Upcoming town halls on housing and restaurants

Neighbors:

I’d like to share a couple upcoming town halls, events, and updates on infrastructure projects with you. Please read on.

More Housing N.O.W. (New Options for Workers) Town Hall

Earlier this week, I created a comprehensive housing package with Councilmember Andrew Friedson (More Housing N.O.W.), which takes five steps to increase the supply of housing, drive down costs, and increase pathways to homeownership for the hard-working residents of Montgomery County. The package consists of 1) a Workforce Housing Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA), 2) a Workforce Housing Opportunity Fund 3) a Office to Housing ZTA and Subdivision Regulation Amendment, 4) a Office to Housing Tax Abatement Bill and 5) a doubling of the County’s investment in the Homeowner Assistance Program.

I am hosting a town hall on February 27 to talk about the proposal, answer questions, and gather feedback from you.

More Housing N.O.W. Town Hall
Thursday, February 27, 2025
6pm-8pm
Wheaton High School – Cafeteria
12401 Dalewood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20906
Refreshments provided
RSVP

The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposals on March 11. You may sign up to testify here.

In the meantime, here are a couple resources to get you up to speed on the proposal:

Restaurant Regulations Town Hall

For the past two years, as Chair of Economic Development, I have been working closely with restaurants throughout the county. As part of that work of helping restaurant operators and workers become familiar with new and existing food service regulations coming from the state, I am hosting a meeting with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Permitting Services on February 24. This meeting is a great opportunity for existing restaurants as well as for entrepreneurs thinking about opening a restaurant.

Restaurant Regulations Town Hall
Monday, February 24, 2025
10am-Noon
M-NCPPC HQs Auditorium
2425 Reedie Drive, 2nd Floor Wheaton, MD 20902
RSVP

District 6 Infrastructure Projects

We are now in budget season both locally and at the state level, and below are key infrastructure projects up for consideration in our district. I STRONGLY encourage you to reach out to the Council and your State Delegates and Senators to show your support for these crucial projects.

MCPS Projects

Northwood HS Addition/Facility Upgrade: The FY 2026 appropriation request includes $5 million to upgrade the stadium amenities at Northwood High School as part of the ongoing facility improvement project expected to be completed in August of 2027. This much-needed project will enhance the overall student experience, supporting physical fitness and extracurricular activities like sports, which are crucial for students’ social, emotional, and physical well-being.
MCPS Sustainability Initiatives: The Board is requesting $5 million for FY 2026 to support sustainability efforts. Now more than ever, I am committed to supporting initiative for a healthier and more environmentally friendly future. These efforts are vital for a sustainable future for Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Capital Projects State Funding Request for 2025 General Assembly Session

Randolph Road – CSX Grade Separation – $750,000. To advance concept designs to do preliminary design and prepare the project to compete for a new federal program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to eliminate at-grade rail crossings.
Wheaton Regional Park, Adventure Sports Park Construction – $1,500,000. To construct a new Adventure Sports Park within the Rubini Sports complex of Wheaton Regional Park, for the purpose of providing additional amenities for all age groups.
Wheaton Branch Flood Mitigation – $3,785,000 To mitigate flooding by excavating and expanding the stream channel upstream of the Wheaton Regional Pond and modifying its riser structure. The project will also include reforestation planting to meet MS4 permit restoration goal requirements.
North Bethesda Metro Station Northern Entrance – $9,000,000. To plan and do preliminary engineering of access improvements to the North Bethesda Metro Station. Access is currently limited to the southern end of the platform. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has conducted a feasibility study of providing additional access at the northern end of the platform, including potential pedestrian underpass connections of MD 355 (Rockville Pike). The project scope, schedule, and budget will be revised once WMATA selects a development partner, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2025.
Troubled and Distressed Common Ownership Communities Revitalization – $5,000,000 To support a pilot program designed to combat deterioration, failing infrastructure, and lack of maintenance in low- and moderate-income Common Ownership Communities across the County, through the establishment of two revolving loan fund options – one to evaluate capital needs and the other to address gap financing for eligible projects.

Understanding your energy bill and available assistance

Many neighbors have contacted my office with concerns about their energy bills. In response, and with advisement from Pepco, several measures are being implemented to assist customers. Due to colder-than-average temperatures and recent rate adjustments, including a 1% supply increase (+$1.18 on average) and a 4% surcharge increase (+$6.34 on average), driven by changes to the EmPOWER Maryland surcharge, many residents have seen fluctuations in their bills.

To support customers, Pepco is waiving late payment fees for January and February, extending repayment periods up to 24 months, suspending service disconnections in February, and waiving deposits for customers seeking to restore service. Additionally, Pepco’s Assistance Finder tool can help residents access financial aid programs like the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and the Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA), which provides up to $2,000 in past-due bill forgiveness.

For more details on energy-saving tips, payment plans, or assistance programs, visit pepco.com/BillSupport or call 202-833-7500 for direct support. My office remains committed to ensuring our community has the resources to navigate these challenges.