of farmers to craft the original proposal (ZTA 23-09). Their vision is to provide guests to their farms an authentic, bucolic overnight experience and just as importantly, generate a new revenue stream in the face of increased costs and unpredictable markets.
With the feedback received and in collaboration with the skillful engagement efforts from Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Dawn Luedtke, the district representatives for the vast majority of the County’s agricultural areas, together we just introduced a new zoning text amendment (ZTA 24-02). This ZTA carries forward the thrust of my original proposal, but does so in a more narrow yet effective way to keep the goal of allowing overnight stays in rural areas and the Ag Reserve.
Property tax credit for disabled veterans passes
The Council unanimously approved legislation I authored that extends a property tax credit to severely disabled veterans. This bill offers a 50% credit for those with a 75-99% disability rating and a 25% credit for those with a 50-74% rating. Eligible veterans must be honorably discharged, certified by the VA, and have an income not exceeding $100,000, per the provisions of the enabling state law. The credit also extends to surviving spouses.
I want to thank the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, VFW Post 2562, Easterseals, and individual veterans for their powerful testimonials. Their stories underscored the importance of this bill and its positive impact on our veteran community.
Relief from noisy mufflers coming
I have teamed up with Council Vice President Kate Stewart to introduce legislation (Bill 14-24) that would allow the Police Department to use automated technology for excessive car noise. By leveraging advanced technology and automated enforcement, we can more effectively enforce existing vehicular noise laws everywhere without redirecting other valuable police resources.
Council approves MOVE Act to reduce office vacancy
Passage of the MOVE Act is one of the tangible results of the year-long effort by the Economic Development Committee to tackle the concerning rise in vacant office space. Last September the Committee held a panel discussion with commercial real estate experts and followed that up with a series of worksessions in the Winter/Spring to better understand the nature of the vacancy problem and identify practical and cost-effective solutions.
The MOVE Act is an outcome of this deliberative work. Indeed, the MOVE program has a proven track record of attracting businesses and non-profits to the County, so it makes a lot of sense to codify and expand it.
Connecting Life and Science: Council approves Great Seneca Plan
Over the last two months, I have worked closely with colleagues on the Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee to review and amend the Great Seneca Plan, which holds the beating heart of the County’s life sciences cluster. Together, we have put forward recommendations to strengthen the economic competitiveness of the area, guide future developments, and transform public spaces and amenities in the area to provide valuable links and social spaces. The full Council approved the plan as amended by the PHP committee.
Attainable Housing update
There is absolutely no doubt that the County is facing a housing shortage with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments estimating that we need to add 41,000 housing units in the next ten years to meet housing demands. The lack of supply is a main driver of the affordability crisis.
To address this gap, the Planning Department and Planning Board have been working on the Attainable Housing Strategies over the last several years. Specifically, they are proposing a series of zoning modifications that would give single-family homeowners more choices and opportunities for what they can do on their properties, including duplexes, triplexes, and other missing middle housing types.
I strongly believe that we need to create more housing for families at all income levels, and attainable housing is a key strategy to do just that. The details, however, are very important. The PHP Committee held a number of worksessions this summer to get an overview of the proposal. You can watch those worksessions here. The Planning Department put together a good FAQ as well. But to be clear, there is no legislation or zoning text amendment currently before the Council.
The Council will be hosting a series of listening sessions in the fall, and there will be many other opportunities for public comment before the Council takes this up formally. Stay tuned for the dates/locations on the listening sessions.
County and WMATA form partnership to create life sciences hub in North Bethesda
The County recently inked a partnership with WMATA to find a developer to build a major transit-oriented life sciences center at the North Bethesda Metrorail Station, that will include housing, office, retail, and public spaces. It’s a 13.9 acre site with an anticipated 2 to 3.7 million square feet of development.
This project is key for District 6 residents living in the North Bethesda and Rockville area. It also includes additional road and pedestrian infrastructure in support of the County’s plan to spur further development in the entire North Bethesda area.
Check out the press release and coverage in the Washington Business Journal to learn more.
County Charter Amendment
Last week, the Council voted to approve the language for a proposed Charter Amendment for Montgomery County voters to consider during the 2024 Presidential General Election on Nov. 5. The proposed ballot question would decrease the term limit that applies to the County Executive from the current three consecutive terms to two consecutive terms. The decreased term limit would apply to anyone who has already served two consecutive terms as of December 2026. This amendment was proposed by a voter petition and will be placed on the ballot in November, having submitted over 10,000 valid signatures, as approved by the Board of Elections. These proposed change to term limits will only be made if approved by a majority of Montgomery County voters during the 2024 Presidential General Election.
Wheaton bike park is officially open
Also: Montgomery Parks is offering a new Adaptive Mountain Biking Program, designed exclusively for individuals with disabilities to experience the thrill of mountain biking. The free program takes place Sunday, August 4, 2024, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at Wheaton Regional Park. Rides are offered in 90-minute time slots. Three certified adaptive mountain bike leaders will instruct and assist riders and experienced mountain bikers will ride alongside all participants. The program is open to people age 16+ and advanced registration is required here.
Council Seeks Applicants for Public Election Fund Committee
As you know, I ran for office using the Public Election Fund (meaning, not taking money from corporations or any special interest group). I was truly grateful to this system, which I advocated for years ago. Now, the Council is seeking applicants to serve on the seven-member committee to recommend funding for the Public Election Fund. The committee is composed of seven County residents appointed by the Council for four-year terms. Each member must reside in Montgomery County while serving on the committee. No more than three members may be from the same political party. The committee must issue a report to the Council on or before Jan. 30 of each year that identifies the estimated funds necessary to implement the public campaign financing system.
The deadline to apply is Monday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m. Learn more and apply.
Upcoming events and happenings
The recently created Sports Tourism Task Force will have their first meeting in September. Stay tuned for details.
I’m hosting a public safety town hall alongside our State D18 and D19 Delegation, the State’s Attorney, and Montgomery County Police on September 25 at 6pm at the Wheaton Recreation Center.
National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6. District 6 locations:
- Earl B. Wood Middle School on 14615 Bauer Dr, hosted by the Aspen Hill Civic Association from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
- Manor Lake and Flower Valley on 15101 Bauer Dr, hosted by Manor Lake Civic Association and Flower Valley Citizens Association from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
- Flora Singer Elementary School on 2600 Hayden Dr, hosted by McKenney Hills-Carroll Knolls Civic Association from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
The 75th Montgomery County Agricultural Fair runs from Aug. 9-17 at the County fairgrounds. Enjoy rides, entertainment, food, animals, arts and crafts exhibits, and activities for the whole family. Buy tickets today.
Join me at the Downtown Wheaton Summer Concert Series, featuring amazing bands around the DMV. From July 12th to August 30th. Concert lineup
And, finally, I’ll be Caribbean-American Heritage Celebration & Resource Fair this Saturday, August 3rd, 2-7pm at the Wheaton Marian Fryer Town Plaza. Hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Natali Fani-González
Councilmember, District 6
Chair, Economic Development Committee