Subcommittee on Regional Growth & Development

Mission Statement

The special subcommittee of the Long Range Planning Committee was formed to help the Town Council develop a coordinated approach to Thrive Montgomery 2050 and the County Growth Policy 2020-2024, working with members of the Land Use Committee and with our neighboring communities.

Members

  • Irene Lane, Council Liaison
  • Dedun Ingram, Chair
  • Karen Elkins
  • Scott Faulk
  • Tom Glazer
  • Lees Hartman
  • Ted Kalick
  • Martha Marmo-Fernades
  • Peter Muenzfeld
  • Steve Seidel
  • David Valenstein

Agenda and Minutes

Agendas are posted prior to each meeting.  Minutes are posted upon approval at a regularly scheduled committee meeting.

Background

Montgomery County is currently working on updates to both its General Plan (now called Thrive Montgomery 2050), and its Subdivision Staging Policy (now called County Growth Policy 2020-2024). Thrive Montgomery 2050 is the long-range policy framework for guiding future land use and growth for the next 30 years, while the County Growth Policy is the tool the County uses to ensure that schools and transportation systems keep pace with development. The County Planning Board is considering drafts of both policies right now. After it approves them, the Planning Board’s recommendations will go to the County Council for consideration and action. The County Council is expected to approve the County Growth Policy by November 2020 and Thrive Montgomery 2050 by March 2021.

By County law, Montgomery County’s Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP) must be updated every four years, and an update is currently underway. In conjunction with County Master Plans, the SSP is used to determine whether public facilities, such as public schools and transportation systems, are sufficient to support new development. If public facilities are found to be insufficient, the SSP outlines remedial actions. The SSP also imposes taxes to fund new infrastructure.

The County Council will hold a public hearing on proposed updates to the SSP on September 15 and will finalize a new policy by November 15. Residents are encouraged to review the SSP documents and submit comments to the County Council either before or at its September 15 public hearing.

The Town raises concerns about fiscal impacts of the proposed changes, elimination of residential moratoria when schools are overcrowded, and elimination of the motor vehicle adequacy test in designated areas like Bethesda. The memo on the SSP, which was prepared by the Town's Subcommittee on Regional Growth and Development for the Town Council's September 1 work session, can be found above.